Interview with Katherine Bell - Author of Quilting for Peace.

Katherine, thank you for taking your time to do this interview with Contemporary Cloth. I have to start by stating that your publication, Quilting for Peace is exceptional…..from the layout to the contents to the physicality of the book itself. Quilting for Peace belongs in everyone’s personal library and it now has a special place in mine.

For a brief overview: the Quilting for Peace chapters cover the following: community quilting, wartime quilting, quilting for kids and quilting to change the world. As stated on the cover, Quilting for Peace contains more than 25 inspiring essays and 15 charity projects with clear instructions. It is packed full of ideas, life stories, quilt resources in a variety of areas, including quilts for pet shelters (cage comforters), sleeping bags for people who are homeless, quilts for solders, infants and many more people who have needs. Contacts and websites are provided, so that we can all become involved. There is information regarding places where you can donate finished quilts or fabrics. It is all here. Katherine makes it easy for us to follow through.

There are also significant quotes, which I loved, in each chapter. I hesitated to include any of them in this interview because they need to be read as they were meant to be, as part of each chapter. They are so meaningful and an integral part of this book.

The Quilting for Peace website is another excellent resource and clearinghouse of information. Katherine has a blog, a Flikr Group and a Get Involved Page with extensive information.


I read that you are an online editor in New England (my favorite place), what do you usually write about and what inspired you to write this amazing book – Quilting For Peace?

First, thanks for inviting me to your blog – I’m so happy to hear that you like the book! I’m an editor at Harvard Business Review and HBR.org – it seems like that would be almost the exact opposite of writing about crafts and writing fiction (which is my other true love) but in fact they have quite a bit in common. I spend a lot of time thinking about people’s work lives, why they do what they do, how they stay motivated and motivate others, that sort of thing. I wish quilters were in charge of more organizations, because they tend to be resourceful, realistic, empathetic, and persuasive – all qualities common to great business leaders and entrepreneurs.

How did you gather the resources for your book? Did you find most of them on the web?

I did find most of them on the web. Many quilters were early adopters of the Internet. They’ve been networking online for years, and just about every organization I profiled has its own website. One exception is the Sunshine Circle, a quilting group in rural Iowa that started in 1912. Most of the women in the group now are at least second-generation, and they’re in their seventies and eighties. I lived in Iowa for a couple of years, and while I was there the University of Iowa Press published a book about Iowa quilts by Jacqueline Andre Schmeal. It’s gorgeous, one of my very favorite quilting books. There’s a chapter in it about the Sunshine Circle and I called Jacqueline and asked if she could put me in touch with them.

What particular crafts/sewing adventures do you personally enjoy doing?

Quilting is my favorite. I never finish knitting projects. I just made curtains for my living room, and honestly it was kind of painful. I really want to learn to design and make clothes, but I keep making quilts instead. I also like working with paper – letterpress printing and making handmade books. At some point I want to combine the two and try both printing on fabric and quilting with paper.

You refer to “the rhythm of each project” when you are quilting, what is your favorite segment in the process of quiltmaking?

I love the design stage and the process of piecing. The whole-is-more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts transformation is so satisfying. I get impatient during basting and binding.

It appears that the “tactile” nature of making and quilting is a rewarding process for you and for many of us. In Occupational Therapy (my previous profession), the act of “doing” is the main component of functional performance and self-esteem. You have promoted this philosophy and the resultant product is functionally useful and meaningful to other individuals. How do you feel during and after you’ve created a quilt?

The physicality of quilting is really important to me. I spend a ridiculous amount of time on the computer, working, writing, reading. So it’s extra satisfying to make something tangible. I love washing a brand-new quilt and pulling it out of the dryer all puckery and warm and already worn-in looking. And of course, the best part of all is sending it off to the person I’ve made it for.


Do you usually have a person in mind that you will be gifting when you are making a quilted project?

Almost always.

When you create your quilts, what are your favorite colors or patterns on fabrics?

I’m a little old-fashioned when it comes to fabrics. I like small prints, shirting, and stripes. I love blues and pinks and greys and browns. And yellow and orange; I’ve been especially into orange lately.

While reading through Quilting for Peace, I found the quiltmakers to be such givers and they touch the lives of so many people in a significant, positive way, how has doing this research, meeting these people and writing this book affected you personally? How has this experience changed your life?

I have always spent too much time worrying about what’s going on in the world and not nearly enough time actually doing anything about it. The quilters I talked to don’t waste time thinking about how they won’t be able to make a big enough difference. They just do things that make a small difference and convince others to do the same, and those things add up over time. I’ve definitely learned from their generosity and resolve.

Is there a special story or experience that has affected you the most?

The two stories I found both most heartbreaking and most inspiring were Barbara O’Neill’s and Don Beld’s. Barbara’s son died in combat in Afghanistan when he was only 19 years old. “When there’s a tragedy,” she told me, “you do what you need to do, and then you recruit other people to help you.” Within days of her son’s death, Barbara and her best friend began an effort to make quilts for as many veterans as they could, with the help of quilters all over the world. After his son died of AIDS, Don made a panel in his memory for the AIDS quilt. A few years later, Don began another grassroots quilt memorial — the organization he founded, Home of the Brave, gives quilts to the families of soldiers and marines killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Is there a particular place where you have donated your quilts? Do you have a special cause that is important to you?

They’re all important, but the wartime quilts feel most urgent to me right now. We’ve been at war for eight years! I’m very concerned about veterans’ issues — PTSD, homelessness, and so on. I find it absolutely horrifying that one in three homeless men is a veteran.

Katherine, I have to say that I am with you. The lack of care toward our veterans is an atrocity in this country. And further, I will never understand the value of war, we have not learned much since Vietnam. It appears that President Obama is starting to assist the veterans, their needs and their families......long overdue.

