nanaCompany

The Softer Side :: a new fabric collection

Happy New Year friends. I hope you're well. It's been a while but good things are coming. As for now, I've got a new fabric collection that's just hit shops. Art Gallery Fabrics introduced in 2022, a Season of Tribute, where each of the designers introduced a collection of fabrics comprised of past beloved prints recolored to create a whole new collection.

My collection is called The Softer Side and it includes 12 cotton prints, one knit, one rayon, and two flannels.  You may recognize some of the prints...

This collection is in shops now!

Take a look at The Softer Side LookBook to get inspired! I sewed up a few ruffle bibs (pattern is from my first book, Sweetly Stitched Handmades) using these prints for a baby girl named Arie.

I also sewed up a quick quilt (didn't use a pattern) and it felt so good to cut and stitch and press again.  It's been a long time!!  I love these Softer Side prints so much because many of them are my faves and the color palette feels so classic. I truly hope you fall in love with these and find them at your local quilt shop or online store.

xo amy

Introducing Velvet: the VELVET Showcase

Introducing VELVET, my latest collection with Art Gallery Fabrics.  This collection is all about the luxury of home: all the little things and loved ones that make your home a haven.  My initial inspiration came from the green velvet cushions on my living room couch, and hence the name.  Like most of us, I’d been spending more time at home, as I’d designed this collection in the midst of our pandemic while feeling especially thoughtful about the place I felt safest, comforted, and loved.  To see the fabrics, download swatches, and find the LookBook, click here on: Velvet.

It’s been so fun to see this collection arriving at stores and to see the amazing things people have made with it.  I ran a VELVET Showcase on my instagram in May and I wanted to share all the beautiful projects here as well!

Day 1: Candy Wells @thepaintedravenco made this gorgeous #tqchristiannaquilt (pattern by @tonkavitchquiltery) using one focus print from Velvet and the result is stunning!  Photo credit goes to @kinandcotton. 

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Day 2: Megan Lopez of @theathenaworkshop made her own pattern, #supergalacticquilt and it’s out of this world! 

Day 3: Lydia Nicholson of @arvehandmade made this super cool cushion using a pattern from the book Handmade Style by Anna Graham.  I love Lydia’s use of a fussy cut medallion at the center of the cushion!

Day 4: Sally Gauntlett of @secret_life_of_a_seamstress used one of the rayon prints from this range to make a gem of a dress, all flowy and dreamy.  Sally has previously used the other rayon print from Velvet to make a collared top and I’ve included that pic as well.  See Sally’s insta for pattern details.

Day 5: Kim Vogelsang of @kimmvogel made an #ebbandflowquilt (pattern by @penelopehandmade). She took her quilt to the Desert Botanical Gardens for glamour shots and it’s breathtaking! Photo credit to @olivia.grace.photo

Day 6: My friend Shannon Fraser @shannonfraserdesigns made the most delightful table runner using her own #Jollyjellyquilt pattern and I love seeing Velvet paired with natural linen. The jam jars are so charming!

Day 7: Stacie Hawley of @wildflowerfrippery created a #Lilianstarquilt (pattern by @compassandwildflower ) using Velvet + a few other choice Art Gallery Fabric prints and the result is simple modern perfection!

Day 8: Mary Gove @thecurlyquilter created this #irisquilt (pattern by @penelopehandmade ) for her daughter and I’m swooning over this beauty!

Day 9: This was my day! I created a poster size version of Angela Pingel’s #adorla quilt and this is my second time using this pattern I love it so much for its modern impact.

And that wraps up the VELVET Showcase.  I wish I could convey my round of applause to the fantastic sewists who contributed their creative hard work!  Fabric on a roll is a beautiful thing, but fabric in the hands of makers who know how to make it shine... that’s so rewarding and my favorite part.  

Velvet is now available in shops and online. I hope you love it as much as I do!

xo amy  

 

About time...

Time goes by so fast and so slow all at the same time, haha.  Goodness.  In the thick of quarantine I finally found time to make a bear I'd promised Mia for years.  Literally years.  Like, I'd kinda thought it might be too late to put in the effort, but no.  She still wanted the bear.  This wasn't going to be any old bear, it was to be made out of something well loved, and therefore represented giving new life to a thing that had always brought comfort.  Mia is now 8 by the way.  Every time she had come into my studio and spotted her old baby jacket lying there atop a hastily drawn bear template she'd ask, "When!?"  And I'd say... soon.  I think I was nervous of messing it up actually and didn't know how to proceed.  But, I did it finally!

