NEW FABRIC RELEASE: In Bloom

I am so excited about my latest fabric release! In Bloom is my 3rd collection created exclusively for JoAnn Fabrics. I designed this collection a few months ago (around Spring-Summer of this year) so I drew inspiration from nature, flowers, and all the bright, beautiful colors around me. How fitting that this collection should launch right now while we are all dreaming of sunnier days, right?

Here's a sneak peek of the designs included in this collection. All designs are printed on Premium Quality Quilting Cottons, same quality as all my former collections! Look for them at your local JoAnn's store... and if they are not carrying MODKID STUDIO yet, please ask for it! :)

FREE Tutorial: Memory Board 

When my youngest, Sydney, asked me for a Memory Board for her birthday, I was ecstatic to finally be able to create something with my upcoming fabric line for JoAnn's, In Bloom (now in stores!). I knew right away that my Quatrefoil fabric would be the way to go and I could even use some of my own jacquard ribbon collections for this project.

Here is what you'll need:

• 18" x 24" canvas. I found a 2-pack at Michaels for $14.00 and used my 50% coupon, which made it only $7.00 for 2 canvases... $3.50 a piece! SCORE! Now I can make another one for her big sis! :)
• 22" x 28" piece of fabric. I used Quatrefoil Fuschia from  In Bloom, exclusively created for JoAnn Fabrics.
• 21" x 27" piece of quilt batting or fleece (for padding).
• 5 yards of ribbon at least 1/2" wide. I used Happy Dot from my Lush collection of Jacquard Ribbons.
• 5 brads.
• Staple gun
• Ruler and cutting tools
• X-Acto Knife (or any other sharp tool for creating small brad holes)

Now, let's get started...

1. Layer the fabric and batting/fleece over the front of the canvas, as shown below. The fabric will be a tad wider than the batting/fleece because you have cut it larger.

2. Fold the fabric over the batting/fleece to create a finished edge and wrap it over the edge of your canvas, placing your first staple in the center of one of the long sides, as shown below:

3. Repeat above step for all 4 sides, pulling the fabric taut each time, then proceed to work on your corners. For each corner, fold your fabric over the batting, as shown below. Pull tightly over the corner of the canvas and place a staple there, as shown in the second picture below...

4.  After all 4 corners are securely stapled in place, proceed to pull the fabric tightly along all the canvas edges, placing a staple every 2 inches or so. Be careful not to staple over existing staples.

Here's a close up of what your corners should look like:

5. Use a fabric marker to mark the positioning of your ribbons. I positioned mine at the center of all 4 sides of the canvas, spanning over to the opposite side center mark. These will form a wide diamond shape over your canvas. Then, the final two ribbons go from corner to corner forming an X shape, as shown below.  From my original 5 yards of ribbon, I cut 2 pieces at 36" long for the corner-to-corner (X) pieces, and 4 pieces at 18" long for the center-to-center (Diamond) pieces. The remaining 1 yard of ribbon will be used later for hanging the Memory Board.

6. Staple the ribbon to the back of your canvas, being sure to fold the ends of each ribbon in before placing your staple:

7. Use an X-Acto Knife (or your preferred sharp pointy tool) to pierce a tiny hole at the center of each ribbon intersection. Then, insert a brad in each hole for a total of 5 brads. The center-most brad will be a bit tricky to do, since there is a piece of wood back there for the canvas frame. No biggie... just lift the canvas away from the wood with one hand, while inserting the brad with the other. You'll have to maneuver your fingers in between the frame and canvas to secure the brad on the back side, but it's easy enough to do.

8. To create your board hanger, take your remaining 1 yard of ribbon and staple each ribbon end to the top 2 corners of the canvas, remembering to fold the ends of the ribbon down for extra reinforcement. Place 2 or 3 staples at each corner to make it extra sturdy!

And VOILA! Instant awesome gift for a little girl, your best friend or for yourself! 

If you are giving this Memory Board as a gift, you can include a box of Patty Young Designer Pins. They are so cute and perfect to use for this project!

Introducing... High Society

My newest fabric collection, as part of Jo-Ann Fabrics' Premium Quilting Cotton line, is called High Society. This line was inspired by a trip my family and I took to the Biltmore Estate last year. It's got a bit of a turn-of-the-century Victorian vibe with some color pop in true Patty Young fashion.

Here is the full color card (click on thumbnail to enlarge):

I had such a fun time designing this collection! While I was drawing the flowers and shapes, I was envisioning all the cute little projects I would soon be designing and sewing with it! Here are afew of those projects to whet your appetite:

 Our newest PDF sewing pattern is called the ZOEY SUMMER ENSEMBLE and it features two sets of tops and two sets of shorts. The cover photo shows Sydney wearing a top made with Wildflowers Navy and shorts made with Brocade Teal. Inset shot shows another set of shorts made with Rose Garden Navy.

Our ZOEY models in this next shot are wearing High Society prints as well...

Our PDF pattern, REESE, features an adorable dress made with Floret Pink:

Another one of our popular PDF patterns, the CECE Lap Neck Dress and Top, also features High Society in the cover shot. Our cover model is wearing a CECE dress made with Wildflowers Citron and Floret Pink.

