Monday, February 16, 2015

Let's Go To The Birds With Jamie Fingal's New Fabric Line from Hoffman Fabrics!



I was delighted when my dear friend and "Dinner At Eight" partner-in-crime told me she was designing a fabric line with a "bird" theme.  I looked forward to see it and I am not disappointed!  I am a life-long "bird geek".  I grew up in a house where there were feeders outside each window & binoculars placed in strategic locations in the house for optimum viewing of birds.
I still have this habit.  Few things give me as much joy as observing birds and cultivating a habitat for them in my garden.

Jamie's new line of fabric from Hoffman is a delight for the senses.  The deep, rich colors suggest a bit of fall might be in the air, but it is not simply a fall-themed palette.  I love the addition of a few stripes, a bird journal, the bird houses, and her fun bunting in the mix.

For my project I decided to be quite free-wheeling:  I cut pieces of fabric "freehand" with my rotary cutter.  In other words, no measuring and straight edges from a ruler.  Why?  Just because!  I love the look of the more organic appearance that comes as a result of this method of cutting.

First, I cut squares from many of the fabrics, and then some strips.  The strips were pieced around the square(ish) shapes.

Using Mistyfuse I fused some small pieces, then cut bird and leaf shapes with my Sizzix  dies.  I like how they add some additional depth and movement to the blocks!
cutting the "squares"



Pre-fused fabric is run through the Sizzix Big Shot die-cutter.

the results:  two bird forms and several sizes of leaves.
The "branches" were free-cut with scissors
Since it is close to Valentine's Day I thought adding a heart was in order...

But I wanted it to look a bit like an apple...


I love the wonderful shapes and colors in the fabric.
I like that I can see the shapes of Jamie's sketch-doodles in the fabric!

It is such fun to free-motion quilt using the shapes as a guide.

I used the dual-feed feature on my Bernina 750 QE to do some of the straight quilting.
I like the wonky feel of these free-cut blocks!
I am using a double-layer of wool-blend felt from National Nonwovens as my batting.
It is great for wall-hangings because it holds a nice flat shape.
To finish the (somewhat uneven) edges I opted for a border of black and white ribbon trim.
It looks a bit like film negative edge, which seems perfect for this study in birds!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and please leave a comment here to become eligible for prizes.  We are going to do a give away for a bundle of the 'Autumn is for Birds' fabric.  Hoffman Fabrics has been very generous in providing the prize!  Don't forget to check out the other stops on this multi-day hop.  

Jamie shares a link to her Twisted Sister blog talking about how the 'Autumn is for Birds' fabric line was made:  http://www.jamiefingaldesigns.com/2015/01/autumn-is-for-birds.html
Hoffman Fabrics link http://www.hoffmanfabrics.com/


The giveaway is for a bundle of the 'Autumn is for Birds' fabric.   Hoffman Fabrics has been very generous in providing the fabrics!



Feb 16 - You. Are. Here.
Feb 17 - Lisa Chin
Feb 18 - Cheryl Sleboda
Feb 19 - Stacy Hurt
Feb 20 - Candy Glendening 
Feb 21 - Sue Bleiweiss
Feb 22 - Jamie Fingal

70 comments:

  1. I love this fabric and the piece you made from it. Looking forward to your Saturday evening workshop at Quiltcon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Victoria, I am excited to have you in it! We are going to have fun!

      Delete
  2. I love the bright vivid colours of this collection!!! Your quilt hanging is stunning!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this fabric - so happy and bright. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by. This fabric is a joy to work with!

      Delete
  4. Your approach to the challenge is fun to see. I'm curious to see each one this week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it fun to see what different artists do with the same things? I, too, am looking forward to it!

      Delete
  5. I like your description of your 'free wheeling' process... and the colors of the fabric are rich and inviting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kat! There is something quite liberating about this process. I encourage you to try it.

      Delete
  6. I love what you made with her fabric, it is such a fun and happy piece. After spending this month in snow storms, it lifts the spirits to see pieces like this.

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw. I hope you are about to have a spring thaw, Debbie!

