Sunday, October 25, 2009

One Red Robin-Our latest Designer



We have just listed an amazing range of softies by Jhoanna Monte Aranez, here is a little bit about Jhoanna - Click Here to View the range





"I've always loved making things and using my hands to turn bits and pieces into something whole and new. However, I didn't start sewing until I had my first child, and found that I couldn't find something completely unique for her to play when visiting local stores. I was following craft blogs at the time and decided to sew a softie up (with very little knowledge of how to use a sewing machine!). I borrowed a machine, found a free softie pattern on the internet, and started on the project. The end result was a little wonky cat softie but my daughter loved it. The experience really struck a chord with me.






After a few more softie projects I gained enough confidence to start designing my own softies. With the encouragement of my husband, I also took the big step of selling what I made. It was a huge surprise when I got my first sale. It was the real confidence boost I needed to keep designing and making. Three years later and I am designing softie patterns for sale (through Pattern Press), books and magazines, and making softies for markets, exhibitions, gifts, etc and thoroughly enjoying it.






I have many inspirations but the ones that really come through what I make is Japanese/kawaii design, vintage children's illustrations (Mary Blair is a great inspiration), and my own two daughters. I am also inspired by a huge number of artists/crafters/designers, some of whom I have met in person and have found their attitude and lives inspiring, apart from what they create.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Do you love Dollies

Congratulations BubbaloobaNappies , the winner of these gorgeous patters










How adorable are these patterns, by Rosalie Quinlan meet Tillie,Popy,Lilly & Rose. Wouldn't they make lovely gifts. Would you like to win the patterns to make these dolls, well thanks to Creative Abundance who has donated them to help celebrate our 5th Birthday , here's how.

Sign up to our BLOG here and then Go to our website PATTERNS ONLY , sign up to our newsletter and then come back here and let us know you have done it by leaving a comment below and also let us know why you would love to win these patterns (if you are already on our mailing list, that is great, just let us know)

For Extra Entries




  • Post about this giveaway on your blog, and then come back and leave a comment letting us know the link to your post.



  • Mention on Facebook and leave a separate comment below to let us know , along with the link.



  • Retweet on Twitter and leave a seperate comment below to let us know, please copy and paste the following - RT @PatternsOnly Who Loves Dollies - check this out , #patterns by Rosalie Quinlan- http://bit.ly/3aey8y
Winner will be drawn Thursday 22nd October by an online random number generator so every individual comment,link or tweet will gain additional entries.



Monday, October 12, 2009

So Simple to Knit


COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

How adorable are these new designs by Natural Star. Knit your baby a gorgeous blanket, booties, beanie and headband. Perfect for the beginner knitter - easy to read instructions

Click Here To View The Range

WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN 1 OF THESE GORGEOUS PATTERNS

TO ENTER:
Sign up here to our BLOG and then Go to our website PATTERNS ONLY , sign up to our newsletter and then come back here and let us know you have done it by leaving a comment below and also let us know which pattern you would love to win (if you are already on our mailing list, that is great, just let us know)

For Extra Entries

*Post about this giveaway on your blog, and then come back and leave a comment letting us know the link to your post.

*Mention on Facebook and leave a separate comment below to let us know , along with the link.

*Retweet on Twitter and leave a seperate comment below to let us know, please copy and paste the following - RT @PatternsOnly - Win a Gorgeous easy #knitting #pattern perfect for your baby http://bit.ly/mVsut

Winner will be drawn 20th October by an online random number generator so every individual comment,link or tweet will gain additional entries.


Saturday, October 10, 2009

Our Exclusive Designer- Rosie Co

I live in Tasmania, starting my life in Hobart for the first 18 years where I learnt to appreciate many different crafts, especially patchwork from my mother. I then moved to Launceston to study Architecture at the university. Since then I have been a building designer, with a passion for designing quilts! I like to design for the young and trendy, but most of my designs can be enjoyed by all. I learned at uni to be bold, to make a feature stand out and be noticed, a technique that also applies to quilt design.I sewed my first quilt when I was 14 – a kaleidoscope quilt with a bold patterned fabric on a black background. I was introduced to appliqué later and immediately wanted to use this technique combined with patchwork to create unique and spectacular designs.I often find inspiration from looking at fabrics. Many fabrics have beautiful complex designs that provide the basis for new ideas.I also enjoy painting - watercolour and acrylic, paper tole, card making, scrapbooking, dress making, knitting, crochet, tapestry and cross stitch and many other crafts – anything new I’m willing to have a go at. The crafts where the design is flexible are my favourite!
Thanks Rosie , it is great to see where your amazing talent comes from. To view Rosie's exquisite range of quilts click here. Some of whcih are also available as BOM's