The work that Katherine Bell has done is to be commended. This book would be a special gift for anyone. Katherine has opened our eyes and consolidated valuable information and resources in her book, website and blog. Katherine has now made it easy for all of us to do our part in providing hope and comfort to another person. Thank you, Katherine.

****Here is a recent post from Katherine's blog for those of you who are interested in quilts for veterans.

Scraps and Timtex - and an Amy Butler Bag!

I have owned Amy Butler's "In Stitches" for some time now and thought it would be fun to try a quilted box bag.

I selected the "Patchwork Handbag With Zipper Charm".  I thought it would be a good use of scraps and a fun first quilting project.  The project requires a number of pieces of main fabric, lining, backing fabric and batting.  The main pieces and lining could be cut from 1/2 yard or less of fabric.  I had the luxury of selecting color coordinated scraps from the scrap bin here at Contemporary Cloth.  But you could use your stash or try  your luck with one of our scrap bags.

The pattern is written in a very descriptive style.  I stumbled during the quilting section because I did not understand that an entire piece was quilted and then cut in two for the two sides.  I had started by cutting out the dimensions listed in the book, things did not add up and I set the bag aside, convinced I would not finish it.  I later decided to simply make horizontal strips. It's not as visually interesting, but it was simpler for this first-time quilter.  (You'd never know that I completed three years of college-level math, including differential equations!)

The pattern calls for making a cardboard insert for the bottom of the bag.  I simply couldn't see how this would make the bag sturdy enough - at least for my taste.  So when making the lining, I attached Timtex, a fairly sturdy sew in stabilizer, that is great for bags and totes.  This added wonderful shape to the bag - so much so that I did not need to add the cardboard.  Even after adding my wallet and several other items the bag held its shape.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the bag.   I learned how to make a box-shaped bag.  And next time, I will be a bit more adventurous in my quilting!

Contest Winners!

Thank you for participating in our fabric giveaway.   The winners of the fabric selection are:

Kathy Hamman

Love to Quilt

Because we had such a response, we have added three winners of a yard of fabric of our choice.  The winners are:

Free Indeed

Jennette

Chacoy

The winners have been notified by email.  Thanks for participating!

Be sure to check out our latest interview with Paula Singleton, Milliner here.

Interview with Paula Singleton, Milliner

Tell us about What A Great Hat! How did you start it and what are your products?

I’ve been artistic all my life and started out knitting and sewing then moved into working in paper and then eventually started making jewelry using vintage buttons and beads.
I had never worn hats and bought my first handmade hat at the Ann Arbor art festival in 2004. I wore it all day and had no less than 30 compliments on it. It was so much fun that I felt compelled to do my part to bring hat wearing back into vogue. It’s funny – I went to the Ann Arbor art festival to get inspiration for jewelry making and came away with an entirely new appreciation for hats, which launched a new career path.

Do you have a blog, a website, a storefront?

I have a web site: What A Great Hat! and a working studio where I see customers by appointment. I also participate in the finer art festivals in Northeast Ohio. I left the corporate world in 1999 as the communications manager for a financial services firm; writing and public relations were my specialty. I continue to write on a freelance basis and need the flexibility to go out on assignments, which prohibits me from having a true storefront retail presence. And, truth be told, hats are such a niche that having a retail hat shop in Akron, Ohio probably wouldn’t be the best business decision.

Tell us about your design process?

It usually begins with a great fabric, color of felt or vintage item like a buckle, button, flower or feather. Then I think about what shape would complement my inspiration piece. The design process is rather organic – the hat evolves as I work with pieces in my studio that complement it.

What are your favorite materials to use?

For summer hats, I love to work with cotton – so many amazing patterns and colors to jumpstart the imagination. I also love working with sinamay, a natural straw-like product that is great for swirling and sculpting. For winter, wool or silk fabric, or wool felt are my materials of choice.



How do you determine what the best hat design is for someone?

I can usually look at someone and know the style that will work for them. But it’s best to have them come to my studio and try on hats of various shapes. Once we know the best shape for their face, frame, and lifestyle, we can talk about color, pattern, trimmings and all the details and select a hat that I’ve already made or create a new piece that really works for them.

Do you have any favorite colors or styles/eras?

I love the styles of the ‘20s through the ‘50s. The cloche (which is the French word for bell) is a personal favorite. And I adore fun, flirty cocktail hats. Color-wise, I’ve never met a periwinkle blue that I didn’t love, and deep plum/eggplant is also hard to resist.

Do you only design hats for women?

Yes. I’ve also made some hats for little girls.



Have you made hats for special occasions?

I’ve made many hats for the Kentucky Derby and even made one for a woman who traveled to England for Royal Ascot (the horse event that’s attended by the royal family). I’ve also had a lot of fun making cocktail hats for women going to black tie events.

Who are your favorite designers?

Philip Treacy is sort of the king of hat making and his work is amazing. I also like Siggi, and Edwina Ibbotson, hat makers in the UK.

Where do you find inspiration?

I’m always inspired by nature. Old movies are another great source. I wake up in the middle of the night sometimes with designs swirling around in my mind.

What do you enjoy the most in your creative process?

Combining colors, textures, shapes and trimmings in creative ways.



How do you feel after you have created one of your wonderful hats?

Creating hats is a real thrill but the best part is finding the right hat for the right person, especially for someone who claims she can’t wear hats. Seeing her face light up when she finds the right hat is the best reward of all.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?

I was fortunate to find a millinery instructor – Donald Wasson from Cleveland – who is a true gem. He has inspired legions of students to create hats to augment their careers in fashion as well as helping them make connections for launching a career in millinery. It may be that millinery is a dying art, but every milliner I’ve met is passionate about keeping it alive. I have yet to meet another milliner who isn’t helpful and supportive of fellow hat makers out there trying to make a go of it. If any of your readers are interested in learning how to make hats I’ll be glad to share the resources I know of with them.

Are most of your customers from Northeast Ohio?

