It’s always an exciting week on social media when Market rolls around. Not only do we get a sneak preview of the amazing quilts displayed at the Houston International Quilt Festival, we get to see all the new fabric releases for the upcoming six months. There are always a few highly anticipated collections, and the new Tula Pink is certainly no exception. I had the privilege of designing three quilts for her new collection, HomeMade. HomeMade is a quilters dream collection. The colors are classic Tula; bright, cheery, and perfect to brighten up your space. I think my favorite print from HomeMade is the aptly named Getting Snippy. I’m a sucker for a good damask and symmetrical print, so Getting Snippy fits the bill. It makes the perfect fabric to fussy cut, I cannot wait for Instagram to get inundated with EPP projects using it. The Seed Stitch print is a perfect dark navy with enough color speckled through it to make is a beautiful neutral (because navy is the new neutral, dontcha know?) The colorways are perfectly named; Morning Noon, and Night. It’s how we all wish we could sew! All sewing, all the time!!
I knew the moment I saw this collection that I needed to make a sampler style quilt. What quilter hasn’t made a sampler? It’s the place we all start when learning to quilt, and they aren’t just limited to quilters. Knitting, Crochet, and Needlepoint all have their own versions of samplers, so it seemed the perfect fit. Decorative Stitches was inspired by these classic sampler patterns. I love how the center of the quilt just glows with those greens!
Next, I wanted to find a fun, colorful way to showcase the machine print, Pedal to the Metal. I landed on a log cabin style block, and had fun choosing the prints and color order for the block sets. This one has a lot of unique sash sets between the diagonal rows, but it really makes the quilt pop. If you turn it upside down, it looks like scales (mermaid or dragon, whatever floats your boat). The contrasting stripes surrounding the center make the quilt really pop, so I named it Electric Slide. The navy Seed Stitch print can be subbed out for the gray, for some really intense contrast.
Finally, I wanted to make something that could be made using precuts. I have so many languishing in my stash, with nary a project in sight. Precuts can be where most of us struggle, so I wanted to make something fresh and fun for a jelly roll. Enter Wiggle Room! It’s got rainbows and movement, and showcases Pedal to the Metal (my favorite colorway, but it looks good using any of the colorways)
Each quilt will be available as a free pattern closer to the ship date. I’m hoping some of these were hanging at market, and can’t wait to check when I get back. What’s that? Where am I? I didn’t make any of the quilts? Well, turns out I had a prior commitment, and I am happy to report I’m leaving for a 15 day quilting cruise through the Panama Canal it’s my best friend! I was asked to teach one of my favorite quilts, Anchors Away by Tula Pink, to a fantastic group of ladies on board, and my best friend was able to secure a spot as a student. This is a once in a lifetime trip for us, and I can’t wait to show off all the quilts and sights that the Caribbean and Panama has to offer.
Happy Stitching!
