Funtastic Fabrics » All about Fabric http://www.funtasticfabrics.com Just another quilting and fabric addict! Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:33:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Moda 3 Sisters Glace is Gorgeous! http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/moda-3-sisters-glace-gorgeous/ http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/moda-3-sisters-glace-gorgeous/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:24:16 +0000 admin http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/?p=171 moda-glaceI have always loved 3 Sisters designs but boy did they do it again. Glace is a holiday collection with beautiful tones of  Burgandy, Cream, Sage Green, Brown  and Soft Blue backgrounds.

I think the collection really captures an old fashion Christmas style with these beautiful soft colors and 3 Sisters throwing in their Shabby twist.

The minute I saw this I immediately thought of the turning twenty quilt patterns. They are of course offering the jelly rolls, charm packs,  turnovers, and pre-cut goods with this line. Therefore the possibilities are endless.

As of yet Moda has not added a free pattern to their website but when they do l will  be sure to come back and update this post.

Happy Quilting, Jen

moda-quilt-fabric-strips-1-5-glace-honey-buns MODA Quilt Fabric Strips 1.5" (Glace) honey buns
US $15.20
Auction Ends: Monday Sep-06-2010 0:19:17 PDT
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moda-quilt-fabric-5-squares-glace-charm-pk-christmas MODA quilt fabric 5" squares (Glace charm pk) Christmas
US $7.99
Auction Ends: Monday Sep-06-2010 0:21:59 PDT
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moda-glace-honey-bun-christmas-fabric- Moda Glace Honey Bun Christmas fabric
US $1.79 (3 Bids)
Auction Ends: Monday Sep-06-2010 5:54:00 PDT
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moda-fabric-glace-3-sisters-crystal-white-paisley Moda Fabric - Glace - 3 Sisters - Crystal White Paisley
US $7.50
Auction Ends: Monday Sep-06-2010 11:25:30 PDT
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moda-fabric-glace-by-3-sisters-crystal-white-damask Moda Fabric - Glace by 3 Sisters - Crystal White Damask
US $7.50
Auction Ends: Monday Sep-06-2010 11:47:37 PDT
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]]> http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/moda-3-sisters-glace-gorgeous/feed/ 0 Charm Packs, What are they? http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/charm-packs/ http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/charm-packs/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:11:28 +0000 admin http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/?p=82 moda-charm-packs-300x221Charm Packs are great pre-cut 5″ squares that usually come in packs by collection. They are just so fun and so many different things can be done with them. You really can have a fast quilt top in a day. Although I recommend buying more then 1 pack. I usually get at least three of them and that will get a pretty decent size quilt with adding borders. Possibly the best thing about charm packs are they are cut so precisely that you rarely have to worry about your seams matching up.
Here are some links to some really great Free charm Pack Patterns:
Charm Quilt
Table Runner I love this one!!
Tote Bag

Happy Quilting,

Jen

3-moda-blush-charm-pack-120-5-quilt-fabric-squares-kit 3 Moda BLUSH Charm Pack 120 5" Quilt Fabric Squares Kit
US $21.99
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:53:42 PDT
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5-city-blooms-graphite-quilt-fabric-squares-charm-pack 5" CITY BLOOMS GRAPHITE QUILT FABRIC SQUARES CHARM PACK
US $3.84 (4 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:54:40 PDT
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moda-awesome-5-charm-pack-fabric-squares-kit Moda AWESOME 5" Charm Pack Fabric Squares Kit
US $3.83 (5 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:00:09 PDT
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thimbleberries-autumn-sunset-charm-pack-fabric-squares Thimbleberries Autumn Sunset Charm Pack Fabric Squares
US $2.50 (5 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:00:30 PDT
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5-chocolate-lollipop-quilt-fabric-squares-charm-pack 5" CHOCOLATE LOLLIPOP QUILT FABRIC SQUARES CHARM PACK
US $4.25 (5 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:12:29 PDT
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]]> http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/charm-packs/feed/ 0 What are Jelly Rolls? http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/jelly-rolls/ http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/jelly-rolls/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:03:43 +0000 admin http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/?p=78 moda-jelly-roll-300x250I figured I would discuss Jelly Rolls today. Jelly Rolls are a bundled of fabric(usually from the same line or collection)cut in 2.5″ strips by 44″. They are also a quick and easy way to assemble a quilt in no time flat. Moda manufactures the best Jelly Rolls on the market in my opinion. They like Charm Packs over time can become very addicting. Here are some free patterns I have found online that are super easy and fun to do with those Jelly Rolls.