Yes; I meet many of them at the shows that I participate in as well as referrals from existing customers. But I have made hats for people across the US.

What are your future plans?

To continue learning and growing as a milliner. And to escalate the enthusiasm for wearing great hats by designing pieces that make people feel and look terrific.

Thank you, Paula for taking the time to do this interview and share your art with us. You are keeping the art of millinery alive and we are grateful for that. Your work is truly amazing.
When I think of hats, my mother's hats from the 40's and 50's come to mind. I will have to post them on the blog some day. A few years ago, I gave a friend of mine a copy of the book Crowns, which had just been published. Sandra told me about her involvement with church on Sunday and how it was an all day happening, which led our discussion into the hats that many of the women wore. This book is a treasure and if you enjoy hats, you will love Crowns!

Ricky Tims - Rhapsodie Coloree ll

The fabric design and quilt are by Ricky Tims. The finished quilt size is 50" x 50". If you decide to order these fabrics, ask us for a pattern or download the pattern from Red Rooster Fabrics. Enjoy the Rhapsodie Coloree ll Collection, the look of hand dyed fabric at a great price!

Giveaway - Thank you for following us!

We will be in touch very soon and posting the winner.........

Happy Halloween!!!!

Halloween Special on Oct. 31st - use the coupon code - spooky - for 25% off of your order! (10-20% off fiberartists)

Givaway!....sign up before Nov. 1st!!!!!

We are having such a great response to our Givaway/Follower Sign-Up.....THANK YOU!!!!....that we decided to add more surprises for our followers.....stay tuned.
Become a follower of Contemporary Cloth (current followers are also eligible) and we will select one winner for every twenty followers.  The winner will receive one yard of your choice valued at $10 or less.  Check out all the possibilities here.  Just be sure to follow this blog and that we have a way to reach you.  The contest will close November 1st.  Good luck!

Quilting for Peace

Find out more about this program, click on this image. We will be doing an interview with Katherine Bell soon......she is doing incredible work.

Check Out the Piccadilly Collection

I couldn't resist this beautiful fabric. It has a wonderful hand.  Check out all the Piccadilly fabrics here.  (You can search on Piccadilly.)

Perhaps this will be the fabric you choose if you are our contest winner!  Details here.

Free Yard of Fabric!

We are excited to sponsor a giveaway!  Become a follower of Contemporary Cloth (current followers are also eligible) and we will select one winner for every twenty followers.  The winner will receive one yard of your choice valued at $10 or less.  Check out all the possibilities here.  Just be sure to follow this blog and that we have a way to reach you.  The contest will close November 1st.  Good luck!

Interview with Linda Colsh of Belguim and the U.S.

Interview with Linda Colsh of Belgium (and the U.S.)
I have admired Linda’s art from the first time I saw it several years ago. Go to her website and you will be mesmerized. Some of the adjectives that I would use to describe Linda’s work are: unique, interesting, inviting, calming, mysterious…..and wonderful. I always want to view it again and always see something else in the piece. Her work resonates with me.

Personally, one my most favorite surface design processes is deconstructed screen printing. Linda has two recent articles in Quilting Arts Magazine: Deconstructed Rubbings (Issue 39, June/July) and Deconstructed Engravings (Issue 40, August, September).
Linda’s website has a wonderful gallery of her work. Stop by for inspiration and thoughtfulness. Here are some examples of Linda's art work. It was very, very difficult deciding which pieces to use on our blog.......they are all incredible. Please view them all at her gallery.

Here are a few examples of Linda's art work. It was "very" difficult deciding what pieces to added to this interview...I wanted to add all of them!

Northern Renaissance
2005
H27 x W16 inches (68 x 40cm)


Scent Astray
2008
H64 x W76 inches (162 x 191cm)


Brittle Silence
2005
H38 x W33inches (96 x 83cm)


Amazing Grace
2008
H40 x W40 inches (100 x 100cm)


Rage & Outrage
2001
H45 x W48 inches (114 x 122cm)


Where do you find inspiration for your work? Your images are very interesting and intriguing. They draw me into the piece.I find inspiration just about everywhere. Some examples of images I’ve just been working with as I worked six weeks dyeing fabrics for the next year’s artwork: the shards of a broken plate I found in a field; a graceful number 5 from an elegant doorway in The Hague; a tall, distinguished gentleman quietly observing the comings and goings of Aachen’s city flower market; the oculus of an open dome in Split made into a rustic circle in Photoshop; and a flea market postcard written to a British World War I soldier in Belgium.

I am a collector. I fill my notebooks with drawn and written observations on all kinds of subjects, just as I fill folders on my computer with images of various categories of “stuff.” I believe that being lifted out of familiar surroundings and finding myself in one very different place after another has sharpened my powers of observation. I have lived on both coasts of America, Asia and now Europe. I notice people and things that perhaps others don’t see.

I am happy that you say my imagery draws you in my artwork because that drawing in is one of the goals I have for my work: I want viewers to see the story I present, but also to find their own stories and meaning for the characters I present.

How has living in Belgium influenced your designs and work?
The first time I was asked about Belgium’s influence on my work I answered without hesitation that “Belgium is a very gray place.” It seemed such an obvious reply and I didn’t elaborate at the time, but I have since thought back on my answer often. I realize that it is more than just an influence on the colors (or minimal colors) I use in my work. I find a softness in the slanting, silvery northern light here that is a look I consciously work to achieve in my art. That same light, while it strips away color, creates a starkness created by deep shadows and dramatic highlights. I reflect that in my work by using (and reveling in) the full range of value from black to white. The gray is also a mood—an enveloping coolness like fog, the weather that I find at the same time comforting and mysterious.

How do you begin creating a piece?
I take lots of photos. I write and draw in my notebooks and think during my “away from work” times, developing stories and characters. Then, when themes or stories begin to take form, I start sifting images on the computer and working with them in Photoshop to create the images from which I make screens, transfer or print directly on fabric. As a personality takes shape and a story forms around that character, I add images that connect to and further the narrative.

