HUSHABYE FABRIC IS HERE! TULA PINK'S LATEST DESIGN!

Hushabye fabric has arrived at 44th Street Fabric! We just love Tula Pink and her amazing and unusual designs. I thought I'd show you a few of the designs from this awesome fabric line. We have these and more listed in the shop and we are still doing the free fat quarter give-away!

Our customers love any kind of damask fabric and the damask fabric in this line has little bunnies hidden in the design. How cute is that? I can't wait to make little girl things with this fabric! Big girl things (like tote bags, purses and home dec items ) will be fun to make from the bunny damask too! Tula designed her coordinating fabrics with her usual flair! The droplets fabric is like a polka dot but fresh and new. The circus dot fabric can stand alone or act as a coordinate with the damasks. Last but not least, the owl stripe will make a great border fabric for a quilt or just looks great on its own. Stop by the shop and look--you will love it!

Be Merry Finished Pillow...with some help from Jennifer Paganelli!

Yesterday 44th Street Fabric received the Be Merry Christmas fabric from Riley Blake Designs and I couldn't wait to make something. Am I a designer...nooooooo way! I know that. But I drew a little tree and paper pieced it and made a pillow. Last night I ran out of steam and asked for ideas as to how to finish. Thanks for all the suggestions--here's the finished pillow.

I used Sis Boom fabric by Jennifer Paganelli for the background and I like the way it looks. My daughter Gina who actually is a designer said it was too busy and distracting for a background. Oh well, I like it! I also made a fabric bow for the top of the tree. It's 3-D so it looks better in person. Also, I decided it needed more of the light fabric that was used to make the flower pot.

My biggest problem with pillows is the stuffing. How much is enough, how do you get rid of lumps, etc. Pillow forms are the way to go but I didn't have any and didn't want to go to the store so I just stuffed it. Also with pillow forms you have to design the pillow to be a certain size. So there it is...not a work of art but might give you an idea as to how the Be Merry fabric looks made up.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS!

The cute fabric from Riley Blake Designs came last night and I couldn't wait to make something from it after I got it listed in the store! Couldn't find a pattern I liked so just drew one and paper pieced it and am going to make a pillow. Now--thick borders or thinner borders? Piping or no piping? I don't know and I'm too tired to decide. It's nothing fancy-just something from the really cute Be Merry fabric. Somebody give me an opinion and that's what I'll do...maybe tomorrow...but that's what I'll do.

INTERVIEW WITH JACKIE CLARKE OF BABY LOVE BY JACKIE!

One of our favorite customers at 44th Street Fabric is Jackie Clarke, Canadian designer and Etsy shop owner. Jackie makes adorable baby items, aprons, bags and more. Her original design for the Mommy Bag (shown above) is fabulous and wish she would hurry and do the pattern. Recently we interviewed this up and coming shop owner and designer.

We love your designs and love your Etsy shop, Baby Love by Jackie! Tell us a little about you and your family.

Well, I am a stay-at-home Mom with two young children (Abigayle 2.5 yrs, and Austin 9 months)- I suppose that defines me, more than anything! Busy, busy, busy! My husband and I live on a Dairy farm in Ontario, and I wouldn't trade the "country" lifestyle for anything. Between the kids and the farm, I really don't have time to sew...but I do it anyway ;) What a rebel, I am.

When did you first discover your artistic talent and when did you start to sew?

I guess I've always been artistic - I think I started to draw and paint as soon as I could hold a pencil, and it grew from there! My Mom has kept bits of my artwork over the years, it's so fun to look back. As a young child, I can remember my Mom teaching me how to sew buttons, embroidery, and how to hand-stitch simple pieces...but it wasn't until home-economics class when I was about 13 years old that I was really bitten by the "sewing bug". That's when I learned to use a sewing machine and follow a pattern - and realized that the possibilities were endless!

What are the inspirations for your current designs?

