Cuts: Shout Out to Autumn

While the weather is just starting to shift to fall in some parts of North America, here at the GenQ headquarters we’re dancing in the leaves to give a big howdy to the cooler temps and richer meals. After all what better time of year is it for quilting if not fall? We’re preparing for the holidays, getting ready for snuggle time and for some of us spending time outside is just not practical. Hello, Sewing Room!

These three collections all reflect the changing climate with their warm, rich colors and dense patterns.

Melrose by Red Rooster Fabrics

Created by the house designers at Red Rooster, Melrose hits just the right blend of funk and spice with its variety of swirls, florals, stripes and blenders, worked up in black, plum, gray and tan. The illustrations lean toward a pop art feel and the colors make this collection work for a gender-neutral project. In other words, Melrose will be appreciated by the guys and gals in your life, so don’t hesitate to work up a gift quilt for that newlywed couple you know and love.

Sleeping Beauty by Nel Whatmore for Free Spirit Fabric

A painter working with pastels, this British artist’s work has been recognized and awarded on her side of the ocean for years. With Sleeping Beauty, her second collection for Free Spirit, Nel sinks her design aesthetic into luscious and feminine prints that showcase florals, butterflies and stripes. What really works here are her colors: chartreuse, beet, chocolate and brick. Her main print with its lacy baby’s breath type floral sprigs and the casual stripes are just gorgeous. The supporting prints do their job and offer some visual rest for your designs. If you’re looking to outfit your dining room for Thanksgiving and don’t want to go the easy way with holiday theme prints, this collection will bring just the right amount of elegance to your napkins and table runners.

Fiona’s Fancy by Lila Tueller Designs for Riley Blake

In her eighth fabric collection, pattern and fabric designer Lila Tueller has grabbed her signature mix of hip colors and detailed all-over prints to once again create a collection that is romantic and youthful. And as do all of her other collections, Fiona’s Fancy translates very well into wearables and bags, for which Lila just happens to provide some pretty awesome patterns to use with her yardage. Fiona’s Fancy comes in two colorways and we’re showing the mustard, pale turquoise, tobacco and spring green choices here. Oh, and we almost forgot to share, but besides coming in the standard quilting cotton, Riley Blake was kind enough to also manufacture Fiona’s Fancy in laminates! Woohoo! Someone’s gonna have some great looking rain gear and traveling bags when their machine is done with these.