Since the holidays are upon us, there will be an overload of red and green everywhere you look, which is totally fine if you want to look like a walking wreath, but I know you wouldn't dare!!   Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean you have to dress in dark colors or the typical red and green.  Try pretty pastels in heavier winter fabrics.  Try a pastel colored scarf or yummy sweater, to give your outfit a more feminine touch.  Popular colors this season are champagne, soft gold, silver, mauve, icy blue or lavender.

Another option for holiday party attire is sequins.  I am not talking the Miss America pageant here, think more along the lines of sequins in neutral colors and contemporary silhouettes and not so many that you would be mistaken for an ornament.  Another easy way to add a little sparkle to your wardrobe is putting a jeweled accessory in your hair; it is a very simple fashion add on, yet it can totally glam up your holiday look.

Retro glam is another look that would be absolutely perfect for an evening holiday party.  Pull your hair back and throw a fur cape or stole over your shoulders, both big trends for the holiday season.  Top it off with a sexy red lip and remember to keep the eyes simple.       

When all else fails, think black, you can't go wrong.   It is timeless and classic.  When making your selection look for different textures, like lace, velvet or satin.  When trying to pull off this look, go with dramatic statement accessories or a clutch purse, jeweled belt,  fur stole or cape, which are all big holiday trends, to take your look to the next level.  You can also recycle last year's cocktail dress by following these same wardrobe guidelines.  Remember, don't' try to incorporate all the trends at once, pick one or two and really focus on those.

Ladies, ladies, ladies, the holidays offer the perfect opportunity to step away from your normal make up routine and go for a more festive appearance.  Changing your makeup can totally brighten and update your look.  Gold nail polish is definitely a big trend this season; it is the perfect touch to give your fingers a little sparkle.   If you are attending a holiday cocktail party, try a smoky eye using burgundy shadow or lilac and grey shadow, this will give the eyes more of a sultry look and definitely turn a few heads.   For the lips it is all about rich and deep purple and plum colored shades topped off with a little clear gloss for extra shine or if you feel more daring you can opt for a muted red gloss, to seal the deal.   Ladies the key to pulling off a flawless face is to focus on one thing at a time.  If you are going to do a dramatic eye, go for a softer nude lip and if you want to make your lips the main attraction go for soft, less dramatic eyes.  But most importantly, remember to keep your makeup fresh, it should never take away from you are wearing, it should only compliment it.

My fabulous ones, I think you are ready to return all those holidays R.S.V.P's you weren't so sure about!   So go and spread a little holiday cheer and look good while doing it!  But remember the most important must have holiday accessory of the season, that you do not, I repeat, you do not want to be caught without, is being surrounded by the love of family and friends.  So daahlings until we meet again, as always, stay fashionable, fierce and have a fabulous holiday season!

A Laurel Burch Christmas is fast becoming a collector's item with the passing of this designer icon. No one has ever duplicated her style. I am sure someone has tried and failed.  What do I love about this book? For me, a book must have a timeless quality. In other words, it should not be tied to using a certain collection of fabrics. Laurel Burch does feature her fabric collection "Bountiful Blessings", but you could easily make the projects from different fabrics.  Another important feature is the instructions. Instructions should be detailed and clear. I do not like to read instructions a hundred times. These instructions are quite clear. There should be projects from quick and easy to intermediate. Like most Americans, I like instant gratification. These projects range from easy ornaments to more detailed projects such as a Surprise-a-Day Christmas calendar. Even Fido has a special Christmas bandana. No one is left out in this book.  None of the projects are beyond a beginners reach. The materials required range from felt to tissue lame. This book is all about embellishment. Don't want to sew, there are even paint projects!

Whether you have a little time or a lot of time, you will find a project that suits you.  This is a book that you will use year after year.  Get ready to sew! Add your own personal touch to this Christmas!

