Hello and welcome to the Coastline Blog Tour!
I sat down to meet with an Art Gallery representative for the first time back in 2014. It was the second fabric order I had ever placed for Needle in a Fabric Stash. We sat in the shop for hours. I went home that night and when my husband asked how it went I said, “I saw the most beautiful fabric today and I cannot wait to sew with it.” Since then, my love of Art Gallery fabrics continues to grow and it is apparent through our expanding inventory in the store.
You can only imagine my excitement when Art Gallery designer, Sharon Holland invited me to join the Coastline Blog Tour. It is a privilege to create and share all of the fun ways I have enjoyed using her fabric designs in my shop and in my life. I want to thank Sharon for the wonderful opportunity to collaborate!
Two projects were inspired using Sharon’s Coastline fabrics. The Beachcomber Quilt and Noodlehead’s Bucket Bag from Anna Graham’s Handmade Style Book.
Creating the Beachcomber quilt was a special experience for me. I have been patiently waiting for the perfect fabric collection to pair with an existing quilt pattern on display in the store. Customers have been begging me for the pattern. It was love at first sight. I instantly envisioned the diverse and colorful fabric line full of beach and ocean themes fitting perfectly with the unique pattern.
From the Coastline Collection I selected seven prints for the panels, using the Beachcomber Tide as my focus print. I especially love the little sandpipers. The Netting Twine is also one of my favorites. I used it for the binding because I think the khaki Hawaiian vibe ties all the incredible prints and striking colors together so well.
The other prints include: Sailcloth Quietude, Conchology Dune, Buoyant Vista, Trade Winds Harbor and Sand Bar Lagoon.
Natalie Pollard at Pro-Stitched Quilts and I worked together to pick a customized design for the quilting of each separate panel. The meandering water on the Sailcloth Quietude print takes me right aboard one of the sailboats for a nice day in the water at Balboa Island, CA, where my husband and I used to sail as newlyweds.
Each panel is quilted with a unique design
There was no stopping here. When I saw the Sand Bar in Canvas, I couldn’t resist the urge to use it for the Bucket Bag Pattern published in the Handmade Style Pattern Book. What more do you need for the beach besides a beachy quilt and an oversized canvas bag?
Every step of constructing this bag was fun. The Trade Winds Harbor print made a perfect base and I used a blue woven from the store for the straps. This directly navigates the eye to Sharon’s beautiful designs. The blue metal zippers are a perfect pop on the canvas. The stopper, created from the Trade Winds Harbor print paired with a tan leather strap, just pulled the whole look together.
A local sewist and friend, Alexis Wright is also participating in this blog tour and we were excited for the opportunity to share our blog day. We planned a beach trip to La Jolla, CA and spent the day playing in the high tide and taking lots of photos. It has been such a treat to get to know Alexis better, share ideas, work on matching prints together and sharing sneak peeks with each other along the way. Alexis’ dresses and shirts designs are one-of-a-kind pieces that she so beautifully captures with her captivating photography.
The Beachcomber Quilt Pattern and Quilt Top Kit, as well as the Bucket Bag Kit are offered as Needle in a Fabric Stash exclusives in the store, online and also at QuiltCon West beginning on Feb. 18th.
It is amazing to see so many projects come to life with Sharon’s Coastlines fabrics. All of the prints mix and match so well. I hope we have inspired you to use these beach themed fabrics for your own quilt, tote bag and garment projects.
Be sure to check out all of the talented people on this blog tour including Raedene Averitt who showcased her project on Friday, Feb. 5. And Jennifer DeShazer who will be the next on tour tomorrow, Feb. 9. You can visit Sharon’s blog for more details about other fabulous makers on this tour and how to win her giveaway of a Coastline Fabric Bundle…good luck!
Needle in a Fabric Stash 
I love this collection and your quilt is very lovely!!
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Sue, it’s so cool to meet you via blog. You nailed it w/your Beachcomber quilt…I too have been searching for the perfect prints to make a beach themed quilt. “Coastline” is it!!! I live on the Atlantic and one would think these prints are abound:(
Huge fan of Anna Graham and I also have made two bags (Gingham Tote, Tablet case) from her Handmade Style . Thank you for sharing in the Coastline Blog Tour.
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This is lovely and I really enjoyed your photoshoot. I was going to email you but that link appears to be broken in your sidebar. But I was wondering if I could use the photo in the water in a blog post about photoshoots I love. I do a semi-regular series…here’s a link to the most recent: http://aquilterstable.blogspot.com/2016/02/out-and-about.html. Thanks for considering!
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