Grand Revival Designs

Petal Quilting Giveaway

Free Spirit is having a giveaway of 30 fat quarters of Petal, due to be released in April. Just leave a comment on their facebook page by tomorrow for a chance to win!!

xoxo,

t

Petal Home

Had some fun photographing my new fabric collection Petal today. It'll be available in the fall some time. It's my first home dec collection for Free Spirit. Cotton sateen for upholstery, bedding, bags, etc. Works for structured clothing as well. These were just test shots so I wasn't paying too much attention to wrinkles and lumpy pillows but I really liked them and after all life comes with lumps and wrinkles and can still be beautiful. It's a bit more grown up then my recent fabric collections. It's for big girls I guess though I can still see some pretty holiday dresses and hats for little girls. I seem to always see a little girl somewhere in every collection. Crossing my fingers that you'll like it. Will put up some more pics soon with more of the designs.

Hope you're having a wonderful Labor Day!

xoxo

Umm, can I ask you for a favor?

I Love You Necktie

Camille Pleated Skirt

Tiered Skirt

I hate to be a pain and ask but shameless as I am I will...Would you mind terribly reviewing my book on Amazon? You don't have to have bought the book there, you can even have gotten it from the library, but if you've read the book, like it, feel like others might too and possibly have a couple minutes to review it, I just would be so extremely grateful, like seriously, totally, forever, grateful...

Even if you've just bought it and never get around to reviewing it, can I just say, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! 

Everything I do, design, just "put out there", including this book, still feels like the first time I walked into that little shop in Monterey CA where I was living, with my baby girl wearing a little cloche hat I had made her, and asked in a stammering (and sweaty) way, "um, I make these hats, would you maybe want to buy them for your shop?". And every time someone says, "ok, I'll give that a try" I still feel the same way, which is to say, incredibly, sincerely just grateful...

xoxo

t

Barefoot Roses is back! and a giveaway...

My first fabric collection, Barefoot Roses, is back! The twelve most popular patterns and colors will be released in March. I must admit I've missed her! The fabric cycle moves so fast now and I don't get to spend as much sewing time with each collection now so it's fun to have this one back. Can't wait to sew with it which I did alot of when it was first released as you can see. Must say, it makes me nostalgic... My kids were so much smaller when it first came out. Anyway, I'm excited about it so....

The giveaway! 

-the prize: 12 fat quarters of the collection and a signed copy of my book Sew What You Love

-one comment enters you to win 

-a comment letting me know you "shared" the Amazon link to my book (just click "share" under the shopping cart) on facebook, twitter, pinterest or your blog enters you 3 times (3 times greater chance). Friend me on facebook if you link there so I can confirm (you can de-friend me right after, I promise not to be upset!).

-a comment letting me know you "shared" the Amazon link to my book (just click "share" under the shopping cart) in 3 places (eg. facebook, twitter and your blog) enters you to win 10 times (ten times greater chance). Friend me on facebook if you link there so I can confirm (you can de-friend me right after, I promise not to be upset!).

-and don't forget about this "share" promotion where I'll email you a free bag pattern pdf for a link to the Amazon page for my book.Friend me on facebook if you link there so I can confirm (you can de-friend me right after, I promise not to be upset!).

The random number generator will determine the winner.

Wishing you a very rosey Wednesday!

xoxo

t

 

Giveaway Winner! finally

I know, this is way overdue. The random number generator says the winner of the giveaway is number 64. Congratulations to Melody J. 

Thank you so much to everyone who participated. Especially thank you for taking the time to say something sweet. Those comments honestly keep-me-going! They seriously do. There will be lots more chances to win the book over the next few weeks which I'll let you know about as they come up.

xoxo

t

Yvestown & me

Many of you will already know Yvonne Eijkenduijn through her gorgeous blog Yvestown. She inspires so many with her perfect, spare, light, vibrant and pretty aesthetic as expressed through her decorating, home remodeling, gardening, craft and even her recipes. She has a really unique, immediately recognizable style that is completely her own, it's just Yvestown. I've been a huge fan of hers for years, and then I got the honor to work with her on my book! Many of the photos in the book were taken in her home, many by Yvonne herself. It was incredibly fun to work with her, just hang out with her and her wonderful husband Bo, and eat her seriously delicious food!! You can see more of Yvonne's inspirational style here. She's having a giveaway of my book and 2nd prize of a downloadable pattern. Just leave a comment on her blog to enter. Here's my little interview with Yvonne, questions I've been wanting to ask her for a long time, about her style, inspirations and tips...

 

Q. Your style is so recognizable Yvonne. Where did it come from? Has it evolved over time? How would you say it's changed over the years?