Hugs and Kisses

Boxy Stars

Happy Quilting,

Jen

moda-cherish-nature-jelly-roll-40-2-5-fabric-strips Moda CHERISH NATURE Jelly Roll 40 2.5" fabric strips
US $27.99
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:03:39 PDT
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quilters-hand-dye-dyed-2-5-coton-fabric-jelly-roll-50 Quilters Hand dye/dyed 2.5"Coton fabric Jelly Roll (50)
US $15.00 (2 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:11:23 PDT
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quilters-hand-dye-dyed-2-5-cotton-fabric-jelly-roll Quilters Hand dye/dyed 2.5"Cotton fabric Jelly Roll
US $8.99 (3 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:16:22 PDT
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asian-quilting-fabric-20~-2-5-strips-jelly-rolls Asian Quilting Fabric: 20~ 2.5" Strips (Jelly Rolls)
US $14.00 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:48:13 PDT
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40-strips*civil-war-fabric*jelly-roll-quilt-fabric 40 Strips*Civil War Fabric*Jelly Roll Quilt, Fabric
US $16.50 (13 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:48:59 PDT
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]]> http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/jelly-rolls/feed/ 0 Economic Fabric Shopping http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/economic-fabric-shopping/ http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/economic-fabric-shopping/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:47:10 +0000 admin http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/?p=69 img_014891I love to fabric shop but in todays economy paying $9 dollars and higher per yard can really become expensive, and you will find you can easily spend hundreds of dollars to make a quilt.
I find myself buying more and more fabric on Ebay. Ebay really seems to be where I am finding the best deals when I need to purchase fabrics. Here is a link to our personal store: Funtastic Fabrics You will find other products from other sellers I enjoy throughout our web page.

Another great way to save is to sign up for your favorite websites newsletter. When they get desperate for money the newsletters fly. I just picked up a queen size quilt kit from my favorite website for $32.00 using all Moda Fabrics.

Tip # 3 is to just ask your local quilt shop if they offer discounts. Most shops will give a 10%-15% discount to quilt guild members. Not a member? Ask your shop if there is a local guild and join. Being a guild member is not only fun but it can save on the cost of your fabric.

Happy Quilting,
Jen

3-moda-blush-charm-pack-120-5-quilt-fabric-squares-kit 3 Moda BLUSH Charm Pack 120 5" Quilt Fabric Squares Kit
US $21.99
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:53:42 PDT
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40-lil-budds-fabric-squares-quilt-blocks-kit-sewing 40 Lil Budds/Fabric Squares/Quilt blocks/Kit/Sewing
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:54:01 PDT
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fairy-hummingbird-hedgehog-6-x7-block-fabric-squares*5 Fairy hummingbird hedgehog 6"x7" block fabric squares*5
US $2.99 (1 Bid)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:54:27 PDT
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5-city-blooms-graphite-quilt-fabric-squares-charm-pack 5" CITY BLOOMS GRAPHITE QUILT FABRIC SQUARES CHARM PACK
US $3.84 (4 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:54:40 PDT
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heather-bailey-fabric-nicey-jane-80-5-squares-pack Heather Bailey Fabric Nicey Jane 80 - 5" Squares Pack
US $12.50 (3 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:58:49 PDT
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]]> http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/economic-fabric-shopping/feed/ 0 Getting Stains out of Fabric and Quilts http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/stains-fabric-quilts/ http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/stains-fabric-quilts/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:42:01 +0000 admin http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/?p=66  

Do you have a stain that just wont budge? There is nothing more frustrating then putting hours into a project to only have it get stained. I have a little secret I have been using for quite awhile and it really has about an 85% success rate for me. Not only does it work great on quilts but it works really well on the cotton clothing!