Toni Coward from Make it Perfect

Toni says "Sewing and having a go at a variety of other crafts provides me with a sense of “me time.” I have always enjoyed making and creating things and always have one or two projects on the go at a time. Since becoming a Mother I have found that if I can set myself aside a little time every day to create then I feel satisfied that I have done something for myself during the day.There is something special about sewing from scratch and creating something new and unique using only the ideas I have floating around in my own head. Although I enjoy following other people’s sewing patterns and find it refreshing not to have to think so hard about what I am doing, the sense of satisfaction is greater when I have designed a pattern myself, especially if the project has been challenging or there have been problems along the way. As I work through those problems I learn so much and feel a greater sense of achievement when I reach the finished product.The best two things about designing and writing my own sewing patterns are:
Being able to create something exactly how I want it, and
I LOVE it when other people share their finished creations with me, It always excites me to see someone have success with one of my patterns and I love to see the different mix of fabrics that they have chosen. I especially love it when someone puts their special, creative touch into their finished project and alters or adds to the pattern to make it unique and suit their needs/tastes better.
I am a fabric addict and proud to admit it! I especially love collecting fabrics from designers such as Alexander Henry, Amy Butler, Heather Bailey, just to name a few. I find a great source of inspiration in sorting through my fabric stash and coming up with new ideas or themes to use for different patterns. I am so excited about the turn the quilting market has taken in the last year or so, encouraging more and more designers to produce fresh and funky fabrics which cry out to younger sewers. These modern fabrics also lend themselves perfectly to making clothing and other accessories.
To see the entire interview click here
Thanks Toni for letting us into your life and for designing such great modern patterns for today - to see Toni's amazing range , click here

Lynette Anderson Designs


Lynette has been enjoying patchwork and quilting for more than 25 years. In 1990 Lynette and her family moved to Australia and by 1995 she had designed and produced her first patterns. Lynette’s retail store opened its doors in 1997 and for almost ten hectic, fun filled years Lynette ran both her design company and the retail store on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Australia. In mid 2006 Lynette decided she wanted to focus full time on designing, so she sold the store and now works from her design studio at home.
Lynette’s sophisticated naïve design style is instantly recognizable, inspiring thousands of women around the globe with her delightful designs, many of these women keep in touch daily with Lynette through her blog. ww.lynetteandersondesigns.typepad.com
The next step for Lynette was to fulfill her dream of putting her designs onto fabric, the invitation to join the team at Henry Glass Fabrics last year came at just the right moment and Lynette has been busy working with the team at HG to produce her first two lines of fabric.
The Christmas Magic line is adorable from cute snowmen to flying Santas and including some great Christmas basics. Look out too for Lynettes newest BOM called Crazy Christmas with its clever use of the Christmas Magic fabric and her distinctive irresistible stitcheries.
When asked where does your inspiration come from? Her reply was,
“Everywhere, there is something inspiring at every turn of my head, alot of my ideas are stored memories from my childhood.
Hedgerow is my first everyday fabric line with Henry Glass and I wanted it to reflect a time of simplicity.
I grew up in the English countryside, my summers were filled with playing hide and seek with my brother in the hedgerows around our home. We gathered bouquets of wild flowers for Mum, caught butterflies and together we learnt the names of the wildflowers, insects and animals that shared lives. Capturing these simple memories in fabric was a dream come true”.

Thanks Lynette and congratulations on your wonderful achievements and fabulous pattern range - to see Lynett'es amazing range , click here

Wendy From Flying Fish Patterns



From Flying Fish Patterns we are pleased to introduce Wendy.

I live in Drummoyne, which is a lovely leafy suburb in Sydney on the harbour just 15mins from the city.I grew up in Wollongong but have lived is Sydney for 30 years now. I live in a very male household with a husband, 2 teenage boys and a much loved puppy dog.I have been sewing since I was a child, learning from my 2 older sisters and my very talented mum.After leaving school, I studied fashion and went on to work in the fashion industry and studied to become a teacher. I taught fashion fulltime for 13 years. With 2 small children, I wanted to spend more time with them and started working part time at home designing childrens (boys) clothing.

I have been quilting for about 17 years and designing quilts and bags for many years. Flying fish kits started about 3 years ago and I am loving the challenge of a craft business. I get to chat to so many lovely people, it is such a happy, friendly industry.

My main motivation for my business was to be able to spend every day working with my designs for bags and quilts, sounds like a great excuse for work. Unfortunately I find that I am getting less time to play but I do love what I do.

In the future I would like to do more teaching and currently teach at a local patchwork shop.I find inspriation for my designs everywhere. I walk my dog every day and really enjoy the time to think about new designs. I am always checking out everyones gardens and always amazed at the colours and the colour combinations found in nature. I am always motivated by colour first and then the design. As anyone who designs or makes quilts and craft, my mind is always at work and there simply isn't enough hours in the day.

Thanks Wendy, what a great job you have , so important to love what you do and your patterns reflect how happy you are. Click here to view all Wendy's gorgeous patterns

Oriental Geisha Girl by Rosie Co BOM



We have just released the latest design by Rosie Co and it is truely spectacular. Featuring an Oriental Giesha Girl, Japanese Blossoms and Flowers, Hand Fans and Mt Fuji, this is oriental flair at it's best. Available as a Block of the Month , this unique design is just exquisite. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment
Click here to view details

Welcome to Our Blog

We are very excited to launch our new website Patterns Only . Due to the overwhelming interest in our fabulous pattern ranges and kits we have started this site so it is easier to navigate and find just want you need.

With monthly subscriptions and the latest patterns on offer, we are sure you will love Patterns Only as much as we do

As the sister shop of The Oz Material Girls we are more than happy to combine orders from either of our sites.
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