fabricmatcher.com

Fabric now updated!

Hi all!  Sorry about the delay but fabric has now been updated on the site. I have finally touched back down and had access to the right tools. I will also be adding new fabrics this week!.

Happy matching.  Damian:)

Travelling the USA - FABRIC AVAILABILITY

Long time no news. I have been traveling over the past few weeks across the USA and am now in Houston Texas for the big Quilt trade and consumer fairs. This of course has created problems for my site, fabricmatcher.

I haven't been able to update my fabric collection to add new ones and take off the unavailable ones - so please be patient. When you order I may send you an email notifying that some may not be available. Yes, a bit frustrating - especially for me who is trying to keep the site up to date.

I will be back in Sydney on the website server on the 9th of November and will update and add new fabrics a few days later. Sit tight. I will also have alot of new fabrics to upload.

Thank you for your patience..
Damian:)

Quilt kit competition on hold till back from USA

Exciting news. Sarah and I are off to the USA tomorrow for three weeks to visit designers, shops and the International Quilt Fair in Houston. We will be on the look out for new fabric lines and patterns that would be good for the site and sell in some new ideas on the website.

The competition will begin again when we return in the 8th of November. Please keep adding your  ideas each week so I will have some great eye-candy upon my return.

A new take on Fluffy Stars

Winner for week 12
Here is a lovely take on Fluffy Stars by Donna called "Paisley Stars" and a well deserved winner for this week. A inspirational contrast using a variety of different designers in red, green and cream. Great work Donna! I love how the star blocks punch out the red against the cream. Could this be a Xmas quilt? Damian:)
 

Sunshine florals.

Last weeks winner was totaly thrilled...
"Hi Damian!
WoW!  What a treat to be chosen! It’s even my birthday today, which makes it better! I am completely enamored with your site.  I just recently discovered it from a link on quiltersbuzz.com and have treated myself to many hours of “fixes” already.  Yes, my name is Gina and I am a fabriholic.  Even though I have been sewing for twenty-five or sew years, I just discovered quilting in the last year and am hopelessly hooked. When I start a project it is always with a person in mind.  Sometimes I see a fabric and it reminds me of a friend or loved one.  Other times, like this one, I start out with the person in mind, and then go on a fabric hunt.  This quilt is for a very dear friend who will be having her first baby in October and likes the sailor/beach theme. I thought this pattern was very clever, with its combination of squares and half-square triangles.  It will be a breeze to strip-piece and get those match-points perfect.  The sails are especially cleverly designed.  For this quilt there seems to be no need for specialty rulers or templates, and yet it is so elegant.  VERY nicely designed! I have found that design inspiration for me is really a loop….sometimes it starts with a single fabric that I adore, then I look for a pattern that will optimize what the fabric offers. Other times I spot a quilt pattern that I’m crazy about or that challenges me with its technique, then I ferret out the perfect fabric for that pattern.  Whichever way I start designing a quilt idea, I find that I usually “loop” around that design circle, often more than once. For example:  If you start designing with the “star” fabric, then choose a pattern, you go from there to choose “supporting” fabric.  Many times you get the whole “cast” together and then decide to change one of the first decisions, such as the pattern (“script”) or the “star”. The whole process seems to be like a loop that I travel around at least a couple of times.  Ultimately, I have to just pick a cut-off point and start cutting.  Having a deadline helps.  I have learned that the “loop” will be never-ending….just like the availability of incredible fabrics! Your site has helped with that.  It is easier to “finalize” an idea and get to the cutting when you can see the whole quilt in its final state.  I often find that putting together one quilt will spark ideas for many other quilts based on the original design.  I have to remind myself often that there will always be other “star” pieces and it really is ok to cut into that “perfect” fabric because there WILL be others that I will love as much.  If only I could actually produce quilts from all the ideas I have! I guess I don’t really think I have a specific design style……just a love affair with fabric and sewing! 
Thank you again, so very much, for selecting my quilt design.  I am honored and encouraged.  To get the kit in addition to the compliment is just delightful.  I certainly can’t wait to start stitching it.  I just love the pattern!   I will probably have a very hard time giving it away to the baby I designed it for.
Oh, and you are so right about the dress patterns, too.  I’m crazy about whimsical garments and am having a blast with putting together fun fabrics with the patterns.  I remember the dress I made from the red/white tablecloth plaid with the ants marching all over it….and the blue/white with yellow bananas jumper that turned so many heads.  I’m looking forward to more garment patterns to play with, too. I’m glad you’re feeling better, all the best to you.  Happy Stitching." GGSews

And the winner hit week..
..had done a lovely soft floral interpretation of Summer Sunshine called "Floral Fantasy" by BeesonBs. My wife made this quilt and it has always been a favorite of many of their customers. A nice mix of 3 Sister, Benartex, Figtree and Kona Cotton as the base. It really shows how easy it is to use a mix of designers to achieve a great quilt!  Congratulations.  I will be in contact soon to fulfill the prize.