Right now, my inspiration is definitley my children. I'll admit, everything seems to be revolving around my daughter at the moment; I've always been a "girly-girl", so I have way too much fun making dresses, frilly things, and indulging my obsession with the colour pink. But - I know that I need to start including the boys! I'm afraid that my son may start to accuse me of favouritism, so I'm currently brainstorming ideas to accomodate the other 50% of the population. And then, my selfish side comes into play...I want pretty things too! Which is why I had to include a section in my shop that's just "For the Mamas".

What caused you to open an Etsy shop?

I eventually came to realize that being a "Stay-at-Home-Mom" doesn't pay very well. Remember when I said, "I want pretty things too"? Well, that's pretty much why I decided to start an Etsy shop! I've always loved to sew and craft, and was excited by the prospect of my "guilty pleasure" generating a bit of income. It helps me feel a bit better about the time and money I spend on my sewing addiction!

What advice, if any, do you have for other Etsians?

Well, since I'm relatively new to Etsy, I'm really not one to offer advice. However, the one thing I've learned so far is, expose yourself! Not in the naughty sort of way, (however, I'm sure that might generate some traffic!) but by promoting and marketing your product. Get your name, logo and product pictures OUT THERE for the world to see! Know your target clientele, and get your product in front of them.

Do you sell your clothing in any other venues?

Not yet...but it's part of my plan! Our Canadian winters are long and cold...a perfect opportunity for me to sit at my sewing machine :) I'll be building an inventory during the blustery months (so, October to...May?), with the plan of setting up a booth at farmer's markets, fairs, trade shows...anywhere they'll have me! I'm pretty excited.

Please tell us one unique thing about you that would surprise us!

Hmm...how surprising are we talking, here? I could tell you that a lot of my sales experience has come from the "adult novelty" industry...knowing my personality, that shocks most people! From lingerie, to baby clothes...a bit of a career change. Or...I could tell you my age. I'm 25 years old, and have been employed in 7 different industries. A lot of people seem surprised that at this point in my life, I've done so much and am happy with where my life is now. Call me "old-fashioned", but I've always wanted to be a wife and mother...and now that I have the opportunity to stay at home with my babies and be self-employed, I don't know how it could get much better. Life is Good! :)

What are the links to your shop, facebook page, twitter, etc.?

shop: http://www.babylovebyjackie.etsy.com/

facebook: "Jackie Clarke"- "Babylove By Jackie"

group page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=153089570952

blog: http://www.theothersideofthefence-jackie.blogspot.com/

BE MERRY FABRIC BY RILEY BLAKE

Adorable Be Merry holiday fabric by Riley Blake Designs has shipped and is on the way to 44th Street Fabric! Here is a preview of just a few of the fabrics in this line! It is my new favorite! I have looked and looked for a fabric with pinks so I could make Christmas items for my little Granddaughters! By this holiday season, I will have 5 little Granddaughters to make things for and this fabric is just perfect!

FREE FAT QUARTERS ARE BACK!!

FREE fabric fat quarters are back at 44th Street Fabric store by popular demand! Our customers have nagged and whined until (much like I did with my children) I have given in!! Here are the conditions:

1) For EVERY yard of fabric (excluding sale fabric) that you buy, we will send you a FREE fat quarter;
2) The free fat quarter will be our choice of fabric--not necessarily those shown (which are Aunt Grace by the way) but which will be first quality 100% cotton fabric;
3) Don't forget to calculate the free fat quarters into shipping. When you buy 2 yards of fabric (for example) and have 2 FREE fat quarters, we will be shipping 2 1/2 yards of fabric so it will go Priority Mail;
4) This offer is for a limited time and will probably go on until Jason (the CEO) starts fussing about how much money we are losing by doing FREE fat quarters.

Take advantage of this limited time offer now! Woot Woot!

BABY SHOWER FUN!

The night before the baby shower, Dad stayed up late making these cookies! Great job Dad!