A. After reading an interview with the, then, infamous Cath Kidston I fell in love with how she used floral patterns on a fresh and modern canvas. I wanted that for my home so I made a colour scheme for myself and stuck to that. I only use white, blue, red, pink and green and it works. Even when I go shopping I stick to these colours so I instantly know what goes and what doesn't. As my house changed from a small cute home to a large scary home I had to mature my style a bit, robust and smooth lines have replaced the nursery cute.

Q. Is there a particular culture or mix of cultures that have influenced your style?

A. I love Sweden and England, both countries are largely present in my decorating style. I love the swedish philosophy of using a lot of white to let the sun in and I love all the charm of the English countryside. I try to mix that up.

Q. You mix modern, streamlined, and inexpensive Ikea pieces with older, more flea market pieces and floral patterns with such ease. It's a mix that feels so fresh and authentic. Do you have any tips for how others can make this blend work in their home?

A. I just have one rule; don't go for just cheap because eventually it will look cheap. Try to mix classic design furniture with antiques but don't go for anything heavy or frilly. As designer furniture and IKEA furniture are streamlined you'll have to streamline your antiques and flea market finds as well. Don't be scared to paint or recover anything as you can do it again if it doesn't feel right. Try to balance well and always, always customize your IKEA purchases.

Q. I love that your blogging for IKEA Live! Can you tell us a bit more about this?

A. I'm really excited about this writing opportunity as I'm a big IKEA fan and I feel strongly affiliated with their philosophy and designs. I like that I don't have to contribute a whole lot of contents as I don't want to neglect my blog. I love all the opportunities that are be given to me all thanks to me blog and the people who read it. It will always be my number one the place in the world.

Q. One thing that always amazes me about you is that you're totally unafraid to change something you've done to your home. Even when it's already gorgeous you go and change it to something gorgeous in a different way. It seems like you almost treat your home as a canvas...I really admire this as I tend to be afraid to change anything once I've got it looking pretty good. What's your philosophy about this?

A. I keep changing rooms until they are right and then I sell my home LOL. Well this seems to be my trend. I always feel I can improve a room and I will keep improving it until it's right and then I don't touch it again. In a way it's a blank canvas I can throw all my ideas and creativity at. My home is my art project.

Q. I always love your crochet designs so much. What role does crafting play in your life?

A. It's everything to me, if I haven't been making anything I get nervous. To me4 a day without craft is a day without sun.

Q. What is your favorite shade of white paint for a room?

A. All White by Farrow & Ball

Q. Best gardening tip?

A. Don't wear gardening gloves, feel the dirt.

Q. Do you have any projects coming up that you feel like sharing?

There are so many great things I'm going to do this year but I'm strictly forbidden to talk or write about them.

 

Sew What You Love giveaways

There are a couple of giveaways of Sew What You Love, Sugar Hill and a free project from the book I wanted to let you know about. Just leave a comment at Sewmamasew and Craft Gossip for a chance to win.

xoxo

t

Sharing is nice, right?

Sharing is nice, right? Share the book and
receive a free bag pattern download!

Here's how. Go to Amazon.com, then click the share button on the right side of
the Sew What You Love Amazon page to share it on your Facebook
or Twitter account, or your blog or website. Then email tanya@grandrevivaldesign.com, let
me know you shared, which pattern you'd like and your email and
I'll send you the pattern download. Easy as that. The pattern choices are below.

My book, Sew What You Love, available today!!! Sneak Peak and a little bonus...

Oh goodness, it seems a bit surreal that this thing is finally happening. It feels very weird to write that my book is actually available as of today. And, I just found out it's already been reviewed (there are a couple of other project pictures there), wow.

But as it actually is available today, despite my own disbelief, I wanted to tell you a bit about it and show some of the pictures that didn't make it into the book. The book contains almost 30 projects (the almost 30 sounds weird but depending on how you count them you could say there are 32 projects because some projects have variations that required a whole separate set of instructions. There are also some super quick and easy sidebar projects.)

The projects are divided into bags, home, children's projects including toys, bedding and clothing, and adult clothing. My goal was for the projects to simple enough for anyone to sew without being boring, to be pretty, versatile and to be really practical, in other words, projects you would really want to make and use in your every day life. There are lots of full size patterns in a nice envelope at the back of the book. I wanted the book to be really easy to use so nothing in the book needs to be enlarged.

This book was one of the most difficult and rewarding things I've ever done and at this point, out in the world as it is, all I can say is that I really, truly hope you like it...

I also just want to say thank you to my mother, Linda Whelan. She did all the technical illustrations in the book and supported me in every way possible during the writing process. I could not have done it without her. Boy, do I love my mom...

And, I really need to say thank you so much to every one who reads this blog, and those who buy my fabrics and patterns. None of this would have happened without you, and I'm very, very grateful to you every day. Thank you, like seriously, just thank you for the support and kindness you've given me in the last few years...