Please note that before trying this you will definitely want to try it on a small area first to make sure it will not hurt your fabric, especially if it is a treasured older quilt. What I do is take the Clorox 2 granules and add Dawn dish detergent until it forms a paste, you will want the consistency of Elmers glue.

clorox-2dawn2

Next apply the paste to the stain and allow it to sit for about 24 hours. Throw it in the wash or if it is not washable hand wash with luke warm water and the stain should be gone!

If you have left over paste put it in a tupperware  container or a similar container and save it for the next stain!

Hope everyone enjoys this tip!

Happy Quilting!

Jen

yard-sale-directional-sign-with-stakes-lot-of-3-new- Yard Sale Directional Sign with Stakes Lot Of 3 "NEW"
US $1.69
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 20:04:12 PDT
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sale-mq-end-of-bolt-tt-west-1-2-3-yards SALE MQ End of Bolt TT West 1 2/3 Yards
US $11.50
Auction Ends: Monday Sep-06-2010 6:02:21 PDT
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sale-mq-end-of-bolt-southwest-1-2-3-yards SALE MQ End of Bolt Southwest 1 2/3 Yards
US $10.50
Auction Ends: Monday Sep-06-2010 6:24:09 PDT
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bellydance-tribal-3-yard-black-costume-veil-sale-73 BELLYDANCE TRIBAL 3 YARD BLACK COSTUME VEIL SALE #73
US $9.99 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Monday Sep-06-2010 10:00:42 PDT
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3-4-yards-plaid-wool-~-99-cent-sale 3/4 yards plaid wool ~ .99 cent sale
US $6.00 (14 Bids)
Auction Ends: Monday Sep-06-2010 18:14:09 PDT
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]]> http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/stains-fabric-quilts/feed/ 0 To Pre Wash or Not to Pre Wash Fabric http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/pre-wash-pre-wash-fabric/ http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/pre-wash-pre-wash-fabric/#comments Fri, 29 May 2009 17:51:16 +0000 admin http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/?p=12 towash-or-notFor me this is a no brain-er. If you are making clothing of any type, especially using cotton prints…pre-wash! Save yourself the headache of putting hours into something only to have it not fit after the first wash. Now of course if you are using dry-clean only fabrics you would not. Now the flip side argument I used to get with this advise is that if you are using a poly or synthetic fabric it is not going to shrink so why should I waste my time washing and ironing…although this is true to a point, there are a lot of poly and synthetic fabrics that will have colors run; some poly/cottons do have some shrinkage, and I personally prefer to find out what little washing surprise this fabric that I am going to put hours into making that special something may have in store for me. If the color bleeds it is probably a fabric I will decide to donate and not use for myself. Another pro of pre-washing and a little unknown fact is 90% of the fabrics out there come with a finish on them. This finish is chemicals that I personally do not want to have my hands touching for hours. I look at it as washing the chemicals off of my veggies…you really want to do the same for your fabric. Especially if you are like me and spend a lot of time handling it. In the end make sure you are dealing with a washable fabric.

Fabric Washing for Quilting

This is probably where I got my most heated debates. Sort of like being Republican or Democrat. I am a true and true pre-washer. My argument for this are like the arguments above. Chemicals being my first point, get that finish off of your fabrics. My second biggest point is the time you put into a quilt. I can make a dress in two hours but it can take me sometimes up to 7 days to get a quilt top I am happy with finished. Why put in all of this time to have your quilt seams rip open because you have say; a Moda fabric mixed with a Timeless Treasures fabric and both have different shrinkage rates? I can not tell you how many customers came through my door with ripped open seams in their blocks after they had had it quilted used it and washed it. My first question always was did you pre-wash your fabrics? I could almost guarantee a no.

I really recommend a pre-wash. Especially if you are doing a quilt top using different fabrics from different manufactures. Although quilt fabrics are top of the line, they do shrink on average 1/8 of an inch per 1/2 yard.

My last argument on this will be one of my favorite customers. She was not a pre-washer, as I like to say she was from the other side. She loved to put it together, get it quilted, bind it, then wash it to get that old fashioned look as she called it. She spent hours doing applique on this really fun Red Hat quilt. She had it quilted and it turned out absolutely beautiful. The backing was a gorgeous batik, mainly red with beautiful purple explosions. A Batik that seemed made just for a Red Hat Quilt. I will never forget the day she walked into our store in absolute tears as she opened up the Quilt to reveal her white background had turned pink. We fixed it- kinda(I will go over that in another post) but it took additional hours and more expense of another product. Just think if she would have pre-washed and got all of the bleeding out of the quilt. Now there is a product that can be used to catch the dye but in my opinion it is just not worth the risk!

