New York update

A few more pics from the last few days - I'm on a laptop and its hard to upload pics etc

I've had a few interesting meetings - when I'm home I'll write more about them :)

The weather is stinking HOT!

dont let the grey sky fool you - Thats a steamy haze......

I have one more day in New York before I jet home - Looking forward to seeing my kids & Husband :) 

and getting stuck into lots of WORK

Statue of Liberty

Ground Zero - Workers

Times Square NY

New Jersey

Windham Fabrics - Jersey City

Windham Fabrics - Jersey City

Bridgeport CT

Denyse Schmidt Quilts - Bridgeport CT 

Xx Siobhan

Guestimating Fabric

The amount of fabrics that are hitting the Shops in the next month or so is mind blowing....

Its usually best to have a plan - not necessarily on what projects you will use the fabric in (because I always buy way ahead) - more of a $$$ plan. How much are you willing to spend! also making sure when it comes time to design and make a project I'm not going to be left short.

My fabric buying Guestimating works like this

- I find that a single bed quilt tends to use 6/8 yards of fabric for a front and then about the same for the back give or take.

Binding is usually around 6/8 X 2.5inch strips = 15 inches/20 inches

I add on an extra 3 yards for a double/ king sized quilt front & back

Binding is usually around 12 X 2.5 inch strips = 30 inches

all of these are VERY rough estimates but it gives you an idea of how I shop.

I'm happy to have leftovers - they make great pillows and scrap quilts.

If I see a fabric that is great for a backing I will buy it in 3 yard lengths - easy for storage & piecing

If a fabric looks good for borders and sashing I will buy 2- 3 yards

I still love buying fat 1/4's which are great for mixing fabrics up or adding interest but I tend to stick to larger pieces. 

Anyway I have started my shopping and this is what I have so far

From top to bottom
My own numbers fabric
Vintage Modern Bonnie & Camille
Denyse Schmidt for Australian Spotlight (from my Fabric stash)
Vintage Modern Bonnie & Camille
Lizzy House castle peeps(from my Fabric stash)
Valori Wells Butterflys

All of these were bought at an Australian online retailer
Kelani Fabrics 

These gems were bought at Calico & Ivy a few days ago.
The top 6 fabrics are Anna Maria Horner's new fabric range called Field Study
A liberty of London print
& some linen

From Ballarat Patchworks online store this week I purchased the new Denyse Schmidt range Chicopee - Looking forward to using this lot.

 I also have a stack of solids coming from pink chalk fabrics

and bought not that long ago A vintage sheet & Lots of Lotta Jansdotters Echo range for backing of two king sized quilts 

Thats not including the stuff I don't have pictures of......

Although in my defence I have made 5 king sized quilts in the last few weeks and a few other things!! All to be revealed once they are published in their assorted magazines.

All the pictures are from my Instagram feed

my handle is @beaspokequilts 

Whats your most recent fabric purchase or what are you coveting in the fabric world?

Xx Siobhan

Autumn changes

Its amazing how the change of season has an impact on my productivity.

The height of the sun in the sky, the lovely golden light and warm - but not too warm days.....

lots of baking

Im in designing heaven

I'm currently working on 3 quilt designs for a few fabric houses, sorting out my own cushions that are being sold on my etsy store & taking commissions for quilts.

 I have also been playing around with the idea of modern fresh fabrics in traditional patterns

I have sample blocks strewn all over the house. 

I was also reading Denyse Schmidts new book "Modern Quilts - Traditional Inspiration". The images are lovely and quilts beautiful. Denyse talks a bit about her love of contemporary furnishings and design and how she felt that bedding wasn't being showcased in the same arena.

I nearly fell off my chair!

It was like she had read my mind.

I know you can buy some nice bed linen and bed covers - but nothing beats a patchwork quilt.

anyway!

Here is yet another look at my cushion panels that I have designed and had printed.

I have been to Paris three times in the last three years, its lovely to go back. 

I always stay in St Germain des Pres - I have all my favourite spots, the florist in the cushion panel below being one of them.

cushions made & designed by me.
painting by Dorothy Napangardi

Cushion Panel - St Germain des Pres

I'm also a bit addicted to instagram

am I the only one that loves the in between season?

Xx Siobhan

New Stuff

I heart Pottery Barn :)

I now own (bought not made) a Denyse Schmidt quilt :)

One day I'll make one  for myself .....

small quilt is one of mine - binding done today more pics later

Xx Siobhan