To celebrate the release of the book I'm giving away 3 downloadable patterns to anyone who buys the book in the next week. Scroll down to the bottom to see the patterns. I'll be explaining how this will work in the next post. 

Below are pictures of some of the projects from the book. These pictures didn't work for one reason or another (I took like 3000 or something) but the projects are the same as in the book.

 

I love this picture of the Big Easy Sling project (a great big reversible bag, super easy to make) but it was too dark in the foreground, too light in the background and wouldn't have printed well.

I love this picture of the box ottoman taken in wonderful Yvonne's gorgeous house, the prettiest house I've ever seen (owned by one of the loveliest people I've ever met) and the setting for many of the pictures in the book. This is just a variation on a baby blocks project in the kids section of the book but I wanted to present a really easy method to make blocks to any size so they could be used as fun squishy seating for a kids room.

My little Ava girl wearing the Juliette blouse project that can be made with short or long sleeves, as dress, or with shirring at the bodice or any combination of these. I wanted to provide a simple pattern the could be used to make lots of variations. This picture was a bit dark and the shirt a bit too washed out to use for the book.

Ok, I know the dress is a bit short!! Goodness, it looks like an ice skating costume or something. It's the Chloe dress, super easy and versatile with a fitted front and shirred back to give a great fit that's also comfortable. Basically, I was rushing to try to catch the light (trying to catch light in Belgium in the winter is not easy and something I was constantly in a panic about while trying to take the pictures for this book) and instead of trying the dress on the model and then carefully pinning it to the correct length I just held it up to her, guestimated, cut and hemmed it. Um, oops. And, to make matters worse the skirt is wrinkled, ugh. We did use another version of this picture in the book, cropped above the hem...

That's a bit better, the skirt length that is. Same dress as above, the Chloe strapless. I do give instructions for straps though as an option. I think this is really classic, feminine silhouette and could be made, depending on the fabric for so many things from a picnic to holiday party. I had originally wanted to make each project in a variety of fabrics to show versatility but there just was not enough time darn it. So, I indulged in some silly and sloppy photoshopping this morning. I went sort of innocent sweet with my original grey dot fabric but I'd love to see this dress made in black with a big red rose at the waist....

This one is the Every Day Tunic. I didn't time it but it is extremely quick and easy to make. I really wanted to include some knit projects in the book because knit is so extremely practical and comfortable. I think this picture is quite lovely but there are a bunch of problems with lighting and focus, ugh again!! There's a good one in the book though.

 

This is a picture from the actual book of the Go-To Top or Dress. The reviewer I mentioned above had it up so figured why not share it here. Again, super simple to make!

And finally, these are the three downloadable patterns I'll be giving away to anyone who buys the book this week. More details on that in the next post.

 

My Mother Makes the Cutest Christmas Things

My mother, Linda Whelan, makes the cutest Christmas things. Stockings, tags, ornaments all made with a combination of new and vintage fabrics. Check out her etsy store Xmas Muse if you're looking for sweet gifts or decorations for Christmas.

xoxo,

t

Sugar Hill Fabric and Book Giveaway!!!

It's been a long while since I had a giveaway, too long. I just received the my actual book, bound and everything!!!, this week and have been over the moon. I wanted to celebrate with a giveaway of 24 fat quarters of my new fabric collection Sugar Hill and a signed copy of my book, Sew What You Love (which is, btw, available for pre-order). Both may take a while to get to you though since neither have yet been officially released. I think sometime in December the winner will be receiving them. Just leave a comment for a chance to win and celebrate with me!!!

Oh and don't forget this on going promotion where if you link to the book from your blog, website, facebook or twitter page you receive this free pattern download.

Hope you're having a beautiful Saturday!!!

xoxo,

t

Pleated Wrap Skirt Tutorial

I see a huge amount of traffic coming to this post from tumbler and I couldn't resist letting people know that in the next post I have a giveaway of my new fabric collection and new book going on right now. I'd love you to enter!! Just leave a comment in the next post for a chance to win. Thanks for stopping by!!

OK, here's the original skirt tutorial post:

Here's the tutorial I mentioned in the last post. This is another great and simple way to make a classic pleated skirt, this time a wrap. It's really just like making a very wide pleated apron. These are great for kids because the wrap detail means it will fit for a while. This tutorial shows how to make it to any size. Here goes:

Supplies

tape measure or long string and ruler
pencil
iron
pins
use 1/4 inch seam allowances
fabric amounts depend on measurements of the wearer

1. Figure the skirt width. Measure the wearers waist using a tape measure or long string and a ruler. Multiply that number by 2.66, round to the nearest half inch, and then add 8 (for a 6 inch overlap and 2 inch seam allowance). Add 8" to the waist measurement and then multiply by 2.66.

example: waist = 28"           28 x 2.66 = 74.48               74.5 + 8 = 82.5

28 + 8 = 36           36 x 2.66 = 95.76

2. Figure the length of the waistband/ties by adding 21 inches to the final skirt width by 2.5" wide. If you need to, It's fine to piece two fabrics together along the short side to achieve the correct length though I wouldn't piece more then two fabrics because you'll get too many noticeable seams.