 

Winner for week 10

Last week was washed away as I was sick with the flu in bed but now back into it and here is this weeks winner. A loverly simple kids quilt called "Smooth Sailing" using a pattern made by the chief editor of Down Under Quilts, Deborah Segaert, with some lovely Moda fabrics to make it all come alive.  Congralutation GGsews! I must also commend you on your kits with dresses. It looks like you are having so much fun with the dress patterns as well!

I must also include comments from some previous winners:

"G'day Damien
Thank you so much for this, I cannot tell you how STOKED I am to win! My philosophy around this pattern.. I picked the pattern as it was out of my confort zone, the 'wonky' nine patches that is, I have never made a quilt with anything that wasn't perfectly square, and I LOVED this pattern....  I picked the fabric range, as I just love Black Bird Designs fabrics and I LOVE LOVE LOVE their patterns, but I am also aware that I'll never applique one of them, as I dont have enough time... so next best thing to a Black Bird Design pattern is their fabric.  I also LOVE Moda fabric, the quality is always there.. I also like to have quilts out for Christmas, but be able to use them year round.. can't see the point in slaving over a hot sewing machine to only have the finish product on show for a week! I love fiddling on your site Damien.. its a ripper idea, and its fun! and much cheaper than surfing the net or ebay (when I am bored), so you have saved me some $$$'s..." Lissajane

and

"Thanks, Damien.
How exciting to win a quilt!  I have been having enormous fun playing with all the lovely fabrics online.  It’s true I am a Heather Bailey fan, ever since reading about the birth of ‘Freshcut’ via her blog.  When it comes to fabrics, anything in shades of mint, aqua, duck egg blue or jade green always seems to catch my eye first.  I also love big florals, especially roses. It wasn’t until I took another look at ‘Starflower’ that I realised how much it reminded me of one of my favourite places:  a beautiful National Trust historic house where I used to work.  The main bedroom was restored to all it’s 1930s glory, with soft duck egg blue walls, cream lacquered furniture and beautiful soft furnishings, including a quilted comforter, all made from a big, rose-covered Sanderson print fabric.  I was a bit worried that the pistachio/pink colourway of the sashing fabric might have looked better against the paisley print, but thinking of that lovely old bedroom, the deep coral and buttery yellow are more in keeping with 1930s style. I already have a half-yard of the big floral ‘Freshcut’ fabric used on the top and bottom borders – enough now to make 2 matching cushion covers!  The quilt will look lovely on my fiancé’s treasured dark green leather sofa, but it might be a while before I can send you a picture of the finished quilt top – this will be my first quilt, so I want to take my time to get it just right." from Bluquilt

I see there are some new public stashes - great work and look out for new winners weekly...

Damian :)

A special offer from Down Under Quilts

A special offer from Down Under Quilts
Hi Damian,
I have exciting news from Down Under Quilts. There is now a fabulous new way to enjoy the magazine – on your computer! Yes, our electronic version is now available, so you can access all the great articles and projects at your leisure.

We have a special offer right now that I’d like to share with fabricmatcher.com customers. Visit our website www.downunderquilts.com.au and fill in the details in the “Claim your FREE digital version of Down Under Quilts” box and you will receive a digital version of the current issue straight away!

Not only that, but we are soon to launch our regular Down Under Quilts email newsletter, so you can enjoy staying up to date with all our news. I’d love to see fabricmatcher.com customers take advantage of this great offer – a free digital issue of Down Under Quilts plus regular newsletters.
Erica Spinks
Editor, Down Under Quilts

What a great offer for you all. Go to their website ans check it out.

This weeks quilt kit winner is looking at the coming season
Lissajane has made a loverly Xmas interpretation of the Skew-Wiff design from Material Obsession, called "Christmas Square". I guess she is looking to complete by Xmas for a friend! She has used red and green fabrics from the Blackbird Design fabrics. Great work Lissajane and enjoy making this one!



And another innovation from fabricmatcher.com
go to this link and find a test for matching color palletes to fabrics. http://www.colourlovers.com/forums/1,1,306/Matching_Fabric_Colors
We will be developing a full linking sytem between our sites so you can go and make up color palletes of your choice and then view fabrics in these colors. Another way to help you design better with color.

