Now is the time, the time is now! Finally, after waiting nine months I can show you my new fabric line, COLLAGE, for Windham Fabrics.

OK, so I did make one or two novelties like these cups and pomegranates…

Why Collage? I could have easily painted this collection, as painting is what I do and have always done. I see the world better sometimes with brush in hand. But I couldn’t paint this. I needed to bypass my normal mode to create this first line. Another of my loves, collage, jumped up and I couldn’t ignore it. So I created this line by cutting and pasting.

I based this collection on my own personal desires as a modern sewist, designer, and artist. When I sew, I tend not to use fabrics that tell too loud of a story, so that my designs can be the story. I love textures, dots, stripes, and words. Lots of words. I am not alone in my love of words and many modern sewinistas share my passion for text, letters, and words in all forms. (When I think about what it means to be a “modern” sewist, I go to the art history definition of modernism. To me, inherent in the modern is a spirit of revolution.)

I have a great love of newsprint. Newsprint is ephemeral. It is tomorrow’s trash. It is disposable. Yet, quilts are sewn for forever–for tomorrow–for generations. I love the contrast of that so much. I created a collaged newsprint called The Sewing Times filled with quotes and inspirations from my favorite writers, thinkers, poets. It is filled with love! The whole collection is like a stack of textured art papers just begging to be played with.

I have been humbled and awed by the village of women that gathered around me and volunteered to sew with my fabric.

As boxes began returning to my studio from the 11 amazing designers sewing with COLLAGE, I became aware that designing fabric brought with it a distinct and hard-to-describe feeling. I felt so much joy and I was dazzled by each unique creation that came back to me. I thought, “My whole life I have been the artist–even my brand is about enabling the inner-artist for others. But, this is different. In designing fabric, I have become…the PAINT.”

Open back of the incredible Scirocco dress by Shelly Figueroa of Figgy’s

Yowza! Look at this hand-tied dimensional flying geese quilt from Erica Sage of Craftyblossom.

So for the next two weeks I am hosting a SocialMediaFreakOut called COLLAGE Party to feature each of the talented designers/bloggers/friends who created beautiful creations with COLLAGE. Prepare to be amazed! Follow along and stop by each blog for your chance to win a stack of 10″ squares of COLLAGE.

The collection is just now hitting the road with the Windham reps and it will ship to stores July 1st. So I need your help. Please forward these posts to your favorite online and brick & mortar retailers. Let them know about the line and tell them to order it for their store!

Blessings & love. Namaste. Rock on.

Here is a list of the COLLAGE Party stops. Party starts tomorrow: