Introducing: On Parade panel and a floor pillow project

Hello! I'm back to show you some more fun we've had with this fabric. Children at Play was designed with a lot of projects in mind. As a designer, I really had to think about how this fabric would be used with children in mind: I thought about clothing, bedding, interiors and quilts. You'd think, "Well, of course...that includes it all!" But, when you are designig fabric, you really need to think about the end result. And this panel print was intended to be a runner for the bottom of skirts and dresses, but I hadn't realized how well it works for bedding or like this....floor pillows.

Now that I have this fabric in my hands, it's really amazing to see it in use. Being my first line, I've never had the experience of having something in my head translate into something in my hands like this. I mean, to see your illstrations on paper is one thing. But to have your children snuggle up and sit on them is another. I am still pinching myself!

This is called On Parade, and it runs on both sides of the selvedge, so it can get double use.The one below is with the Rocket Launch Club and Rocket Prints. I am rather addicted...and want to make so many more!

I found this floor pillow tutorial on Living with Punks, and this panel print works perfectly for it. It's inspired by the floor pillows at Pottery Barn, and are really nice because they are flat on the top, and they have a handle for the children to move around the house. Here's the post with pictures and instructions.

I will add that we added an inch to the top, and good 5 inches to the length of the side fabric to make it a wee bit bigger.  I also added some upholstery grade iron-on lining (by Pellon) to make it a bit more ready for lots of wear. You can get it at any general fabric store. It's a pretty easy project, and really fun to make!

My kids love these. They really are the perfect portable furniture! I am SO glad I found this tutorial. They are getting a lot of use, and I think we need some more around the house. Right now we use them in the "library" (our living room) since we don't really have much furniture in the house. So I just had to share...I think you'll love making them too! Have fun!

New Embroidery Pattern PDFS

Well, well well!

It took me long enough! So many of you have been camping at my doorstep with sleeping bags waiting for these to come. And so hello! Here they are!

8 new embroidery designs are here and ready for you to play with!

I've been working on these for WAY too long...tweaking, getting the colors right, the instructions right...and all of that. I've had embroidery patterns in the shop before, but these are different. They are full color, full guides and full of fun!

So, let me introduce you:

For the most part, these designs were created with the beginner in mind. But there are a few that have some really fun tricks that I plan on showing off a bit more in the coming weeks. But all the designs have stitching guides as well as how to create all the stitches required.

And really....if you are new to stitching, you can do these! I promise...it's so fun and very magical to stitch up a design on your own. Not to mention that there are so many ways to use the embroidery once it's finished...tea towels, pillows, wall art, aprons, the list goes on and on.

{Dress pattern by Oliver & S}

A while back, I asked a lot of you to help me with my embroidery patterns, and I had SO much help! It was amazing. But what learned from that experience, is that we all stitch differently and have different approaches. What I was able to do from all of that help, is see how my patterns were working and where they needed more clarification. So, I can honestly say that these designs have been worked through and are ready for the world!

I hope you enjoy these designs. I plan on coming out with new ones with every fabric collection. Many of these are meant to go with the CHILDREN AT PLAY line, and they work so well! I can't wait to see what you all do with them!!

But, since the fabric won't be in stores for a couple more weeks, it's smart to start the stitching now. Even though these designs are meant to be simple (some are more advanced!) they still take time! But ooooooohhhh so therapeutic!

Oh, and these are just the PDF's. Iron-ons will be available at the beginning of July. You can make your own iron-ons from these PDF's or you can wait till July! Stay tuned!

Enjoy!

I'll be starting a flickr group soon, so stay tuned! I'd love to see all your designs:) And thanks again to ALL of you who were a part of the process: Julie for stitching so many of the final pieces, all of you who stitched my drafted patterns to see if they were working or not, my husband who put up with me poking my fingers during intense movies that really could have done without interruption...the list goes on.

Click here to purchase.

Spread the word...and happy stitching!

xoxo

sarah

Children at Play: Family Tree

Hello! It's Friday!

When did that happen? This is the first week of summer for us, so I kinda woke up and realized I haven't really posted anything really interesting...well, I have lots to share in the next couple weeks. But breaks are good, right?

So. Let's start talking a little more about Children At Play. The fabric isn't even in stores yet, but should be soon! And until then, I want to introduce you to it bit by bit.

So, let's start with the family tree, shall we?

