Project Dovetail~ a licensed collaboration & "sew" much more!

Quilt Market Re-cap :: Part 1

We're back from International Quilt Market and I can finally share our news! We've been working with our licensed designers to create a collaborative collection...

Each of our amazing licensed designers created one design in two colorways...

Lily Ashbury :: Kayla (Peony & Haze)

Sarah Campbell :: Butterfly Blossoms (Cloud & Grass)

Sandra Clemons :: Bowtie Bunny (Flower & Wisteria)

Susan Emory :: Corsage (Water & Shell)

Laura Gunn :: Mini Grid (Fog & Moss)

Sandi Henderson :: Pomegranate Seeds (Blossom & Lilac)

Emily Herrick :: Sea Star (Ocean & Meadow)

Sarah Jane :: Nature Walk (Aqua & Peach)

Tamara Kate :: Tall Grass (Herb & Blush)

Betsy Siber :: Allium (Petal & Cotton Ball)

Patty Sloniger :: Birch Forest Too (Twilight & Mist)

Axelle Valentin :: Herbal Tea (Coral & Blackberry)

The backstory of our Quilt Market booth
 
When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, we were all so worried about the city and the people that host Quilt Market every year... we watched the news as Houston residents streamed into the George R. Brown Convention Center seeking shelter. As we're sure you can relate, we wondered how we could help. Quilts! Of course, we can send quilts! We reconfigured our plan for the booth and created a working sewing studio. With sewing machines donated by Janome and thread provided by Aurifil, together with you, our sewing community, we made blocks out of Project Dovetail. We're going to use these blocks to sew quilts which we'll donate to Quilts of Compassion. 

Janome Sewing Machine M7200

Aurifil Thread 50wt Cotton

We knew that a lot of you would be busy with appointments at the show so we sent attendees home with a bundle of fabric so they can mail blocks from home. If you're interested in participating, we will be accepting blocks until March 1st, 2018. The blocks must be 8.5" x 8.5" unfinished and made from our Project Dovetail fabrics. The collection will start shipping to stores in January so keep an eye out or contact your local quilt shop to see if they've ordered the collection. 

Please feel free to include the following Cotton Couture colors as well-

Metal, Pewter, Nickel, Hyacinth, Lilac, Opal, Jewel, Berry, Rose, Teal, Ocean, Spa, Loden, Avocado, Grass, Lipstick, Geranium, Blush 

We have lots of inspiration for Project Dovetail quilts... here are a few...

 Supernova Quilt designed by Lee Heinrich (of Freshly Pieced) and pieced & quilted by Tamara Kate

Hexies made by yours truly... just for fun!

Mapleton Avenue by Sassafras Lane

We'll be back next week with more Quilt Market fun!
xo,
Kait

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Behind the Seams with Betsy Siber!

Now, let's go Behind the Seams with Betsy!

Q: What's your favorite piece of work that you have created, your favorite project or your favorite part of the work day?

A: A couple years ago, I drew a 12 Days of Christmas series, and these 9 Dancing Ladies still top my list of favorite illustrations. It was inspired by a vivid memory of being 11 years old at summer camp on a balcony, watching my friends spin around to music below.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Aside from creating things with my Everglades fabric, I'm currently working on some laser-cut garden signs for my community garden, a mural design for my neighborhood school, and a series of vegetable puns (hopefully I can share more about that last one soon!)

Q: What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?

A: Designing my own fabric line was a huge work goal attained last year, so I'm still pretty flabbergasted by that. I suppose designing for a quality childrenswear company or publishing a picture book would be great next steps! Current life goals include raising my two daughters to be kind, understanding and inquisitive adults and exploring more of this beautiful planet, preferably with my favorite person, my husband Matt. We're currently planning a 10th anniversary trip to Scotland for Summer of 2018. 

Q: What are you doing when you're not creating or at work? What hobbies do you have?

A: I love to read, and swim, and collect milk glass from local thrift stores. I'm also the vice president of a fundraising committee for my neighborhood school (where my kids attend) and right now we're raising funds to transform our giant asphalt playlot/parking lot into a tree and turf-filled multi-sport complex.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?

A: While living in Japan for a summer, I climbed Mt. Fuji with a Marine Commander, a Naval Captain and my 11-year-old neighbor. Buy me a cup of coffee at Quilt Market and I'll tell you more!

Q: Do you have any favorite blogs/magazines/IG feeds that you follow or read? 

A: I love following Helen Dardik on Instagram and reading Uppercase Magazine. For blogs, I check in on Print & Pattern regularly and like to scroll through They Draw & Travel and They Draw & Cook.

Q:  What else should we know about you and your work?

A: I think my work speaks for itself, and reflects me pretty well: Quirky, kid-friendly and colorful. I don't like perfectly straight lines and I love drawing the sharp teeth on my not-so-scary predators.

*Betsy at work in her studio

Q: Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others? 

A: Make some friends with similar goals and check in regularly! I'm part of Pencil Parade Collective along with three other talented women and they have been my best motivators! We check in regularly online and once a month have a Skype session to talk about what we're working on and what our goals are for the next month.

Q: Do you admire any artists / people? (famous or not!) 

A: Of course! Some of my current favorites are Elise Gravel and Ryo Takemasa. I'm also influenced by the illustrations of Leonard Weisgard, Charley Harper and Ezra Jack Keats.

Q: What is your favorite....

Color:Yellow

Animal:Giraffe

Season:Autumn

Movie:Amelie

Book:Too many to choose from! But if I had to pick, I'd go with the entire Harry Potter series.

Vacation Spot: Santorini, Greece

Food:Buttered toast

Q:  Where else can we find you? 

Website: BetsySiber.com
Facebook: Betsy Siber Art
Instagram:  betsy_siber

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Thanks, Betsy! We're so excited to see what you create for Quilt Market and for all of your future MMF collections!

 Here are a some more sneak peeks of Everglades...

*Climbing, Glade Glimmer, Peek

*Tumbling Blooms, Bad Teeth

*Peek, Chomp, Take Flight

*Float, Take Flight, Climbing, Tumbling Blooms, Glade Glimmer, Hazy Moon, Snowy Egret, Bad Teeth, Peek, Chomp

Everglades will start shipping to stores in January, 2018

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Behind the Seams with Michael Miller Fabrics!

Today, on Making It Fun, we're going...

Jennifer (Kate) Morgan, Northern Illinois

I'm a wife and mom to four kids ages 21, 18, 13 and 6. I stay at home 42 weeks of the year, and am a full time CPA/tax preparer 10 weeks of the year. I've been sewing most of my life, as early as age 5 or 6 if I remember correctly. This is my first time working with Sewing Portfolios and it has been great fun!

Q: What's your favorite piece of work that you have created, your favorite project or your favorite part of the work day?

A: Apart from my wedding dress, I will have to say that my favorite piece that I have created to date was Isla Eve (Snazziedrawers) for my daughter's 3rd birthday. A lot of time and love went into that dress!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on Christmas gifts at the moment (I usually procrastinate - not this year!) I keep telling myself I'll take a week off of sewing to organize the craft room, but that never seems to happen.

Q: What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?

A: I have been working hard to improve my photography. It's been a long slow process, but my goal is to one day really feel comfortable with my camera and editing software. My life goals are to maintain a happy healthy home and remain close to my family and friends.

Q: What are you doing when you're not creating or at work? What hobbies do you have?

A: If I'm not sewing or working, you'll find me running my kids to and from their activities, bike riding/walking, and organizing church youth activities.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?

A: I can recite all 50 states in alphabetical order!

Q: Do you have any favorite blogs/magazines/IG feeds that you follow or read? 

A: I've been following the Soul Mama Blog consistently for almost 10 years. I haven't made it into the world of Instagram yet, although my kids tell me it's where I need to be.

Q:  Where else can we find you? 

A: Blog: Kate and Crew & Facebook: kate.jennifermorgan

Q:  What else should we know about you and your work?

A: I've been sewing most of my life, being taught by my mom, and she was taught by her mother. My favorite things to sew are little girl's dresses. I also love to make doll clothing and accessories.

Q: Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others? 

A: Be grateful and create happiness wherever you are in this life.

Q: Do you admire any artists / people? (famous or not!) 

A: I admire my parents for setting a great example of how to live life.

Q: What is your favorite....

Color: Green

Animal: Cat

Season:Summer

Movie: Forrest Gump

Book:Little House on the Prairie

Vacation Spot: Camping

Food:Nachos

*Kate's beautiful cat!

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As an ambassador for Sewing Portfolios, Kate created the looks below using In Bloom by Sandra Clemons (in stores now!)
Click HERE to read more about them! 

The Animazing Suspender Skirt 

 The Lune Top

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