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Tuesday, 21 January 2025

Introducing Plentiful fabric collection and Sawtooth Sky quilt pattern!!!

Hi! Happy 2025!


As we step into this fresh chapter, I want to take a moment to THANK you for being part of this creative journey with me. 

Your support and passion inspire me every day.

This year, I’m excited to bring you even more ideas, patterns, and inspiration to fuel your creativity. 


And I am starting this year introducing my newest quilt pattern Sawtooth Sky!


I had so much fun making this version of this pattern in Seedling, although that was totally not my intention.

As usual, each of my quilt patterns is inspired by my fabric collections, and Sawtooth Sky was created with Plentiful in mind. However, the holiday rush had its own plans, causing a few shipping hiccups along the way. A package that usually takes less than a week to arrive turned into a month-long adventure! So, I had to quickly regroup and choose a different fabric group. And what better way to make a quilt than with my trusted Seedling fabrics? They're my go-to choice when I need a fabric that reads as a solid but is actually a faux textured print, right?

 

The fabrics used are: 

Fabric A          SDL20115 Seeds Sage 

Fabric B          SDL20111 Seeds Copper      

Fabric C          SDL20117 Seeds Pewter       

Fabric D          SDL20114 Seeds Fog 

Fabric E          SDL20112 Seeds Flax



 Here are some of the options in throw size, as seen on page 13.

And my dear friend Sue Vinyard made and quilted this version of the throw quilt in Plentiful prints. 




Here are the requirements in Plentiful:

 

Fabric A                 PLE86109 Floristry Eucalyptus                  2  1/4 yds     

Fabric B                 PLE96105 Blooming Prairie Marigol          5/8 yd              

Fabric B accent     PLE96101 Dancing Florets Solar               1/8 yd  

Fabric C                PLE96100 Melodic Plumage Night             1 3/4 yds                  

Fabric D                PLE96104 Efflorescent Blanket Lava          1 3/4 yds  

Fabric E                PLE96106  Seed Tray Deep                        1 1/4 yds 


You can find this fabric combo available as a fabric kit at Mallory's Fieldstone Fabric shop.


Here's a beautiful version of the FQ friendly option that my friend Alicia Jones of Wild Blooms QuiltCo made.



Here's the requirements page that can help with choosing prints from my Seedling fabric collections.

Click on the picture so that you can see better all the names of the 1-21 AGF prints.


Another amazing throw quilt pattern version was created by my friend Debbie Grosskopf of Mumziepooh. Her stars are truly shining, don't you agree?




And last, but certainly not the least is this glorious version created by Julie and Rachel team of The Sewing Arts, also available as fabric kit, called the Barrier Reef.



And finally, the Plentiful Look Book by Art Gallery Fabrics was just released, and there's a lot more inspiration to get you ready for the season of blooms!



xx, Katarina




Friday, 7 June 2024

Pumpkin quilt block - pillow front tutorial

 

My Eerie fabric collection is already shipping and available in shops, and before doing the regular post introduction about the collection, I have prepared this fun pumpkin block tutorial.


Decorative pillow covers are the easiest and fastest way to change your home décor without a major investment. Bold and funky patterns can sometimes feel overwhelming if used in larger home décor projects but can be fantastic for smaller-scale projects like pillows. They add a touch of color and pattern to your home space. Additionally, quilting adds texture and stability to the sewing/piecing, while trimming around the edges provides a modern look.



To get the printable template, download it HERE.


The featured fabrics: “Creepy Crawlers Tang”, “In The Dark”, “Creepy Crawlers Cement” and  “Seeds Olive” by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabrics.



 

Materials

For 1 pillow, finished size 14" x 13.5”

(I suggest adding sashing/borders around if bigger size is needed)

 

-Fabrics:


Fabric A:  Creepy Crawlers Tang, Fat quarter

Fabric B:  In The Dark, Fat eight

Fabric C:  Creepy Crawlers Cement,  Fat eight

Fabric D:  Seeds Olive, 2.5" square


Decorative trim (pipping or similar): 2 yds

-Medium weight, one-sided fusible interfacing or batting - 16 x 16” piece 

-14"x14” pillow insert

-Cutting mat and rotary cuter 

-Ruler  

-Scissors

-Iron

-Needle and thread

-Sewing machine

-Pins, clips

-Fabric pencil or marker

 

 

CUTTING:

¼ seam allowances are included

 

Two (2) 2.5“ x 14.5” rectangles from Fabric A

Three (3) 2.5” squares from Fabric A

Eight (8) 2.75” squares from Fabric A

One (1) 2.5“ x 4.5” rectangle from Fabric A

Two (2) 2“ x 7.5” rectangles from Fabric A

Two (2) 3.5“ x 4.5” rectangles from Fabric A

Four (4) 2.75” x 4.75” rectangles from Fabric B

One (1) 2.5“ x 4.5” rectangle from Fabric B

Two (2) 2” squares from Fabric B

Four (4) 2.5” squares from Fabric C

Two (2) 2.5“ x 6.5” rectangles from Fabric C

One (1) 2.5“square from Fabric D




Pillow front: pumpkin block

 

Guided by the cutting and fabric requirements, make 4 Flying geese units.