Would love to hear your opinion on this subject!

]]> http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/pre-wash-pre-wash-fabric/feed/ 0 Picking Fabric Colors for Your Quilt http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/picking-fabric-colors-quilt/ http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/picking-fabric-colors-quilt/#comments Fri, 29 May 2009 17:49:54 +0000 admin http://www.funtasticfabrics.com/?p=19 I have to admit that before owning a quilt shop…I was color stumped on my own projects- I would sit with my quilt pattern and focal fabric and  would just stare into wall full of colorful bolts not knowing what to do. Although  it seemed I always had the gift to pick colors for other people but never myself.

1153119_colors1

Well, after being a shop owner for awhile and never having a complaint on my fabric picking- I realized…when it is our own project we tend to be harder on ourselves. When we are helping others we let our creativity flow. Not sure why or how this happens but it does.

So here is what I started doing a couple of years ago.. First I bought the Eelectric Quilt software, it is truly priceless for the quilters that are personally colored blind to their own projects. Then I magically found out you can put red with any combo in your mind. For quilting or clothing, you just got to have one uniform pattern, All of the colors you pick must be put in your quilt blocks or clothing item uniformly….Really thats it. I am currently working on a no color sense quilt….It is Ocean Blue, Deep Red, and String Bean Green…these are colors I am putting into our living space, our great room to be exact…. the color combo I found from a magazine. Colors I would have never put together but using them uniformly our great room is looking like a show off of HGTV. All colors do go well, you just have to look at magazines, TV commercials(we are lucky here to have a ton of furniture adds on TV here where I live) but if I see a color combo I like…I immediately write it down in a fabric idea journal I keep close by.

Then when I have time I just add it to Electric Quilt…and it always works out!

Get wild with your colors!! I promise you will not be sorry…colors control our moods and our creativity. Take off the color handcuffs and let yourself go, you will love getting wild!

Happy Quilt Coloring!

3-moda-blush-charm-pack-120-5-quilt-fabric-squares-kit 3 Moda BLUSH Charm Pack 120 5" Quilt Fabric Squares Kit
US $21.99
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:53:42 PDT
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5-city-blooms-graphite-quilt-fabric-squares-charm-pack 5" CITY BLOOMS GRAPHITE QUILT FABRIC SQUARES CHARM PACK
US $3.84 (4 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:54:40 PDT
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moda-awesome-5-charm-pack-fabric-squares-kit Moda AWESOME 5" Charm Pack Fabric Squares Kit
US $3.83 (5 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:00:09 PDT
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thimbleberries-autumn-sunset-charm-pack-fabric-squares Thimbleberries Autumn Sunset Charm Pack Fabric Squares
US $2.50 (5 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:00:30 PDT
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5-chocolate-lollipop-quilt-fabric-squares-charm-pack 5" CHOCOLATE LOLLIPOP QUILT FABRIC SQUARES CHARM PACK
US $4.25 (5 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:12:29 PDT
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moda-charm-pack-lumiere-de-noel-42-5-fabric-squares Moda Charm Pack - LUMIERE DE NOEL 42 5" Fabric Squares
US $6.88 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:16:23 PDT
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3-rjr-provence-charm-packs-81-5-quilt-fabric-squares 3 RJR Provence Charm Packs - 81 5" Quilt Fabric Squares
US $12.95 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:16:31 PDT
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thimbleberries-pine-&-rose-charm-pack-5-fabric-squares Thimbleberries Pine & Rose Charm Pack 5" Fabric Squares
US $0.01 (2 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:21:32 PDT
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moda-charm-pack-whimsy-42-5-quilt-fabric-squares Moda Charm Pack - WHIMSY - 42 5" Quilt Fabric Squares
US $6.88 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:29:39 PDT
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3-rjr-shasta-charm-packs-63-quilt-cotton-fabric-squares 3 RJR Shasta Charm Packs 63 Quilt Cotton Fabric Squares
US $9.95 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:37:35 PDT
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