What are your work processes with your fabric?
I begin with plain white or black fabric. I create fabrics with dye, printing, painting or discharge. Because of Belgium’s short summers, I do all the dyework for a year in a few weeks when weather is warm. The rest of the year, I work with acrylic paints on cloth, do the computer work, including direct printing of some images on fabric; and design and stitch the artworks.


What part of the process do you enjoy the most? Do you have any favorite techniques?
I’d have to say that two parts of the process are most enjoyable: the computer design work and surface design. I often spend hours and hours working with a single image on the computer. The surface design work with dyes, paints and discharge agents is extremely satisfying. After abandoning screen printing in college because, at the time, the chemicals used were kind of nasty and the process fiddly—I preferred freer techniques, like painting. But with acrylics came simplicity, and screen printing could be more improvisational. I can make very detailed, unique screens with my thermal imager.

I have arrived at a place where my combination of a few surface design processes and my computer work enable my work to exhibit that quality of “my voice.” What viewers might not realize is the tenacity and pursuit of a few selected techniques with a kind of creative tunnel vision that it has taken to achieve the unique look of my artwork. I’ve chosen to focus on print processes like screen printing and monotype that don’t use a press, direct computer printing, and low water immersion dyeing, with an eye toward exploring color separation at the point where dye wicks into bare cloth.


Do you do a lot of planning for your projects?
Yes, I am thinking almost all the time about the various active themes I am working with. From the time I shoot a photo or draw an image, or print a batch of fabrics, to having a finished artwork is often months or even years. Because I use so many images in a single piece and work each image digitally and then with surface design, by the time I actually print the image on cloth, decide where it will go in a composition and actually sew the piece, I have become very familiar with my imagery!
I keep my notebooks and laptop close, so that those elusive, random thoughts that just might be worth something can be noted—well, at least the odds of being able to remember and record them are higher if the tools are at hand .
Frequently, I use images iconicly, transcending their literal meaning. I tell the story of not having chairs when we lived in Korea and how the absence of an object gets one thinking a lot about the object. The object’s meaning becomes complex and the object takes on a significance beyond simple “take for granted” function. If not necessarily planning for a specific project, the time to think an image through all the permutations to raise it from image to icon is a deep exploration that I find an important part of my process.

How do you feel when you are creating? What does your art mean to you?
In one sense, I am creating all the time. I often sit reading the newspaper, book or magazine and a word or picture will trigger a thought that sends me to my notebooks to jot down the idea or train of thought. But in the sense of physically working on the computer or with fabric or stitch, I need big chunks of time because I zone in and become intensely focused. I easily lose all track of time. I love the work and I find that making art, while a solitary endeavor, is deeply satisfying and expressive.

Do you have creative blocks, if so, how do you overcome them?
I am rarely blocked. It’s more common for me to have too many ideas and need focus. I think because the parts of my process are so varied in how much head work and hand work are involved, when I feel stymied, such as those days when every touch of the brush or squeegee seems wrong, I can turn to a more cerebral process like writing or drawing in my notebooks or the Photoshop work. When the idea work on the computer and in notebooks is coming hard, I can go to the studio and work with the more physical processes of surface design or stitch.


Who do you feel has influenced your work? Who are your favorite designers, artists, etc?
Rather than “who” it is more “where” that was a big influence on my work: moving to California in the mid-80s was the real catalyst that sparked my turning to fiberart and especially to surface design. At the same time I began to experiment with discharge, dyeing and painting on fabrics, I was exposed to the work of many of the most influential quilt artists of the time through my local Monterey guild. Later on, a huge turning point in my work was when, thanks to Wendy Huhn, I discovered the thermal imager—more than almost anything other than perhaps the digital camera and the computer, that tool opened tremendous possibilities for me.

I probably shouldn’t try to list favorites because as soon as I send off my answers, I’ll think of many more. My favorite artists would include Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Louise Bourgeois, Anselm Kiefer, Gerhard Richter, Lenore Tawney…the list goes on and on. Fiber artists list would be a long one too, starting with those California artists in whose classes and lectures I was so fortunate to participate all those years ago, right up to artists of today whose work I own or admire.


Do you teach and if so where?
I teach several times a year here in Europe. I enjoy sharing my techniques with students and, above all, hope to inspire them to find their own voices.
Sounds wonderful, I wish I could attend....we will have to get you to the U.S. sometime.......

What are your plans for the future?
I have just begun a second term on the Board of the Studio Art Quilt Associates, which is work I very much enjoy. Professionally, I will continue making and exhibiting my artwork and working in several currently active series. My characters series seems to be subdividing as I have begun to work with a new group of work focusing on markets; and I’ve begun a group of works that traces how values--what we seek--change as we grow older and presumably wiser. Additionally, I am working with ways to imply the passage of time (the fourth dimension) in some of my new large works.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Thank you, Sondra. I have followed your business from nearly the beginning and I know that you are a true appreciator of fabric and surface design, so it is a pleasure for me to be interviewed by a true and knowledgeable connoisseur of the cloth.

Thank you, Linda for taking the time to share a part of yourself with us. I have learned a great deal from you.....again. You, your process and your work is very inspiring.

Newsletter - New Arrivals and Clearance Fabrics

COMING SOON ---- Timtex & the FastFuse Timtex.

NEW ARRIVALS:
:::Mistyfuse - NEW!!! 12" and 35" widths in white, and 20" ultraviolet.
:::Pacific Rim - Jinny Beyer - textures, paisleys.....
:::Full Bloom - abstract florals, birds and teapots.
:::Aurora - interesting florals.
:::Rhumba - bright and mod.
:::Calista - soft florals.
:::Piccadilly collection.
:::Organic Fabrics from Mod Green Pod and Cloud 9.
:::Natura - birds and florals.
:::Selections from the collections of: Paisley Party, Jezebel, Rhythm & Blues.
:::Quilter's Kitchen collection - fruits and vegetables.
:::Ricky Tims marbleized tonals.
:::Rich, bright geometrics from the Great Foundations Collection.
:::Colorful butterflies and florals.
:::Modern metro bold designs.
:::Pinatas - bright colors on black or white backgrounds.
:::Modern geometrics from Jay McCarroll, unique designs.
:::New florals - Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably, Valori Wells.

