Meet designer Amanda Murphy

Today we're excited to introduce you to Amanda Murphy, an exciting and prolific designer based in John's home state of North Carolina! Besides being a prolific sewist and pattern designer, Amanda recently released her second fabric collection with Robert Kaufman fabrics (Swiss Chocolate) and is set to release a third, Veranda, at Quilt Market this Spring.

Of course, Amanda comes bearing gifts!

• First, she has designed a quilt pattern especially for readers of Fat Quarterly! Chocolate Torte is a roll-up friendly quilt pattern featuring Amanda's current line, Swiss Chocolate, and is free to download for all readers.
• Second, three lucky readers will win a roll-up of Swiss Chocolate to begin making their own Chocolate Torte quilt, courtesy of Robert Kaufman.
• And finally, Amanda will have another chance to win over on her blog. Head over there, say hello, and become a follower for your chance to win.

And now let's learn a little bit more about Amanda!

Please tell us a little bit about your background, and how you came to pursue fabric design.

I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA in design. For years I produced corporate design work, for both print and multimedia. After moving to North Carolina and starting a family I began to do freelance work. Over the years my work has become more illustrative, and I’ve been lucky enough to incorporate my love of fabric and sewing into my design.

Your bio describes you as a lifelong sewist. How long have you been sewing & quilting, and how did you get started?

I can’t remember when I learned to sew, but my mom taught me the basics. As a grade schooler, I spent an inordinate amount of time fashioning Barbie “hoop skirts” out of muslin and floral wire and made houses for those lucky ladies out of appliance boxes in our basement. I made a quilted angel tree skirt when I was ten or eleven – I decorated the angels faces with actual makeup. I also made a dress for my mom fashioned completely out of pink polyester lace. (It was the early eighties, but I don’t think it was “in”, even then.) Yes, Mom wore it, although she has recently admitted that she only wore it once.

Your first collection with Robert Kaufman was "Ambrosia". What was the inspiration behind that line, and what did you learn about designing a fabric collection?

That line was inspired by mosaic tiles, Indian prints, and tropical blooms. I learned a lot about what can and can’t be printed on fabric, as opposed to print, and a lot about the logistics of fabric production in general. Robert Kaufman was great to work with.

Your current collection is called "Swiss Chocolate". What can you tell us about that line?

With Swiss Chocolate, I was really aiming to produce a collection that could work well with the existing décor in any home, as a quilt or other project. I wanted something rich, classic, and sophisticated (which you see in the scroll and blossom motifs) but I wanted something a little playful too. This playfulness is probably best reflected in the large scale motifs inspired by oriental rugs. I also wanted a line that could be used in quilts that would appeal to both men and women.

So many of us have brown wood tones all over our homes, and I tried to pick up on that. The chocolate color story also features reds and salmons for a warm look – I love those colors! The mocha story features cool blues, in conjunction with the browns and light caramel colors. I had a lot of fun designing for that color story too.

Most importantly, unlike real chocolate, Swiss Chocolate is non-caloric.

What is your favorite thing that you've seen made from your fabrics by someone else? What's your favorite thing that you've made with them?

I’ve seen lots of things other people made that I love, but the prize has to go to my mom. She made hundreds of Swiss Chocolate flying geese to recover her dining room chairs in just a few days, and she has never quilted before. I loved teaching my mom to quilt – it was a special experience. We don’t often get to teach our moms how to do something we love, do we?

My favorite thing that I’ve made? Well, I really love some of the quilts that I designed especially for Swiss Chocolate that will be featured in upcoming magazines– including a complimentary pattern for you all! It uses a jellyroll, with a little extra yardage. (Find the Chocolate Torte pattern here)

From where you do you draw your inspiration?

My two greatest sources of inspiration are nature and the decorative arts. I’m not one of those quilters who is also a gifted gardener, though. A plant has almost no chance of survival if I have anything to do with its care – I just love to visit the gardens of others. As for the decorative arts, I love furniture, paintings, clothing, pottery, porcelain, samplers, quilts – just about everything, and I wish we knew more about their creators. That ordinary people of earlier centuries managed to create such beautiful art when everyday life was so hard is a testament to the human spirit. I fantasize about spending unlimited time in places like Winterthur and Williamsburg. Philanthropists like Abby Rockefeller and Henry du Pont did so much to preserve this heritage too – they were ahead of their time.

What's next for Amanda Murphy Design?