So now, let me show you this most beloved jacket of Mia's.  The one she had tried to wear long after it had been outgrown.  As in, she tried to put it on as late as age 6 (the jacket was size 18 months).

She wore it til almost three.  I'm pretty sure what she loved about this jacket was not the pink tweed or big brown buttons.  No, the best part of this jacket was the inside: the satin polka-dotted chocolate-brown lining.  Insanely soft and always cool.  The very lining I used to make bear's ears, of course.

I used sherpa from JoAnn's so that he was bear-like (soft and cuddly) and wool felt for the nose and eyes. I have a lot more satin and I don't know what to make with it (maybe you have some ideas?) but... bear is here.  Mia loves him and he's in rotation with several other stuffies she carries from room to room.

And by the way.  This is Mia these days.  I took these pics last week or so when she received her first communion.  Clearly a sign to me that time is going by way too fast.  (Especially when I tell you that this kid is already boy crazy!)  

xo amy 

and the Mayfair giveaway winner is...

I'm so glad you enjoyed seeing all the gorgeous projects makers made with Mayfair for the Showcase.  It's always such a great reward to see the finished products after having designed the fabrics with so much love. But hey, how are you doing these days?  I've had a mountain of computer and internet issues this past week and at a time when all communication is dependent on it.  Frustrating.  But quarantine and I are okay.  While I've waited for software to download and the little swirly rainbow icon on my computer to stop swirling, I've made masks.  Lots of masks.  And a little pincushion.  I feel good about that.  lol.  It's the little things. 

P.s. If you have 1" diamond pieces, they're a perfect fit for the flowers in my Hyde park prints.  I love the look of the fussy cuts on this pin cushion.  

So.  Giveaway.  I'm happy to say I have an announcement: Congratulations to Lori!

Lori Lindhartsen said...

"My favorite is probably the iris quilt by Jennifer Jones. I like the way you can see all the different prints in the Mayfair line!"

Lori please email me your mailing address, thank you!  I hope you love the fat quarter bundle of Mayfair fabrics. 

And thank you to all who entered and left a comment supporting the fabulous makers.  Cheers friends- stay safe and joyful!

xo amy

Mayfair Showcase | Giveaway!

Over the last few weeks I shared a select group of talented makers and their sewing projects using my latest fabric collection, Mayfair, on social media.  This here is the round up and let me just say-- these sewists did a phenomenal job at making Mayfair shine!  So much beauty!  I'm so excited to share the projects and makers and links.  And please take, note... there's a giveaway at the end!

Day 1:

Elizabeth Chappell of Quilter's Candy made her Bundles of Joy quilt.  To see more pics and pattern info, click here.

Day 2:

Brittany Lloyd of Lo and Behold Stitchery made her Church Window Quilt.  To see more pics and pattern info, click here.

Day 3:

Mary Warren of Mcgewa made an Elma Ruth quilt using the pattern from Penelope Handmade.  To see more of Mary's beautiful work, click here.

Day 4:

Faith Essenburg of Sarana Ave made the Lacey Park quilt (pattern by Heidi Staples).  To see more of Faith's work, click here.

Day 5:

Jennifer Jones of Penelope Handmade made her Iris quilt.  To see more pics and get pattern info, click here.

Day 6:

Lou Orth of Lou Orth Designs made a hoop art mini quilt.  It is so adorable and you must check out her fun quilt patterns-- click here.

Day 7:

Amber Elliot of Alderwood Studio made her Santorini Quilt (you MUST click on the link to see this whole quilt!!)  See more pics and find out more about the quilt along happening right now-- click here.

Day 8:

Holly Darling of Holly Dolly Darling used Mayfair rayon to create two handmade skirts: one for herself and one for her daughter.  To see more pics and get pattern info, click here.

Day 9:

Fran Gulick of Cotton and Joy made her gorgeous Solstice Lights quilt.  To see more pics and get pattern info, click here.

Day 10:

Alex Luenz of Alexouq made her Quilt Berbere and it is simply stunning!  To see more pics and get pattern info, click here.

Day 11:

Alex Hoffmann of Hoffmama Company sewed up her Weighted quilt.  To see more of Alex's work and get the pattern, click here.