As I was wandering through the aisles filled with enthusiasm at all the things a beautiful fabric store could have, I

happened upon Indygo Junction. Their booth was filled with samples from their apparel and craft patterns. They were introducing their new line of stencils which included an alphabet stencil set I particularly liked. They had used it on the yoke of a child's jumper. The yoke was a natural linen color and the stencil was in a soft black. As soon as I find a great fabric paint, we'll have the stencils. We'll have great ideas from Indygo Junction about how to use them.

Well, I have never been so flattered as when I introduced myself to Jess Goldman at Bananafana Patterns. I walked up to her cute booth filled with samples in fun florals and Chinese Lanterns she had made and hung from the ceiling. I had to see what this was all about. Jess was explaining to another shop owner that she had already run out of flyers the first day, and she made 400. That should give you an idea of how popular she was at Market. I told her I was from Fabric.com and her beautiful smile broadened as she clasped my hand. She's a customer and was so excited that we would be offering her pattern line. And, we will be. Stay tuned in early 2009 for Bananafana Patterns. You'll be glad you did!

We have been carrying Ellen Medlock handbag patterns for a few years. I introduced myself at Market this year. She had a great booth filled with samples of her latest patterns. She has new handbag patterns that use metal kiss clasp frames and chain shoulder straps. She also has a bangle bracelet kit and a clock kit that can feature your favorite fabric. Look for her new patterns in 2009!

We have carried a limited number of Kwik Sew patterns in the past. I spoke with the gentlemen at Kwik Sew. We will be carrying many more of the Kwik Sew patterns in 2009 than we carried in the past. I like Kwik Sew for their great instructions, paper pattern pieces and simple styles. They are known for their patterns using stretch fabrics especially. Those are the ones I find easiest to fit for me. Easy to make, too.

Another booth decorated so beautifully I could not resist was Serendipity Studio patterns. Kay picked out the perfect fabrics to match the color palette of her booth. It was a calm vision among the chaos. I marveled at all the pretty things and couldn't believe I had not found her patterns sooner. She had a jacket there that was a minty green confection with a sash tie and tiny tulle ruffles around the neck. Being the curious fabric collector I am, I turned the hem of the sleeve to the inside to see what kind of exotic fabric this was. I still didn't know! It looked like a cotton eyelet on the top, but it was fleece on the back...hmmm....When I sat down to write my blog, I went to her site to get a little more information. The jacket is built on a sweatshirt! No way! I cannot wait to get the pattern and see how this works. It had shape and structure unlike a sweatshirt. She has sweet tops and a great trench pattern, too. Coming Soon!

You may not have noticed but this year there were two collections called "The 12 Days of Christmas". I have taken this as a sign that Fabric.com should have a 12 Days of Christmas, too!  From Dec. 1 to Dec 12th, we will have a project for you to make if you wish. On the 13th day of Christmas, it will be Bah! Humbug Day because some of you will have lost the spirit. I believe that Chef Bubba will then arrive with his own special recipes for Christmas. I have tasted his Black Bottom Pecan Pie Cheesecake. To die for, ladies! If this does not restore your spirit, it will be time to break out the cinnamon cookies. Who can smell cinnamon and not get all cozy in their heart?

Get ready to have some fun! There will be some projects for the young also. Victoria will have her now 7-year old consultant available to test her projects. Now would be a good time to check your craft supplies. Make sure you have some of the following:

1. Glue (several kinds including Fabri-Tac, Water soluble glue pen)

2. Straight pens

3. An assortment of threads

4. Christmas fabrics

5. Flannel

6. Scissors

7. Rotary cutter and mat

8. Felt

This is a great time to bust your stash and use up odds and ends. Of course, supplies will be listed for each project. I know Nancy has a great project from Amy Butler so you will need different sizes of Styrofoam cones. Nancy is known as the queen of glue and clip rings so I am willing to bet that there is not much sewing!

Now that I have teased you with what is to come, I must leave just like Santa or as Daniel, our very own Prints Charming with these words:

"Get your Moda running, Christmas is coming!"