QUILT MARKET! I’m going for the first time this spring and I’ll have my own booth with Robert Kaufman. I am SO excited about this. I cannot believe that I will be meeting all those talented people in the quilting industry. (I’ll have to get over my fear of flying to do it, but I can’t think of a better motivator.) If any of you out there will be going to market, please stop by because I’d love to meet you!

Thanks so much, Amanda! We hope you all enjoyed the interview. To enter to win a roll-up of Swiss Chocolate, simply leave a comment on this post below. We'll randomly select three winners on or around next Saturday, February 5th.

In the meantime, don't forget to download your free copy of Amanda's free quilt pattern, Chocolate Torte.

Featured Designer - Kristen Doran

One of my favourite local fabric designers is Kristen Doran. Kirsten is Sydney based and produces some stunning screen printed designs that are both fresh and unique. 

FQ: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your artistic background? "I am a graphic designer/textile designer/mother (of two awesome little boys). I hope they will grow up big and strong, make their fortune playing NBA basketball and buy me a loft apartment in NYC. But until then I spend my days selling hand printed fabrics and trying my hardest to ignore the housework."

FQ: Everyone has a dream - what's yours? Are you living it? "My dream is to sell fabric to a store in NYC. In a few months a new craft store will open and... they have ordered some of my panels. Insert insanely wild happy dance here.

My next dream is to hand deliver fabrics to a craft store in NYC. I hope to be living that one soon. 

And then there's the dream of my own office and all the fabrics OUT of my house. A little gallery to showcase my work on the weekends would be nice too."

FQ: How would you describe your designs? "One of the hardest questions to answer. So I might just take the easy way out on this and direct you here: www.kristendoran.com 

FQ: Can you describe to us your design process? "Think, think, think. Procrastinate. Think. Sketch. Hop on the computer and work madly into the small hours of the night until a print is done. Look at it for the next few days. Make some changes and then send to the printer."

FQ: Your website showcases some of the wonderful things you create for yourself. Clothing, stitching, bags etc. Do you have a favourite craft? "Hands down, embroidery. That's where it all started for me as a kid and I've loved creating my own designs."

FQ: How do you juggle motherhood and designing? "It's both hard and easy. Hard because there's so many distractions. Easy because I get to do what I love and spend lots of time with my children. Before kids I spent many years working in offices and it has given me a great appreciation to be able to work from home."

FQ: What's next for Kristen Doran? "At the moment I'm at the thinking stage (procrastinating) about a couple of new yardage prints. And I have a few embroidery patterns on the boil, almost ready to get printed. I'm also thinking about running a few workshops locally and as soon as I've done a test run on some willing friends I'll get that up and running."

Kristen blogs at: http://kristendorandesign.blogspot.com/
You can find Kristen's fabric here: http://kristendoran.bigcartel.com/

A Chat with Designer 'Ann Kelle' & A Giveaway ;)

Today we're chatting with Kelle Boyd, aka 'Ann Kelle' the designer responsible for bringing us the vibrant, fun and colourful designs Remix, Urban Zoologie & Metro Market

FQ: Hello Kelle! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your creative background.

KB: My background is in public policy. Right out of graduate school, I started working for the Mayor of Nashville doing exactly what I thought I always wanted to do. However, I was stressed. Very stressed. In search of a stress relief, I went to a craft store one day. I’ll never forget that day. I remember walking the aisles of the store, searching and searching. I left with a canvas and some paint. That was the day my childhood love of art was rekindled. Two year later, I left my career in public policy to launch a line of stationery at the National Stationery Show in New York. A week following the show, my designs were being presented to Target. Now, my designs adorn all kinds of stationery products, found in stores such as Target, Barnes and Noble, Wal Mart and many other retail stores and most recently, fabric.

FQ: Who is ‘Ann’ of Ann Kelle Designs?

KB: Actually, there is no Ann. Ann comes from my middle name. When I started in the design field, I was very shy about sharing my artwork. So, I decided to use a pseudo name that I created by swapping my middle and first name. Kind of confusing, I know.

FQ: Your designs and the colours you select are so fun & fresh! Where do you find your inspiration?

KB: Thank you! I have a lot of fun creating my designs and it’s nice to know that’s reflected in my designs. My designs are inspired by things we have always known and loved…from dad’s tie, spring flowers, ice cream, our favorite rock band, and even TV shows I watched when I was child. For example, the whale design was inspired by a sweater that Natalie wore on the 80’s television show, Facts of Life.