Enjoy.

Damian:)

Clothing patterns up and running!

Yes.. it is finally up for all those who want to start matching fabrics to clothing and home patterns. We have added some New Look patterns up this week and will add in other designers and styles (handbags,  as they come on board.  Click here to go to the pattern page to start having fun... Here is a example of one from GGSews stash using some fun Michael Miller fabric...!

And the winner for the week 8 quilt designs!

A bright and colorful design from Melinda's stash called Star Rails. A bold take on Threaded Pear Studio's design, Rails and Squares! This will be alot of fun for a young childs bed. Melinda you will have to let me know who it is for. Great fun and I see some more have joined up. Keep them rolling in! Damian :)

Heather Bailey in focus for week 7

Comparison of fabric pics and real quilt!
I have had a few emails last week after people viewed the first top made from week 1. They were very complimentary about the quality of the color images of fabric in fabricmatcher and the real ones in the quilt. Have a look below. It is great to see that the comparison is so good. The images from the fabric manufacturers are getting better and better and this helps us give you the best possible interpretation of the real fabrics on the site....

A lovely note from last weeks winner!
A inspiring note from our winner last week - Lindi, from Sydney "Hi Damian! I am so excited! Not just because I've won a kit, but also because of the recognition of my inspirations. For me, a quilt starts with seeing a fabric that inspires me. I then start looking for co-ordinating fabrics and prints and then choose a design. Most of my quilts have a complimentary colour included in the fabric selection, to give the quilt some "pizzazz". 
My usual choices are rather bright (as you would probably have noticed), but the Mahjong fabric appealed because, even though I don't play (except as a computer game) I love the look and feel of the tiles and the intricacies of the game. The fabric is already detailed, so I decided it needed something less dramatic in its treatment than my usual approach. When you watch Mahjong players, they are quiet, and concentrating, so I decided this pattern would be ideal... the mahjong tile fabric would be the feature, with borders that set it off without competing for attention. I kept to the oriental theme by selecting oriental fabrics as the borders. I wanted a quilt that would be suitable for a male, but equally at home draped over a lounge for any one to use. The fan patterned fabric seemed ideal, as in the old courts, men also used fans as part of their formal dress. I am really looking forward to making this quilt. I will have to start thinking about the quilting design now!"  Wow...great work and have fun with the quilt.

And the winner this week..
I mentioned Bluquilts work before for Lotus Dreaming in week 4 - a lovely use of Amy Butler in a Material Obsession design. The Material Obsession girls are well known for their use and matching of color in their quilts and it is great to see another quilter giving it a go. But I think the work she has done in this quilt, Starflower,  is even more fun using Heather Bailey (Are you a Heather Bailey fan?) We are here and love this interpretation of the Fluffy Stars pattern giving it a fresh new spin. We love how you have showcased the large florals across the quilt.  You will have great fun making this one and it will ge a great addition to your house.  Congratulation!  Damian :)

Winner for week 6

A quilt top from Week 1 already!
Remember the winner from week 1. Well here is a finishd quilt top and a note from Glenda, the winner:

"Hi, Damian. I was so glad to receive the quilt kit in the mail.  The Tokyo Rose pattern came together well.  Thanks to the numbered diagram that came with the pattern, I was able to put it together rather quickly.  Here is a picture of the pieced top. It is not yet quilted, but I am very pleased with both the pattern and the batik colors.  Thanks again, Glenda"

Here is her fabricmatcher.com creation...

....and her quilt top.  Great work! Can't wait to see if finally finished!

Note from our winner last week! - "Red & Blue Cockledoodledoo"
"Thank you!Right now, my design philosophy is all about color. My husband and I have been renovating a house we bought last year and everything is beige or off-white. So I am always looking for ways to add color and interesting patterns without overloading the small space. Adding a wall-hanging quilt is the just the way to make the place look less like a construction site and more like home!" Kirsty, New York.

Week 6 winner!

And now for some more quilt design eye candy...I was viewing the stash on Friday and came across all these creations from Lindijanej's stash. The first two - Rock Stars Play Guitars and  African drums....great creations and  lovely  use of theme with fabrics.

But the one which I loved was with Oriental fabrics called "Mahjong Framed" - a subtle blends of reds, creams and browns in a simple pattern from Gina Halladay's design from Threaded Pear Studio. It would be a lovely addition to any house. Congratulations! Damian:)