      Delete
  7. Very fun quilt you made! I liked seeing your process.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is such fun fabric - I love bird art! Thanks for the chance to win some.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love birds, love your quilt, love Jamie's fabric! Do I win?😄

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love this fabric....one can never have enough birds in their fabrics. Would make some great art projects.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Once again Jamie delivered another enchanting line of fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your wall hanging is just delightful! It really keeps the eye moving and there are so many fun discoveries in every part of it. Thanks so much for sharing it, and thanks for all the inspiration on your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I really like the bright colors of the fabric.... Your design and the quilting you did was very cool....ty for sharing....happyness04431@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love what you made from this colourful fabric. Jamie is such a talented fabric designer

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love what you did with this fabric! You are both talented!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the colors and all the possibilities of this deligtful fabric. Can't wait to work with it. cdahlgren at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the bold prints and your piece showcases them so well! Thanks, Leslie!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for sharing your piece. Bird themed art is my favorite! The fabrics are unique and wild!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love how you used the fabric. Lissag123@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love your art quilt. Thanks for your info on your batting. I need to check that out. Would love to win some of her fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Leslie, I simply love your wall hanging and what you did with Jamie's fabric line. I especially like the heavy looking thread you used around the heart. What kind is it? I'd like to use it in some of my wall art.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gail. I used Superior threads to stitch this piece. This particular thread is King Tut.

      Delete
  22. Love that you have 'gone to the birds' on this one Leslie... and the results are super. Perfect layout and I agree that is line will be perfect for free motion stitching, using some of Jamie's great drawings as a bit of a guide. Thanks for sharing your time and this beautiful quilt... the black and white edge is terrific!
    Bethany
    (a dinner buddy with Jane D. in San Antonio last year!)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Bright, whimiscal, happy images would add spontanity to any piece. Love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Fun quilt! Thanks for the chance to win the fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  25. very cute!!! love the bright colors of Jamie's collection!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love Jamie's new collection and the unlimited range of possibilities encouraged by you and the other artists.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Fabulous! - I love the negative effect!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Such a bright, happy, colorful art quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Love the fabric and love what you did with it. I've never tried free hand rotary cutting, I think I may just have to now

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love what you did with the fabric and love that Sizzix. I have been avoiding getting one, but can see that it would be a lot of fun to have

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh my goodness, I love your diecut shapes using this fabric. Jamie's new line is so inspiring to me. I love the bright colors and fun patterns.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love what you've made with this fabric. These bloghops for new fabrics are inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love what you did with these fun fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Love your project! The fabrics are beautiful. Birds my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love your method in making the quilt with this bright fabric. Love the birds.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Your quilt and this fabric are perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Love those bright colored prints! Would make some awesome pillows!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Very pretty collection. 24Tangent@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I absolutely love the quilt you made with the fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Love what you created with Jamie's fabrics. What fun!

    ReplyDelete
  41. That is a great wall hanging! Jamie's fabrics spur one to take risks, don't they.

    ReplyDelete
  42. So, so cute! I would love to use these fabrics, thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I like the black-and-white ribbon trim on your wallhanging. It really sets off the blocks.

    wlinda_ca(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Wonderful fabrics! Love the bright colors.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I love this fabric line and your project is lovely! I just got a Sizzix & this shows me a whole new way to use it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jinsnapp: Be sure to go to the Mistyfuse booth and tell Iris I sent you! It works so well in the Sizzix machine. You will love it!

      Delete
  46. I love birds and leaves so this fabric speaks to me. Love what everyone is making with it also. I may have to get a Sizzix yet.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your project is gorgeous! I really love the colors in this line of fabric. I think they would make an awesome start to a quilt for my son's bed.

    ReplyDelete
  48. That is a cute bird quilt. I would love some of this fabric to play with.

    ReplyDelete
  49. What a great project using these pretty fabrics!!
    cwayons(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. HI,such a bright lively collection! I think I'd make a new tote! Thanks for sharing on your post+the giveaway!
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. So creative! I like the bright colors.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Just stunning! The fabric is perfect for your style! LOVE IT!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Gosh, those are gorgeous fabrics...I think I'd like to make some covers for some old pillows on my couch, or some curtains. Lovely! God bless! ILuvTheEucharist @ aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I will have to get some of this fabric "One Way or Another" ! This hop is so inspiring ! I like that you quilted the fabric design. I think I saw you shopping at QuiltCon Friday, I wish I had said hi. Shyness is for the birds! LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So happy to read this! I was there and I WISH YOU HAD SAID HI!!!! Next time.......!

      Delete
  55. Love your bird quilt, such bright, happy color!

    ReplyDelete
  56. It's a clever use of beautiful fabric! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Your quilt is awesome! -- soparkaveataoldotcom

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from my readers! Please drop me a line!