I am not sure where to start telling you about all the wonderful people I met and all the pretty things I saw. And, I've got pictures! I'll break this up into two parts so I can concentrate on the two things I want to show you. This entry will be about the designers I met. The next entry will be about new products and patterns. Let's dive into Quilt Market 2009.

I'll try to do this chronologically. There were a few designers I knew I wanted to say, ''Hello'' to. The first one I came to without a mass of eager quilt shop owners around him was Jay McCarroll. He is in the Free Spirit/Westminster stable of designers along with Heather Bailey and Heather Ross. Jay is the first Project Runway winner. I am a big fan of Project Runway and I remember the first season well. His sister was helping him in his booth, and I spoke with her first. She said she has always been interested in quilting and had quilted before Project Runway. I had already seen his collections and loved them. They are quirky and a little odd, but that's what I love Free Spirit for. They are also very fashion forward. You all will find a lot to do with both collections we have coming. He was so nice to talk to and very willing to have pictures made and listen to all of us say how much we loved him on Project Runway. I passed his booth several times as I traipsed through the show. I got to his booth just in time. He was swamped every time I saw him.

Tina Givens is a stationery designer like no other. She uses a whimsical spirit to create her cards and notes. She designs her fabric collections for Free Spirit with the same whimsical creativity. We have Cloe's Imagination on line now. We also have her new pattern collection. Many of the patterns are for children, but she also has a couple patterns for adults, too. Her booth had a clean, bright modern look which shows off her intricate designs so well. She is the most charming lady with a South African accent and a beautiful fairy-like face.  We talked about her new pattern line and her new collections coming in the spring. I cannot wait to show them to you!

I caught up with my Westminster rep, Tom, and he escorted me to meet a couple of the other designers I had on my list. I have been following Anna Maria Horner's blog for a couple of years. This incredible young mother of five is a design dynamo, and the sweetest girl you'll ever want to meet. I caught her during the slower lunch hour so we had time to chat. Standing in her living room of a booth complete with a  small table and chairs and a fantastic sofa upholstered in one of her more subdued prints in shades of taupe. The lines of the sofa were punctuated in a hot orange print. Just stunning!  As was Anna Maria. We spoke as if old friends. She waved down a passerby wearing a fabulous trench made from her Drawing Room collection of home dec weight fabrics. She complimented her profusely on the jacket and how great she looked in it. And she did by the way. The print was the Sketchbook design, you know, the one we cannot seem to keep in stock.

Tom took me over to say, ''Hi'' to Amy Butler. Stephen and I had a conference call with Amy about three years ago to talk about how we could work together. I was so excited about Amy then and, of course, I still am always excited to see her latest collections of pattern and fabrics. We even carry some of her scrapbooking supplies. Look forward to some photo albums and frames as well! I wanted to meet her in person since we have been working with her and her team so long. Her booth was lovely, and she was dressed in a stunning outfit of grey and oatmeal. I don't know how she made it through the day in those beautiful grey patent leather shoes with the 3'' heels. She's a very gracious lady with a big fan base. Every time I passed her booth, she was in a one-on-one conversation with a shop owner while others waited to take their turn. This is such a nice industry to be in.

Walking to the other end of the Westminster area, Heather Ross is talking to Heather Bailey. I wait my turn to speak with each of them. Heather Bailey has a line of new patterns including the cutest pear pin cushion and a baby stacking set.  I am also working on Heather's Trash Ties for your hair. You'll just have to see them to understand, but they are ingenious! Heather Ross has a new book coming out in the spring. I love these kinds of books because they come with the patterns in the front cover of the book! It's a book that not only has learning to sew instructions, but also great tips and ideas for any sewer. Did I mention the cute patterns in the front flap of the book? It's coming soon! Heather Ross and I had a great conversation, and I think we'll have a few more ideas in the works for you in the future.