Day 12:

Jennifer Monroe of Sunshine Selvage used Mayfair knit to sew up a fun, simple, and oh so flattering dress-- get pattern info here.

I stinking love everything these ladies made.  And it's not just what they made, but the time and effort that goes into this-- the staging, the beautiful photos and blog posts-- agghhh I LOVE it!!! And I'm wondering, what caught your eye?

If you'd like to enter the giveaway for a fat quarter bundle of Mayfair, it's easy!  Choose a project (or a few) and click on the link(s)-- explore!  Then let us know in the comments below which project inspired you most!  I'll pick a random winner soon!

xo amy

A glance back and a look forward...

{ Disclaimer: I began writing this post back in January.  So forgive me the untimeliness but I'm catching up on all things life and well, now it's leap day already. But I'm here!  For those of you new here: Hi, my name is Amy!  I've got four kids, I design fabric, make stuff, and I'm in nursing school.  I'll be an RN by the end of the year!  And if you want to know the truth: I complain a lot (I may whimper here and there) but I absolutely love everything that's on my plate. In fact, I keep going back for seconds! }

Did you enjoy the holidays? (sorry, I know.  By now they're safely tucked behind us.)

I feel so blessed.  I truly enjoyed our holiday.  My Christmas included all four of my kids under our roof, delicious food, laughs, love, and... karaoke.  Yes, lots of karaoke.

 

And now a look ahead...

At our house Christmas is over at about January 6th and I'm always ready to clean up and begin the New Year fresh... tidy, clean and new, and sparkling!  

Well this year I have a new fabric collection releasing for you!  It's called Mayfair and it's a 12 piece compact collection that was inspired by my travels to London when I was in my 20's... carefree and wide-eyed, taking in all the wonder.  Mayfair was the neighborhood where my hotel sits so all my exploring started from right there, in that bright, ritzy, but still charming to me, little pocket of London.  This collection captures for me the sophisticated, the quaint, the exotic, and the charming aspects of the bustling city I instantly loved.

I can't wait to see how you use these fabrics!  These prints are going to be fabulous in quilts, small projects, garments and patchwork.  See the collection and substrates available at the Mayfair collection page at Art Gallery Fabrics.

These here are strike-offs I've begun to sew with.  Just little things here and there because I'm so excited, of course!  What a dream it is to cut into new fabric you've designed yourself.  I still pinch myself over this :)

{ Mill and Stars 5" pincushion pattern from "Perfectly Pretty Patchwork" by Kristyne Czepuryk}

This poster-sized mini quilt was made using Angela Pingel's free Adorla pattern.  If you go download the PDF, you'll see mine is a mini version because I downsized the "leaves" to 6 1/2" blocks, but the effect is the same and the simple design is so effective and fun.  I see myself making many, many more of these!

So flash forward to today... I'm so happy that Mayfair has arrived!  It is available at shops and online (simply google: Mayfair Amy Sinibaldi). I can't wait to see what you make with it.  I have so many more projects to share and there will be a Mayfair showcase coming up soon, so I'll be back before you know it!  

xo amy

Wonder Tree :: Christmas Ornament Tutorial

Happy Holidays, friends!!  I'm so happy to be participating with Amber Elliot of Alderwood Studio for her Little Christmas Sew-a-long.  She's gathered a few of my favorite sewing friends to unite their Christmas tutorials, and today I bring you the Wonder Tree ornament!!

It's no secret I like simple.  I like easy.  And I do love some good color-blocking.  This little tree gift topper/ornament is all of those things and I've written up the free instructions!  To download the PDF click here: Wonder Tree Christmas Ornament Tutorial by nanaCompany.

I hope you love this simple color-blocked tree ornament as much as I do!  Be sure to check out the other tutorials that are part of the Christmas Sew-a-long at Alderwood Studio!

xo Amy

Zakka from the Heart

My friend Minki Kim has done it again!!  Her latest book Zakka from the Heart has recently been released and it is just as delightful and sweet as she is!  This book contains 16 zakka projects and what's really clever is how Minki creates everyday items using unexpected construction techniques.  She has an engineer's mind along with the charm of a true artist!

Using Minki's "Little Town Coasters" pattern I made a house-shaped coaster and oh it's so cute.  Rather than do a running stitch around the houses, I preferred the crisp look of the linen edges, so I appliquéd those with tiny stitches.  I love it so much I wish I had time to make a whole set. 

