Loving the Red, White and Blue: Valor

Patriotism isn't just for holidays--red, white and blue color combination works year-round, creating classic American-themed quilts. Ro Gregg took a patriotic turn with her latest collection, Valor, which is richly colored and full of so much variety! From Marblehead-style basics to echoing stars, wavy stripes, traditional stars, and a sketched-style star, if you can dream it in red, white and blue, you can find it here! 

We asked Ro to talk to us about her new Valor fabrics:

Q. What inspired you to create a patriotic themed line?

Ro: The word "valor" has a Latin root that means to be strong. This collection is dedicated to the men and women that serve this country and their gallant bravery.

Q. Can you talk about a couple favorite prints in the line?

Ro: The large sketched outline star is my favorite...sort of a modern version of the star of honor.  The multi red, white and blue gemstone is very festive and reminds me of confetti.

Q. It’s so fun to see the Marblehead prints resurface here! Can you tell us about that?

Ro: I love it too! The prints are so universal and look great in the multicolor red, white and blue as well as the patriotic multi-tones of reds and blues. The Marblehead designs work in all quilts as a staple.

   

Q. Can you tell us about how the varying backgrounds—both white and cream-- change the look of the fabrics?

Ro: I used both the pure white and also a cream for a vintage look if quilters are making antique-looking quilts.

Q. Why did you decide to do three different styles of stars?

Ro: I used three different types of stars and sizes to create diversity for quilt makers. The stars work together or can stand alone, providing plenty of options.

Q. What do you envision these fabrics being used for?

Ro: So many things! Quilts of Valor, quilts for service people, school banners. Of course it’s a perfect collection for a presidential election year as well.

Find the entire Valor collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop. 

Summer of Sewing: Quilt-As-You-Go Tote

Welcome back to our Summer of Sewing tutorials here at Inspired by Fabric! 

We'll be featuring regular tutorials as part of our Summer of Sewing series, all using our newest fabric lines that you can find at your local quilt shop! Our tutorials will include a chance to win a bundle of the fabric line being used, so make sure to enter each time!

This week's tutorial features Ro Gregg's new Sophisticates line and we couldn't wait to turn it into a project! Black, white and red prints make a stunning log cabin design in this quilt-as-you-go tote bag. 

A wreath of black, white and red prints

Let's get started!

You'll Need:

12 fat quarters or 1/4 yard cuts of black, white and red prints

1/2 yard white print for lining

1/4 yard each of a black print and white/black stripe for handles

Fat quarter large black floral for tote back

25" x 40" piece of batting

Cutting:

From the fat quarters:

A variety of 2-1/2"-wide strips

From the white print:

(2) 14-1/2" x 17-1/2" pieces

From the black print:

(1) 3" x 42" strip

(1) 3-3/4" x 14-1/2" strip

From the white/black stripe:

(1) 1-3/4" x 42" strip

From the large black floral:

(1) 16" x 19" piece

From the batting:

(1) 20" square

(1) 16" x 19" piece

(1) 1-3/4" x 40" strip

Notes about Quilt-As-You-Go: 

• Finger press each added piece open before stitching on it.
• Quilt each piece by stitching several lines parallel to the seam line. Our lines are approximately 1/2" apart.
• Use a longer stitch length for the quilting.
• If an added piece is slightly longer than the patchwork already there, no problem! It will be covered by a later piece.
• When using 2-1/2" wide strips, simply add 2" to the length of every other strip. No other math needed!

Make the Bag:

1. From each of (2) 2-1/2" strips, cut (1) 2-1/2" square. Find the center of the 20" batting square. Lay the squares right sides together in the center and stitch down one side. 

2. Fold open, finger press, and then stitch 3-4 vertical lines down the squares. 

3. Cut a 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" strip, pin to the top edge of the two squares, and stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance. 

4. Press open and quilt lines to secure. 

5. Add a fourth piece (measuring 2-1/2" x 4-1/2") in the same manner, working around the center square. 

6. Continue adding strips. You'll add a second 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" strip and then a 2-1/2" x 6-1/2" strip. You'll add two strips of each length, and then add 2" to achieve the next strip length.

