Since Studioe began at its debut at quilt market in 2008, the quilt shop only line has been known to be fashion forward and welcomed in the marketplace. We have made our prominence as a central figure among quilt shop owners with a flair in presenting a new twist on standard basics. For example, the Essentials line has taken black, white +red to a whole new level.

So, here we are now, nearly 5 years into the game and still going strong. We are about to make the Studioe line even stronger and take it to the next level. We are packing up our South Carolina bags and moving Studioe to New York City!

We have made it to the big leagues, where all the major textile converters reside. We will now be under the umbrella of our sister company, Jaftex Corporation, located on 37th Street.

Many of our licensed artists will continue to partner with us, to help keep our designs fresh and appealing. The fantastic news is that leading the charge will be a rising star in the quilting world, Megan Downer. Megan has a Master’s in Fine Arts, specializing in Fibers/Textiles, from Boston University. She also has a Bachelors degree, with honors, from West Surrey College of Art in England. Recently, Megan was a stylist with Benartex, Inc. She also held a Design Director position at Springs Creative Group in Rock Hill, North Carolina.

We are so excited to have Megan leading the Studioe team in New York. Look forward to exciting designs in the future! Thank you for your support!

As you walked the Houston Quilt Market, we hope you entered the world of Studio e Fabrics!  This was our 5th Market!  Our booth displayed numerous projects and quilts made from our newest collections such as Harmony Rose, Tree Huggers and Paper Dolls, to name a few.

Tomorrow we take off for Market, put up the booth, prepare for Quilter’s Schoolhouse, then we get to meet the shop owners and show off our new collections during the show’s three day run!  If you are attending the market we will be in Booth #1815 and for Schoolhouse we will be presenting the topic, “Beyond Boomers–Attracting Millenials” in Room 262B at 2:30 pm on Friday.  If you are attending Market, please come by to say hi, check out our lines and projects, enjoy a birthday cupcake, and put your business card in the pot for some special drawings.  If you are attending Festival, we hope you will be inspired  by all that you see to start a new project with Studio e fabrics.

Gotta go!  Talk to you after market and festival.

Happy stitching!

Debbie G.

Instead of sewing on your machine, when was the last time you did hand piecing? Cathedral Windows? Yo Yo’s? Our 5Square Packs will be your perfect partner for a quick start on handwork. Find a shady spot, thimble up, and enjoy some peaceful (or should that be pieceful?) stitching.

Karen for Debbie G.

p.s. We sincerely apologize for the long silence in adding new blogs to this website. Now that the blogger (yes, she is a still a newbie!) has been assisted with some technical issues, we should have more photos and information coming on a regular basis. Thanks for your patience!!!

April is such a beautiful time of year . . . kind of a prelude to the beauty of May when we traditionally think of all things that bloom coming to life! May 1^st, or May Day, has always brought back fond memories for me of a little lady at church who always hung a bouquet of fresh flowers on the door to my office in celebration of that day! Flowers just have a special way of lifting your spirits no matter what kind of day you’ve had. Flowers and much more will bedeck the Studio e Fabrics booth (#2620, 22, 24) at the Spring International Quilt Market in Pittsburgh, May 15-17.   Browse our new offerings, request your favorites from your local quilt shop, and start planning your next quilt with Studio e Fabrics!

Laura

]]> http://studioefabrics.com/fromthestudio/2009/in-the-merry-merry-month-of-may/feed/ 0 http://studioefabrics.com/fromthestudio/2009/its-earth-day-2009/ http://studioefabrics.com/fromthestudio/2009/its-earth-day-2009/#comments Fri, 01 May 2009 14:03:55 +0000 dgraves http://studioefabrics.com/fromthestudio/?p=45 This Wednesday we celebrate Earth Day which was first officially observed on April 22, 1970.  Designed to call public attention to our environment, the impact of human activities upon it, the limited resources of our planet, and our need to preserve and safeguard it were highlighted by this designated day.  In December of the same year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created to legally protect and enhance these aims. 

Today we hear the  rallying cries of “Reuse–Recycle–Renew” in our efforts to “green” our planet.  These “buzz” words have always been in quilters’ vocabularies and actions since our ancestresses first stitched  quilts.  These enterprising and thrifty women fed their scrapbags with reusable parts of clothing, recycled even the smallest bits in string piecing and patchwork, and renewed their supply of quilts to warm and comfort their families.   Not to mention, at times, feeding their creative souls with these material pursuits, as well.  Yes, I believe that quilters are the ultimate recyclers of the world. 

