Fox Fun!

It seems like every animal gets its moment to shine in pop culture...geckos, turtles, owls, birds, squirrels...but the Internet sensation "What does the fox say?" really put foxes center stage! 

We'd like you to meet our own fox, sweet little Rusty. His collection, Rusty and Friends by Mitzi Powers, features a panel to make an easy fox pillow (it's also great for appliqueing on quilts as you'll see further down in this post!). 

The coordinates are so much fun--teal, yellow, rust and green--a few all-over fox prints (we love the mushrooms and flowers scattered in there as well!), along with a great tonal woodgrain print, a cool stripe also featuring the woodgrain look, and a few knit-look prints. Cozy, cool, modern. 

We have two free patterns to share using this fun line, and both star Rusty himself.

First, Naptime for Rusty by Stitched Together Studios:

And then Rusty's Sleeping Hollow by Wendy Sheppard:

Click here to see the entire Rusty and Friends collection.

Click here to download the free quilt patterns.

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Tweet As Can Be

Tweet As Can Be by Greta Lynn for Kanvas may have a cute name, but the line has a more contemporary, grown-up look that everyone from tweens to adults will love. Birds and blooms in a palette of charcoal, chartruese and orchid with a little turquoise mixed in--fun but not sugary sweet!   

Pair these great prints with the Color Connection solids as coordinates to enhance the line:

Comfy floor pillows, a quilt for a graduating senior, a purse, a skirt...what would you make using these prints?

Click here to see the entire Tweet as Can Be collection.
Click here to see the entire Color Connection collection.

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Sweet Bunny Hop

New babies mean baby quilts. And nothing makes sewing a baby quilt more fun than having adorable fabric to use. Thanks to Greta Lynn's new Bunny Hop collection, we think plenty of quilters will have babies on the brain! Sweet bunnies frolic with stripes, plaids and various-sized dots in this pastel collection. Yellow and greens offer an alternative beyond the traditional pink-is-for-girls and blue-is-for boys options. And did we mention it also comes in flannel?!?!

Use the Bunny Hop prints in that baby quilt pattern you've been saving, just in case, or try our free quilt pattern (shown here in pink and blue!).

Baby Bunny by Wendy Sheppard

Click here to see the entire Bunny Hop collection.
Click here to download the free Baby Bunny quilt pattern.

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Recreating Antique Quilts

If you're a faithful reader of our blog and Benartex fabric lover, chances are you are pretty familiar with Wendy Sheppard's name. We always enjoy seeing what she does with Benartex fabrics--from quilts featured in magazines to free pattern designs featured on our website to tutorials included in our blog hops. Today we're featuring Wendy's book, Recreating Antique Quilts. The book shares exactly what the name says--quilts in Wendy's signature style that are re-interpreted from antique treasures. We think you'll like it as much as we do! Read on to learn more about Wendy's book and see some of the projects in it.

What inspired your topic choice for your book?

I have always been fascinated by the rich quilting history in America ever since I started quilting about 10 years ago. The historical connection means even more for someone like myself who didn't grow up in the States. I relish in looking at antique quilts.  I often felt a little sad because many of the antique quilts do not bear records of the makers.  I often imagine the friendships among the quilting women - the joys and sorrows they share with each other whether through peace or war.

When I was approached to write a book by Landauer Publishing, I decided to re-interpret a few of the antique quilts for today's quilters, using today's fabrics and techniques in an attempt to connect the quilters today with the quilting treasures of the past.

How long was the process from start to finish?

I think from start to finish, it was about 1 year.  But as long as I have been quilting, the desire to re-make and re-interpret antique quilts have always been near and dear to my heart.

What is your favorite project in the book?

That is hard to pick - it's like a mother to play favoritism and pick her favorite child. Ha!  A few of my favorites are: Calico Trail (because of the simple blocks that make a very pleasing visual effect), Oh, Happy Stars (because the colors of the quilt are so happy, and the applique of swirls and bird just steal my heart!), Feathery Formation (because of the space available for quilting), and the two DAR-inspired applique projects (because applique adds additional dimensions to any quilts). (See a collage of all the projects in Recreating Antique Quilts here.)

Oh, Happy Stars

Can you tell us a bit more about one of these projects?

Sure ! The Ivory Baltimore Wallhanging -- it is made with Benartex's Blush fabrics.  I took two blocks from a DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) quilt, and re-interpreted them for a banner project.  The project is small enough for quilters to finish and practice on their applique skills for those who haven't done many applique quilts.

Ivory Baltimore Wall Hanging

The colors of the project are inspired by old French red on cream needlework projects.  I reversed the colors, and used cream applique on red for Ivory Baltimore.  The left applique is actually half of an

applique block.  The inspiration came motifs of antique Quaker needlework

samples that are oftentimes halved at the borders. Quilting was allover feathers on around the applique. I am very thrilled about the warm responses I have received on Ivory Baltimore.

How did you choose the quilts you used for inspiration?

For the quilts in the book, I have mainly done my research online.  I often visit museums to admire antique quilts, but none of them became basis for my projects for this book.  That will happen though -- I have a few ideas.  I chose the quilts based on how versatile the designs were to adapt for today's quilters, and how easily the quilters themselves can personalize and customize the projects to make their own masterpieces.

What is the most interesting comment you’ve gotten from someone who has read your book?

