Recently, while preparing to start an arty quilt with goldfish, I searched my stash for just the right orange.  It was a quick search - I have so little orange!  Lots of blues, brown, greens, creams, whites, and reds, but just a few oranges.  And I don’t know why.  It’s a lovely color, with good manners.  It will never give you the cold shoulder, but always a warm welcome.  So I’m off on a search for more orange.

Sunny Daisies on an orange background in American Jane Snippets clearly says “Summer”.

Splish Splash Spots Orange is a double dose of happy… polka dots and orange all in the same fabric.

 Surf ‘N Safari is a bright, bold, must-be-noticed orange!  The background undulates from the lightest shade to a deep orange with an overlay of splatters in even darker orange.

 Happy yellow swirls are paired with small blue dots on an orange background in Play Date.  It’s  a litte heavy on the yellow, but  this one . . . .

 
 . . . . with yellow in the form of smallish stars on the same background (also in the Play Date line) gives a hint of yellow, and lets the orange take center stage.

Garden Party orange is very soft and underplayed.  It could be used in a project and wouldn’t shout orange, but a warm feeling would still result.

Getting back to my goldfish, I think Splash Papaya might be just right. It will really pop against the background of many different blues. 

Do you have any orange quilt fabric in your stash?

Four Corners Designs began in 1985 and has designed hundreds of books and
patterns for the quilting community since then. Their publications have become well-known for their innovative ideas, easy techniques, and clear instructions whether the projects are quilts, garments, or accessories.

Recently, publishing and distribution of the Four Corners Designs is being
provided by QuiltersWarehouse.  

“QuiltersWarehouse.com is a recognized leader in the quilting industry. Their prompt delivery and exceptional customer service makes for a good fit with the us,” says Four Corners Designs.

“Already on the presses and now ready for shipping is the very popular Raggy Jacket, which has not been available since November of 2010.   It is the first in a series of Four Corners Designs’ retired patterns that are being considered for re-release,” says John Bruns, CEO of QuiltersWarehouse.

Raggy Jacket is constructed with the “raggy piecing technique” so it’s fast and easy to put together.  With only two layers of fabric it’s the perfect year round jacket…. cool summer nights, fall days, winter time inside when you just can’t warm up and early spring when a day in the 50′s seems almost like summer!  It’s a cute, comfy jacket and the more you wear it and wash it, the more loved and comfy it will look. 

Since I can’t decide on a color scheme, I’m thinking I might need to make one in fall and winter colors, and another one in bright, happy colors for spring and summer.

Go ahead and check out the rest of the Four Corners Designs… me, I’m off to select fabric for my jackets!

 It’s Time For Tea!  This paper foundation pieced pattern by MH Designs is the perfect gift for a tea loving friend. 

Tea For Who Teapot Cozy is big enough for most teapots and will keep a few teabags and measuring spoons at the ready. Who wants tea?

Tea-lightful is another paper piecing pattern.   You can use your scraps for this or try one of the fabric packs available: 1930′s or Dainty Floral.  I made this with the Floral pack and those teacups looked like delicate, fine china…. it’s a beautiful quilt.

Totally Teapots is a fun collection of teapots.   Save pieces of your favorite fabrics for these different shaped teapots.  This 46″ x 42″ applique quilt is great for hanging in your kitchen.

Afternoon Tea is a collection of 18 beautiful teapots all hand embroidered.  This is the kind of quilt that will be well loved and passed down through the generations.  The is also a machine embroidered version available.

Periwinkle Lane is full of whimsical houses…. Block 3 is this lovely teapot.

Block 8 of a series of 12 blocks is Me and Grandma Having a Tea Party.   Tea parties with Grandma are always special… and if you are the Grandma you appreciate how special even as you’re having it.

Hope you enjoyed our spot of tea!

Are you a bit timid about color?  Do you want to explore brighter quilts?  Do you want to stretch yourself?  A quilt from  Kitambaa Designs is the perfect answer.  Pippa Moore’s designs are bold, bright, and beautiful.

Pippa began quilting in the 1980′s.  Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally.  Many of Pippa’s quilts are in private collections throughout North America.   In the last ten years her focus has been on quilts with color and energy, celebrating life.    Kitambaa Designs specializes in quilt patterns for African and other vibrant fabrics.

Under the African Sun is an adaptation of the traditional Drunkard’s Path block.  African fabrics, batiks, or bright prints will make this a stunning wall quilt. Pippa’s clearly illustrated instructions make this pattern suitable for all skill levels.

Choose hand applique, machine applique or fusible applique as your method to bring to life Zebras Crossing the plains.  Lush green grass is in the foreground and a blazing sun is in the sky. 

Kitambaa Designs has a series of Art Deco inspired quilts that each vividly portray the feeling of a single word.  Fusible applique is use for the quilt Felicity.  You could also use pastels if that expresses bliss to you. 

Hope, another in the Art Deco inspired series, is colorful if a bit more monochromatic.  To me it looks like, if something other than a floral was used for the border, it would make a nice untraditional Christmas quilt. 

Go ahead, check out the rest of Pippa’s designs and add some color to your life!

There is something about fabrics with dots that adds a happy look to quilts.  Fun, funky, playful, modern, retro… all rolled into one.   Here’s a few of my favorites.

Modern Muddle Green from Print Concepts has a 70′s look and yet it looks totally modern.  The white stripes bring even more energy to the look.  

Add these Modern Muddle coordinating fabrics for a quilt that will liven up any space: college dorm room, family room, teen’s room. 

I love the white ribbon that winds around in little curlicues in the Riverwoods Collection.  This dotty fabric is available in four different colors: blue, red, cream, and green.    If you are tired of the same old shades of red and green for Christmas projects, these fabrics are a great alternative.  For coordinating fabrics there is a cream with snowflakes and a fun blue plaid.

Are you looking for bright and bold?Bright, colorful, friendly dinasours are scattered across an equally colorful background of different sized dots.  Though they are from different fabric lines, this One Bizillion BC goes nicely with the Pound Hound dotty fabrics.

This weekend you can save 10% on any and all of the fabrics in our Dots and Diamonds quilt fabric category.  Just head on over to our QuiltersWarehouse Facebook Page for the coupon code.  It’s good through the end of the day Sunday.

It sure comes around fast!  The first Friday of the month is here again.  That means if you head over to our Quilters Warehouse Facebook page, you can get the coupon code for a special Facebook First Friday deal. 

This month’s coupon offers a 10% discount on all fabrics in our Dots and Diamonds fabric category.   Lots of fun fabrics to choose from.