Here are some selections of Pacific Rim by Jinny Beyer.......







CLEARANCE CATEGORY: 20-70% off.
Jessica Jones Home Dec - 25% off.
More fabrics added, lots of great bargains....as low as $3.75./yard. Home Decorator fabric closeout continues until sold out. NOW $5.99/yard, originally $15.50 yard. Your favorite designers: Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry, Denyse Schmidt, Valori Wells.

Stop by Contemporary Cloth!

Contemporary Cloth Interview on True Up

I forgot to add this a while ago. Kim Kight of True Up interviewed CC on her fabulous fabric blog. Here is the interview.......thanks again Kim!

Interview: Kim Kight - True Up Blog

Kim,
I learned about your True Up Blog through a customer, it is a great resource for fabric lovers, crafters, retailers and fabric shoppers…...to name a few. I think of it as a clearinghouse for new and vintage fabric information, fabric education, ideas for creating with fabrics and much more. (Photo of Kim below.)


How did you develop the concept of True Up? And please share with us what your unique title means!

It was really one of those light-bulb moments. I used to post about fabric a lot on my personal/crafting blog Dioramarama, and I just realized one day that there should be a blog devoted to fabric and nothing but fabric. I knew I had a lot to learn about different fabrics and this would force me to do my research.
I learned about the technique of "trueing up" through my sewing teacher in Austin, Leslie Bonnell. I liked how it sounded sort of newsy, and sort of hip-hop.

What do you provide for fabric lovers on your blog? Any contests, I know that you do informative interviews with sponsors.

We (my new writer Mary Beth Eastman and I) post designer interviews, new fabric collection previews, indie designer spotlights, fabric education (What is a twill, anyway? How is silk made?), and tons of links to inspiring fabrics and textiles. I also post a "daily swatch" -- a piece of vintage fabric based on a weekly theme, and sale alerts for the U.S. and the world every Sunday.

We have giveaways pretty often. I've never done any kind of design contest, but I've thought about it!

What do you enjoy most about doing your blog? And what are the challenges? I can only imagine the time that the blog involves since you are always on target with the latest information.

I'm kind of a fabric designer wannabe so I love learning about repeats, color, and the more technical aspects of fabric. And I love talking with other fabric lovers and professionals in the business.

The biggest challenge for me is keeping up with email! Also, sometimes I have weeks where I can't come up with anything I'm excited to write about. But history has told me that feeling will pass in no time and the next week I'll have more topics than I have time.

Here is "a tiny bit" of Kim's personal stash!









You provide such a wide range of information on domestic and international textiles and designers, do you have people that source the information for you or do you find it all?

Mostly it's just a matter of keeping up with my favorite fabric shop, craft, fashion, and design blogs through the miracle of Google Reader. I also get a few tips through readers and industry people. As I mentioned earlier, I brought in an additional writer to help me out, and hopefully I'll be able to expand to include more voices and perspectives in the near future.

I know that you have a family (son and husband), and work part time as a Speech Therapist, how do balance everything?

You've caught me, Sondra -- I don't balance everything! Have you ever heard the expression "a working mother is always disappointing someone?" :) Well, we are fortunate to be able to keep our son at home during the day -- I work on True Up when he sleeps, and my awesome mom takes care of him on the days when I work outside the house. The therapy clinic at which I work is open on Saturday mornings, so I work then too and my husband takes care of the kiddo.

We share a love of vintage fabrics, what are your fabric styles and designs? What is your favorite era?

I love the quirky novelty prints and geometrics of the 40s-60s. I've been into Pennsylvania Dutch motifs lately, and bold/graphic juvenile and floral European prints from the 60s-70s (Jane Foster has a lot of great ones - ). Oh, and I can't resist a good painterly floral. I've also started collecting vintage handkerchiefs by Tammis Keefe and her contemporaries. And like you, I love Lucienne Day, but I've never actually seen any of her fabric in person!

What do you enjoy making/creating the most and what are your favorite materials to use?

I think of myself as a quilter, though it's been slow going since I had my son two years ago! I have been making more garments lately, and stuffed toys. I'm all about the cotton (and wool felt for the toys) -- I haven't ventured much into silk or rayon or anything else, though that's on my wish list.

What inspires your creations? Oh my.

Just hop into the True Up or Dioramarama archives ... everyone I've covered there!

Do you have any other creative interests that you hope to pursue in the future?

I've had screenprinting supplies for over a year now that I have yet to bust into. I suspect that happens more often than not with screenprinting ... sigh.


Who are your favorite designers or artists?

Again I could write an encyclopedia, so I'll stick with the textile artists that inspire me most: Denyse Schmidt, the women of Gee's Bend, FunQuilts, Angela Moll, Ian Hundley, Kaffe Fassett, Valerie Goodwin , Denise Burge, Anna Von Mertens, embroidery artist Tilleke Schwarz ...

What are your “great places to visit” online? Blogs, Etsy stores, websites?

Other than Contemporary Cloth?! Well, I guess if I had to have one desert island site it would be Flickr. I love their new gallery feature -- here are some I've made so far.

Any future plans for True Up?

Yes, big ones! But they are un-finalized, so I will just leave you with that teaser.

Thank you, Kim for the great interview and for all that you do on True Up. We all appreciate you!

Piccadilly Collection from Clothworks.