3. Figure the skirt length. Measure from waist to where you want the skirt to fall. Add 1.25" for hem and seam allowance.

4. Cut your fabric according to these measurements.

5. Make the pleats. First hem the short edges of the skirt. Fold the raw edges to the wrong side by 1/2", press, repeat and topstitch. Along the top raw edge of your fabric use a pencil to make marks 1.5" apart. Use an iron to press pleats in alternating directions at every 1.5" mark and pin in place.

6. Attach the skirt band/tie.  With right sides facing place the band/tie, off center so that it will be about 8" longer on one side then the other, on top of the top (pleated) edge of the skirt aligning raw edges. Pin and sew the band/tie to the skirt. Press the raw edge of the band/tie to the wrong side by 1/4" down the entire length. Press the raw edges of the short sides of the ties to the wrong side by 1/2". Fold the band over so that the 1/4" pressed fold covers the raw edges of the seam on the wrong side of the skirt and pin. You are essentially using the band as you would seam binding. Starting in the middle of the skirt, topstitch very close to the folded edge of the the band on the wrong side of the skirt to the end of one tie. Repeat. Press the raw edge of the bottom of the skirt to the wrong side by 1/2". Repeat. Pin and sew to hem. Press the entire skirt to emphasize pleats and get a crisp edge on the top edge of the band.

Pleat Crazy-Pleated Wrap Skirt

 


There seems to be a theme emerging these last few posts. I've got pleats on the brain obvously. I love the design of this skirt because it's classic, versatile, super easy to make, can be made to any size and because it's a wrap skirt it will fit a little girl for a couple of years. I'll have a tutorial up soon for this and in addition to the clutch with the pleating detail, I have yet one more tutorial in my mind for a pleated skirt made from outgrown kids leggings. I think I'll give pleats a rest at that point, for a while anyway.

xoxo

t

Sweet Thing Clutch or.....

                                                         Or

 

Well, either way I'll have a tutorial up soon.

xoxo,

t

 

Crafts Beautiful Magazine and Homemade London

I recently made two wonderful discoveries when the lovely Natalie Osborn, an editor from Crafts Beautiful Magazine, www.crafts-beautiful.com contacted me to let me know she had used my fabric for a lampshade workshop at the beautiful crafting venue Homemade London and had featured the experience in an article for the magazine. I'm a fan of anything that encourages others to explore and express their creativity in new ways and Crafts Beautiful really does that with lots of ideas and inspiration for papercraft, sewing, and jewelry crafting to name a few. I'll be working with Crafts Beautiful on a couple of exciting things in the next few months which I'm thrilled about and as for Homemade London I love the idea of this place. A beautiful environment to learn and craft lots of different kinds of things in one space. I wonder if this is a trend?? I haven't seen anything like it up till now and I'm just loving the idea.

I'll have another tutorial up for a cute little clutch soon. I'm packed with creative energy lately. I'd felt a bit sapped of it for a few months after the book was finished. Suddenly though so many projects are coming to mind that I want to share...

xoxo,

t

Easy Peasy Pleated Skirt Tutorial

 


This is a super easy way to make a very full, twirly pleated skirt without a zipper and without having to sew the pleats along their length. It's made up of a top band sewn to a pleated skirt. It can be made to any size. I used cotton quilt weight fabric but chorduroy or wool would be great too.

Sorry for the not great pictures and rough diagrams but I'm trying not to be such a perfectionist about such things as it holds me back from posting projects when I try to make everything look perfect...

If you're looking for a ruffled skirt tutorial, take a look at this one I did a few years back.

And don't foget about the book-link-free pattern promotion in my last post if you haven't seen it yet.

What you need:

Tape measure or long string and ruler or yardstick
Pencil
3/4" wide elastic
Iron
Pins
Safety pin
Fabric amounts depend on measurements in step 1

Use .25" seam allowances

1.Figure the width and length of the front and back pleated portion of the skirt. Measure child around her hips at the widest part. If you don't have a tape measure use a long string and a yardstick to get this measurement. Divide this number by two and then multiply by 2.66. To this number add .5" (for the seam allowance). Round this number to the nearest whole number. This is the final width (un-pleated) of the front and back panels of the pleated portion of the skirt.
 
Example: Hips=30". 30/2 = 15(2.66) = 39.9 + .5 = 40.4. Round to 40".