FQ: Describe to us your design process. Do you begin with pencil and paper and then scan into a computer or do you design directly on the computer?

KB: I design directly on the computer and I love it. I traded in my paint brushes because I was tired of cleaning up the mess.

FQ:Are you a sewer yourself? If so, what sorts of things do you love to sew?

KB: I’m a newbie sewer. I started taking sewing classes this summer. I have been chronicling my first ten sewing projects on my blog. I have a really awesome teacher, Christine Moyers, who if I could have just a little bit of her skills I’d be so happy.

FQ:Your new line is set to launch soon. Can you tell us about it, the inspiration behind it and the colourways?

KB:I actually have several new lines coming out that I am really excited about. One of the lines is called Ready, Set, Go. It’s a transportation line. It was inspired by the birth of my baby cousin, Aerus. They decorated his room in airplanes. The men in my family, young and old, love all things aviation. And so I thought, let me pay tribute to them because my designs tend to be a bit girly. After sitting down to design, the line expanded into trains, cars, etc.

FQ: We can't wait to see some sneak peeks! ;) How do you foresee this range being used?

KB: Quilts, baby bedding, back packs, all sorts of fun projects for little boys.

FQ: What’s the best bit about designing your own fabric?

KB: My favorite thing about designing fabric is seeing how people use it. I love seeing their creations. It always makes me smile.

FQ: Which of your designs is your favourite and why?

KB: I don’t know that I have one favorite design. I’m currently loving the argyle, stripes and butterflies.

FQ: What’s next for Ann Kelle Designs ?

KB: Hmmm, what’s next? I’m not sure. I started out in stationery and now I am in the fabric world. Maybe this is something Fat Quarterly readers could help me out with.........?

Thanks so much for chatting with us today Kelle!

You can find Kelle with all her fun designs & inspiring blog here & follow her adventures on her Facebook page here :)

Kelle is cleaning out her studio to make way for her new lines and has very kindly offered 3 (5 yard!!!!) bundles of fabric to giveaway to 3 very lucky readers!

After spotting our fun 5 week Remix fq bundle giveaway over on our Facebook page, Kelle offered to sponsor a 6^th week on our Facebook page!!! Thank you Kelle!

For a chance to win hop over to Facebook & in the giveaway thread or on our wall answer Kelle’s call for help!

You’ll notice in the last question we asked Kelle ‘what’s next...?’ Well, Kelle would love your help & suggestions so if you have a suggestion and want to get your mitts on 5 yards(!) of scrummy Remix visit our Facebook page and pass on your thoughts....

3 Winners will be randomly drawn Wednesday 24^th November and announced on our Facebook page.

*sorry comments on this blog post will not be entered into the draw

***Edited to add:***

We note the concern that some of you have about moving all our giveaways to Facebook. This is certainly not the case!

We currently have the giveaway for Kajsa Wikman's book Scandinavian Stitches on our website and we have A LOT of great giveaways lined up for you over the coming weeks. ;-)

There are a number of factors that influence where we hold a giveaway, whether it be on our website, on Facebook, in the magazine or for Twitter users. Most important to us is that we spread the giveaways around all our followers so that everyone has a fair chance of winning some great prizes.

More for Me Monday with designer Carina Gardner

Hello FQ readers! John here. While Katy, Brioni, and I catch our breath after attending quilt market this past weekend, it's a great time for me to reflect upon my very first quilt market experience, which was this past Spring in Minneapolis. One of the highlights of my trip was meeting and getting to know a new and up-and-coming fabric designer who was on the verge of releasing her first line. Carina Gardner's excitement about the impending release of her first line, Coquette, and her anticipation for the lines to follow was infectious. I was immediately rooting for her.

As soon as I saw the first peeks of Coquette (for Northcott), I was convinced that Carina would have a long, successful career in fabric design. I immediately asked Carina if we could introduce her and her new line to all of you, and she agreed! So sit back, relax, and get to know Carina Gardner. And if you fall in love with Coquette as we have, check the end of the post for a chance to win a full fat quarter bundle of the line for yourself.

Congratulations on the launch of your first fabric line, Coquette! Tell us a little bit about the line and what inspired its name & design.

Carina Gardner: I wanted to work on a set of modern florals in happy, bright colors. I liked how flirty all the fabrics were and I loved the idea of a “coquettish” line. It isn’t a typical pink girly line although it is definitely feminine. I loved the idea of a “grown-up” floral.

You're new to the fabric world, but certainly not to the world of design. Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

CG: I have a M.A. and Ph.D. In Design and taught graphic design at the University of Minnesota for five years. I was doing a lot of research on color theory and logos (not as boring as it sounds!). I loved it but when I was done with school decided it was time to get back to designing. I love the craft industry and started doing paper lines for My Mind’s Eye and digital scrapbooking for Two Peas in a Bucket. With all the pattern-building I was doing for paper, it just made sense to transition into fabric.

What inspires you? What is your creative process like?

CG: I am a total magazine junkie (especially home décor magazines) and will get obsessed with a color scheme, the arch of a line, or a shape. The thing that inspires me the most is my two daughters. I’m always thinking about what I would dress them in or how I would decorate their room. Or I doodle. I’m a total doodler. And once in a while, a doodle will come to life. It’s amazing when that happens. The paisley in Coquette was a doodle once...

As for my creative process, it depends on my mood. Usually, I do a quick sketch and scan it in. Then I rework the idea in Illustrator. I try really hard not to think about the design too hard the first time around because I find that gut instinct is best. Then I’ll do a second take on a design or collection and work through the details to balance it.

You have a strong background in the scrapbooking field. It seems that a lot more designers are spanning the sewing and scrapbooking worlds. What do you think about this? How are the two fields similar? Different? What do you think this trend holds for the future of both industries?

CG: Oh yes, this trend will only get stronger. I mean, it makes sense. We are all pattern builders. Sometimes I’ll see a paper at CHA (Craft and Hobby Association-the scrapbooking equivalent of Quilt Market), and I’ll say, “Why isn’t this in fabric? I want it in fabric!” You’ll see designers and scrapbooking companies aligning with fabric companies more and more. If you want to see what will be coming out in fabric from these paper companies, take a look at this season’s paper lines. Paper has a two to five month turn-around and fabric has a year. For example, my collection Love Nest came out as a Glitter Pad in Winter 2009 and will be coming out in fabric Winter 2010.

What got you interested in designing fabrics, a new medium for you?

CG: I’ve always been interested in fabric—I’ve sewn all my life. Lots and lots of Barbie clothing in my past. The idea of designing fabric just sounded fun (and it is!). In some ways, it is a more compelling medium for me because I’ve always built my own patterns and slip-covered my own chairs (especially during the many years of graduate school).

What has the process of putting together your first line taught you about the uniqueness of designing for fabrics and quilts? Is it different than you would compose a paper line?

CG: A little different, but a lot of the same. It just took me a while to realize it. In a small paper line, every single paper needs to be strong. And there isn’t a lot of tone-on-tone patterns. Ironically, I’m also sort of known for my asymmetrical designs in paper. Ya, that wasn’t going to work in fabric. With quilting fabric, I realized that I needed to build these more “solid” patterns and to make sure and build small, medium, and large patterns. We do the same thing in paper, but many times those simplier designs are put on the back-side of a paper. I was almost afraid to add those simplier or smaller designs to a line because I didn’t know if it was acceptable. Now I know that they are absolutely necessary. Making my first quilt taught me that.

Are you a sewer or quilter? Has the process of designing fabrics made you more interested in sewing or quilting?

CG: My mom is a hand quilter. So I grew up with her quilting, but barely ever did any quilts with her (remember, I was too enthralled with making my Barbie’s fashionable). So last spring I took a quilting class and it completely changed my thought process about quilting. It was hard! But SO rewarding. I was a changed woman. I made my first quilt with Coquette, and I am trying to appeal to those out there like me—the adventurous, beginner quilter!

Does seeing things that crafters make out of your designs excite you? Are you excited to see quilts made from your lines?

CG: I can’t really explain the feeling of elation when I look at the quilt I made form the Coquette line. It is probably the most precious object I have at this point because not only did I design the fabrics, but I made the quilt. It feels amazing. And when other people make things out of my fabric, well, can warm, fuzzy, and elated all happen at one time? Because it does for me.

Your blog is already showing a sneak peek of your next line, "Lovenest". What can you tell us about this line?

CG: It’s girly. Completely inspired by my little girls. There is a serious obsession with pink in my house. I adore the little modern birdies and the paisleys. They are so fresh and feminine.

What's next for Carina Gardner?

