Prints Charming

HAND QUILTED WITH LOVE

Its been a little while since the last post.... and what a better way to begin, than with this beautiful new book by Sarah Fielke!

I first met Sarah about 8years ago...

Kirsten and I had been hand printing fabric in our tiny garage and we were looking for new markets that were suitable. Craft then,was nowhere near as popular and sort after as it is now so we really had to be creative in how we approached it all...Kirsten told me of this fabulous shop that sold “quilting” fabric.

I was extremely hesitant, as I always associated these type of shops with teddy bears and lots of brown,but as soon as I walked into 'Material Obsession' I knew times were changing..

Amy Butler and Denyse Schmidt had just released their first ranges and it was exciting!!

We showed Sarah our handprinted fabrics and she immediately placed an order...The big local craft fair was on, and we were printing until all hours in order to fill the requests.

IT WAS FUN!!...

Cutting a long story short and much hard work,we later secured our first line of fabric with 'Free Spirit Fabrics'......

Sarah 'got it' and supported us, and used many of the early Prints Charming prints in her quilts...

So today I feel extremely honoured to be able to present to you,Sarah's incredible new book

'Hand quilted with love'...

 (OOH I recognize those hand printed bright spots!!)

My first impression of this inspirational book is its clarity.

Believe it or not,I am actually quite new to the art of quilt making.

Sarah's instructions are direct and easy to understand.They have an ernest quality

that seduce you on every page!

I totally LOVE the hand stitching that is a quintessential part of a Fielke quilt!

 

 

I totally LOVE how Sarah makes her quilts.They have a traditional essence, yet capture modernity in her fabric choices.The heartfelt hand stitching leaves you fulfilled in every way.

For all of you that are already quilters,or would LOVE to begin..this is an essential book to add to your library.It is real and honest,direct and inspirational.

 

A book that will grow with you as your skills and confidence grow also.

for more information go to  www.sarahfielke.com

More news coming soon....Cath x

The beginnings of Prints Charming Winter 2013, delicious pinwale cord.

Hi Everyone, thought we would let you know whats happening in the PC studio at the moment.
Over the holiday break and early new year , new designs were being created and printed for our new Winter 2013 and Quilt line for Spotlight.
We are thrilled with the samples so far as the quality is superb and colours are spot on.....
Here is a little preview...

Christmas Wreaths.

We have been collecting bundles of sticks and raiding the recycling, saving interesting boxes and paper. Painting stripes onto cardboard and  warming up the hot glue guns. All for our class at Koskela, demonstrating how to create your own wonderful wreath from what you most likely have just to hand.

Enjoy the following photos from the mornings class. The humble brown box has never looked so good.

High Summer Designs

Get noticed on the beach in our new range of designs just released for summer with Spotlight. The voile is perfect for kaftans, the cotton poplin just right for a Christmas party dress and the light weight drills perfect for cushions and bags. Hmm Christmas gift ideas.

looking forward to seeing what you create with these new fabrics,

Cath and Kirsten

 

Made 590

Down one end of our favourite King St, in Newtown, is made 590. A wonderful independent store that stocks a unique range of imported fancy's and locally made clothing. I happened to find myself in there last week only to find Christine wearing one of her latest desings featuring one of our latest designs! Perfect for our summer ahead. 

If you can't take a wander down King Street take a wander to their online store. 

Thanks for your support made 590.

Kirsten

Spring Printing

Last Saturday's class at Koskela was such fun. Spring is on it's way, reflected in the colour choices of our enthusiastic ladies in class.  We are always truly amazed that everyone starts with the same equipment and colour palette, yet the printed results are always so individual. We love it, and love teaching these classes. The immeadiate results that everyone achieves makes a satisfying class for all.  Here is a series of photos from last saturdays class. Watch the progression from white fabric to finished design with each layer of added colour.  

We are looking forward to our next class at Koskela on Saturday 29th September. Few places left, ring 02 9280 0999 to join in the fun. 

Cath and Kirsten

 

 

Prints Charming range of dress fabrics for Spotlight.

We are very excited to announce, we have a new Prints Charming range of spring dress fabrics, that have just arrived in Spotlight stores, all over Australia today!  And, as the days are surely becoming longer, it's the perfect time to start thinking about that new spring skirt or dress.  Read all about the range, our inspiration and see more of the fabrics here.  You'll recognise the Prints Charming bold use of colour and motifs, in all the designs.

We both met while working in the rag trade for John Kaldor, and designing dress fabrics again for another Australian company, Spotlight, has taken us full circle.

Let us know if you have any sightings in your local store! 

Cath and Kirsten

Thread a needle and start stitching.

We love embroidery and the way it can add so much colour and texture to fabric. When we design a panel embroidery is always on our mind, and as soon as the ink is dry out come the threads. 

A number of our panels have just been featured in the latest edition of Better Homes and Gardens, 7 pages of them! Make you way to the local  newsagent and take a peak.

All panels are designed and hand printed by ourselves, printed onto beautiful linen. Linen is just  lovely to embroider into, the handle changing, becoming softer the more you stitch.

All the instructions are in the magazine, and we've included free motifs that be traced and embroidered. We traced them onto scraps of linen, embroidered them to create this pin cushion and needle case. The instructions for them are also in Better Homes and Gardens. What a bumper issue, not to mention the yummy winter recipes. Embroider while the baking's in the oven. 

Rows and rows of the same stitches can create the most wonderful lush effects, and all our panels include a Prints Charming stitching booklet to help you create and learn. Also new are our thread winders, made locally just for us and the most stylish way to keep your threads in order.

 Combine thread types, we love mixing it up with all 6 strands of floss thread, married back with perle of all thicknesses. So get out your stash of threads, grab a panel and have fun stitching.

Cath and Kirsten

 

 

 

 

 

Grace Kelly in Bendigo

Grace Kelly, just the name invokes images of a beautiful women in beautiful clothing. A small selection of her clothing has been on exhibition in Bendigo for the last few months and last weekend I was fortunate enough to make the trip to Bendigo, with my Mum, to take in the exhibition.

The many outfits on display ranged from her time in movies through to her time as a Princess. Photos of her in the relevant dresses bought them to life. The craftsmanship was also of interest, quite simply they were stunning. Quotes from costume designers as well as the couturiers of her time gave you insight into her appreciation of her unique style.

It was a lovely weekend away with Mum, Grace kelly you'll be missed in Bendigo.

Kirsten