***Note: this skirt is easy to make smaller if the final size is too big but it can't be made bigger. It wouldn't hurt to add one more inch per panel in addition to the seam allowance and then take it by sewing the side seams if it's too big.

To figure out the length, measure from the top of your girls hips, but not her waist as the skirt is meant to sit a bit low, to where you want the skirt to fall. I like it to fall about mid thigh to be worn with leggings or tights. It's best to measure her in back so you can take her backside into account. Subtract 2.75" from this measurement.

Cut a rectangle of fabric to the final width and length measurements.

2. On the top raw edge of both the front and back panels make a mark with a pencil every 1.5". Make a pleat every 3" by pulling up at mark A, folding at mark B and pulling A over to meet mark C (see step 2 diagram). Repeat treating the next mark as "A". Press the first couple inches of each pleat with an iron and pin in place. When you get to the end, if there isn't enough fabric left for a full pleat just leave it un pleated. Before proceeding, make sure the front and back panels are the same size after pleating.

3. To make the top band, cut two rectangles of fabric that are as wide as the pleated portion of the skirt and about 6" long.

4. With right sides together sew the band pieces to the top raw edge of the pleated pieces to form the front and back of the skirt (see step 4 diagram) It's easiest to sew this in the direction of the pleats and with the pleats on top. Remove the pins. With right sides together, sew the front of the skirt to the back of the skirt along the sides.
 
At this point, try the skirt on your girl. It should fit easily over her hips without being huge. Take it in along the side seams if it's too big and trim the seam allowances.

5. Make the casing for the elastic. Fold the top raw edge of the skirt to the wrong side (inside of the skirt) by .5" and press. Fold again by 1", press and sew close to the folded edge. Leave about 1" un sewn near one side seam as this is where the elastic will be inserted.

6. Pin the safety pin to the elastic and work the elastic through the opening in the casing around and back to the opening. Try the skirt on your girl one more time and pull the elastic so that it's slightly smaller then the skirt but still comfortable. Cut elastic to this length plus 1". Overlap the ends of the elastic by .5" and sew together. Sew the opening in the casing closed.

7. Hem the skirt. Fold the bottom raw edge of the skirt to the wrong side (inside) by .5", press, repeat and sew close to the folded over edge.

 

Free Pattern Download

 

So, I have a little promotion going on. I'm offering a free download of one of the two patterns above to anyone who links from their blog, website, facebook or twitter feed to my book, Sew What You Love, on both Barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.com. Just email the links to me at tanya@grandrevivaldesign.com for confirmation and I'll email you the free download link within 24 hours (probably much sooner then that but I might be walking the dog or taking a shower or something). A text link is fine but if you want to use the book cover photo on my right side bar that would be wonderful. Oh and let me know which pattern you'd like to download.

Below are a couple of projects from the book. More sneak peaks and details about the book coming soon.

 

 

 

 

Jacob Marley=true love

Well, I always new I wanted children but I never knew just how much I wanted a dog until we got one. Jacob Marley is a 9 week old Golden Doodle. We saw one a few years ago driving in Manhatten on a cold winter night. A young woman was walking down the street with this great big, deliriously happy looking, bounding, long haired white dog which I recognized as a Golden Doodle as we'd been doing a little bit of research on hypo-allergenic dogs. The dog was too big to be a puppy but acted just like a puppy. At one point it did a sort of back flip and at that point I think our whole family sort of fell in love with the idea of a Golden Doodle.

We talked about it for a couple years but with allergic children I just never really believed it was possible, just didn't buy the hypo-allergenic thing because even dogs that shed very little still have dander which is what people with allergies are actually allergic to. And I never thought the hassle and responsibility of owning a dog would be something I'd want to bring to my busy life. To make a longish story short, in one of those "you only live once moments" we drove to the UK and bought Jacob Marley. He has not caused even one sneeze in the two weeks we've had him, despite constant touching, nuzzling, and in general ridiculously affectionate behavior toward him. This dog anyway is hypo-allergenic for us and really sheds very little.

Never having had a dog I'm sort of amazed at my feelings of affection for him and just the happiness he has already brought to our family. Watching the bonding process between dog and his people has been really amazing. Even more than that, the way having Jacob has forced me out of my obsessive work routine and for a couple hours each day to just "be there" observing him, playing with him, caring for him, teaching him, and watching him slowly bond to us, has been such a great experience and a change I really needed at this point in my life.