CG: As always, I’m doing a lot of projects and tutorials on my blog (carinagardner.com). I also recently started a newsletter featuring more of the crafting projects we’ve been doing in the studio. My first one just came out (read it here).

Next spring I’ll be coming out with a line of sewing patterns for little girls (See, the obsession is real. You can feel sorry for the one-lone man in the house now). You’ll also see three more lines from me next summer—Pinfeathers, Dress Up, and Baby Safari.

I also will be teaching a new Intermediate Illustrator online class in January that will focus on building patterns (all of my classes are at JessicaSprague.com). I’m pretty excited about this class because I think it will open people’s eyes on how to set up simple designs to be tiled into a full pattern.

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Big thanks to Carina for taking the time to answer our questions! Have you fallen in love with Coquette as much as we have? Well, we're always looking out for our readers and we've secured a full fat quarter bundle from Carina to give away to one of our readers. Simply leave a comment on this post and let us know what you think you might make from the prize. We'll close the comments and select a random winner sometime after Friday, November 5th.

Good luck!

Spa from Rosemarie Lavin

Rosemarie Lavin is the designer behind the new line Spa from Windham Fabrics. Previous lines from Rosemarie include Feelin' Groovy and Rhumba amongst many others.

Her newest line Spa has a very subtle, organic feel to it. Rosemarie uses natural shapes and very soothing colours.

The new range can be found at the Fat Quarter Shop.

We caught up with Rosemarie to find out more about her and her new line.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your artistic background.

I am a textile designer and work with my studio artists in NYC. I create products and designs for various customers in the home products market, home sewing market, and the apparel industry.

What 5 adjectives would you use to describe your line.
Organic,beautiful,natural, easy ,and soothing would be the 5 adjectives I would use to describe Spa.

The group is ORGANIC in its NATURAL shapes and SOOTHING in its coloration. I hope sewers will find it EASY to use and create BEAUTIFUL projects.



How do you foresee Spa being used?
I think Spa will have a broad appeal among quilters and sewers. Each pattern is an integral part of the whole collection and will make fantastic quilts. Yet each is strong enough to stand on its own and work for dresses as well as accessories.



Are you a sewer?
As I am not a sewer, I am amazed at the beautiful designs that quilters create with my fabrics. Lately I have been trying to cad some quilt designs using my fabric collections.

A pattern of a peace sign quilt that I designed with the Feelin' Groovy collection is available.

I am also working on a Breast Cancer awareness quilting collection and I will be designing a pattern for that group. Windham Fabrics donates a portion of the proceeds from all my collections to the Maurer Foundation. All projects are available at Windham Fabrics.com

What comes next for Rosemarie Lavin?

Two other Rosemarie Lavin for Windham collections will be released in the next few months. The Flannel Rose will be released in May. This is a beautiful floral group in plums, roses and sage greens, printed on quilters flannel. This follows Cambridge my first group for quilters flannel. Spa will be released in June, and in July Paisley Panache will be out.

"More for Me" Monday | Weekends from Erin McMorris

You probably know Erin McMorris from her fabric lines Park Slope and Wildwood. Her new line Weekends for Freespirit Fabrics just recently hit fabric stores.
Weekends is described as a “fresh new collection of designs inspired by sunny days, with time to garden, bike or picnic in the park. Combining hand-drawn flowers with precise patterns and dots create designs that are summery and modern. The palettes, with butter yellow, tomato red, lavender and leaf green will take you from dawn to dusk.”

It sounded too delicious to resist, so we caught up with Erin to find out a bit more about her new line and what inspired it. In addition, because it's Monday, we've got a bit of the new line to give away to a Fat Quarterly reader!
How does your background as a graphic designer influence you?

A lot! I still think of my work as graphic designs. I love bold flat patterns and I still look at a lot of graphic designers for inspiration.

What is your design process? Do you sketch or paint your designs and then scan into a computer or do you design direct on the computer?

I usually do a really quick pencil sketch just so I get the feeling and the scale, and then I scan it into the computer and redraw it from there. I never draw complete sketches because I'm really impatient to start drawing in the computer! Sometimes an idea doesn't work, so I don't want to spend a lot of time sketching things that don't work once they are colored. I'm not a very linear thinker so I don't really know where a sketch is going to go once I start redrawing it and that’s part of the fun.


With the creation of digital printing services many quilters would like to try their hand at designing fabric. Do you have any tips for wannabe fabric designers?

