Swatches and Yards of Fabric







It's a rainy day today, and my garden looks so green.  A perfect song for today is by Diana Krall.

I still get the same thrill that I had when I received my first fabric back from Spoonflower Fabrics.  Only the quality of the fabric and the capture of the look I want is even better.

Dress Shop Bunting Stripe is part of my A French Dress Shop collection.  I wrote a post about it here.


I love bunting.  Here is another design called The Scallop Sea, which is part of my collection called The Scallop Sea.  I wrote a post about it here.


Last week I wrote about the frog theme that Spoonflower was using for this week's contest.  I received the samples back and I love the way they printed.  The collection is called The Painted Pink Patchwork Frog.

I tried something new with some brushes that I created and I love the way the Shabby Chic Frog printed.


I am going to use this technique in future designs for my Shabby Chic fabric collections.


Organizing fabric is always difficult for me, because I need to have a way of photographing the fabrics when I am mixing and matching for new collections.  So I can't use the conventional methods which make a group of swatches permanently attached.  I needed a way that I could easily take the collection apart but a way to keep track of the collections.

AN EASY WAY TO ORGANIZE FABRIC COLLECTIONS

I printed a fabric collection and included my overview of the fabrics in the collection.  Then I cut out each 8" swatch with a pinking shear rotary cutter.

Then I stacked them, putting my overview as the top swatch.  This swatch shows me all of the designs in that collection.  It also appears on my Spoonflower collection listing, so that other people can see what is in that set of fabrics.

I simply punched a hole at the top and added a brad.  This enables me to take it apart easily when I need to play with the fabric for new collections, and for photographing.


Rainy days are meant for staying indoors and getting caught up on those things that get in the way when the weather is beautiful.

Another nice way of spending a rainy day is to stop by Mary's Little Red House and be inspired by so many wonderful Mosaics.





Kathleen Grace said...

I love the bunting prints! So cute and they would be adorable as curtains, cushions, dresses and so many other things!

Anonymous said...

Rainy day here too. Can our kindred spirits be more in sync than they already are? :)
ALWAYS turn my music down for yours, Karen, and it NEVER disappoints. Sigh...perfect for this day.
Your fabrics are as gorgeous as ever. I MUST stop by your shop soon. I am waiting to move to our permanent home this summer (which I just found out from my husband might be one more stepping stone to the last one), but as soon as I settle in next month or so, I have a couple of your throw pillows on my wish list. Looking forward to it.
Marvelous Monday!!
xoxo's

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Karen, you truly are an inspiration. You have found your focus, you do it well, and you never stop. THANK YOU! And these are just wonderful and happy patterns! BEST OF SUCCESS to you as I am sure people will flock to get these! Anita

Vee said...

That bunting fabric is fabulous. It turned out even better than I had imagined...same for you? Did you get any of the rough weather yesterday? We had thunder showers, but it did not rain all day.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I love everything you do, and that pennant fabric is extra special cuteness.

I wanted you to know that I am SOOOO glad I gave my MIL that pillow. We just got some bad news about he health today, and it just drove home the point even more that time with those we love, friends and family, is precious, indeed.

Thank you again for making her Mother's Day complete. She sent us a picture of the pillow because she is so proud of it. Just wanted you to know, my friend.

XO,

Sheila

Sarah said...

Karen, your organization is perfection, just like your designs.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I love the fabrics, especially the bunting prints. So unique. My mom gets goosebumps whenever she sees bolts of cloth.

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Karen, A rainy day is a day to create! I love to be in the studio when it rains.
This is a wonderful and teaching post for fabric organization. I will keep this for reference.
Love your designs and they will be a joy to so many.

I also made a long time coming decision to end my blog for now and my last post was June 1st. I have so much to pursue and need the space going forward. Something had to go. Spoonflower is an area I am trying to go forward with. It has been many years blogging and just the right time to make some changes. I will continue to visit you and always be inspired.
See you again soon.
Big hugs, Celestina Marie

Beverly said...

Karen, you are an endless source of creativity and inspiration. I love your designs!

- DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS -