Friday, April 30, 2010

Customer Survey

Thank you for all your suggestions for upcoming issues. Keep them coming! We really want to make this magazine about what you guys want.

We've put together a short survey about issue 1 and its content. We would really appreciate it if all of you could spend 5 minutes to fill it in. It will help us make issue 2 better.

Please click here to fill out the survey.

Thank you all so much for being so wonderful and wholeheartedly supporting our new venture.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Featured Crafter - Cluck Cluck Sew

Before we sit down and have a chat with the lovely Alison, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all SO much for supporting the first issue of Fat Quarterly. We have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback and are thrilled you like what we put together.

We want Fat Quarterly to be a magazine that you really look forward to each quarter. If you want to see more of one thing or less of something else - don't be shy, you can leave us feedback here or drop us a note directly.

We caught up with Alison from Cluck Cluck Sew last week and here is what she had to say.


How did you end up becoming a quilter and how did you learn to quilt?
I started quilting June of '08 when I saw the cover of a magazine featuring a quilt made with Katie Jump Rope fabrics by Denyse Schmidt and HAD to have it.  My mom has always been a quilter and helped me make my first quilt, and after that I was hooked.  I did a lot of research online about techniques and free motion quilting, and later that summer I did free motion quilting for the first time.  I never ever though I would be a quilter, honestly I thought it was only for Grandma's...but I'm so thankful that I had the desire and help to give it a go.

Tell us a little bit about your creative workspace?  

 I am lucky enough to have a seperate room in my home that I have deemed the "sewing room".  We just moved a few months ago, so I have finally finished organizing fabric and getting everything put in its place.  I can't stand sewing when my space is messy or disorganized, so I have a lot of shelves in there where I can hide my mess and pretend its not there.  I used to lay my quilt blocks out on the floor, but after having sore knees all the time I decided to make a design wall.  Nothing fancy...just a piece of white flannel tacked to the wall. 
 




 Out of all the quilts you have made, which is your favourite?
My favorite quilt by a long shot is the quilt on my son Ben's bed.  I think i called it Ben's quilt (naming quilts is not my talent!) and its colorful, happy, and I still can't believe how all those fabrics I used came together so nicely.  It makes me happier every time I see it, which means its doing its job!
 

How many quilts have you made?  Who do you make quilts for?  Do you store quilts at home or are they all in use?
Your making me think!  I have made about 55 or so quilts now, some small, some big and one or two art quilts for the walls.  I really don't ever have a person in mind when making quilts unless I'm wanting a new quilt for my home, so I make them and hope that someone will have a baby or sell them on etsy.  
I store most of my quilts at home in a large buffet with open doors so they can peek through and I can stare at them all day.  I have a few in use around my house, 3 in my living room and four or five in the bedrooms on the guest bed and in the boys room.  I think that quilts should be used and loved, so I rotate quilts quite often so they all have a chance to be loved.  You wouldn't believe how many times I've opened up my quilt cupboard and found a quilt I'd forgot about completely!  


Which sewing machine do you use?
I mostly use a Bernina 1008.  Its a manual machine and some serious gusto.  Older Bernina's are my favorite, my Mom has a Bernina 810 that is 25 years old and it is my very favorite to free motion quilt on.  I will save my quilt tops until my next visit home just so I can use it.  Right now I'm using a PFAFF triptronic also.  It does a fabulous job of patchwork, but a lousy job at free motion quilting. 

Who inspires you? 
Where do I start??!!  I get inspired a lot by other bloggers, as well as my blog readers that motivate me everyday. Above all though, my own Mom inspires me and is my biggest fan.  She raised her children and took the time to nurture us, but also was a great example of the importance of taking time for yourself too. 
 
Do you work from craft books (which ones), online tutorials, bought patterns etc.?
I only own a few craft books and I have only ever purchased 2 patterns, probably because I can't follow a pattern to save my life!  I enjoy the process of seeing a quilt or thinking of a design and figuring it out myself.  I've always found that the math side of quilt designing comes easily, so I've never found it too challenging to figure them out myself.  I do use online tutorials if its something I love, and its always nice when the math is already done for me and I can just cut and sew!  I tear a lot of pictures out of catalogs and magazines for inspiration, and if I see a quilt I love I will snap a picture of it and file it away for future use. 
 
What other creative pursuits interest you?
 I enjoy gardening, photography, I enjoy scrapbooking (but now I'm so far behind its stressing me out), and some cooking.  This year I would like to try fabric dying and bleaching...but with two little boys running around it sounds like a mess just waiting to happen!  I would also like to get better at sewing clothing, but again...patterns and me are not friends. 

Thanks Alison for taking some time out to chat with us, you can see more of Alison's wonderful work at www.cluckclucksew.com

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Errata Issue 1

We deeply apologise for a couple of problems in the copy of the e-zine. Please accept our apologies whilst we iron these out.

Links
In the featured crafters sections both Julie's (jaybirdquilts) and Ashley's (filminthefridge) are linking incorrectly.

You can find Julie's blog at the following address; http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/ and Ashley can be found over at http://www.filminthefridge.com/
It has also come to our attention that some of the hexagon templates are printing off a little smaller than they should be for some people.