The most interesting (and heartening) comment I have gotten is that the quilter could immediately relate the book cover with me from that bird and swirl applique.

Tell us your favorite thing about the book.

It is so me -- the projects, the presentation and the layout of the book. The editorial staff at Landauer did a most tremendous job in reflecting my personality throughout the book.  I have been doubly pleased that Recreating Antique Quilts was awarded the silver medal of Independent Book Publishers Association's Benjamin Franklin Award.

Congratulations, Wendy!

Click here to read more of what Wendy has to say about her book.
Click here to purchase Wendy's book or ask for it at your local quilt shop.

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Burlap Brights Winners

Thanks to everyone who followed along in our Burlap Brights Block Hop the last couple of weeks! 

Below are the randomly selected winners from each day of the hop, as well as links to the tutorials in case you missed one. The winners will be receiving a fat quarter bundle of the six Burlap Brights colors we used throughout the hop. We can't wait to see what they make with these texture-look prints!

Congratulations to the winners!

Day 1: Chris from made by ChrissieD

Winner: Kathy D.

Day 2: Mary from Mary on Lake Pulaski

Winner: Dody

Day 3: Alison from Little Bunny Quilts

Winner: Margaret

Day 4: Debby from Debby Kratovil Quilts

Winner: Annie R.

Day 5: Kristen from KD Quilts 

Winner: Jacque

Day 6: Benartex design team

                                      Winner: Sally

Day 7: Stephanie from Stitched Together Studios

Winner: Sophie

Day 8: Julie from The Crafty Quilter

Winner: Donna W.

Day 9: Cynthia from Quilting is more fun than Housework

                                    Winner: Vicki S.

Day 10: Jessica from Quilty Habit 

Winner: Michele O.

Day 11: Wendy from Ivory Spring

Winner: TinLiz

Winners, you'll be hearing from us via email so we can get your mailing address and send these fabric rainbows out to you!

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Moose on the Loose

If you liked Cheryl Haynes' Folk Art collection, we're pretty sure you'll also fall in love with Moose on the Loose. This collection, in Cheryl's signature folk art style and palette, centers around a lovable moose face and has a north woodsy feel. 

Why a moose?

I have a quilt pattern called Moose on the Loose. When I went to Keepsake Quilting in New Hampshire some years ago, I fell in love with the cutest little stuffed moose for my son. That was when I designed a moose face—every time I look at the moose face, I think of that stuffed toy and my trip up there. The quilt ultimately led to the fabric collection.

Tell us about the main moose in the panel.

The panel features the moose facing forward, just like my original pattern. I had a lot of fun doing that—I love the moose head. I even did a punch needle design with the same pattern.

What’s one of your favorite fabrics in the collection?

I love the allover moose head print that mimics the panel. I think it’s really cute. Overall, I love the darker colors of the entire line. And my husband has already told me that he want moose fabric curtains for his camper.

Tell us about the Moose in the Cabin free quilt pattern.

I like log cabins myself. I think they’re easy to make and I love playing with the colors. You can do so many things with them, putting colors in different positions. I wanted something simple and North Woods-ish. The greens and browns in the line worked really well for this. The moose and the trees are just quick fuse appliques; I think they go well with the north woods theme.

If you love the prints in both Folk Art and Moose on the Loose, great news!

One thing I like is that a lot of my lines go together. The palettes are similar. You can take fabrics from different lines and use them together.

Click here to download the free pattern for Cheryl's Moose in the Cabin quilt.
Click here to see the entire Moose on the Loose pattern.
Learn more about her Folk Art collection here.

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Cheryl Haynes: In Love with Folk Art

We're sharing a bit of Americana today with Cheryl Haynes' Folk Art collection. Inspired by a series of quilt patterns, this new line includes many of the classic folk art motifs in Cheryl's signature style. A panel and a patch print of little squares compliment the wide range of coordinates.

What inspired your Folk Art collection?

It’s similar to my American Folk Art Series patterns—six patterns that make up a quilt. I turned the ideas from these patterns into a fabric line.

What’s one of your favorite prints in the collection?

In this line, I really like the pears. I like their folk art look.

Tell us about the patch print.

The little squares, you could do just about anything with. They’re 4” squares. You can cut them apart, add borders, use on things for the kitchen like pot holders, toaster covers, table runners. I try to put at least 1” around everything so you can cut the squares apart.

And what about your panel?

I love the flower pot. I really like the cow and the pig. Of course, I live in the country and see a lot of these things on a regular basis. The whole panel is just kind of all me. You can get a lot of different projects out of one panel.

Let’s talk about your tonal prints.

I do like tone on tone. I personally don’t ever sew anything with solids. I like basic patterns. I like to design with color, not necessarily patterns. So I like subtle tone-on-tones to sew with. They’re really good basics for quilts.

I really like the floral that we used too. It’s small, easy to use, not overwhelming to a quilt, yet it goes so well with the rest of the fabrics.

Tell us about your Bobbing for Apples quilt.

I love apples. My parents were both teachers, and teachers get apples, so we always had lots of apples. I also like the reds in the line and this was a good way to use them—I think there are a lot of fun prints in this folk art.

 

Click here to download the free pattern for Cheryl Haynes' Bobbing for Apples quilt.

Click here to see the entire Folk Art collection.

Click here to download the free pattern for Heidi Pridemore's Country Pickins quilt, which uses the patch print.

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