CUTS: Summer fabrics fit for living and loving

It’s summertime (soon) and the sewing is easy with these wonderful new releases.

Washi by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Timeless Treasures

Rashida, of I Heart Linen blog fame, spent many days and weeks in Japan as a child, when her mother was working overseas as a fashion model. It was there that she fell in love with the Japanese aesthetic and crafts. One of the fabulous craft products Japan is becoming known for is washi tape, a paper tape that comes in a limitless variety of prints. It’s just starting to be widely available here in the states, but Rashida decided on a different way to honor this product. She shows it off in her newest fabric collection.

Washi is an eclectic mix of fun prints in hip geometrics. It’s suited for craft project but would make some sassy, fun kid’s clothes as well. Of course, if you check out the debut issue of Generation Q Magazine (in print), you’ll see how Rashida worked her design magic with some Washi in a baby quilt. (Yes, that was a shameless plug and we’re proud of it!)

Velocity by Jessica Hogarth for P&B Textiles

Summer in the city, that’s what we have here. From the too cute scooters to the happy looking pigeons, we’re ready to open up our lounge chairs and bake ourselves on a rooftop somewhere. (Can you tell one of us spent her summers doing just this?)

Jessica’s collection is brilliant in its colors and whimsical urban designs. What’s more is we can envision these blending wonderfully with many other collections. They just make us smile, and fabric with that much power is rewarded handsomely with our devotion and open wallet. We’ve just gotta get us some of this!

These prints scream summertime, from the so-sweet gingham to the elegant (even in denim) paisley.

Which brings us to our trend prediction: We are convinced that denim is about to make it big into quilts in the coming year. Really big. From a soft, faded chambray to a strong, handsome heavyweight denim, it’s gonna be around big. Denim is a fabric that defines the casual lifestyle and still manages to cross the boundaries of class and style. It’s truly one of the most versatile fabrics around and we can easily envision it working it’s way into many different and delightful quilt designs.

So to have the Swirly Girls (you’ve gotta meet these gals if you ever get the chance—fun is their middle name!) come up with a wonderful complement to regular denim allows us to expand our options quilt-wise. Of course any of these pretties will also work well in clothing and household items. Picture a casual summertime table set with napkins and placemats in these. Or work in the solids to create an ensemble that would make any Martha’s Vineyard resident proud.