Tanya Whelan's Brand New Release - French Hatbox

I have just come home from the most exciting trip to the Sydney Quilt and Craft Trade Fair. It was a very successful day firstly because it was so amazingly inspirational, a feast for the imagination but secondly because I took my three year old who got through the whole day with no tantrums and very minimal whinging!! phew. . . .

I have stocked up on the most sumptious patterns from some of our favourites like Amy Butler, Valorie Wells and Heather Bailey and added some very talented Aussies to the mix like Moon Shine by Monica Poole, Hatched and Patched and more.

I sampled the best Matilda brand waddings and perused so many dotty fabrics they all blended into one beautiful mess.

I have ordered some fabulous fabrics which will all be arriving shortly and have sussed out some more of the very hard to fine Matryoshka fabric, with a custom order on the way.

FabricDirect.com.au will be among the first suppliers in Australia to stock the Brand New Release from Tanya Whelan (from Ava Rose and Darla fame) called French Hatbox. This range is softer in colour than Darla but still with the same gorgeous feminine quality and charm. Email me and I will notify you when this range arrives, the first 5 orders from this range will also receive a free gift with their order :-).

Till next time
Eve x

Happy Mothers Day!! I had a lovely Day with my Mum and family in the Southern Highlands, we enjoyed a gorgeous Devonshire Tea and my boys played on the slippery dip under the shade of a Rosella filled tree. . . .my idea of a perfect winters day (and it was definately winter in the highlands). I hope you had a lovely, memorable mothers day as well.

I have just listed some gorgeous quilt, bags and accessories patterns by Australian designers Janelle Wind and Natalie Ross these patchwork patterns are so inspirational, fun and gorgeous. Take at look at them here.

I have also listed some brand new patchwork fabrics and kits over the past week, and Mum and I are busy working on some brand new bag and quilt patterns that I can't wait to release shortly.

If you are in NSW, mark your calendar now for the Camden Quilt Show it is on 1/2 August, this year is the 20th Anniversary Annual Quilt Exhibition. This show is always extremely high quality and as well as displaying quilts from some of Australia's best loved quilters it also features great shopping.

Camden is a gorgeous place to visit and is about 1 hour from Sydney on the M5. Make a day of it and enjoy lunch either in the quilt show at Cafe 20 or at one of the quaint eateries in the main street.

Hope to see you there x

Ooooh how exciting. . . . to keep up my philosophy of stocking only the most beautiful things I have just received my shipment of the most glorious Robert Gordon China and Homewares. Robert Gordon is a Victorian company and many of their products are still made in their Victorian factories. I am in the process of having an exclusive Australian made range of the most gorgeous homewares and are expecting some samples this week. All I can say at the moment is"Duck Egg" and "Strawberry" mmmmm I can't wait.

In the mean time check out the gorgeous products that have just arrived, they are so pretty and make the most wonderful gifts (especially for yourself!). The childrens dinner set are wonderful and they come packaged in the cutest little suit cases.

Till next time E x

Well I have now had a little bit of time to go through the brand new "Darla" fabrics by Tanya Whelan for Freespirit, and they are delightful. The entire collection arrived and has been selling fast.

The fabric designs lend themselves to so many different applications. This range makes the most gorgeous children's clothes and the Darla's Star quilt kit is wonderful (in stock now), but I can also imagine cushions, curtains, table clothes and so much more. Take a look at the Darla range of fabric by clicking here.

Till next time E x

Check Out my brand new Hand Bag Pattern, called the "City Bag". This pattern is super easy and I am totally convinced that most sewers could make in around 30 minutes! Also available as a kit in Amy Butler or Kaffe Fassett Fabric, the kit comes ready cut and includes the clever magnetic fastner. I have been using my Pink Kaffe one for a week now and I do love it. To check it out click here.

My oldest son has had his first few weeks of School, he is doing so well I cannot believe it, phew! for the 4 weeks before School started he spent every day telling me he wasn't going, sort of adds to the stress as you can imagine, but after the first day struggle he has been great, made lots of friends and loves it.

Till next time

Eve x

I have just received a great delivery of some absolutely gorgeous ribbons, buttons and trims. They are now listed on fabricdirect.com.au, take a look by clicking here.

I love fabric and trims with spots and discovered these gorgeous red buttons with white spots and recently added them to my store. They also come in blue and pink which are gorgeous. Have also added wonderful spotty ribbons in several colours including red and green.