 • Prepare the 2 ¾” (2.75") squares in fabric A for the wings and 2 ¾” x 4 ¾” (2.75” x 4.75”) in fabric B for the geese body to make the FG units. Mark a diagonal line across the wrong side of all 2 ¾” squares. Place one square on the right corner of a corresponding rectangle, right sides together. Stitch across the corner on the line. Trim off corner, leaving a 1/4" seam. Press corner up.

Place another square on the left corner of the same rectangle, right sides together. Note that the second square will overlap the first one (that’s because you need to obtain the ¼” seam allowance at the top of 

the triangle’s point). Stitch across the corner on the marked line. Trim off corner, leaving a 1/4" seam. 

Press corner up. After all the FG units are sewn together,  trim them to obtain  2 ½ ”x 4 ½ “ units.


Flippy corners on rectangles (row 2, 4 and 6):


• With wrong side up, mark all 2”corner squares in fabric B and 2.5”corner squares in fabric C in half 

diagonally to determine the central - sew line. 

• Paying close attention to the orientation of each corner square: place and align them on the 

corresponding 2” x 7.5“ (row 4) and 2.5” x 14.5“ rectangles (for row 2 and 6) in fabric A and sew along the central diagonal line. 

• Trim off corners, leaving a 1/4” seam allowance, press seams as desired, flipping the corner. 


More about flying geese construction and floppy corners, you can learn HERE.



Adding the trim

 

With right side of the pillow front up, start pinning the trim all way around, starting from one corner and rounding it slightly on all corners. Sew the trimming in place, with the smallest seam allowance possible, finishing where you started, overlapping the trim’s edges.

 

Note: there are different weights, qualities and sizes of the trims, and depending on that, you may be able or not to slightly round the corners for the nice and professional finish. Thinner and softer trimmings are more suitable for shaping, while with thicker trimmings, you may be forced to cut the trimming separately for each of the pillow’s edges and overlap the edges on all corners. 

 

Pillow back


The easiest way to make the pillow back is with simple envelope back. 

Take the rectangles cut for the pillow back (2 Fat quarters), fold and press them on the longer side (22”) in half, wrong sides inside, so that you obtain two 18 x 11” pieces. 

 

Pillow assemble

 

Overlap the back pieces, squaring them and place the pillow front with right side inside-facing the overlapped backs. Pin all layers together and cut the backs leftover edges to the size of the pillow front- 14.5" x 14”. Sew around all edges with ¼ seam allowance, rounding the corners slightly, to prevent protruding. Turn the pillow case right side out and place the pillow insert inside.









Wednesday, 20 March 2024

Abstrart fabric collection and addition of Seedling new colors


Hi friends! Happy spring!
I received my advanced yardage of the Abstrart and Seedling fabric collections in February, as a perfect Valentine's gift, which kept me quite busy. 

Unlike previous collections, "Abstrart" brings a fresh perspective to fabric design with its dynamic and expressive prints that are celebrating the beauty of imperfection and the fluidity of modern design. Its clean lines, minimalistic geometric shapes, striking contrasts and abstract prints offer unparalleled flexibility in cutting and usage, allowing for boundless creativity without the fear of making a wrong cut. This collection incorporates small ditsy scratches, lines, fragments, stylized motifs that are reflecting a modern aesthetic that is both timeless and on-trend. The intertwining of organic fragments suggests a connection to nature, while the intuitive motifs hint at the creative spontaneity behind the collection. 

The color palette is highly restricted and quite neutral, very graphic, while minimalist designs emphasize simplicity and clarity. One colorway is monochromatic, featuring whitish to blackish greys and the other showcases muted, toned-down, mostly warm earthy tones, creating a subtle and understated harmony.


 




Furthermore, Seedling collection embodies the spirit of mixing and matching. It opens the door to a world of endless possibilities, especially when you are looking for a print that reads as a solid, but features a very subtle seed or dot-like design with a texture that mimics woven fabrics.



