My First Fabric Line - Sketchbook for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics!

I've been doing many behind the scene things this year and not much quilt making.  Some of the projects I've been working on include writing a book, magazine sewing and something I've been dying to share... designing my first fabric line, Sketchbook!

I started dreaming about designing fabric about 2 1/2 years ago.  I played around in Photoshop and researched how to make repeats but besides that I just jumped in to experimenting with textile design.  After designed an entire collection, not this one, I set it aside I got wrapped up in my first book, and about a year ago I sat down to design again.

I had design and made my quilt, Swatches, and was drawn to the black outlines I'd quilted around the pink swatch blocks in the quilt.  I wanted to translate that into a fabric design so I set out designing prints that had a sketched out feeling.  This is especially obvious in the panel.  I designed the panel to be used as a panel or large print.  I am, personally, excited to cut up the panel in the sample quilts.

After designing the collection I had no idea how to go from my computer to submitting my designs.  I decided to print out a flyer of my designs and take them with me to Quilt Market back in November.  I passed out my flyers, met a few people, and flew home.  After a couple weeks I followed up with the companies I'd talked to and I heard from none of them.  By the time QuiltCon came around I had decided to move on from fabric design and then I met the people and Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.  They were so kind and said they'd take a look at my designs.  A fast forward several weeks and they got back to me that they wanted to partner together to produce my Sketchbook designs!

Along with my fabric designs I also designed two quilts for this collection, Sketchbook Sampler and Topsy Turvy.

Sketchbook Sampler will be offered for free on the Paintbrush Studio Fabrics website with the release of the fabric line.  I really worked hard on a design that will appeal to all kinds of quilters but at the same time showcase each print.  I think this sampler quilt is perfect for that.

The second quilt is Topsy Turvy.  This pattern will be available to purchase in my shop.  This pattern is more me for sure.  I love the whimsical effect of the circles and arcs and how the blocks feel as if they are floating above the background.

The collection is available through Paintbrush Studio Fabrics as of August 1st, 2020 for shops to pre-order and as of right now will begin to ship in early fall.  I've only seen the strikes off in person so I'm looking forward to getting some yardage to work with.  I hope everyone has enjoyed the background story of how I got into fabric designing and my first fabric collection.  I'm looking forwarded to more opportunities in this industry.  I will have have more posts to come and of course I'll be showing the finished quilts, Sketchbook Sampler and Topsy Turvy!

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalm 27:13-14