Because of timing, I chose to move forward because I really wanted to make one of Minki's patchwork baskets.  I used a combination of my fabrics with a few other Art Gallery prints, and of course I used linen.  The size of this basket is just so handy and I'm already using it to hold fabric scraps.  If you get Minki's book you'll see that she attached a handle on her basket and it looks so cute but it's totally optional.  It's hard not to love all the possibilities with this basket!

If, by chance, you're not familiar with Minki's work, please visit her website- I know you'll fall in love! Thank you Minki, for writing another wonderful book!

xo amy

Patchwork USA Holiday

The holidays are upon us.  Now before anyone complains that Thanksgiving comes first, I know, I know!  I love Thanksgiving.  But I lump ALL of the end of year holiday craziness into the term holidays. And before I get to the business of the day I just have to share that the girls and I got matching pjs from Target... best things ever!!!  And what you can't see?  The coordinating red flannel pajama bottoms that are covered in holiday lamas.  Seriously, it doesn't get any better.

But really, I came here to show you I sewed something!!!  Yes!  Between nursing school, the extra class I'm taking, fabric design (new collection coming soon!), and family... I barely make time to sew but I had a little fun this past week.

It's all because my friend Heidi Staples released a new book recently called Patchwork USA.  It's a beautiful hardcover book full of quick and charming sewing projects (the kind that make you feel accomplished because you can create something super cute all in one go, from start to finish, without tearing out your hair)!  And in the end you go, "Aaaaaah!! I do love sewing. This is how it should always be!" 

So, brilliant Heidi is having a little holiday showcase on Instagram and I joined in.  Flipping through the book, I had made plans on what to sew, but in the end I made her Tagalong Pincushions.  Because pin cushions.  They're just fun. And satisfying!

I used all my own fabrics, choosing from my Paperie, Playground, Les Petits, Little Town, and Sonata collections.  So fun to mix and match.

Simple.  Charming.  I was so pleased with how cute these pennies came out, I treated them to a full-blown photo shoot.  I'll be sharing some more holiday sewing right here, soon!  Are you sewing anything fun this winter?

xo amy

Rainy Day Sewing :: Winner!

Hello! I’m a bit late, I know, but I am excited to announce the winner of the Rainy Day Sewing book giveaway. And I wanted to show you just a few of the extra things the winner will be receiving:

Making this little pincushion was a flat out joy.  Way back when, I had stitched this little bear to test out my pattern for Rainy Day Sewing. When I saw that he was sufficiently cute I designed four more animals— and they have become the “lil Critters” cross stitch pattern in Rainy Day Sewing.  If you like to stitch, these animals are quick and easy.  Here’s a look at them all:

{ cross-stitch and tote pattern from the book, Rainy Day Sewing }

Though the one little bear is all I needed for the pin cushion. So, with a dash of stripes (from my Les Petits collection) and a sprinkle of text fabric (from my Paperie collection) it was complete! I backed the pinnie with a soft green velvet. And the joy of sewing something that looked super cute in 15 minutes tops was the best!   

I’m so happy to include this pin cushion and a bundle of my Sonata fabrics (and other goodies, too!) that will be going along with the book to the winner.  

{ Sonata fabrics collection by Amy Sinibaldi with Art Gallery Fabrics }

Who is the winner? Drumroll please... throw the confetti!!

Congratulations to Madeline, who said:

“I'm a quilter who can't sew and quilt fast enough to keep up with all the gorgeous fabric collections that I need to have! This year I'm concentrating on mini quilts, sashiko and machine embroidery, and of course, all the unfinished projects from the prior years.”

 

Thanks to everyone who entered.  Madeline, please contact me with a mailing address asap and we’ll get this right out to you!

xo amy 

Rainy Day Sewing :: Giveaway

hello!  I'm so excited that my next book, "Rainy Day Sewing" is now available online and at bookstores!

Rainy Day Sewing includes 18 sewing projects (from quilts and cushions to softies and totes) that are simple and fun to sew.  This book was indeed a labor of love!  Although, I did have somewhat of a crisis during the writing process.  I had begun to doubt myself and my projects.  I couldn't even work for a very long time because I doubted every. single. thing.  One serendipitous day, on a telephone call with my friend Kristyne of Pretty by Hand, a solution was found.  She said, "How can I help?" And I laughed. I stammered, "Help me write the rest of the book?  How would you like to be my co-author?" And the next day she was on board and we were back in business!