I think digital printing is fantastic. It really opens the door for just experimenting and having fun with designs because there are no rules and you are the only client. I actually want to try some designs myself!

What is your idea of a perfect weekend?

Oh, it has many variations, but I think the perfect weekend would be flying to Paris on an all expense paid trip! My reality is more likely to be lots of lounging and reading, beautiful weather, yummy food, fabulous friends and laughing, laughing, laughing.

Butter yellow, tomato red, lavender and leaf green. Mmmm it sounds like a picnic! How did you decide the colourways?

I had an idea of the colors before the prints really. I knew I wanted to try softer melons and lavenders that I haven't used before. I had been seeing a lot of those colors in the market and wanted to see if I could make them work.

Where does the inspiration for Weekends come from?

That’s always a hard question for me. I find that I usually just dive in with a print or 2 that I just like. Then I sort of see where the designs are taking me and get a feeling of the inspiration from there. So because the colors started out softer, the prints started out that way too, and I tried to pair them with some harder edged designs and motifs as well. I started thinking of them being used in a picnic and what prints would be where...like "Saturday" is the print for the main quilt to sit on and "Hopscotch" would be a perfect print for napkins, and "Lilyrose" would work as a print inside of a picnic basket. That is where I found the prints going. I think the last print I designed is "Go by Bike" because it tied up the Weekend theme to me because no weekend is complete unless I'm on my bike.

What is coming next for Erin McMorris?

I have no idea, but if you had any thoughts, let me know!

Interested in winning a bit of "Weekends" for your own summer projects? We've got two fat quarter bundles to give away to two lucky readers. Simply leave a comment on this post and tell us what your perfect weekend would look like. We'll randomly select two comments next Sunday, July 11th, to win these beautiful little bundles.

McKenzie from Dena Fishbein

Dena Fishbein is a very talented lady! You have probably know her better as Dena Designs, the name of her studio.

Her designs can be found worldwide on stationery, home apparel and of course fabric. Her recent lines for Freespirit include Leanika, Snow Flower and Monaco.

Her newest line McKenzie has just been released for Freespirit Fabrics and you should be able to find it in fabric stores very soon. The line is a wonderful mix of florals and geometrics and has a fresh vintage feel to it.

You can find Mckenzie at the Fat Quarter Shop and Pink Chalk Fabrics.

I chatted to Dena to find out more about her and McKenzie.

You are extremely busy with a tv show, a newspaper column and your design work. Which do you enjoy most?

Well actually the television show ran for 2 years, for a total of 26 episodes and then I decided against continuing. It is now just re-runs. It was too intensive. For each episode I had to make the finished item and then each project in each step from start to finish. I am very particular about my projects, so finding the materials and doing the research was also very time consuming.

I still write a newspaper column for Scripps Howard which is distributed to about 420 newspapers.

But I focus mainly on product design. My favourite thing to do is designing and painting. I design all sorts of products from paper, fabric, bedding, melanine, kitchen and stuffed animals.

You say on your website that you enjoy scouring flea markets for inspiration. What has been your best find?

Oh I just love going to flea markets. Probably my best find was a painting. I had been looking for an old painting of palm trees in oils in a gold frame and I saw somebody pick it up. You should have seen my face. I hovered next to her until she put it down and then I just grabbed it and gave whatever money the man asked for to him. No haggling!

I go to one which is held once a month about half an hour away from where I live and wherever we are vacationing I try and find a flea market.



So, McKenzie is your newest line for Freespirit. Why is your line named McKenzie? What was your inspiration?

Simple answer! My husband was walking by when I was thinking what to name the line and he suggested McKenzie. He said it was a cute name and you know what, it is a cute name!

Freespirit give me no brief but they did say that at the moment people are buying bright happy colours. Fabrics with a neutral palette are just not selling. People want to surround themselves with fresh, happy colours.

When designing the line I thought about what I would like to go together. I like the combination of florals and geometrics. It has a modern fresh feel. So I start by sketching ideas out in the look I want.

I keep files of colours, flowers and pattern layouts and use those to work out what look I am after.

What was your design process for McKenzie?

I usually paint on computer paper. I do a very fast pencil sketch. In about 2 minutes. I look at it and write notes and imagine which colours it would look good in. I then list the colours on the side.

I then sketch the pattern onto watercolour paper and mix the colours. I paint one colourway and then develop the other colourways using the computer.