You may also recognize Wildflowers Navy and Floret Navy in this adorable CECE dress...

And this top version of our CECE is made with Tea on the Terrace Citron and Brocade Fuscia:

If children's clothing is not your cup of tea, check out these projects I designed for JoAnns! Look for FREE patterns in upcoming mailers!

HIGH SOCIETY is now available at Jo-Ann Fabric stores nationwide and also online (along with some limited stock of my previous line, Rendezvous)! You can click on any of the fabric swatches and check availability at your local store by using the STORE LOCATOR widget at the bottom of the page.

Come see me TOMORROW!

If you are local to the Central Illinois area and are into sewing, crafting or fabric in general, you need to stop by the Bloomington/Normal Jo-Ann Fabrics tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 28th from 1 - 3 p.m. I will be there to give a short lecture about my newest line, Rendezvous, plus a little background info on myself and how I got into the industry. There will be tons of giveaways too!

The first 17 people there will receive a FREE copy of Generation Q magazine featuring my home and studio. Plus, the folks at Jo-Ann corporate have sent over some gift baskets and a few other goodies... not to be missed!

I will also be doing a book signing for Sewing MODKID Style. If you have a copy already, go ahead and bring it and I'd be happy to autograph it for you. Otherwise, there will be plenty of copies available for sale tomorrow, so grab one for you and one for your sewing BFF... they make great gifts! :)

Lastly, you will be among the first to see our new quilt design created for Rendezvous (below) in person, and receive a free copy of the pattern!!

Hope to see you all there!!

Rendezvous: Fan Photos

My very first exclusive line for Jo-Ann Fabrics, Rendezvous, launched just last week to rave reviews across all social media. I loved reading all your comments on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thank you all so much for the support and the love! Even though the fabrics have only been in stores for a few days, we have already seen lots of gorgeous projects made with Rendezvous, so I wanted to share a few here.

Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness Patterns shared these pictures of an upcoming diaper bag pattern. The bag was made by Georgi Sears and the sewing pattern is called the Aragon Bag. This pattern will be out on September 18th, so be sure to check it out. Isn't it fabulous?

Georgi used Vintage Poppies Teal for the main bag and Dark Blue Texture for the straps. And check it out... she lined the bag with my Patio Tile Blue print. I just adore it!!

Modkid Facebook Fan, Tomi Gibson, shared these two pics of her recent creations with Rendezvous. She used Green Chevron Red and Cathedral Windows Multi for her Kyoko Dress (left) and she used Vintage Poppies Teal and Patio Tile Blue for her Josie Dress (right). So cute!!

Marie Belanger Beck also used Vintage Poppies Teal but she paired it up with Dark Gray Texture for her adorable Josie Dress.

And last but not least, I am in love with this sweet top made with Vintage Poppies Teal posted by the Pattern Revolution blog today. Follow that link to see this awesome tutorial by Bye Bye Buttons!

OK, I'm sure I am not the only one noticing a trend here. Hmmmm.... you guys really like my Vintage Poppies Teal fabric, eh? :) Well, I am so glad you do! We are quite fond of it too... and of the red version too! Free pattern for the Poppies Apron can be found here.

If you have projects you've made with Rendezvous and would like to be featured here on the good 'ole blog, please send them our way. You can either post them on our MODKID Fan Page of email them to us at info {at} modkidboutique {dot} com. We will be doing some follow-up posts soon and would LOVE to feature your creations!

Introducing: Rendezvous
My newest line of premium quilting cottons, designed exclusively for Jo-Ann Fabrics

Fabric aficionados, I have a big surprise for you! I was going to wait until Labor Day weekend to reveal my BIG NEWS, but a little birdie told me that the cat was out of the bag and running around all over Instagram, so I had to speed up my announcement. ;)

I am super excited to tell you guys about my newest premium quilting fabric collection, Rendezvous, available exclusively at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores® nationwide. The collection is already available in stores and online!

Rendezvous was inspired by the Art Deco movement emanating from Paris in the 1920s.
It’s the Roaring Twenties, a decadent time for music, fashion, travel... and romance. The color palette is vibrant and retro juxtaposed against a soft cream ground, and the designs have a patina effect to evoke a nostalgic feel.

As you can probably tell already, these are all new designs and completely different from those carried exclusively in independent quilt shops. My Jo-Ann Fabrics exclusive collections will allow us to get our quality fabrics into the hands of those quilters and sewists who don't have easy access to our wonderful independent quilt shops.

And there's more! In addition to the new fabric line, we've also designed a couple of fun projects to get you started. These are FREE from us to you and are available now on the Jo-Ann website. 

There is the POPPIES APRON, featuring my Vintage Poppies Red fabric, and the CATHEDRAL WINDOWS PILLOW, featuring my Cathedral Windows fabric.

 
If you live in the Central Illinois area, don't miss my appearance on Saturday, September 28th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Bloomington Jo-Ann store. I would love to see you there! Below is the flyer for it:

The first 17 people to come by and see me on the 28th will receive a FREE copy of Generation Q magazine (the issue that features my studio!), compliments of my friends at GenQ!