These past few weeks we had a book tour on instagram and in case you missed it, I'd love to share the beautiful projects here.  Everything these makers shared-- based on patterns from our book-- is so beautiful!!

Chloe Cat and Doll Quilt by Faith Essenburg.

Doll Quilt by A Little Patchwork.

Thimble Basket by Center Street Quilts.

Love you to the Moon and Back Mobile by Eloise et Moi.

Sidewalk Quilt by A Bright Corner.

Olivia Pencil Cases and Gifted Bag by Sew Lavender Stitches.

Portfolio Tote by Sew Mariana.

Spotlight Cushion by Shannon Fraser Designs.

Spotlight Cushion by Cotton and Joy.

Sidewalk Quilt and Spotlight Cushion by What Saysie Makes.

Johnny Appleseed Quilt by Bobby Pin Bandit.

Plum Mouse by Tinkerellen.

Plum Mouse by This Handmade Life.

Fabric Button Cards by Cotton Stitch Collective.

Raindrops Potholder and Gifted Bag by Retro Mama.

Bless You Tissue Box Cover by Elise and Emelie.

Portfolio Tote by Said With Love.

Chloe Cat, Plum Mouse, and Doll Quilt, Cushion and Mattress by Sarai Hobbies.

Johnny Appleseed Tote, Chloe Cat & Plum Mouse, Fabric Button Cards, and Thimble Basket by Nina Cotonet.

Chloe Cat and Spotlight Cushion by Zeriano.

Doll Quilt by Down Grapevine Lane.
Whew!  All this and so much more inside the pages of Rainy Day Sewing.  And I love how each of our friends added their own magic to their versions of our patterns.  Kristyne and I are so proud of this book and hope you will love it!  Would you like a chance to win a copy?

Yea!  To enter to win this giveaway please leave a comment below and add a little "pinning" action (yes, as in Pinterest).  Tell me what project has inspired you the most.  Then pin the project image to Pinterest!  Spread that love!! This giveaway is open to all.  Comments will close next Sunday October 13th, and a winner will be chosen and announced Monday October 14th, 2019.  

Good luck to you!

xo amy

Are you the winner?

I hope you enjoyed seeing all the wonderful makes from the Sonata Showcase and maybe met a new maker or two!  I've got a winner to announce from the Ginger Root Bags giveaway!

 

G I V E A W A Y     W I N N E R !

Thank you for entering!  And a big thanks to Ginger Roots Bags for their generosity.  

Congratulations to CaLynn!!  Please email me your mailing address (and color choice: peach or blue) as soon as possible!

 

 

AND, we're all winners ~ because Nicole of Lillyella has just released her Mini Maker Station as a free pattern!  Woot Woot!  Click here to find all of Nicole's free tutorials and patterns!

xo amy 

The Sonata Showcase continues... and that's a wrap!

I have loved this Sonata Showcase because each designer has given me a gift.  To see my fabric in the hands of such amazing makers is the most rewarding part of designing fabric and I have been overwhelmed with the sewing skills, the photography, the time and effort each designer has put in to this.  A showcase, indeed.  So, would you like to see the last several featured designers??  Yes, yes, of course!  Here they are:

Day 9 of the Sonata Showcase featured an all time fave designer of mine: Nicole Young of Lillyella.  What a talent this girl is.  She used Sonata to make her Mini Maker Station and I personally think every one of us needs one of these!  Read more about it at her blog: click here. 

 

Day 10 of the Sonata Showcase featured Alexis of My Sweet Sunshine who really is a ray of sunshine and an inspiration in the world of garment sewing.  She used Sonata to make spring separates for herself and I couldn't love them more!  See more pics and read about the patterns she used at her blog post: click here.

And I'm totally smitten with Alexis' everyday style ~ she's killing' it!! (swiped this pic from her Insta, which you should totally follow if you're into garment sewing!)

 

Day 11 of the Sonata Showcase featured Elizabeth Chappell of Quilter's Candy Box ~ she runs that super fun quilty subscription box service and is also a pattern writer!  She used Sonata to make this beautiful quilt and I love everything about it except this:  she can't seem to figure out a name for it!  Go to her blog and give her a name suggestion?  Click here!

 

Day 12 of the Sonata Showcase ~ the last and final day ~ features Barbara Maj of Just Acorn.  Barbara is a true gem I've recently discovered thru her charming Insta.  She created a ton of gorgeous things ~ a fawn rattle, a skirt for her adorable daughter, and several dolls.  I could go on and on about my love for her creations but let me show you...

I mean.  C'mon.  Barbara is a magic maker for sure!  As are all the talented women who joined me in this Showcase.  I'd like to give them all a virtual round of applause and standing ovation!!!  I hope you, the audience, have enjoyed seeing all the ways Sonata can shine and have been inspired to make something beautiful yourself!!  To see all the prints in the Sonata collection: click here.

To find Sonata fabric at online shops, you might try here (I found these shops by doing a quick internet search):

~ Fat Quarter Shop

~ Lady Belle Fabric

~ Fabric.com also has the knit and rayon

~ Hawthorne Supply Co also has the knit and rayon

~ Polka Dot Tea in Australia

~ Olive + Flo in UK

And with that, I lower my baton and say farewell!

xo amy

Sonata Showcase continues...

I have so many beautiful projects from the Sonata Showcase to share with you, let's get right to it!  And don't miss the giveaway at the end!

 

Day 3 featured Fran Gulick of Cotton and Joy.  Fran is a web designer by day, and quilter by night.  She used Sonata fabrics in her Mighty Stars quilt ~  find out all the details at her blogpost: click here.

 

Day 4 of the Sonata Showcase featured Cristy Stuhldreher of Love You Sew.  Cristy is a sewing pro who makes everything ~ garments, quilts, and beautiful bags!  Check out the prototypes she made using Sonata for her Abbey Convertible Backpacks (to read all about it, click the link!)

 

Day 5 of the Sonata Showcase featured Victoria Smith of Ginger Root Bags on Etsy.  Victoria makes gorgeous modern pouches and bags that she sells in her etsy shop and they look great in Sonata!

I love these bags by Victoria!

 

Day 6 of the Sonata Showcase featured Brittany Snow of Lo and Behold Stitchery.  Brittany is a NICU nurse and an amazing pattern writer.  She used Sonata in her Snow Cabin Quilt.  Read more at her blogpost: click here. 

 

Day 7 of the Sonata Showcase featured Shannon Fraser of Shannon Fraser Designs and she shared her beautiful hand quilted Modern Aztec Quilted Table Runner... a pattern she talks about at her blogpost : click here.

 

Day 8 of the Sonata Showcase featured Rachael Thomeczek of Wren Collective.  Rachel is so fantastic at making evocative, simple, modern, gorgeous quilts and her photography makes me swoon.  She used Sonata to make this diamond quilt I love so much.  See more at her blog: click here.  

 

G I V E A W A Y

from Ginger Root Bags!

There's more gorgeous Sonata inspiration still coming but I wanted to let you know, Victoria of Ginger Root Bags is generously offering to give away one of her pencil pouches to one of you!  Scroll back up and see the pretty pouches in my Eidelweiss print... believe me you'll want one!  Simply leave a comment below telling me what kind of sewing you currently do, and what kind of sewing you're interested in learning!  Easy Peasy! On January 18th I'll announce the winner!

xo amy 

Sonata Showcase kicks off the New Year!

Happy New Year, Friends!  I wish you all peace and joy.  I've always loved starting a new year and 2019 is no different.  There is so much to hope for and so much to strive for.  I would like to share with you some pics from the holidays but first I have to jump right into the New Year's business of... (drumroll)... the Sonata Showcase!  It has begun!  

It features these twelve talented makers who will each be sharing a project made with fabrics from my latest Art Gallery Fabrics collection: Sonata!

First up is Jill Griffiths of Kneesocks and Goldilocks.  Jill is a mother of four, OB/GYN and amazing garment sewer.  She is inspiring in every way.  Just look at these beautiful dresses she made for herself and her daughter!  If you are interested in learning garment sewing, or you're already a fan, I can highly recommend Jill's insta photos for inspiration.  The patterns she used for these dresses are from Chalk and Notch.  The rayon Jill used is called Pastoral Crescendo and can be found here, here, and here as well (google: Pastoral Crescendo rayon).