With my Seedling prints in mind, I created a quilt pattern series called The Chromaflick quilt patterns. They are designed as simple and beginner-friendly, utilizing only basic squares along with a straightforward 3-patch blocks. There are three different quilt  layouts: Chromaflick Dot, Chromaflick Cathedral and Chromaflick Chevron, allowing experimenting with color and color placement, using contrast and harmony as two powerful principles of visual communication. 

I can't wait to share more about these new quilt patterns in my next post;)
Katarina
xx

Tuesday, 12 March 2024

Twisted Knot Fabric Headband tutorial


In the realm of fashion, accessories are the unsung heroes that elevate an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary. Among these, headbands stand out as versatile pieces that not only add a touch of style but also serve a practical purpose. 
If you're eager to infuse your wardrobe with a dash of creativity and flair, crafting your own knot fabric headbands is a delightful endeavour that promises both style and comfort.
knot fabric headbands offer endless possibilities for expression.


Instructions:

Knot fabric headbands are not only chic and fashionable but also incredibly easy to make. With just a few materials and a bit of creativity, you can customize these headbands to suit your unique style and personality. Whether you're aiming for a bohemian vibe, a retro-inspired look, or a modern twist,

Materials Needed:

1. Fabric rectangle 8" x 20" (20 cm x 50 cm)

2. Fabric rectangle 8" x 26" (20 cm x 66 cm)

3. Fabric rectangle 3" x 8" (8 cm x 20 cm) - for elastic casing

    4. Elastic band 4" long x 1" wide (10 cm x 2,5 cm)

Begin by measuring and cutting your fabric. Keep in mind that the width will determine the thickness of the headband, while the length will determine how snugly it fits around your head. If you don't want to make the double knot, but prefer to just scrape one strip through another (making just one hoop), then cut both large rectangles to the same size: 8" x 20".

  1. Sew the Seam: fold all three rectangles lengthwise and stitch along the open longer edge of the fabric to create a seam, leaving both shorter ends open. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the seam.


  2. Turn Inside Out: Carefully turn the fabric inside out so that the right side is now facing outward. Use a blunt object, such as a chopstick or pencil, to gently push out the corners and create clean edges.

    Fold and Iron: placing the seam in the centre, press the rectangles-tubes. This will ensure a polished finish.


  3. Insert Elastic: Using a safety pin or bodkin, thread the elastic through one end of the smallest rectangle (elastic casing), securing it with a pin or clip. Topstitch at one shorter end and then on the other end to secure it inside and prevent it from slipping through.


    Stitch elastic casing to headband: Fold the first fabric tube in half, so that the shorter ends overlap and the seam stays inside. Place one shorter end of the elastic casing on the centre, overlap both short ends over the elastic, clip and sew. Turn the bigger rectangle over it, so that the raw edge stays secured underneath. Now the other longer tube needs to go in between the first loop, so just make a hoop and then make a regular knot (tying the knot and therefore "loosing some length" is the reason why this rectangle is 6" longer than the first one). Now repeat the same process for the other side: place the shorter raw ends together, then place the other raw end of the elastic casing on the top, overlap the edges, clip and topstitch. Just push the raw edges underneath the sewn tubes and you are done!


  4. Your knot fabric headband is now ready to wear and enjoy!


You can watch the video for better comprehension that is available on my Instagram profile. I will make sure to film another one soon that will be uploaded to my YouTube channel with horizontal setting.


Happy sewing, Katarina

Thursday, 1 February 2024

Florence fabric collection



I was certain that I had already created a post about the release of my latest Florence fabric collection, but I suppose I was mistaken and confused it with my newsletter.


Great thing is that the Look Book is also out and it's full of inspirational projects and ideas!

Trying to capture the beauty of the Italian city of Florence and its masterpieces from the high Renaissance period, Florence is another sightseeing venture through this collection’s painted florals and geometrical details. This collection celebrates some of the most significant paintings, sculptures, and architectural details from the city’s major museums and buildings, such as Duomo, Uffizi, and Palazzo Medici-Riccardi. The color palette in earthy terra-cotta tones with contrasting sky blues is drawn from Botticelli’s paintings—an ode to beauty, divine love, and the richness of the world.




Must say that among my favorites is a version of my Duomo quilt pattern created by my friend Sue
I hope that I will have time to create a wearable version of it. 


I also created a set of bags for the look book and the Birdie bag is my favourite bag, created 12 yrs ago for the first time and can be found as a free downloadable pattern with tutorial in this post.




This last one is my favourite Marta shopping bag, as it's reversible and so huge, can carry a lot.


I can not wait to see more projects created with Florence, I hope this may inspire you as well!
xx
Katarina