We got a book written by monks who raise German Shepards for tips on house training, obedience training etc.The first paragraph of the book surprised me as I thought it would just be a "how to" book but instead summed up how I've been feeling about this experience. It expresses how the experience of having a dog can enrich a persons life in a deep way and I immediately related to it. Here's the paragraph from the book The Art of Raising a Puppy by the monks of New Skete:

"A puppy's life clearly displays what characterizes the whole of life: the mystery of development. The entire universe, it seems, is in a continuous process of growth that extends from before the first moments of each individual existence to the end of life and beyond. Nothing is excluded from this movement, though our own consciousness of its breadth can be dulled by the chaotic pace of modern living.Too often we take this journey for granted, carelessly letting it pass unacknowleged. With our busy lives we can easily grow insensitive to the basic wonder of life, leaving us spiritually impoverished and unhappy. This is perhaps why animals (particularly our dogs) are so important to us and why we benefit from their companionship: they root us in life."

On a more practical note, crate training for puppies in order to house break them? Please tell me what you think, yes or no? We're on the fence about it though the monks think it's a good idea....

OK, back to craft, fabric and sewing related goodness next post when I'll be promoting my upcoming book with a pattern giveaway...

love,

t

 

My Book!! well, the cover anyway...

I'll have a higher res version of the cover at some point, (higher res picture is up), just pulled this one from Amazon but still, there it is, the cover of my book. I'm so happy because I didn't know what it was going to be for a long time. This is the one I really wanted but other pictures were being considered so I'm thrilled Random House went with this one. I'll be talking lots more about my book in the coming months before it's released December 27th but just was so happy about the cover and wanted to share it.

In other news,

I'm learning to play guitar and am in absolute love, slightly obsessive love at that.

I'll be at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham UK August 12th and 13th, along with Kaffe Fasset, Lisa Lam wonderful author and founder of U-handbag, Nel Whatmore of Free Spirit and other wonderful Westminster Fibers designers. Please, please stop by and say hi if you're planning to attend. I'll be in the Westminster Fibers/Rowan booth.

xoxo,

t

Jennifer Paganelli's new book!!!

My girl Jennifer Paganelli's new book was released yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I literally can't wait to see it. Jennifer fabrics are truly unique, vibrant, beautiful and eclectic and now, in addition to her wonderful sewing patterns, she's brought her amazing aesthetic to her new book. I'm so happy for you Jen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The book will be in all major bookstores. You can order a copy right now here. Or, you can order a signed copy from Jen herself while checking out all the beautiful and inspiring ideas on her blog.

Love you Jen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cuteness

I definitely have not been able to sew with Delilah as much as I would have liked. Usually I sew a ton of samples with each collection which is the most exciting part because I get to turn some of the fantasies I had while designing the fabric into reality. I've been writing a book for Random House's Potter Craft, still in the thick of editing, not complaining at all but I just miss sewing as I haven't made it a priority lately. I got a little burned out on sewing during the development phase of the projects for the book and still haven't been able to face my insanely messy sewing room. So I love, love, love seeing what others have been doing with the collection. I love this little reversible jacket from Randi of Fresh Squeezed Fabrics and her blog I Have to Say. The red buttons are killing me!

Melissa over at 100 Billion Stars also has a really cute Valentines Day tutorial using Delilah.

I would truly love to see any projects made with Delilah. Please (pretty please) post them here if you've made something...

xoxo

Tanya

Merry and Bright....finally!

  

 

 

Finally got a gorgeous, sunny, snowy, steel blue crystal clear sky day here in Belgium after lots of grey days. Very cold but sunny, well until about 4:30 anyway when the sun starts to go down here. And finally got some time and good light to take some pictures of Delilah which has been out for about a month already. Hope you're warm and cozy where ever you are. Happy Holidays all!

xoxo

Tanya 

***NOTE*** In answer to a few inquiries, Delilah is available now both in retail stores and wholesale through Free Spirit though it is not on their main site for some reason but in the preview section.

For wholesale inquiries please contact Free Spirit

You may email your fabric inquiries to diane.robertson@westminsterfibers.com

For fabrics orders/customer service, please contact:

Customer Service Representative
Toll Free - 866-907-3305
FAX - 864-877-3269

 
Our business and mailing address is:

Westminster Fibers Attn: Lifestyle Fabrics
3430 Toringdon Way, Suite 301
Charlotte, NC
28277

In addition to the brick and morter stores here are a few great on-line stores that carry Delilah:

http://www.mariemadelinestudio.com/

sew mama sew

fat quarter shop

hancock's of paducah

As well as lots of great Etsy stores.

As with all my collections a google search for Tanya Whelan will turn up lots of great resources.

Thanks so much to those who inquired.

xoxo

Tanya

Sweet Delilah

My sweet Delilah is almost here. I don't think these scans do her justice but I'll have photos in the next couple of weeks. She'll be introduced at Fall Quilt Market and I think the collection will be available wholesale in October through Free Spirit. I haven't even gotten my sample yardage yet but I can't wait to sew with Delilah.