 

 

The next featured maker on the Sonata Showcase is Faith Essenburg of Sarana Ave.  Faith is a creator of beautiful things, mama of three adorable boys, and is making a home in the loveliest Victorian farmhouse.  Check out this beautiful flying geese quilt she made:

I love flying geese as a motif- they make such a big impact and show off fabrics wonderfully.  See more pretty pics of the quilt and read all about it at Faith's blog post here.

And I'll be sure to keep you updated on all the featured makers in the Showcase coming up soon!

xoxo amy

The Places We Go: Aurifil Designer Block of the Month

The Places We Go

I love this year's theme for the Aurifil Designer Block of the Month and I'm pleased as punch Pat Sloan asked me a year ago to be a part of the team because she's just amazing and so is Aurifil thread.  Please click here to visit the Auribuzz blog and check out the block I've designed based on my love for the city of Rome (which is where I went for my honeymoon!)  At Auribuzz you can find out more about my inspiration, see the pics, download free PDF instructions for the block and find out how you could win a big box of Aurifil thread just be making your own version of my block!  

Click here to visit the Auribuzz blog and find out all about it!

xo amy

Shine On!

I'm so excited about this!  Emily Dennis of Quilty Love wrote a fabulous book called "Modern Quilts: Block by Block" and I've just been trying it out.  

Using my latest fabric collection, Sonata, I chose a limited palette and made the Shine On block from Emily's book:

I love how Emily's instructions included fun shortcuts, like how to make four HST units using two squares of fabric and how to make no-waste flying geese.  Love love love.  So I made a few more blocks.  I planned for it to be a baby quilt, but...

I like it so much I think I'll keep going!  Not sure how I'm going to proceed but I think I might just keep adding borders until I feel it's finished.  What do you think?  What would you do???

So here's the thing: if I finish this off and turn it into a baby quilt I won't be keeping it.  But I love this so much I could see it hanging in my family room or bedroom or any of the guest rooms.  And I really think I want to keep this one so it looks like I have to keep going!  Regardless, I highly recommend Emily's book for fun, modern quilts and fantastic instructions.  The pictures are beautiful and the quilts she designs are patterns you'll turn to again and again.  Check out her website: Quilty Love for so much more inspiration!  :)

xo amy

Canon :: a free patchwork pattern

Hello!  Have you seen?  I have a brand new fabric collection out.  It's called Sonata and I love it so much!!

This collection was inspired by my lifelong love for the music of the amazing Ludwig van Beethoven and it is my favorite yet.  One of the very first things I've sewn up using Sonata was a cushion cover ~ and I think it looks pretty good!  I've sewn up a few other projects already and I'll be sharing them soon, but I wanted to show you this as an introduction :)

It really is a simple but beautiful patchwork that can be turned into a mini quilt or cushion, and I've named it Canon, based on the musical idea of repeating elements that build upon one another.  Please find the free Canon PDF pattern HERE.  

xo amy

Meet Plum Mouse

Many years ago I made a quick drawing in my sketchbook.  And I let it sit for years and who knows what inspires a person to work again on a sketch from so many years ago, but I picked it up during a snowstorm this month and cleaned it up... and this little drawing has become Plum mouse!

I have to admit.  She's awfully sweet.  I shared her on instagram and so many people responded positively about how they'd like to stitch her on stockings, pillowcases, etc. that I've fixed up the pattern and put it in my Etsy shop.  I even started a little story about her...

This printable PDF is included with the pattern purchase.  Please visit my Etsy shop: nanaCompany if you are in love with her as I am!  

xo amy

afterglow

Happy New Year!

I'm really not all that embarrassed that I did New Year cards  with Minted this year instead of Christmas cards.  Not only that, but I haven't sent them all out yet!  But we did have a wonderful holiday break and I hope you did too.  We are mad in love with our naughty new cat, Oliver James Leche Caramel Macchiato Biggles Sinibaldi.  :)   And I made a dress for Mia!! (I even self-drafted the pattern.)

Also, the Dollhouse LookBook has come out and it is full of wonderful inspiring makes... (click here to see!)

I'm scheming a new Dollhouse quilt that uses hefty 8" HSTs:

AND, I've finally put my Christmas Joy embroidery pattern in my Etsy shop:

This is NOT my stitching.  This one was beautifully stitched up by the fantastically talented Alena Gracheva of madeslove.blogspot.com/

I absolutely love her stitching!!  And to celebrate the afterglow of all these holidays I'd like to offer 20% off all patterns in my Etsy shop for the next few days using code: AFTERGLOW

xo amy