News

Loominous is a new collection of wovens from Anna Maria Horner. These are a great choice for garment sewing.  We've been really excited by all of the beautiful new woven fabrics that the manufacturers and designers are creating. The home sewist is finally going to have a lot of choice for their next tunic, dress, shirt or pants project. 

To celebrate all of this beautiful fabric, we've been hunting down lots more clothing patterns so watch for more independent pattern desigers making great clothing available for adults and funky new kids clothing. 

We'll announce in the newsletter and on the blog as they arrive.

It's hard to believe that it's already that time. Spring Creativ Festival is back. If you live in Toronto and want to sew, knit, make a piece of jewellery or take up felting, it's a great place for inspiration, supplies, and a ilttle chat about making ideas work. 

Buy your ticket online and save $2.00 with the promo code CREATE. The show is on April 24 and 25 at the International Centre and Fabric Spark is in booth 264. We will be happy to see you.

I love this quilt pattern

It's been on my project list for a long time, but it's got to be now. I want to have it for the cottage this summer. I am a big fan of Denyse Schmidt quilts. I think she has a unique voice in this community and her modern approach is in evidence here. It's a really pretty pixilated bit of happiness isn't it?

I've chosen my colours and put them in order (very similar but not the same as hers, although she does provide an exact map if you want to recreate what she's done).

I've even sewn some of the strips together but I'll wait to post that when the colour block is done. I don't have a design wall so it's tricky to see them in a way that makes any sense at all.

I've posted this WIP on Facebook and Instagram as well.  I intend to pressure myself into finishing it quickly, so a little community attention might help with that.

The Nomad fabric collection is here from Urban Chiks.  The pretty and delicate illustration style and beautiful palette make this one of my favourites so far this year.  Whether you're a quilter or a garment sewist, there are lots of ways to use these lovely plumes. 

Let me know what you do.

Denyse Schmidt is back with Franklin.  It's a really beautiful collection that is both reminiscent of her past collections and also something new.  I'm so smitten with those ferns.  I can't wait to make something to wear with one of them (either of them or both of them??).  This is what the manufacturer said about Franklin, "inspired by the magic of possibility and discovery found in the small-town libraries of her native New England" 

Whatever the inspiration, it's very pretty and brings her trademark deep colours and vintage inspired graphics into the picture.

Woohoo - It's the first of the month and that means that we're cutting, packing, and getting ready to ship everyone's February bundle. Thanks to Maureen Cracknell for designing the beautiful Wild & Free collection and then for creating this happy bundle of other fabrics from Cotton + Steel and other Art Gallery designers.  I am excited, it's even prettier in person and I think you're all going to love it.   

We are already starting to work on March with Faith from Fresh Lemons Quilts.  She's putting together an awesome bundle for Monthly Sparks and I have a fun idea up my sleeve for Daryl's Picks.  

This is what I love about Rashida Coleman-Hale.  I find her design approach recognizable but unpredictable.  It's a pretty tough balance to strike.  her designers are kid friendly but not kiddy, and she uses bold bright colours, but you still see subtlety and restraint in her hand.  I have said it before and I'll say it again.  I love all the designers that we carry at Fabric Spark, but she's my favourite.  (Am I allowed to admit that?)

Wild and Free and Priory Square are here.  Art Gallery continues to create beautiful Limited Edition collections working with bloggers and pattern designers.  The latest from Maureen Cracknell of Maureen Cracknell Handmade and Katy Jones of I'm a Ginger Monkey. Check out their beautiful collections now in the shop.  Also, if you're a subscriber, watch for your February bundle.  Maureen has curated a terrific collection of fabrics around the Wild and Free selections in the shop.