Fabric Fun
I promised you more information on the fabric fun I had while visiting McTavish Quilting Studiio & Fabrics in Duluth, Minnesota. It was my first visit to the shop, and it was delightful. Karen and Cheryl were so friendly and kind – the guys had a great time watching the long arm quilting and learning about the process while we shopped. I definitely enjoyed the fabric – so many bold, bright, fun fabrics to choose from, and some of my favorite designers.
I shopped with Teri and Leslie. Leslie works at the shop, but she’s also the sister-in-law to Teri. Here’s a photo of the three of us at the shop.
That’s Teri on the left, Leslie on the right, and me in the middle. (I shoulda set my purse aside – LOL.) There was a lot of smiling and laughing while we were there – it’s hard not to be happy when spending time with friends and seeing all the beautiful quilts and fabric!
So back to what I bought. Let’s begin with a confession – I have a small collection of Marcia Derse fabric. I haven’t used much of it yet. One of you gifted me some remnants a few years ago when I first discovered her fabric, and I made Moody Blues from those fabrics. So when I saw this Marcia Derse print in the shop, I knew I had to bring some home.
I bought two yards. Do I have plans for this fabric? Nope. I’m just adding it to my collection for now. I do have a project in mind for the fabrics; it’s on my lengthy “make someday” list. You have one of those lists, right?
The other fabric I brought home with me was this fat quarter bundle, Storyboard by Seth Apter for Free Spirit Fabrics.
Many of you wondered if this was Tim Holtz fabric – it has similar colors, doesn’t it? Interestingly, I’ve seen comments online that Storyboard and Tim Holtz fabric work together well. I have some Tim Holtz fabric from his Abandoned line, but at this point I’m not planning to combine the two lines. One of the patterns in the running for this bundle is Signal Trace by Quilting Jetgirl. I have too many fabrics in the bundle for the baby size quilt, and too few for the throw size, so I’m thinking about how I can make that work.
To my absolute delight, I was gifted the remaining three half-yard fabrics. They are from the Root fabric line by e bond.
I think perhaps I was admiring these at the shop, but it was a complete surprise when they were given to me. I’m already working with the top fabric, the green/yellow teardrop print. I knew what I wanted to try with that fabric almost immediately, and I think it’s going to work. More on that in a future post.
While those ideas have been brewing, I have been working to catch up on my Tuxedo Tales blocks. I’m happy to share that I am all caught up, thanks to a weekend with my sister-in-law, Nita. I joined her for her “Sit and Sew” group while I visited, and I got quite a bit of stitching done while listening to the ladies chatter while they sewed. They were very kind to let me crash the sewing party! Here are my blocks in order, January through September.
This pattern is by All Through the Night (Bonnie Sullivan), and the blocks are 9 inches (unfinished). I have enjoyed each block, although I’ve tweaked a few of them a bit. I was so happy to be caught up, I’ve even finished the October block! Wilbs had to check it out.
He wasn’t so sure about that purple mask, and he wanted to know why there were no eyes. That’s all fixed now.
I just realized that there are supposed to be three red buttons on the left side under that green vine, so I’ll add those. This was a fun one to stitch up, much more fun than the July block with a gazillion blue buttons!
I’m heading to a quilt retreat with Nita, Shelly (Nita’s daughter-in-law) and Megan (Shelly’s daughter) for the weekend. It’s a girls quilting retreat to celebrate Nita’s birthday. So far, I’m taking along a new project, a WIP, and a UFO. I’m considering adding one more new project, if I can get it ready before Thursday. Should be fun! I haven’t been on a quilt retreat in awhile, so I’m looking forward to it!
Oh, and before I go – I have to show you my new coffee mug for the quilt room!
You know I had to have that mug, right?? I had to go to JoAnns to get those gazillion blue buttons, and I came out of the store with blue buttons, red buttons, two coffee mugs, and a magazine. See? More shopping therapy, even without the fabric fun!
Thanks for reading this long post! Happy Tuesday, all!
Wendy
Home Again
24 Comments
Cindy Pieters
Your tuxedo blocks are looking goooood! Thankfully you have Wilbs as chief inspector. Love that green/yellow teardrop fabric.
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
Wendy, that mug is so wonderful! Did it come from Joann’s? I love it! So fun to see your new fabric, too. I’m drawn to that design of Yvonne’s, too – it’s beautiful. It will be fun to see what you make!
texasquiltgal
Oooooo there’s that fabric I didn’t know I loved until I saw your Moody Blues quilt! Like you, the “graphic nature” of Marcia Derse fabric appeals to me. Signal Trace would be awesome for showing off that wonderful fabric. Yay on the gifted, gorgeous fabric!
I had forgotten about Tuxedo Tales! Glad Wilbs was around to remind you about the eyes. 😉 I’m headed to Joann’s tomorrow. I need to wear blinders to just go in and get what I need and get out – lol!
Enjoy that retreat!
Tracie
I love your Tuxedo Tales blocks and think the photo of Wilbs inspecting Mr. October is purrfect. I guessed that you bought the cute mug at an artist’s studio, not Joann’s! It’s perfect for your sewing romm. I love the Storyboard fabric and look forward to seeing your ideas come to life. Have fun at the retreat!
laura bruno lilly
Thank you for the fabric ‘tutorial’ – I love ’em and your sense of grouping certain ones with others is fantastic. BTW even if they never get used in the traditional sense, they **are** being used: eye candy – inspirational and restorative! Enjoy your new stash additions, Wendy!
Eva
Something very similar to Moody Blue is on my list. And now I know that with very modern fabrics it can turn out super. You did good shopping, love the mug and good that it is checked by chief inspector Wilbs. Lovely that you met friends and that you will have a quilt retreat. It is fun to read this! Have a good week
Barbara J Stanbro
What great fabrics! Those “make someday” projects…I call them PINS (Projects I Never Started). Looks like a fun visit.
karenfae
love the coffee mug!! Looks like you had fun. I have some Tim Holtz fabric too and haven’t used it yet. My purse is always over my shoulder cross body too
marissthequilter
Thanks for the information on the fabrics. Designer fabrics are another world for me (the downside of living in Africa). Ah well, thank heavens for the internet. I have watched an interview with Seth Apner, during COVID time, but didn’t know he also designed fabric.
Your tuxedo cats are delightful. Glad that Wilbur agrees!
Enjoy your quilting retreat. What a treat — a whole weekend of sewing.
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
What a great and perfect mug, Wendy!! I love your Tuxedo Tales kitties. Those green button eyes are perfect for them!!
Kathleen McCormick
I love seeing the haul and I bet it was a blast at the McTavish studio! Are Terri and Lesli internet friends or do you know them another way? Great that you also got to sew with your sister-in-law and her buddies…what a great little trip. And now, you are off to a sewing retreat. Your days are full of great quilting time…enjoy them. Love Wilbur and his investigating of your wool project and how great that you are caught up. Percy liked a wool pillow I made and I could never put it out for Halloween because he thought it was a toy! God knows what he would have done with those patches! That fabric will keep you busy thinking and planning. It will be fun to see if you can make Signal Trace work, maybe there are a few more fabrics to add in? or use the outliers in the border or back?
Bernie
What….. ???
“I have too many fabrics in the bundle for the baby size quilt, and too few for the throw size, so I’m thinking about how I can make that work.” Umm, you buy a bit more of the fabric Wendy!! Easily solved right there!
I love all of the fabrics. The squirrel mug makes me want to go to JoAnne’s but I am in my pj’s and it is too early – phew – because I do not need more coffee mugs!!’
Have a great retreat. Enjoy yourself!
Vicki in MN
What fun you had at the shop and will continue having fun with all those fabrics!
Helen
I love that you joined in with the Sit and Sew group. You know they loved having you. I suppose that tradition of ladies joining together to sit and sew (and I’m guessing visit) has been around as long as time.
Wanda Hanson
I resisting purchasing the Storyboard fabric but know that eventually I’ll need to have it.
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! Yes, Bernie summed up my suggested solution as well – just buy more fabric. Problem solved in an instant. Love the mug! And Wilbs checking out the October block is so sweet. Have fun at the retreat. I know you will! {{Hugs}} a bunch! ~smile~ Roseanne
Rochelle Summers
What a nice way to spend time with friends…in a quilt shop! And great that the guys had something to do there too. Machinery is right up their alley. I love that your sister’s group welcomed you and you had time to sit and hand sew. You really did catch up on Tuxedo Tales. You went so fast, Wilbs is having trouble keeping up. And another retreat! That should be quite fun. Love the mug. You do get hit by that guy quite frequently. Look forward to a report on that retreat.
Laura
You are having so much fun! That is great! Love the photo of you! Your stash enhancement is so wonderful…I would be spending a good deal of time petting those pieces! And that squirrel mug…so appropriate for the sewing studio! 🙂
Katherine Duquette
Your post was fun for me too. When you provide links for quilting shops I always enjoy seeing what is happening in quilt stores away from the southwest.
I was not aware of the designer Tim Holtz fabrics. Have fun deciding what to do with your new pieces.
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
Have fun at the quilting retreat!! I think the bundle looks like it could be a lot of fun for Signal Trace; what are you thinking of using for the accent (or would part of the bundle also be for the accent)?
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
Those are wonderful fabrics and I love your mug 🙂 It must be very nice to be in a proper quilting community. I don’t know anyone who quilts in real life. I hope you have a great time at the retreat 🙂
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
That squirrel mug is peachy!!! I have some of the same fun fabrics you bought!!!
Vicki Welsh
I love all of the fabrics that you bought! Makes me want to go shopping for fabric that I do not need.
The Morning Latte
I’m pretty late on seeing this post but oh what a great picture of three lovely ladies clearly happy to be together and in their element! (A little chuckle on the cross-body–that’s how I wear my little purse and yup sometimes that’s an issue! LOL). The Tuxedo Tales blocks are just so fun and they’re going to make such an enjoyable little quilt! (Did you ever say where you got it? Pattern or kit? etc?)