Tom and I wandered around the corner to see Jane Sassaman's booth and speak with

Jane. Jane's latest collection, Prairie Gothic, could not have a better name. The colors are bold and saturated and the subject matter has had the gothic treatment for sure. Thorny vines and insects have invaded the flower garden and it's a great effect.
She said this color palette is a little subdued for her. I think it's all the black she's talking about. By any other standard, it's an exuberant palette. She created some fantastic things for her booth including the cover for a Butterfly Chair that I loved. Check

out the shirt and tie combination.

He believes in preserving quilting, but he is not a member of the Quilt Police. He believes that you should have fun and learn to break some rules. You do not need to commit suicide if your points are not always sharp. I read his magazine, Quilter's Home, for the humor that it brings me. His magazine is a giggle wrapped in paper! You can get too serious in life and miss smelling the roses. After all, if you live on Pickle Road how serious can you be?  Set aside some time, grab a cup of coffee, put up your feet and prepare to laugh out loud when you read his magazine.

Califon is Mark's newest line of fabric from Northcott. Califon is the name of the town in New Jersey in which he currently lives. There are two color ways- blue and yellow, black and white. He says he was inspired by the flowers and gardens in his area. I, personally, see a spirograph gone wild. I love the bold graphic designs. For some free downloads go to Mark Lipinski's website. 

Have fun with this beautiful fabric. Mark has a new collection, Krakow, which will be available in early 2009. This is inspired by Polish pottery. You can see a preview at Mark's website.

The sale goes off at midnight Eastern Standard Time. Someone just brought me another quilting magazine which just came out with new projects! Why do these magazines wait until the last minute! Don' they know I need a lot of time. I imaged several pictures for you. This magazine has a lot of ideas from table decor, Christmas stockings and how to turn your bedroom into a Christmas treat!

Here are some stockings made from Williamsburg Christmas Traditions.

Here is an adorable quilt from Snow Show:

Here is a fabulous quilt from Laurel Burch's Bountiful Blessings:  McCall's Quilting magazine is also featuring a Bountiful Blessing quilt. In the American Quilting and Patchwork, there is a quilt featuring Fabri-Quilt 12 Days of Christmas.  All of these panels are going fast! You still have time for one of these great projects!

Don't forget to enter the Fabric.com "Sew" Sweet Giveaway before it ends Friday (10/31)!  This is your last chance to enter in the drawing for one of two great prize packages worth over $1000 each!  You can enter in once a day, so that gives you 3 more entries until the end.  Click the image below to go to the "Sew" Sweet webpage.  Good luck!

I have always said you should start in July to make a Christmas quilt, but maybe I will have to adjust my thinking. Here is a photo of a completed quilt from the Winter 2008 issue:

This quilt is made from the Secret Santa collection. Take a panel and add some coordinating fabrics. I can see this done in my mind.

Don't want a Christmas quilt. Try a great child's quilt. How about Yogi Bear and Boo Boo. For someone older, how about The Beatles.

If you don't want a quilt, there are some great pillows.

Check these out. These are made from the Taxi collection and the Lindsay collection.

Now as a sweet treat to get you started, we have marked down Christmas Fabrics 30%. Now is a good time to create that holiday vision you have. This magazine gives you the time, we will help with the money! Enjoy.

Ladies and gentlemen, The Beatles (fabric)!

I have been an avid Beatles fan since I was a kid. I have seen Ringo and his All Starr band a couple of times in concert here in Atlanta. It was perfect for me because he features artists from the '80's along with a few Beatles songs. My other close encounter with the Fab Four was in my days as Artistic Director for The Library Theatre in Hoover, Alabama. We presented a fantastic Beatles tribute band. The played their own instruments and sang beautifully. They did the early Beatles look and sound, and after intermission they took on the Sgt. Pepper's look and sound. The performer playing John never came out of character from the moment they arrived for the sound check. I cannot tell you what it meant to introduce them on stage in front of the crowd...''Ladies and Gentlemen, The Beatles!''