We have the entire 16 piece Piccadilly Collection designed by Pamela Mostek for Clothworks. Here is a free pattern download using this collection. We also have some copies of this pattern for those who are interested. We can ship it with your fabric order. Here are some samples of this fabric collection......

What Do You Like to Make With a Half Yard of Fabric?

These wine bags are a fun and fast project that use just a little fabric.  Use the tote to carry your wine home from the grocery store or to carry it in style to a picnic or social gathering.  It's much easier to carry a bottle of wine in this tote than balance it in the crook of your elbow!

Metro Scraps

Not Your Granny's Apron

Update the form and function of a simple apron by using a fabulous Metro fabric!

Modern Flora Messenger Bag

My third version of See & Sew B5273 made using Modern Flora from Contemporary Cloth.

If Fabric Could Talk

Does this fabric speak to you?

Then let it speak for you.

Save Our Planet is a 7 oz. canvas in a generous 60 " width.

Perfect for totes!

Let actions speak louder than words....

use organic cotton to line your tote.

A Hippie T-Shirt Quilt

I usually make the borders of my t-shirt quilts in subdued colors that capture the high school colors. However, the particular young lady for whom this quilt was made was involved in many activities and her mom wanted to include shirts from her early dance years. The resulting colors were quite varied. When I spied this Hippie Chicks fabric I thought it would capture most of the t-shirt colors.

Meet Judy Lake of Lake's Lampshades

Welcome to our first customer interview: Judy Lake of Lake's Lampshades in Vermont. Check out her website and blog! See how she uses amazing vintage textiles on her lampshades and read about her new book coming out in August. Thank you, Judy, for taking the time to share your life and art with us.

Judy's Shop (Photo by Ryan Benyi)

Tell us about Lake's Lampshades, the location and how it evolved?

Lake's Lampshades is located in Pawlet Village, Vermont, which is a very tiny, rural, farming community. I started making lampshades in 1985 just before my son was born. In the beginning I made shades for friends and family. And then onto craft shows, working my way up the craft show ladder. One day, at our general store, my friend Edie asked if I wanted to rent her little building. The rent was only $100 a month! I jumped at the chance and moved in a few days later. I was able to buy the building a few years ago.

Do you have a blog? What kind of info do you have on there?

My blog is called The Lampshade Lady: http://www.lakeslampshades.com/blog/lampshadeladyblog.html. I started it in the spring of 2007. I am still tweaking it and trying to figure out all the tricks. I love my blog. It is such an amazing resource. I can put up my latest work in just a matter of minutes or chat about the new ideas and fabrics I run across, like Contemporary Cloth. Sometimes writing comes easily and other times it just doesn't happen. It is also nice to keep a photo record of favorite shades.

Is there a Lake's Lampshades website? Can your lampshades be purchased online also?

I do have a website. It is http://www.lakeslampshades.com/. Selling lampshades online is very tricky. There are so many variables, shapes, sizes and how they sit on a lamp. It would be easier to sell online if I had "A LINE", but I prefer to do one-of-a-kind work. I get lots of online inquiries; sometimes it is a simple couple of questions, but it's much easier to talk it through on the phone. Some orders were zillions of emails back and forth; I have learned to respond to email inquiries - "give me a call at the shop and I'll talk you through the process". I do sell my postcard shades on my website. They are vintage postcards from different areas. I have over 25 different ones at this point. It could be endless. A few I have are Cape Cod, Nantucket, Boston, Jersey Shore, NYC, California, etc. I designed them specifically for my website. I needed something that I could do over and over. They are also an easy size to buy for a table lamp.


Tell us about your workshops! Wish I could come!

My workshops have been a big success, I think. They start at 11 A.M. and run till around 5 P.M. Students bring their own fabric and I supply the rest of the materials. They all leave with a finished lampshade, instructions, and sources to find supplies. We have lots of fun and enjoy each others stories of life's travels, jobs and family. Some folks are really crafty and others are trying to put some creativity into their lives for the first time. We have fun and learn about some lighting tips and tricks for sizing lampshades. Hey, how seriously can you take lampshades! Some people get all uptight and I try to tell them to relax and enjoy the process. And I hope you'll make it out to Vermont! My students come from all over the country.

Judy's new book (photo by Ryan Benyi)

Tell us about your new book, how exciting! Where can we purchase it?

I am very very excited about the release of my new book, "The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting Up Your Life." It is being released August 18th, 2009 with Potter Craft. I think it will be an inspiration to the how-to crafter as well as inspiration for Interior Designers. There are not many lampshade books in the marketplace and I am pretty thrilled with our final product. Decorative lampshades are being shown in Home Design magazines and Design Blogs and are still hard to find in stores or are very expensive. With a little skill they can be made at home without breaking the bank. The book is available on all the online websites as well as an autographed copy from my website. It should be also available in bookstores across the country.

You live in one of my most favorite states....Vermont. How has that influenced your work?

Vermont is a very special place. I came to Vermont to go to college and never left. I love the serenity of the mountains and the kindness of the people. Most of my friends are also entrepreneurs. Living here isn't for everyone, but it feels like home to me. Right now, as I am typing this, I am sitting outside on the couch on my porch at the shop. Sometimes I can bring work outside and enjoy the sunny day. My shop isn't in a particularly busy shopping area, but if customers want to see me they will venture out to find me.

Where do you find inspiration?

I am a fabric lover first and then a lampshade maker!!!!! As a kid, I loved to keep fabric swatch books, make collages, cut out paper dolls. As a teen, I was always into some sort of fiber arts. I used to be a weaver, spinner. I love to knit, sew, and quilt ..... but fabric is where I find inspiration. I use many vintage fabrics and embroideries as well as quilt fabrics and mid-weight upholstery fabric. I look at all fabrics as well as decorative papers as possible sources for lampshade making.

Tell us about your design process?