7. Add strips until the block measures 14-1/2" square.

8. The last strip you add should be the 3-3/4" x 14-1/2" black strip. This will be the bottom of the bag. Trim the bag front to measure 14-1/2" x 17-1/2".

9. Baste a 16" x 19" large black floral piece to a 16" x 19" batting piece. Quilt as desired. Trim to 14-1/2" x 17-1/2" for the tote bag back.

10. Layer the bag front and back right sides together. Stitch around the side and bottom using a 1/4" seam allowance. 

11. Cut 1-1/2" squares out of the bottom two corners. 

13. Fold the bag so the side and bottom seams line up and pin the edge. Stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat on the opposite corner to box the bag bottom. Turn right side out.

14. Lay the (2) 14-1/2" x 17-1/2" white print pieces right sides together and stitch around the sides and bottom, leaving an opening for turning. 

15. Box the corners in the same way as for the outer bag. 

16. Sew the 3" x 42" black strip and 1-3/4" x 42" white/black stripe strip together lengthwise. 

17. Fold and press the stripe strip over the black strip, wrong sides together. Fold in the long edge of the black strip so it touches the stripe strip, approximately 1/4", and press. 
18. Tuck the batting strip inside so it is nestled between the seam line and the folded black edge. 

19. Fold the striped strip over the batting, and then fold the folded black edge again so it covers the striped raw edge. Pin in place and topstitch down the black edge. Topstitch down the other black edge as well to finish the handle strip. 

20. Cut the handle into (2) 20" lengths. Pin one handle to the front of the bag, measuring in 2" from each side. Stitch to secure and repeat on the back side of the bag.

21. Tuck the outer bag inside the lining, right sides together, and pin the raw edges along the top together. 

22. Stitch around the top edge of the bag. Turn the bag right side out through the opening. Stitch the opening closed and tuck the lining inside the bag. 
23. Topstitch 1/4" from the top edge of the bag.

Your bag is done! Enjoy!

Bag back:

For a chance to win a FQ bundle of Sophsticates, make sure you follow our blog! Leave a comment below letting us know that you do, as well as telling us which print you like best in this collection. The giveaway is open through Sunday, August 14th at 11:59 pm EST. We'll draw a winner and share it next week. 

Congratulations to the winner from last week's Vintage 30s bundle: Margaret
We'll be emailing you!

Ro Gregg's Sophisticates

Ro Gregg is back again with a gorgeous line full of her signature style! Sophisticates is an enticing combination of red, black and white prints inspired by antique English fabrics. Twenty prints create plenty of variety in both value and scale in this dramatic new collection!

We asked Ro to talk about the Sophisticates collection: 

Q. What is so appealing to you about a red, black and white collection? 

Ro: Using red, black and white together creates an energized positive/negative effect. The color of black is dramatic and controlling. Red exudes a positive energy and warmth.  White is associated with purity and innocence; it is also a positive color. I love the drama of these colors being used together.

Q. You have done a red/black/white collection before, right?

Ro: Yes, Lady in Red was a vintage documentary collection that I did.  

Q. Describe the style of this collection.

Ro: This collection is a sophisticated mix of Damask, etched florals and scrolls. They all have been recreated from vintage documentary fabrics. The style is also where the name of the collection came from!

Q. How do you create varying values in a limited color palette?

Ro: Simply by using a positive/negative effect: black to white, black to red, red to white.

Q. How do you ensure there’s plenty of interest when working with a limited color palette?

Ro: By varying the scale of the designs. The prints in Sophisticates vary from medium to small with a larger Master floral and Damask as the focal fabrics.

Q. Do you have a favorite print?

Ro: The large Master floral has been gracefully recreated from English documentary fabrics. That’s my favorite.

Q. What do you envision these fabrics being used for?

Ro: I cannot wait to see these fabrics made into a quilt, large carpetbags, quilted jackets and other stunning garments.

The collection also includes two pre-quilted fabric combinations: 

A fat quarter bundle--deliciously red, white and black!

Find the entire Sophisticates collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop.

New FREE Quilt Patterns

We've recently added a couple new free quilt patterns to the tab above. They're posted here as well, but take a minute to scroll through our selection of free quilt patterns. All can be downloaded with a simple click! You'll also find more here on our website.