{image from Samantha Cabrera}

The family tree print is one of my favorites. I've had this idea in my head for a long time...ever since I came out with the print version. This Family Tree is a place for children to see their parents, grandparents and great grandparents all in one place. And it's been a great addition to the shop!

But what is so great about this panel print, is that now you can create a quilt that can last even longer! And it's much, much bigger (24" x 44" panel) so you can really make a statement with it...or incorporate it into bedding, etc.

What I love about this panel, is that is leaves you open with a lot of options. On mine, I have stitched my children's names down at the bottom, randomly where the children are playing. And then for the tree itself, I have stitched the names of my husband and myself, and then our parents and grandparents. But what I also did, and you can see down below a little bit, is I have stitched the pet names that my children call them! So, below my father's name, is Papa. And below Kenneth's father's name is Bee-baa (which is what my children call them). And next to my grandmother, I stitched "Tutu" which is what she went by, etc.

This is now hanging in my daughters bedroom, and LOVE that she strokes it every night before she goes to bed. She can feel the stitching. She loves the "bumps" from the quilting. She reviews the names of some of her great-grandparents that have since passed, but that she still loves and remembers. It's a precious way to keep your heritage alive with your children in mind.

I'd love to see how you end up quilting yours! This one is done with dark brown embroidery floss (you could also use fabric pen I guess), "Wallpaper Flowers Berry" and "Meadow Light pink" Fabric.

I'll be starting a flickr group too, for all of you to share your ideas!

So....That's my first intro to Children At Play! I have a lot more...and maybe by the time I'm done, you'll have some in your hands already. I can't wait to see what you all make up with it!

Happy weekend! Sending hugs and kisses to you all....

xo

sarah

Iron ons, Fabric and Etsy stuff.

Hello! 3 days back now from Market, and I'm still catching my breath. Mostly because I came home to a very enthusiastic head cold and pink eye infection. Horray for me. But it does feel good to have an excuse to move a little slower than I have been. I had forgotten what that feels like!

I've been getting a lot of questions as to when the embroidery patterns will be ready (I released 8 at market, which I have yet to still show you all!). Fabric and Embroidery patterns will be shipping in  about 4-6 weeks. (But I won't be selling the fabric.... I'll be making a list of all the stores where you can find it).  And the embroidery patterns you will be able to get directly from me, which I'll be talking about more of in the coming weeks. These patterns are going to be iron on transfers, which I am SO excited about. Saves so much work, and eliminates so much of the fuss.

But would you still be interested in downloadable PDF's? Please let me know. At this point, I'm only going to be offering the iron-ons, but if you'd like the PDF to be an option, let it be known in the comments below...or send me an email.  I'm on the fence about that one still.

And...the ETSY shop will be opening on Friday, but again, Embroidery patterns won't fully be released until next month.

Ok. Back to caring for this nasty head cold. Those pillows are looking comfy, aren't they?

Cheers!

xo

sarah

PS: EDIT: These iron-on transfers will get 7 transfers out of them....some of you have been concerned that it wouldn't be worth the shipping. But, I promise you it will! But good to know of your interest in the PDF's.

Quilt Market Spring 2011

I just walked in the door from an AMAZING weekend at Quilt Market! Wow.Wow, wow, wow. We had such an amazing response, and it was so great to launch this collection in real life.

First though, I have to give credit to my amazing husband who built this amazing set, nd who was basically my right hand man through this whole thing. And Lindsey who was such an amazing assistant through the getting ready for market days and through the weekend! And for my parents who flew out to watch my kids. And Sandi who kept me sane when my feet hurt too much. And the list goes on and on and on....

So, in the beginning, the space looked like this.

And then with a little work, it turned into this.

Ok. A lot of work! But oh so worth it. CHILDREN AT PLAY, my first collection with Michael Miller fabrics, made for such a cheery booth.

Here. I'll take you through a walking tour:

• Flowers from my Aunt's Flower shop.
• {Skirt pattern is by MODKID found here}
• Adorable outfit made by Liz of Cotton and Curls (LOVE the tie!!!)
• (Shorts pattern in an Oliver & S Classic)
• Me with my family tree panel, which I'll post more of later.
• And since my fabric came in 6 days before market...SIX DAYS to sew up an entire trade show booth? Yikes! I grabbed quite a bit of help: pillows and quilts and clothing made by my mother-in-law, Amy, Holly and Susan, Gina, Maryanne, Liz, Tricia and Hannah. I couldn't have put this together without you!
• Michael Miller's booth was amazing as usual. They are always coming up with fun themes for market, and this one was "Super Hero's" They even go as far as dressing up for the part-super capes and all!
• Michael Miller has two locations: one in CA and the other in Manhattan. So when they get together, it's always a blast. They even found an old red telephone booth in NYC that they ripped off the pavement and brought to Salt Lake City. How's that for dedication to a theme! So dedicated they won an award.
• And it was super nice to be next to my dear friend Sandi's booth. She always puts on a fantastic show.
• Me with my family tree panel, which I'll post more of later.