I usually start with a client's lamp. They might bring it into the shop or discuss it on the phone or email. I will usually figure out the shape and size of the shade and then discuss with the client the style of their home or what they were thinking might work for their room. Sometimes they will bring in swatches of fabrics, paint chips or pillows to match their decor. There are times when we can hit the right fabric easily and others that it is a process to try lots of different fabrics and trims to make it work. I often will clip the fabric onto the shade frame and turn the light on to see what how the fabric will show up with light. Other times I start with the fabric. I might get a new fabric from you and visualize what shape would suit it best. Sometimes a fabric or textile obviously fits a certain style or shape. If I have been out flea marketing and find a small embroidery, then I will ask what shape shade will fit the textile the best. Often with vintage finds they can be small pieces of fabric, scraps or small dresser scarves. And then there is the trim, which can make or break it. Finding the perfect trim is a skill that I am always getting better at. There are times when I have finished a shade in the afternoon and come back to my shop the next day and rip it off and start again. I also make trims from the same fabric as the shade or a contrasting fabric.

Do you have any favorite materials (fabrics), colors or styles? Where do>you find your vintage fabrics?

I have many favorites; where do I start! French knot embroideries are one of my favorite finds. But on the other extreme I also like contemporary designs. The key for me is finding textiles that I never get tired of. Colors and styles change so often that finding those special fabrics that I love to see year after year is the trick. I look everywhere for fabrics. I always check your site for new treasures as well as some of the other fabric websites. I'll check on EBay as well as a few of my vintage textile friends' websites to see what goodies they have found. Sometimes I will email them in search of a certain fabric. I go to flea markets, antique shops and shows. I rarely get to tag sales because I am working on Saturdays. Sometimes customers bring me fabrics when they are cleaning out their attics or closets. I try to attend the Vintage Textile Show in Sturbridge, Mass. It is an education in itself. The prices can be pretty steep, but with some searching I usually am pleased with my finds. The show is 3 times a year; it is on the Monday of Brimfield Flea Market.

What do you enjoy making the most? How do you feel after you have created something?

One of my favorite jobs in my shop is designing shades for inventory for my shop. Sometimes I save it for a Saturday morning when it's slow. I'll have a few projects in mind that I have been wanting to work on. I'll iron the fabric and cut out the styrene panels in the morning and put the shades together in the afternoon when it is apt to be busier in the shop. I make lots of shades and every once in a while I'll do one that is a true standout, one that I am really pleased with. Of course, those sell fast because it is so easy to sell what you LOVE. Sometimes I feel like it is nice to live with my favorites a few days in the shop before selling them! Recently I HAD to take home a rectangle shade I had just made. I had it here in the shop for a few days and it was To-Die For!!! And it looks fantastic in my living room.

Who are your favorite designers, authors, Etsy shops, websites and blogs?

I love looking at design blogs, fabric blogs, business blogs, and interior design blogs. I have gotten into the habit of hitting the NEXT BLOG button on Blogger to randomly find blogs. Sometimes you find really cool stuff from all over the world. My favorite blog has to be DECOR 8. Holly Becker has a fantastic eye and a keen wit. She's got a very sharp design sensibility and contemporary edge. I also love some of the Scandinavian sites. It is important for me to keep an eye out for trends, not necessarily copy them, but find my own way. Color trend is what I keep an eye on the most. A favorite website: http://www.french-treasures.com/ is a great resource for vintage fabrics. I also spend time on lampshade supply sites such as http://www.lampshop.com/ and http://www.fogglighting.com/. Lampshade supplies are very hard to find at brick and mortar stores at this point. Maybe we'll start a new trend :). I love your site; it's easy to use and has great photos. Ribbon and trim sites are handy, such as http://www.tinseltrading.com/ or http://www.mjtrim.com/. Web site sourcing is very helpful living up here in the boonies!

Do you do other arts and crafts or have interests in other areas?

I have tried almost every craft known. My friends used to call me Martha of the North!!! And my mother-in-law thought I was Martha Washington with my spinning wheel. After college I worked in retail for a bit, just enough to know that was pretty dull and wanted to start my own business. I figured I would never make a living as a tapestry weaver, so my next ideas were knitting and lampshades. Lampshades won out and the rest is history.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?

The best advice a friend gave me years ago was to focus on one thing and do it well. Pretty good advice I'd say.

What are your goals for the future?

This is your hardest question! It is one that someone asked me when I started my book. She said to me, "When your book comes out you have only a short time to do what it is with what will come from publishing a book." ......... Yikes! To be honest, I am happy with what I am doing. I don't want my business to change. Doing one-of-a-kind shades is what makes it special. Who knows what will come?

Well, Judy, your work is unique and we are so glad that you shared this with us!

Contact information for Judy Lake and her book:

Lake's Lampshades
P.O. Box 295
Pawlet, Vermont 05761

http://www.lakeslampshades.com/

judylake@vermontel.net

New Book: The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting up Your Life - By Judy Lake with Kathleen Hackett (Potter Craft, a division of Crown Publishing).

Travel Bag

Ever in need of a bag to keep your keys, phone and some money when shopping or stopping for a walk at the park? Then this is it! The pattern is reviewed here and the fabric used is a combination of Modern Flora and some stash fabric.

Urban Green

Another bag! This one is made out of the fabulous Urban Green.

Hippie Chicks - Hippie Chic!

Get your hippie on with the fun, lively, retro Hippie Chicks fabric.

These are Bandana Bands - a cross between a bandana and a headband. See my Etsy shop for more details.

I Love Viceroy

The Alexander Henry "Viceroy" Fabric is a medium to heavy weight cotton canvas. Its design is classic. I love the contrast of the black and white. It was time to sew something for myself so I selected a simple bag pattern that could be worn as a messenger bag. (See & Sew B5273) It would be handy for travelling and walks in the park when I wouldn't want to sling my current heavy, leather purse over my shoulder. It's a fairly easy pattern. To conserve some of the Viceroy fabric for another bag, I used Kona cotton as the lining and also as the back piece for the pockets. This added an interesting design element to the bag.