To celebrate the beauty of our Earth and its creatures, we at Studio e Fabrics offer our “Nature-ology” collection to be released this Spring.  This line features two colorways. The first boasts a fresh, spring-tinted assortment with a rich earthy brown and the second is anchored with a deep mellow red that reflects the the warm, glorious hues of autumn.  The pictorial lead print is supported by a cast of coordinates to provide quilters with a versatile palette to design, sew, and express their joy of nature.  Motifs include birds, feathers, leaves, trees, and branches, enhanced with a rustic tweed design and ornithologically-themed words.  A wall hanging kit, “Empty Nest,” and nature-inspired pillows, with free instructions on our website, will be available soon to inspire your imagination.

Single Irish Chain with Celtic Inspired Quilting

Happy March, Seamsters!

It’s already half way through the third month of the year!  It has indeed come in like the proverbial lion with snow that cancelled many functions here in our southern locale–including a day of work!  I am keeping my fingers crossed that the part about March going out like a lamb is going to be true as well!

This week includes the observance of St. Patrick’s Day.   As a quilter, I have become interested in the history of various blocks and patterns.  In honor of Ireland, I thought you might like to learn a little about the extremely popular pattern, the Irish Chain–single, double, and triple.   Some background about this pattern and others from the old country can be found at  http://www.antiquequiltdating.com/Early_Irish_Patchwork_Quilts_and_Traditions.html.  The Single Irish Chain was first documented in America in 1806  (see http://www.womenfolk.com/quilt_pattern_history/irishchain.htm for more information).  By the 1820s the Double Irish Chain had made its appearance (http://www.reddawn.net/quilt/timeline.htm), followed by its cousin, the Triple Irish Chain.

This Single Irish Chain consists of two different blocks, a nine-patch chain and a plain block.  While this pattern appears to be on the bias it is actually sewn with straight piecing.  (As an aside, this would be a good pattern for a beginner, especially with strip piecing methods.)  As the quilt is laid out, the resulting squares in the alternating blocks are ideal for applique, autographs, novelty prints, and of course, fancy, ornate quilting.  (Perhaps a shamrock would be a lovely motif?)  The layout looks best with an odd number of rows to complete the pattern. See this website for directions on how to make an Irish Chain quilt http://www.quilt.com/Blocks/IrishChain/IrishChain.html.

If you’d rather applique, another technique derived from the Land of the Leprechauns is Celtic quilting designs created with interwoven, knotlike patterns executed with bias strips. (Think illuminated manuscripts.)   If you’re interested in pursuing this style, try looking up Philomena Wiechec Durcan, a modern designer of Celtic patterns.  Another good resource for this type of design is The Great Book of Celtic Patterns: the Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Artists and Crafters by Lora S. Irish

Obviously, green would be the favorite color of the month for those of Gaelic heritage.  (Remember to have a little green about your person to avoid being pinched on St. Patty’s Day!)

Until next time,

Debbie G.

With Sweet Holiday Wishes from Studio e!

Laura and Debbie G.

Greetings from Studio e!

If you need a little down time away from your sewing machine, DMC (known for their yummy embroidery flosses, perle cottons, threads, and other wonderful needlework products for over 250 years!) has some fun in store for quilters of all ages.  Several eagle-eyed Studio e staff members attending the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) Trade Show in Anaheim, CA held the last week of January spotted their brand new introduction, “Quilt-opoly.”  This entertaining board game will be available in quilt, craft, needlework, book, and toy stores this spring.  What a cool way to keep you, your family and your guild/bee members running around the “blocks” for hours!!! (And not even break a sweat, I might add!)  Check it out at http://www.dmc-usa.com/majic/pageServer/02010102iy/en_US/index.html for more info!

Piecefully yours,

Debbie G.  

p.s.  The above character strikes a little too close to home.  Have these DMC folks been spying on me???

It’s February again, that special time for lovers of all kinds–quilt lovers, chocolate lovers, fabric lovers, …  I think you catch my drift.  This month show off your creativity in the kitchen by wearing Studio e’s “Chocolate Delight” Convertible Apron (one apron with four different looks to suit your every mood!) shown in our yummy, calorie-free “Chocolate Love” fabric line!

As a special Valentine treat, Studio e would like to share this deliciously quick and easy dark chocolate and peanut butter fudge recipe.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge (Easy as 1, 2, 3!)

(from the kitchen of Deni Thompson)

You will need:

• 1 – 12 oz. jar cream style peanut butter
• 1 – 16 oz. pkg. white chocolate chips
• 1 – 16 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Wax paper

In a double boiler, melt the peanut butter and white chocolate chips until creamy.  Line the jelly roll pan with wax paper.  Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave until melted (approx. 1 minute on high).  Pour peanut butter/chocolate mixture over wax paper and spread evenly.  Pour melted semi-sweet chocolate on top and swirl with a knife.  Refrigerate until hard.  Score and cut into 2″ pieces.  Remove from pan and store in an air tight container.  Discard wax paper.  ENJOY!

With love from Debbie G.

and all

your friends at Studio e!