Friends came over to decorate! Pink bows everywhere!

Tons of people came--Dad was greeting everyone!

Caterer fixed up burgers and ribs--yum!

Band was great! Singer came from Hawaii for the shower!

Mommy only opened a few gifts at the shower because there were so many! Looks like the little bloomers this Grammy made were a hit!

Here's the baby quilt with Tanya Whelan fabric! So Dallas!

And the Lily Pond quilt!

And the proud parents! Can't wait for the baby to get here!

MAKING A PRACTICAL BAG FROM PASHMINA FABRIC THIS WEEKEND!

Just finished quilting the front and back of the Practical Bag I'm making this weekend. This is the pattern that Martha Stewart likes and mentioned in her magazine! This is the second one I have made from this pattern. The first one was taken by Gina as soon as she saw it! I haven't seen it since. The pattern doesn't call for it to be quilted but I like the extra stability. I love, love, love the Moda Pashmina fabric I'm making it from but I'm very frustrated that I can't get a good photo of it! The colors look so dull in the photos and they are rich and bright in person. Indigo and Turkey Red are the colors but if the blue is right, the red looks rusty and if the red is right the blue looks gray. Sigh.... I'll show you more photos as I go. At least you can see what the bag looks like. This is a fun pattern to make up. I think I'll do one in Christmas fabric too! Tomorrow is the baby shower (did I tell you I'm going to be a grandmother again)? It's a big deal with a band and everything! I'll put pics on the blog--I'm sure it will be spectacular!

DEWEY LOUIS LOOKS FORWARD TO HALLOWEEN PET COLLARS!

Word has it that one of our favorites, Hewey Louis, is fed up with his mom! She apparently dresses him for every occasion. He's pictured here in last year's Halloween costume! Hewey says "Thank goodness my Mum loves your Halloween dog collars and plans to buy me one this year so I can ditch this costume"! We happen to know that Hewey's Mum is probably going to get him a costume again this year but he is going to get a Comfy Collar with cheerful Jack-O-Lanterns for "everyday wear" during the season! Watch our sister Etsy store, Camille's Studio for more Halloween finery to be listed very soon! Get yours before they sell out!

JUST IN! PASHMINA FROM MODA! LUSH AND EXOTIC!

Pashmina fabric from Moda in luxurious, lush indigo and turkey reds is available at 44th Street Fabric! Just looking at this gorgeous fabric makes me think of crisp fall days, antiques and exotic locations. Make pillows, table runners, curtains, bedding, quilts, clothing and more from this versatile line! Moda is out of this fabric so grab yours while it is still around!

MY NEW GRANDBABY--PICS FROM MOMMY'S TUMMY!

Just had to share these amazing photos of my newest grandbaby!! She's due October 5th and these pictures were taken with technology that just takes my breath away! Does that look like a smile to you? Well I can tell you -- this is one baby who will be the star of thousands of pictures and videos! Lots of baby quilts in her future too! She looks just like her Daddy!

FROLIC FABRIC BY WENDY SLOTBOOM! SNEEK PREVIEW!

Our favorite fabric designer, Wendy Slotboom, has done it again! Here's a sneek preview of just a few of the awesome fabrics in her new fabric line, Frolic! Frolic fabrics will be available in October (according to In the Beginning Fabric company). I just couldn't wait to share with you this adorable fabric! After feeding the squirrels all summer, I especially love the squirrel treasure hunt fabric! We will be sure to let you know as soon as this great fabric is in stock at 44th Street Fabric!

HALLMARK CHRISTMAS FABRIC PROJECT! SNOW LADY WALLHANGING

As soon as the adorable Hallmark Christmas fabric came into the shop, I wanted to make something with it. It's so bright and fun! I decided to make a pillow and it got bigger and bigger so eventually ended up being a wallhanging. It's a Snow Lady! Hope you like it! See the entire line of Hallmark Christmas by Westminster/Free Spirit at 44th Street Fabric.