It has some of the spirit of Darla, the big dotted roses feel so vintage kitchen to me, but with a few smaller scale and decidely girly florals as well which I think will be beautiful for babies. I so hope you like it....

 

Home Collection

 

Wow, long time no post. I miss blogging and after October 1st (it's a deadline, hint, hint), I'll be back to it on a regular basis I think, I hope anyway. October 1st is when I foresee life getting back to normal a bit, it seems a long way off to tell the truth. But, I'm excited about the introduction of my new line of tablecloths, kitchen towels, napkins, placemats and aprons for Peking Handicraft so I wanted to blog about it. I think there should be a new word for when you want to share something you're proud of on your blog. Your kids, your sewing project, your new shoes, whatever, in other words, um, brag, but bragging is not how you want to think of what you're doing (I don't anyway), so how about brogging. Ok, it's dumb, back to blogging....

These are being released in July and will be in stores throughout the US and Canada. Almost all the prints are from my Darla collection and it's really exciting for me to see them made up into actual products that I didn't have to sew! I still have a special love for Darla and taking these pictures today just made me nostalgic for that fantasy of a "simpler time" that I think Darla expresses. I hope you like it...

xoxo,

t

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you so much for your emails in response to the last post!! I can't tell you how grateful I am to have so many talented people interested in helping me. I'm looking over all of them carefully and gratefully. Thank you so much again to all who responded.

Help Wanted

Wanted: dependable, committed person to help me in substantial upcoming project that I can't be specific about just yet. Must be able to sew, write clear, concise directions for sewing patterns and be able to illustrate, by hand or computer, steps for such patterns. Great opportunity to have your name attached to a project that will have visibility.

Please email me tanya@grandrevivaldesign.com if you're interested but only if you're serious, have the time, and can do the work outlined. Please let me know in your email what kind of experience and/or skills you can bring to this project. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!!!

xoxo

t

l'Aiguille en Fete! Come sew with me!

Come sew with me in Paris! Or just come by and say hi. Met so many lovely, cool shop owners and young entrepreneurs at the trade show last  weekend in the Netherlands. My favorite part of these things is meeting people who are passionate about sewing and creativity in general and to hear what their up to. Hope you'll stop by this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for 4 free workshops daily where you'll sew the Metro Bag with me. I hope to see you there!!

xoxo,

Tanya

Simple Pleasures

Coffee and crocheting, two of my favorite things. I'd forgotten how much I love to crochet, I used to do it all the time. The best thing about it is just how portable it is. I can take my yarn and hook anywhere and just start creating. Ava and I are making an afghan together with this gorgeous cotton yarn. I love it because although I love to sew with her, I'm always really nervous that the needle is going to pass right through one of her little fingers so I'm always right on top of her if she's using the sewing machine. With this we can sit together and crochet while watching TV and relax and when I leave the room I'm not petrified of hearing her little self screaming in pain.

My rediscovery of the joy of crochet coincides nicely with what I've got coming up in the next few months. I'll be traveling around Europe to trade and consumer shows to talk about my collections and show project ideas for what to do with my fabrics so it's nice to have something to do in the hotel room. Last weekend I went to Le Smak, a big crafts trade show in Paris to do a couple of workshops with shop owners. Very fun and very interesting. My speech quickly turned into a lively discussion group with these wonderful women which I enjoyed so much more. February 7th I'll be in the Netherlands with the Coats and Clark sales team there at KreavaK a trade show in Arnhem in the Netherlands for meeting, greeting, chatting, and with free patterns in hand. Back to Paris the next week for 4 days at L'aiguille-en-fete for sewing demonstrations of one of my bag patterns where consumers can sit down and sew their own bag with me, just want to show, especially novice sewers how easy and quick it is. Then a couple of trips to Germany in March for some exciting things I'll share later.

Free Spirit Fabrics have only been distributed by Coats and Clark in Europe for about 18 months so I'm just helping to get the word out here. Along those lines, I just found out that my lines are now being carried in the UK at hobbycraft where you can buy Darla on-line and in stores and at John Lewis stores which I'm really excited about.

Uh oh, school nurse just called, must go collect little sick people....

Talk to you soon.

love,

t

Rock On Melissa!!!!!!!!!

I just had to say a gigantic congratulations to my friend and Free Spirit colleague Melissa Averinos on her forthcoming book. Melissa is a friend, a new friend, not a friend I can say I know well because we've only talked a couple of times but a friend none the less. What I really like about her is that, like me (and like a lot of people I suspect), she is a person with insecurities and vulnerabilities. Unlike me (I tend to dump my insecurities in the safe harbor of my family and friends) she lets this side of herself hang out for all to see on her blog. She's open about her vulnerabilities in an incredibly refreshing and beautiful way. It's just really nice to see that kind of openess, it's a rare thing and a lovely thing. And she has traveled with so much grace through some incredibly difficult (a vast understatement) and also some wonderful things this year, I just admire her carrying on, and yes, rocking on!!! to this fantastic moment. Her first book!!!!!!!!!!! So please, wish her well and send her a bit of love on this special occasion, not as some fancy author type un-relatable kind of person, just as a girl, working really hard everyday to make her dreams come true, and succeeding!!!