In this collection the colourways stayed the same and there are usually 1 or 2 prints that are dropped each collection.



Describe to us the colour palette you chose for McKenzie.

The colour stories are black / pink, aqua/green and lilac. I knew that lavender was selling really well and was a trend so I wanted to incorporate that into the line. I love the richness of black and how it makes things look rich and beautiful. And aqua is my favourite colour so a little aqua worked itself into the collection It gives it a modern / vintage feel.



What projects do you have in mind for McKenzie?

I think the line combines very well for all sorts of projects, not just quilting. We have just designed an apron, pillows, dog bedding and I think clothing would look good in the line.

The collection McKenzie will be used for other products as well. I usually design the fabric first as I am always working on fabric collections and then I use those in my other product lines.

What’s next for Dena Designs?

I am currently working on another fabric line but I am not sure what it is called yet. The line I am working on at the moment has a very watercolour feel.

Then there are 2 other lines which are already finished. Pea Garden and Cummary Garden. I am also going to be working on a Christmas line for 2011. I always have several projects on the go. I am working on some greeting cards too at the moment.

Look out for projects designed using Dena's line in our October Issue!

'Party Dres's by Mo Bedell giveaway

'Party Dress' is the debut fabric line by designer Mo Bedell for Blue Hill fabrics. This pretty little collection would work equally well for both dresses and quilts and features the gorgeous cheater hexagon print above.

Mo has given us two!!!! prizes to give away today.

Each of our two winners will recieve,

11 x fat quarters from the collection

and 1 yard of the cheater hexagon print.

To enter, simply leave us a comment below letting us know all about your favourite party dress from your childhood!!!!!

Please include your email address to make it easier for us to contact you should you win.

Giveaway closes on Saturday 19th of June, winners will be announced next Sunday.

Good luck!!!!!!

Stitches & Craft Show and Giveaway

Earlier this month, the Stitches and Craft show landed in Melbourne, Australia. The show brings together retailers and designers, as well as craft labs for attendees to learn new craft techniques.

My favourite part of the show though would have to be the 'Incubator' section, which features independent crafters and designers from all over the country.

We are spoilt for choice in Australia when it comes to independent fabric desginers and I managed to steal one away for a quick chat - the very funny (& honest), Shannon from Aunty Cookie.

FQ: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your artistic background?

Shannon: 'I remember it was pretty early on in primary school when I knew I was pretty OK at drawing! I used to make these quite elaborate headings for projects and even in high school it was the only thing I felt I was any good at.

I went on to study painting for two years and then completed a Bachelor of Fine Art at Victorian College of the Arts - where I majored in drawing.

But of course for those three years did very little drawing in my major works, lots of photography, wanky installations and text based stuff. Most of my stuff now has elements of text in it, similar to my artwork from years ago.

After uni I worked at a few dodgy jobs, not drawing or creating anything at all for atleast 6-8 year, mainly doing graphic design work. It was only when I had my daughter Lola (who is now 6) that I started working for myself and making again.

I never planned to be doing what I'm doing now - combining freelance work with running my own small business. I've kind of just kept plodding along - it suits my life at the moment so I guess I won't be doing much else for a while yet!'

FQ: Where do you draw inspiration from?

Shannon: 'Everything and anything. Magazines, blogs, movies, music, mates who craft - mates who can't craft, my dodgy attempts at making something, conversations I have in my head whilst schlepping the kids about.

I've got a little notebook I carry where I write down random stuff I like, stupid things I've heard. I'm not a sit in the park and stare at nature kinda girl, ideas will eventually come to me, I don't need to look for them.'

FQ: Can you describe to us your design process?

Shannon: 'Yep, it's simple. If it takes more that 20 minutes. I ditch it. I may have a basic idea or theme or shape I like, if it takes me too long and laborious to make, or draw or design I ditch it.

I'm a fast and simple drawer. I don't labour over things, I don't have time. I have small windows of time that are child free so if things are dragging out I get bored and they are binned.'

FQ: Which of your designs is your favourite and why?

Shannon: 'Most probably the LETTERHEAD design. It came together really quickly and I have been able to milk it and stretch it into so many products!!'

FQ: When you are not designing or creating for your label, what sort of things do you like to make for yourself?

Shannon: 'Badly made kids clothes. I am trying to be more patient and read things more closely, but I just always rush ahead when I'm making something for the kids, I just cut and hack and sew and hope for the best.