The bag is fully lined and has two pockets made out of the Viceroy.

While searching for inspiration using Viceroy, I stumbled upon these chairs. I could see using Viceroy throughout my house. But for now, I'm content to admire my bag.

Storewide Sale

Storewide sale - 20% off to 60% off. Fiber artists 10-15% off. Starts today and ends May 22, midnight EST. Stop by!

Hippie Chicks collection

New Arrivals - the Hippie Chicks Collection just arrived. Have a counter-culture moment with the colorful vibrations of bohemian style. See the far out quilt made with this collection..... Here are some of the fabrics in the Hippie Chicks collection!

More Aprons

Details:

Fabric - Contemporary Cloth's Clearance Fabrics
Pattern - My own
For sale - on my Etsy

Jane's Vintage Tote Bag

Jane's vintage tote bag is now in her etsy store.....http://maidenjane.etsy.com/

Vintage Fabric Tote Bag

Do you have some fabulous fabric that is just sitting on a shelf? Do you have a soft spot for vintage fabrics? (Check out ours, here.) Do you have an hour? Then put that fav fabric to good and practical use by making this cute Vintage Fabric Tote Bag. The pattern is from the Better Homes & Garden website, but any tote pattern would be fine.

Inspired by the many interesting vintage fabrics at Contemporary Cloth, I selected this whimsical fabric and a coordinating print for the inside of the bag.

A simple half yard of each fabric is all that is needed. Two rectangles are cut and sewn around three sides. Press under 1/2" at the top. This is repeated for the lining.

The long edges on the strips are pressed in and then folded together to form the handles.


The strips are edge-stitched.

The bag pieces are placed with wrong sides together and the handles are pinned in between the layers. Top stitch to sew the lining to the bag and encase the handles.

The result? A quick-to-make tote that is functional and cute!

Quick Gift Idea - Bandana

Take two to three feet of fun fabric

Fold down corner to form a triangle and cut (makes a square )

Read serger manual to set up for a 3-thread rolled hem

Sew bandana and enjoy!

Aprons! Patterns and fabric from Contemporary Cloth.

Aprons are all the rage. From patterns, to books, to magazines, ideas abound. An apron is a quick project to make. Use up some stash, try a new technique or simply let your creativity fly. The template is simple and the result can be enjoyed by you, given as a hostess gift, or lavished upon Mom for Mother's Day.

The Awesome Apron is a simple, well-designed pattern. I started with 3/4 yard in three different home dec materials. A rectangle is cut out, and a corner of the piece is simply cut away.

The edges of the fabric are turned under and pressed.

A contrast fabric is used for the pocket and ties. A one-inch bias tape maker was used to help press the ties, although it is not necessary to cut the fabric on the bias. The ties are then sewn on to the apron.
The ties are folded over the raw edge and sewn together in one step. Finally, the pocket is added in a simple and unique way.

A quick and satisfying project!

Sofia









Modern Flora











Parade

New Collections......from Contemporary Cloth

Natural Effects (soft and cool colors in floral and geometrics) and Rainbow Gardens (wild, bold designs).....choose either depending on your mood! Fun prints for tablescapes, wall hangings, quilts, or a tote bag like Jane made previously .....all of your sewing adventures.

Inspiration from Contemporary Cloth

Here at Contemporary Cloth we are surrounded by the lovely colors and textures of so many beautiful fabrics. Inspiration beckons at every corner. We pulled some fabrics that may inspire you to make a quick project like an apron or simple tote for spring.

The Delilah collection is filled with vivid color.

The Simply Chic collection is a heavier weight canvas that would make both a fashionable and durable tote or apron.

For something a bit more traditional, try Mod Girls

or flowery Gaughin

or Jane Sassaman's fun Prairie Gothic .

Anything in the Anna Maria Horner collection would be an instant classic.


In the Fashion for Home Collection , there are many great choices, including contemporary turquoise and chocolate:

and this vivid floral/stripe combination.

The bold print on this Imagination makes a dramatic statement.

We hope you continue to find inspiration here and in the world around you.

40th

Cleveland, in Northeast Ohio, is the 40th cloudiest city in the United States. (And seventeen of those 40 are located in Alaska.) Yes, the Great Lakes produce a lot of moisture – and a lot of clouds. Somewhere around the middle of November I realize I’m in for a long stretch of sunless skies.
Thankfully, I can surround myself with beautiful colors and beautiful fibers. These metallic beauties from http://www.contemporarycloth.com/ caught my eye.

With two teenage daughters in the house, anything pink and green is always welcome and these vibrant colors were a welcome counterpoint to the never ending grey skies. Since a woman can never have too many bags, I set out to make a simple tote and selected a Butterick pattern.

The pattern was fairly simple to follow. It required craft weight, sew-in interfacing. An inside pocket was sewn to the lining.

It was not long after I began this project that I was surprised to see blue skies and sunshine. We were thrilled to have several clear days in a row, although accompanied by sub-freezing, arctic air.


The result?

Two fun bags, one satisfied Mom, and a happy "Miss Pink"

and "Miss Green."

Now which wonderful fabrics from Contemporary Cloth sewn up in a quick tote could brighten your day?

Jane

Welcome to our blog! Contemporary Cloth Inc.

We are an online fabric store for contemporary, modern, retro reproduction, vintage fabrics, patterns, stencils, books, mixed media and Japanese papers and fiberarts. We sell fabrics for quilting, sewing projects, interior design, wall art, home decoration, crafts, art projects, mixed media and wearable art. We also carry handmade textiles by several artists, wall art and Wallter Paintable Wall Applications.
OUR MISSION is to provide and maintain customer satisfaction through reliable service, to support artists and to donate 1% of our net sales to St. Herman's House of Hospitality, in Cleveland, Ohio, which assists persons who are homeless.

Sondra and Jane