Go Melissa, GO!!!!!!!!!

love,

t

Sunshine Anyone?

Yes, please!!! I would like a bit of sunshine, merci!! After a shaky start, I can now honestly say that I love living in Belgium....but, I do find myself missing the sun a bit. It rains here, alot.

On a more sunshiny kind of note, Dolce is finally arriving in stores. It was supposed to arrive in November but hey, better late then never.

Just wanted to say thanks to the stores who emailed me to let me know they had it. Here are some of the fab shops where you can find it: ***to other shop owners who've received their order of Dolce, please let me know you have it and I'll revise this post and add your link.***

http://www.fatquartershop.com/

Fabritopia

Pink Chalk Fabrics     (kathy is having a giveaway of my fabric and a great book right now as well)

Above All Fabric

Hawthorne Threads

fabriccloset.etsy.com

Sweet Baby Jamie (Jamie, the link to your shop didn't work, email me and I'll put up your link)

www.banberryplace.com!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewlovefabrics?section_id=5501934

To find Dolce locally, call your local shop or go to www.freespiritfabric.com to find a shop that carries it near you.

Wishing you sunshine and lots of it!!

love,

t

Christmas Muse and Romantic Homes

I'm so proud of my mom! She opened her Etsy Store Xmas Muse again this year. I love her stockings, just so sweet and nostalgic. But even more exciting, she did an article for Romantic Homes magazine about how to make one of her pretty hanky stockings and her stockings ended up making the cover!!!!! So cool, and she was nice enough to use my fabrics from Darla and Ava Rose for the cover stockings,thank you mom! Anyway, check out her handmade goodies if you have a chance or pick up the December issue of Romantic Homes to learn how to make a hanky stocking of your own.

New Pattern and Winner!!

Slowly getting the downloadable patterns up and ready to go. Thank you so much for the warm welcome the Monterey Market Bag has received so far!!! I had a feeling there was a want out there for patterns you could get your hands on immediately. You know, sometimes you just need to make something right now!

Here's the newest, the Metro Bag, ready to go. Easy, reversible, roomy. I love the shape on this one and the way it hangs. It's got cute pleats at the top that give it a nice detailed look. Hope you like it!! Many more downloadable patterns to come, one at a time, slow and steady.

Husband is getting some hardware out of his leg from his freak beach accident last summer that left him with a mangled leg so I wanted to get this up before all extra time is spent waiting on his cute self hand and foot.

Hey, did you go to market?? How was it? Found myself wishing I had attended. So much beauty and inspiration was to be found this time from the pics I've seen. 

And the long awaited winner of the giveaway is.......Sunni Standing  http://www.thecupcakegoddess.com/

Thank you Sunni! Please contact ljanewhelan@gmail.com to receive your patterns. We'll send out your Fat Quarter Shop fat quarter pack as soon as they get them in November. Thank you so much to all who entered. Over 600 this time which blew me away. You have no idea how much it means to read such incredibly kind things about my work. That sounds like a platitude but trust me, it ain't!!! It makes everything I do worthwhile, truly and it just touches me plain and simple. THANK YOU!!!!!!

xoxo

Tanya

Launch sounds too official...

Well, yeah launch feels like too strong a term to use here but it's a mini launch at least with much more to come. I've been wanting to start an on-line store of sorts with some sewn goods and some and (here comes the launch) some downloadable patterns for sale. I've been busy with the moving to Belgium thing so I figured I'll start small with a really easy, fast and cute pattern. 

It's the Monterey Market Bag, that's the first one now available for immediate gratification, got that creative itch, but don't know what to make download. Why call it the Monterey Market Bag you may ask (you're probably not asking but I'll tell you anyway). When I used to live in Monterey California and Santa Cruz Cali too, they had these weekly farmer's markets filled with all kinds of beautiful produce and handmade goods for sale. There would always be a couple of booths filled with slouchy, simple, pretty, practically sized, bags made from leftover upholstery and other fabric, Indian saris, etc. The bags had a cool hippy vibe, cause they were made by cool, hippie women for the most part. And they always tempted me. This bag reminds me of those, totally simple, slouchy, would look great with leftover scraps, and you can make a bunch of em quickly if you want to make some quick presents.

Well, I hope you like it and we'll have another downloadable bag to introduce real soon and I promise to pick the winner of the giveaway in the next few days, I really promise!!

love,

t