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  • Ombre, borders and awesome garments
    January 28, 2017 Daryl Aitken

    Ombre, borders and awesome garments

       

    One of the nicest things to happen to fabric design in the last many years is the use of the full width. Selvedge to selvedge design means you have no "horizontal repeats" in the fabric.  Japanese designers have been doing this for a long time (think Echino, Nani IroKoseki Suzuko.  We're seeing more and more of it in North American modern fabric design, with Jane Sassaman and V and Co exploring ombres last year, and several of the Art Gallery designers adding a border print to their collections. 

    This season Melody Miller channeled her Japanese influences (she used to design for Kokka fabrics) and created "Confetti" in three beautiful colours for her Jubilee collection. These prints are striking and start you thinking about your patterns in totally different ways.  Iron out the fold from the bolt and lay out your pattern pieces horizontally instead of vertically to take advantage of the fabric pattern and you're cooking. You can use a really simple pattern and let the fabric do all the work. The sample in the picture is from Melody's booth and has a great vintage vibe, but you could also make a simple shift dress or little a-line sleeveless for summer and the colour bands would create an excellent profile. 

    Lots of fabric inspiration this winter!

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  • It's Flannel Season
    November 18, 2016 Daryl Aitken

    It's Flannel Season

    Mammoth Flannels are starting to arrive. We are mighty excited. I've been adding pictures to my Pinterest boards with lots of great ideas for garments and other goodies. If it has to be cold, it's good to have flannel, and plaid flannel is the best!

    There are lots of good ideas for things to do with flannel if you're looking for a winter sewing project. Check here for inspiration

    There is more coming so watch this space for lots of new fabric. 

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  • September 12, 2015 Daryl Aitken

    Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

    

    Goodbye...

    Hi all, thanks for following our Summer of Fabric Love. It was fun and challenging to come up with new activities and launches each week and I'm sad that it's over...but...on we go into Fall. There are fantastic new collections coming to the shop (and some have already arrived). Watch for new beautiful Japanese imports, stunning new collections from all of your favourite designers, and a few new substrates coming to the shop for the garment sewers.  The start of school is always my real New Year, and I'm delighted to see what's in store for Fabric Spark, and the whole fantastic sewing community.

    Cheers!

    Daryl

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  • August 7, 2015 Daryl Aitken

    Japanese Imports update

    We have lots more from Japan. When I was at Quilt Market, I have to confess that the most exciting design and quality I saw was from this talented sewing and fabric culture.

    These little guys are just the beginning, check out the "new" tab at the top of the page and thumb through new Ellen Baker, Echino, and these flirty little guys. We also have new Katarina Roccella, and a few other surprises. I'll be posting new fabrics all week so check back periodically and see what else is in store.

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  • July 28, 2015 Daryl Aitken

    Japanese Imports here, gone, and here again

    Nani Iro arrived and flew off the fabric shelf quickly. No surprise, it was the painterly, intensely colourful, and playful design sense that we all have come to expect. There is a little left but act quickly. The good news is there are many more outstanding talents at many of the Japanese fabric manufacturers and they're making the voyage here. We're expecting arrivals soon from Ellen Baker, Echino, Creative Thursday in Double Gauze, Canvas, Cotton Sateen, and Quilting Cotton.

    Keep an eye on the "New" section or sign up for the Fabric Spark newsletter to hear about the latest fabric.

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  • June 8, 2015 Daryl Aitken

    Lots of new sale fabric

    Every once in a while a Manufacturer has a big sale and we stores get to take advantage of their need to clear inventory to make room for new collections. Westminster (which includes Free Spirit and Rowan) just had a big sale and we were able to get some beautiful fabric at a good price so we're passing the savings along to you.  There are dozens of new fabrics in the shop "sale" section. There is Anna Maria Horner, Martha Negley, Kaffe Fassett, Tula Pink, V&A, Parson Gray and many many more. Be sure to look at every page, there is a lot there for you set yourself up for a few good summer projects at a great price. 
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  • May 20, 2015 Daryl Aitken

    Back from Market to lots of new fabric

    After a whirlwind trip to Minneapolis where the fabric world converged for International Quilt Market, I am inspired and excited.
    I saw my friends Leanne from She Can Quilt, whose beautiful quilt is on the cover of Canadian Quilter magazine this month, I met with Krista of the fun Poppyprint blog, she has a new book out (coming soon to Fabric Spark) called Make it Take it. I also met up with a few other fabric store friends who swapped advice, learning and funny experiences with me. And, I met some great new bloggers and industry watchers who are a good source of information, news and great insights.
     
    But, the main event is always the fabric. I saw
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  • May 12, 2015 Daryl Aitken

    Wovens from Anna Maria Horner

    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.

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  • February 27, 2015 Daryl Aitken

    Nomad fabric collection is here

    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.

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