February is the month of Birthdays for our household, with my birthday, my husbands birthday, his sister, my best friend, as well as several other cousins, friends, aunties, uncles the list goes on. . . . it is amazing really. Anyway it is always fun and hectic.

Till next time E xx

Well another hectic and exciting few weeks. . . . . Actually exciting might not be the word most people would use, but sitting at a computer and sewing machine for 10 hours a day is actually exciting for me!

I have just listed a brand new girls skirt pattern - called the "Renee Skirt" - this skirt is named after my cousins daughter, I made her one of these gorgeous skirts for Christmas in the Farmers Market range of fabrics.

A simple pattern with easy instructions and photos, the skirt can be made to fit just about any little girl and is really comfortable.

Pattern and Kits are available now, click here to have a look.

I have also just added some brand new fabric including the cutest childrens fabric and some wonderful new Kaffe Fassett beauties.

Till next time
Eve x

Happy New year, wishing you all health and happiness for 2009.

Our fantastic Jelly Roll club is starting for 2009, now is a great time to join as you will get a full 12 months of wonderful jelly rolls all guaranteed at the terrific price of A$49.95.

Our beautiful Jelly Rolls are luscious and we carefully choose the best and latest modern and vintage style designers. We also periodically send out FREE patterns with your jelly roll order as well as other member benefits. Call me on 0402 024 517 for further information.

Eve x

French Spring Quilt

Excited . . . . . .
is an understatement, this photo is hot off the press, I woke up today with a burst of inspiration to create this quilt, and have just finished the top (it still needs quilting but I couldn't wait to share it).

A few days ago I received a shipment of this glorious fabric from Joel Dewberry's Chestnut Hill range and have been desperate to make it up. I love how it is so crisp and fresh and I have teamed it up with some cool greens from the Ava Rose collection, they work nicely together.

Featuring random cut strips, sewn into a nine patch block the quilt is really easy and can be made up in one weekend (which is just the way I like it!).

I have some freshly cut kits available with all fabrics as shown and my pattern for only $99.95. Have a look at www.fabricdirect.com.au for more information.
Eve xx

Amy Butler is taking Australia by storm at the moment, she is in the country for a promotional tour and will appear in Melbourne and Sydney inspiring the creative community with her unique design style.

She is also appearing on Mornings with Kerry Ann on Friday 7 November.

We are now stocking a simply gorgeous bag kit by Amy Butler, the Birdie Bag and we have chosen the green / blue colourway as pictured. These colours are set to be huge this Christmas. We have a special price on the bag kit at the moment so don't miss out. Click here to view.

Till next time
Eveleen x

WOW What a fantastic response we have had to our gorgeous slipper kits. They have been running out and Mum and I really enjoyed cutting and preparing the kits for our lucky customers.

These slippers are sooo cute on and can be made in your favourite fabric, they feel like a little luxury and I love them.

We had a lovely weekend, Saturday I took the day off and went for a picnic with my brother and his family, I have two boys and he has two girls, when we get together it is lovely but it reminds me how hard it would be to have four children, the ages are 5, 4, 3 and 1 and when they get together it is a party!! A totally relaxing and lovely day though.

Today Heath (my husband) and I had the pleasure of renovating the office, I outgrew my previous work area and my husband kindly made me a lovely new table and set of shelves. It is lovely, I painted it all white and added baskets full of fabric and patterns on the shelves mmmmm so nice. x

It's very exciting to be designing adverts for my own business, I have spent 15 years designing adverts for other people ranging from racing cars to Bed and Breakfasts with everything you can imagine in between.

I have found it really fun to have free reign to design an ad that is "pretty" I hope you think so too. This is from a series of adverts that will soon be appearing in a range of Express Publications magazines such as Australian Country Craft, Australia Patchwork and Quilt and Country Patchwork and Craft. Can't wait until they are published which is around Christmas Time.

Hi and Welcome,

I am so excited to be on this adventure that is beautiful fabric . . . .

FabricDirect.com.au specialises in modern florals and dotty fabric but we are so much more than that.

We have just received a wonderful shipment of civil war fabrics in muted pinks mmmmm lovely, we also have exclusive patterns and kits which are designed by my Mum and I.

My Mum has been a fashion designer and quilt teacher and I am excited about the many designs she has already started. I am aiming to ensure that my designs are modern yet beautiful and that they are simple and attract younger quilters and beginners.

In fact between us both we haven't had much sleep lately because the ideas are flowing and we must get them out (ha ha).

My newest pattern, named after my 3 year old darling.

Fabric and Teddy Bears