I did try and a little social time in...not much. It's go-go-go at market, which I loved. But it was so great to visit for a minute or two with friends I've made along the way who are just as crazy as I am. Crazy, meaning who share the same drive and work just as hard and yet care so much for their young families. And it was so wonderful to meet so many of you! There are so many amazing fabric stores all over the country! I especially loved visiting with people from Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Norway, The Netherlands and Italy. What a treat!

All in all, it was a fantastic show. So glad to have met so many of you, and to have had such a great response with Children At Play! I can't wait to show you more fabric projects more 'inside' scoop on the collection!

Oh! And P.S: The ETSY shop is going to stay closed a little bit longer! Children at Play had a fantastic response, and we're needing to get a bit more organized now that we've come home. Stay tuned for more details....

'

Introducing Children at Play

It's finally here! What I have had to keep a secret for 4 months now is my first offering to the wonderful world of textiles!

Children at Play is the name of the collection, and there are 4 groups...separated into colors but also into themes. And if you count, there are 52 pieces in all! Yes! Fifty Two! I think it's the biggest collection Michael Miller Fabrics has every done. But it's been SO wonderful to create and put together. With such a big group, I'll have to introduce it to you bit by bit so you can really get to know each piece and each collection properly. But for now, are you ok with an overall look?

I won't talk about it too much now, other than to say I am so happy with this collection! It was inspired by my own feelings of childhood, as well as my own children's. Simple play, creative play...the kind of play that requires imagination and no agenda. So while this collection has a very classic feel, there is a lot of whimsicality in the color and design as well.

There is so much to tell and share about these pieces. It's been a labor of love, and I really want to take you into the story of the collection. But I'll spread that out over time.  In the mean time, I'm sewing away and designing away as I get ready to debut these at the International Quilt Market in SLC, UT.

Spread the word, and come and visit! I'm booth #437 by the Michael Miller FabricsParty Booth.

Love to you all!

xoxo

sarah

PS: CHILDREN AT PLAY is expected to ship at the end of the month. Depending on where the store is located, they should be stocked by mid-July!

UPDATE: Children at Play is in it's second wave of printing! The first wave sold out, so if you're local shop hasn't ordered yet, it should arrive in August.

More spring sneak peeks trickling in....

No time to blog as I'm stitching and designing my way into a booth with will be covered in fabric the floss oh so very soon.

Is this real? Sometimes I just have to stop and pinch myself. It's been a dream of mine to design a fabric collection. And it's really happening?

So much more to tell....but not yet. The big spill will be soon. I promise!

Back to sewing...

Three little birds...

The past few weeks have been so great as I've been working on new embroidery patterns to be release OH so soon. I've just loved turning drawings into patterns for needlework!

I've always LOVED needlework. When I was a little girl, my mother's best friend embroidered a piece that was on my wall. It was a "one-two-buckle-my-shoe" design on stretched linen. I think it was a Sun-bonnet Sue kinda design...but I loved running my fingers over the bumps and texture. It was like touchable art!

So, the trend of hand-embroidery that is coming back oh-so-strongly has me tickled! The possibilities! We all want design for our kids, right? But to make it yourself, and have it be something that they can touch and feel and see....and something you made? Perfect fit if you ask me. It's so theraputic to stitch too....and much easier than it looks if you haven't tried yet.

This design, stitched by the amazing Julie (I've had to divi out some of the stitching with the deadline of Quilt Market coming up soon!) is inspired from this design.

And I have to say that the phrase from this song is always a huge pick me up. Especially this version makes me happy EVERY SINGLE TIME! Do you love it as much as we do? If you come over in the mornings at breakfast, you will most likely see me and my kids dancing in the kitchen to this sweet song. So I had to design something for me to always think of it.

And there are more designs coming based on the new fabric collection coming out next month....oooh....eee...ahhh! Can't wait to show that one!

Ok. I'm a little excited. Sorry...but I just had to show you just a little. Stay tuned for more!