Hexagon Templates
Please check your templates. The smaller templates should measure 0.75" and the larger templates 1.25" along one side. If they do not then please download your hexagon templates from here

Monday, April 26, 2010

And, we're off!


Today's the day! If you're reading this post, then the first issue of Fat Quarterly is now available for purchase. The six of us have been waiting for this day for months, and we are so excited to share our labor of love with all of you.

What's in store in Issue #1? Here's what you can expect:
  • Six original project patterns -- one from each of us -- including four all-new quilt patterns, a stunning pillow pattern, and a pattern for a fast & fun table runner

  • Interviews with some of today's hottest fabric designers dishing about their new & upcoming lines, including Lizzy House, Laurie Wisbrun, Cosmo Cricket, Mo Bedell, and more

  • Reviews of two new quilting books and a chance to win them both

  • An interview with Ingrid Press, the designer of the little house quilt that took Flickr by storm

  • An inside look at Quilts: 1700-2010, an exhibit on display at London's Victoria & Albert Museum

  • ... and more!
You have two options for purchasing Fat Quarterly. The first (and easiest) way to purchase an issue for yourself is to simply visit the "Buy" section of our site. If you are interested in buying an issue or subscription as a gift for someone else, visit our Etsy shop and complete your purchase over there.

Thanks for all of your interest in and excitement about Fat Quarterly over the past few weeks. We hope we can exceed all of your expectations with our first issue. And, of course, we want to hear what you think. Please comment here on the blog, give us a shout on Twitter, or email us at customerservice@fatquarterly.com.

Happy sewing!


Issue 1 Errata - we deeply apologise for a couple of problems with links in the copy of the e-zine. Please accept our apologies whilst we iron these out.

In the featured crafters sections both Julie's (jaybirdquilts) and Ashley's (filminthefridge) are linking incorrectly. You can find Julie's blog at the following address; http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/m and Ashley can be found over at http://www.filminthefridge.com/
It has come to our attention that some of the hexagon templates are printing off a little smaller than they should be. Please check your templates. The smaller templates should measure 0.75" and the larger templates 1.25" along one side. If they do not then please download your hexagon templates from here

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Windows and Frames quilt

Kate's 'Windows and Frames quilt' was made by upcycling her husbands old business shirts. A simple and effective pattern of framed squares enhanced with a crisp white solid.

Find Kate's pattern in issue 1 of Fat Quarterly which will be available to purchase on Tuesday 27th of April.

Not long now.........

Friday, April 23, 2010

Flying Fish Table Runner

John has created a lovely table runner which he hopes 'can be the centerpiece for your spring & summer feasts'.



The great thing about this project, is that it allows you to always have your favourite fabric on display.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Jewel Box Quilt


Brioni's quilt is based on the traditional Jewel Box pattern.
Here it is given a fresh update with the addition of a little extra piecing and produced in popular, modern fabrics.
I'm sure you will all agree, the end result is simply stunning.....


Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Fat Geese..

Courtesy of Katy, 'Fat Geese' will appear in Issue 1.


A variation on the flying geese block, 'Fat Geese' is a quilt top that comes together very quickly, enables you to use up charm packs or make a dent in your scrap collection.

Bedtime story quilt

Every quilt tells a story.........................and this one is perfect for bedtime. Crazy quilting given a fresh, modern update.



The bedtime story quilt will be featured in issue one of FQ. I can't wait to see your versions in our flickr group.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Hexed In...

April 27th is just around the corner and in preparation for the big day, we have decided to reveal a few more details.

Each day this week, we are going to show you a snapshot of the projects that you can find in Issue 1 of Fat Quarterly.

'Hexed In' by Tacha is a fresh look at how hexagons can be used to frame your favourite fabrics.


A cushion using a rich blend of linen and cotton prints, a striking addition to any home.

We can't wait to see your versions of 'Hexed In', be sure to show us here.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Excitement ...

Mosaic for Blog Post

... it's building. Can you feel it? We sure can. We, as you may expect, can hardly be contained. It's been difficult refraining from sharing more than just the sneaky peeks that you may have seen here, here, here, here, here and here. To be frank, we're about to burst with excitement.

What makes it all the more sweet is the excitement that you have been sharing back with us. We already have 132 members -- and some lively conversation -- in our Flickr group!! 56 followers on Twitter! 120+ followers and a bunch of comments here on the blog. And some very sweet emails to our account at fatquarterly@googlemail.com.

Thanks so much for your outpouring of enthusiasm and support. So much love, and we haven't even released our first issue yet. It has energized us to levels that you can't even imagine!

April 27th can't get here quickly enough ... ... ...

Monday, April 12, 2010

A sneaky peek.............

Issue 1 will be ready soon, in the meantime to feed your imagination with the possibilities soon to be offered, take a look at a sneaky peek of our quilty feast!

We will be offering tasty dishes of flying fish!! and geese!!! Luxurious Jewel box treasures and more.

There will be features and giveaways on the latest fabrics and books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All because we know exactly what you like!!!! And if you think of something that might be of interest to us, let us know!!!

So what do you think? Fancy anything on the menu?????