Inspiration For New Quilt Year

We figured we would use Creative Canvass to explain some of the thought processes behind our textile designs. However, our first goal is to inspire – and so we are sharing this very impressive accomplishment:

Donna Diebner is the 70-years-young mom of Mike, one of our textile designers. She recently finished her very first quilt, based on the Snake River Log Cabin pattern by Judy Martin. This isn’t just any first-timer quilt – this quilt has more than a four thousand log-cabin pieces! 

Donna’s friend, Kim Spaeth – owner of Fortuna Fabrics & Crafts in Northern California – served as mentor. But even with tips from a quilt shop owner , it’s still lots and lots and lots of log cabin pieces! Donna’s sweet reward was a blue-ribbon Best of Show award at her local county fair.

She’s also the recipient of our awe and amazement!

We felt compelled to share another example of the artistry of quilting, not to mention the fact that quilting is an enjoyable pursuit at any age! It will sure keep you young!

The lovely lady with her fabulous quilt.

Bright Christmas and Coquito!

Hopefully you’ve seen (and been inspired to purchase!) digital-print fabrics under our Hoffman Spectrum. We introduced our first digital-print line last year with Flora Bonita. This group, followed by Wanderlust and then Trapezium, have been scooped up by quilters like the proverbial hotcakes. Why? Digital printing allows an unlimited number of colors and captures very complex artistic details.

We are super excited to offer our first digitally printed holiday collection for the 2015 season. Bright Christmas presents gorgeous poinsettias, fabulous textures and delicate line-drawn art. The artwork has a vintage feel yet gives a modern vibe thanks to a current color palette of maroon, coral, lime green and event a touch of pink.

The three fabrics in Bright Christmas are paired with colors selected from our Style 1895 Bali Watercolors, hand-dyed, our long-running collection of hand-dyed blender fabrics that complement both batiks and prints. All combined, we envision fantastic quilts with Bright Christmas and home fashions like a modern holiday tablecloth.

And on that holiday table, you’ll find a pitcher of “coquito,” a coconut rum eggnog that has become a favorite at the office. There are many recipes for coquito, which originated in Puerto Rico and is a very popular holiday drink from Thanksgiving through January.  Here it is:

See links to similar posts on SewCalGal’s blog …

http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/

 

Bali Lanterns

Tree lanterns in Ubud

Banana bark candle holder in Seminyak

Tiki torch in Sanur

I have been thinking of the beautiful place I visited and am dreaming of my return.  The night lights of Bali are so beautiful.  Natural leaves, flowers and bark create fresh accents.  Good night to Bali, leave the light on for me.

People

The people of Bali made the trip. Here are some fun pics for a glimpse at the way they get around. The ladies use fabric wrapped on their heads to create a platform to carry goods.   Dont forget the nap on lunch break.

Water Filtration

Finishing fabric

Marty Hoffman and Linda Fitch

Water filtration

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The last part of the process is the fabric finishing to set the dyes.  Our factory takes great care in using an elaborate water filtration system.  This minimizes the impact to the local environment.

Boiling off the Wax

Heating the water for boiling off the wax

Batiked fabric with wax

New wax

Recycling wax

Boiling off wax

Wax removal pools

After stamping the fabrics with beautiful designs and putting it through the hand dye process the wax is boiled off.  The first pool of water has boiling hot water heated by wood in the fireplace below.  One person stirs the water and the other pulls the fabric through.  The fabric then goes through a couple more pools of water where they remove any bit of wax that is left.  The wax is then recycled many times.  The dye water is also recycled and cleaned through a very elaborate water filtration system.  More pics to follow.

Hand Dyeing and Batiking

Jafar measuring dye

The first dyebath to create Chiles color batik

Carrying dyed fabric out to grass field

Looking down at the stone path with drips of dye

Ice color fabric, sprinkled with soda ash

Beautiful field of yellow

Having a try with one of my favorite tjaps - the nest

Too much fun

My batiked fabric after dipped in dye

After Jafar explained measuring and mixing dyes we watched the guys take the fabric out to the fields, then I tried my hand at stamping the fabric with the hot wax.  The copper stamp is pretty heavy.  The first step is to let the stamp sit in the hot wax for a few seconds.  Then the trickiest part for me was to shake the stamp with enough force to remove just the right amount of wax.  Then stamp the fabric and a little tap (and the perfect line up) and you are on your way.  Today they will boil off the wax - more pics to follow.