Enjoy!

"City Streets" by Judy Hansen

featuring the Cityscape collection

Click here to download the "City Streets" pdf.

"Freeform" designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts

featuring our Freeform collection

Click here to download the "Freeform" pdf. 

Summer of Sewing: Vintage 30s Drawstring Bag

Welcome back to our Summer of Sewing tutorials here at Inspired by Fabric! 

We'll be featuring regular tutorials as part of our Summer of Sewing series, all using our newest fabric lines that you can find at your local quilt shop! Our tutorials will include a chance to win a bundle of the fabric line being used, so make sure to enter each time!

This week we're featuring Barbara J. Eikmeier's Vintage 30s Ruby's Treasures collection in a drawstring bag. This bag is perfect for carrying around your hand sewing or knitting projects, or anything about that size (bag measures approximately 17" x 13-1/2"). 

Here's a quick look at the Vintage 30s Ruby's Treasures collection. Great reproduction-style prints plus coordinating solids from our Painter's Palette Solids line. We didn't use all of the fabrics in the collection, but we did use most of them! 

Let's get started!

You'll Need:

10-14 print fat quarters (the more fat quarters, the scrappier the bag)

1 blue solid fat quarter

2 different pink solid fat quarters (or 1/2 yard total) for lining

1/4 yard cream solid

24" x 40" piece of batting or thin flannel

Cutting:

From the fat quarters:

Cut a total of (42) 4-1/2" squares (if you use 14 like we did, cut 3 from each print)

From the blue solid:

Cut (2) 2-1/4" x 17" strips

From each of the pink solids:

Cut (2) 7-1/4" x 17-1/2" strips*

*Note: We pieced the lining with two different solids for added interest. If you'd prefer to just use one lining fabric, simply cut (2) 14" x 17-1/2" pieces.

From the cream solid:

(2) 2" x 42" strips for drawstring

Make the Bag:

1. Lay out the (42) squares in the orientation shown below. 

2. Sew the squares together in diagonal rows and then join the rows. 

3. Layer the pieced squares with the batting piece. Tip: If you'd like your bag to be less bulky and a little more floppy, use flannel instead of batting. Baste and then quilt as desired. (We quilted straight lines 1/4" on either side of the seams.) Trim the quilted piece to measure 17-1/2" wide by 28" tall. 

4. Fold each blue solid piece in 1/4" on each long side and press. Fold each short end in 1/2" and press. Stitch across the short ends to create a finished end. Measure 2-3/4" from a short end of the quilted piece and pin the blue strip in place, centering it widthwise.

5. Topstitch along both long edges to create a casing. Repeat on the opposite end with the second blue strip.

6. Fold the quilted piece in half, right sides together and stitch along both short sides. Backstitch at the top edge. This creates the outer bag.
7. If you're doing the pieced lining like we did, sew (2) 7-1/4" x 17-1/2" pink pieces together. Place the two lining pieces right sides together and sew around three sides, leaving an opening along the bottom for turning. 

7. Turn the outer bag right side out and tuck in the lining so right sides are facing. 

8. Align the raw edges and pin together, matching the sides seams. 

9. Stitch along the top edge. Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining. Sew the opening in the lining shut and then stuff the lining into the bag. Press the top edge of the bag and then topstitch to secure the lining and create a finished edge. 

10. Sew the (2) 2" x 42" cream strips short ends together using a diagonal seam. Press the strip in half lengthwise. Open and press both long edges in to the center fold.

11. Refold on the center fold line and topstitch along the entire strip to create the drawstring.

12. Attach a safety pin to one end of the drawstring and feed it through both casings. 

13. Make the drawstring ends even and trim off excess (do this when the bag is laying flat). Knot the ends together. Your drawstring bag is complete! 

For a chance to win a FQ bundle of Vintage 30s Ruby's Treasures, make sure you follow our blog! Leave a comment below letting us know that you do, as well as telling us which print you like best in this collection. The giveaway is open through Sunday, August 7th at 11:59 pm EST. We'll draw a winner and share it next week. 

Congratulations to the winner from last week's Dryad Snack Pack: SusanKQuilts
We'll be emailing you!