[Please note this giveaway has ended. Scroll down for the winners' names.]
We’re getting our final 2011 Top 10 list in just under the wire, and we saved the most fun for last — fabric! Oh, who are we kidding? It’s hard enough for us to choose only four collections to feature in each issue’s Staff Picks; how are we supposed to further narrow them down to only ten collections for this list and call them our absolute favorites? We have such varied tastes among the staff that the best we can ever hope to do is show you a range of the new collections we receive from manufacturers that we find interesting.
What follows is a list of ten collections, presented in alphabetical order, that made at least one QN staffer or another immediately say, “Ooh!” and start petting the fabric. Because really, isn’t that what we all do when we see new fabric that lights our imagination? Read our list and then scroll down to learn how you can enter to win one of two fat-quarter bundles for yourself.
1. 1001 Peeps by Lizzy House for Andover Fabrics If every quilt tells a story, this collection — with a cupola-topped royal city and a cast of characters straight out of Scheherazade’s tales — makes it that much easier. Coordinating blenders feature stars, candles and geometric abstracts. The dusk, purple and turquoise colorways were designed to complement the red, blue and green colorways of House’s earlier Castle Peeps collection. (October/November 2011)
2. Hanna Wallis by Windham Fabrics Safely tucked away in the archives of the Daughters of the American Revolution was a quilt made circa 1840 by Hanna Wallis of Pennsylvania. With generous assistance from the DAR, Windham Fabrics carefully referenced the quilt to create this gorgeous collection of 37 prints. Blues, greens, browns, creams and reds are showcased in delicate stripes and bold prints that represent some of the most elegant fabrics from the quilt Wallis made 170 years ago. (February/March 2011)
3. Katagami by the Allentown Art Museum for Red Rooster Fabrics Bring katagami, the 1,000-year-old Japanese art of making paper stencils, to your next quilt or home-dec project. This bold cream-and-indigo line is based on Pennsylvania’s Allentown Art Museum’s extensive collection of the delicate stencils, many of which were used for kimono printing. (April/May 2011)
4. Magnolia Lane by Laura Gunn for Michael Miller Fabrics Vibrant yellows and greens combine with cool turquoise blues and warm browns to make this a serene collection. Gunn’s over-sized florals and painterly solids will lend a fresh summer feel to your next project. (August/September 2011)
5. Nature’s Poetry by Chad Barrett for Robert Kaufman Watercolor birds, butterflies and flowers are the central motifs for this rich line. Featuring large-scale panels, medium-scale prints, stripes and solids in a nice range of values, this collection would make beautiful quilts and home decor items. The elegant scroll-work prints add a touch of old-world drama and are available in cool beige or golden tan. (April/May 2011)
6. Plum Rose from Blank Quilting This versatile collection comes in three colorways: black, indigo and cocoa. Romance is in the air when you pair the large floral focus fabrics — the stars of the collection — with the small overall florals, wavy stripes, swirls and blenders that have a touch of gold. (December/January 2012)
7. Summer House by Lily Ashbury for Moda Perfect for a summer vacation — or staycation — comes this debut line from one of Moda’s newest designers. The vibrant colors of a summer garden under a blazing sun are tempered by cool blues and aquas, capturing the feeling of an idyllic seaside cottage. The collection’s 40 prints include florals, paisleys, stripes and blenders in shades reminiscent of pink lemonade, cherry popsicles, green olives, marshmallows and robin’s egg blue. (August/September 2011)
8. Third in Line by Marcia Derse for Troy Riverwoods Collection Vibrant jewel tones like turquoise and raspberry are grounded by cool grays and warm mustards, olives and chocolates. With one neutral abstract panel and 24 prints featuring loosely drawn interpretations of bamboo, basket weave, springs, birch bark, argyle and hoops, you can easily let these fabrics take center stage in your next quilt or use them as blenders. (June/July 2011)
9. various prints from M&S Textiles Australia Drawn from Australian Aboriginal culture, motifs in these fabrics tell stories of the Dreaming Time, the time of creation of the universe. The fabric names reflect the symbols used, from the literal Dancing Place to the whimsical Kangaroo Fan. The fabrics are designed by Australian Aboriginal artists. (October/November 2011)
10. Wild World by Jenean Morrison for Free Spirit Fabrics Part art nouveau, part 1960s nostalgia, this contemporary collection is available in two mix-and-match colorways. Soft pinks, grays and blues combine with fresh apricot, grassy green and buttery yellow to make a well-rounded line — 22 prints in all — that offers lot of options for feminine quilts or pretty home accents. (February/March 2011)
So now it’s your turn. What collections made your eyes light up when you spotted them from across a crowded quilt shop? What fabrics immediately made you dig out your credit card when you saw them online? Tell us in the comments section below to be entered for a chance to win either a fat-quarter bundle of the 1001 Peeps collection by Lizzy House, described above, or a fat-quarter bundle of the Together collection by Brannock & Patek for Moda, a traditional set of florals and blenders in olive, brown, beige, navy, plum, crimson and black. That’s right, you have two chances to win! Leave your comment before 11:59 MST on Tuesday, January 3, 2012. You may indicate which prize you’d prefer. One comment per person, please. This giveaway is open to people who haven’t won anything from Quilters Newsletter in the past 90 days.
Remember, the best way to learn about giveaways and contests is to follow us on Facebook. Happy New Year!
UPDATE: We have winners! The random number generator chose #21, Janice A., and #9, Kasey P. Congrats to you both! Please contact us at submissions@qnm.com with your mailing addresses so we can ship your prizes. Thank you to all who entered! Keep checking the blog for more great giveaways throughout 2012.