Following instructions or reading things properly hasnt never been a strong point, I just look at stuff and think ' oh yeah I can make that' and get started. Hence all my badly made, ill fitting kids outfits.'

FQ: Where do you see Aunty Cookie in five years?

Shannon: 'Still likely to be plugging along, whining about my lack of time and annoying kids, maybe making more - maybe stocking more ranges - maybe sleeping more. Hopefully in five years I will be a better sewer, a more patient mother and someone with a better haircut.'

You can see more of Shannon's designs here.

Other designers included, Kristen Doran, Ink & Spindle, Yardage Design and Pipi Joe. We are looking forward to featuring a few of these designers over the coming months.

The incubator also showcases some of Australia's independent crafters. It was great to put faces to names and meet some of the crafters whose work we have admired.

I was thrilled to finally 'meet' Jodie from Ric-Rac, her softie creations are awe inspiring and the selvedge dress is even better in the flesh.

FQ: When did you first start crafting and why?

Jodie: 'I can remember crafting when I was about 12 - I had a crazy idea that I could make some clothes. By the time I was at Uni (about 18 ) I did make clothes as well as loads of other things. I was the typical starving uni student so used to buy clothes from the op-shop and chop them up to make new clothes. I would like to say they were stylish and well-made but that would be a huge lie!

Of course once I had kids I went mad and made all sorts of hideous things for them to wear, with the odd tutu and super-hero cape thrown in for good measure. So I guess I started as a way of saving money and now...oh dear...it seems to have become the way I spend money!'

FQ: Your softies have real personalities, can you tell us how these little guys (and girls) come to life?

Jodie: 'Thats a hard question. Sometimes it's a complete experiment, like I might want to try paws and a whole animal develops from that and sometimes , like Ernst, a little doodle in the sketch book just becomes a complete little turtle-person with a story and a past.

Without sounding too much like a weirdo, those toys can sometimes haunt me a bit until they are made....I can't stop thinking about them and I doodle them everywhere and wake up at night with ideas that I am so sure I will forget I have to run to the kitchen to write them down.'

I find heads the hardest with softies and often make a dozen or more before I am happy - I am always amazed at just how much emotion can change with a change of shape or a bit of embroidery. Usually, once I have made a head that fits the personality I have thought up, the rest kind of follows and the story just unfolds.

I can remember making dolls for my nieces while I was at Uni and I wrote stories to go along with them , so I think the story-telling bit has always been around - Crazy isn't it? 

FQ: The selvedge frock is in one word 'inspirational', how did it come about?

Jodie: 'I have a serious obsession with text - particularly text on fabric and just half-heartedly began to collect my own selvedges because I liked the look of them. The frock came about after a series of smaller projects.

I started with a mini-quilt and got that real "heart palpitations" thing as I was making it. I then made a bag, followed by what should have been a journal cover, but I just loved how the selvedges came together that I could not stop sewing and the journal cover got longer and longer until I decided it would be a scarf. I wasn't sure that the scarf would work, but once it was finished and I put it on and saw that the "fabric" still had that drape for clothing - I was a goner ! I knew I had to make a dress and I knew it had to be 50's style full skirted shirt -dress.....

Of course I have to say the dress would never ever have happened if it weren't for the generosity of blogland - I had contributors from all the world send me their scraps to get it finished. (Even The Ginger Monkey herself.) I was really surprised by the reaction to the dress and the poor old dear now resides in a plastic bag in the cupboard, occassionally popping out to strut her stuff as requested.'

FQ: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Jodie: 'Can I whisper? *In five years I would like to have more time to make stuff* I'm not sure if that means I will no longer have a day job, or maybe my day job will be different...I just know that there is never enough time to make all the stuff I want to make.

Obviously I am going to be taller, thinnner and more beautiful by then, so yeh a bit more making time would make me very happy.

Oh I'd also like a crazy rich patron to give me lots of money so I can travel the world doing fabric research (and meeting bloggers).'

The show was a hub of inspiration and creativity and it was great to see so many different styles and crafts under the one roof.

Claire from Craft Schmaft with her stunning sock creations.

Lisa from the Red Thread with her unique softie kits and panels.

Shannon has very generously given Fat Quarterly ten of her apron patterns for us to giveaway. If you would like to get your hands on one leave a comment here.

We will draw the winners on Sunday 23rd May.