So, when I was presented with fabric from V.I.P. Cranston featuring the Beatles, their logo and some of the Yellow Submarine characters, you can imagine I jumped at it. I hope you enjoy the collection as much as I do. I have a pair of PJ's for my sister and myself in mind for my first project. I'll keep you posted.

Super Sale on Dupioni Silk

You may have noticed our new lower price on the Promotional Dupioni Silks. They are only $8.98 a yard for 54'' wide 100% silk dupioni until 2009. We have over 100 colors on line now and more to come. We offer swatches for the ones that come in at 50 yards or more when we receive the shipment. Lauren, one of our Merchandisers has a special gift for color names and a great affinity for silks. She is the one that came up with 100 different color names, and has a challenge ahead with two new shipments waiting for her discerning eye.

Dupioni silk is not as delicate as you might think. Silk fibers are as strong as steel in the same size strand. It can be machine washed on delicate and tumbled on low for a more casual finish. It becomes soft and some of the sheen is removed. It also becomes a little more textured - almost like crepe. It's my favorite way to work with dupioni. And, I can wash my garment after it's made. Always test-wash a 4'' x 4'' square before washing  your whole piece of silk. There can be issues with the dye running and the fabric changing color. You can always dry clean your dupioni silk to keep the sheen and crisp finish.

Some of you are sitting there thinking "Who the heck is Waldo"? Waldo was a funny little man usually dressed in a red and white striped shirt. He was always hidden in a large scene. The trick was to find him. Sometimes it took a long time. I think about Michael Miller that way sometimes. Recently I was reading my Southern Living magazine. I have my own formula for reading a magazine. I look at all the pictures first. I earmark what I plan on reading. I then look at all the gardens. Someday my yard will look like that. This is after I win the "LOTTERY" and hire a full-time gardener. I, then, read all the recipes. Lastly I read the articles I earmarked earlier. In other words, I looked at this magazine and the picture of this nursery several times before it dawned on me that most of the fabric in this nursery is Michael Miller fabric. In this article it does not say anything about Michael Miller.  The bumper pads are definitely Frog Chow Mud:  Now is this not the most unlikely fabric for a nursery? It works so well. The huge polka dots must be 'disco dots'. I am working on getting this into our store.  

I love the way Michael Miller just shows up with no fanfare. It doesn't hit your senses all at once. One of the most informative websites for new ideas and projects is the Michael Miller website. I credit Kathy Miller and her staff for this. I have since seen several rooms that have Michael Miller fabric in them. So this is my challenge to you:

1. Find a room with Michael Miller fabric. It cannot be a Michael Miller advertisement or from the Michael Miller website.

2. The first 10 people who send the Fabric Maverick a picture, I will give a $10.00 gift certificate.  Remember the Fabric Maverick has a tiny budget unlike the US government. Please email your pictures to victoria@fabric.com. I am asking her to cover for me while I take a mini vacation.

Where's Michael?

P.S. If you click on the picture above, you can find Waldo too!

Tips for working with sequin fabric:

1. Choose a simple pattern with little construction. This will show the sequined fabric to its best advantage.

2. Know how the sequins are constructed. If the sequins are synthetic, do no dry clean because the sequins will dissolve in dry cleaning fluid. Fabric should be hand washed and air dried. If the sequins are glass, the fabric can be dry cleaned.

3. Treat the fabric as a directional fabric or napped fabric. In other words, the pattern pieces must be laid out in one direction.

4. Use a pair of old scissors to cut the fabric as the glue and sequins will blunt the blade.

5. Use a soap sliver or chalk to make marks on the fabric.

6. Because this fabric can be scratchy to the skin, plan to use bias tape or coordinating fabric for the neck and armholes.

7. Use nonfusible interfacing, because heat will melt the sequins.

8. Use a size 75/11HS if a knit is used as a base fabric for the sequins.  Use a 70/10H needle if the base fabric is a woven fabric. You will need to use several needles as they will dull very quickly on sequined fabric.  Glue may build up on your needle. Clean with alcohol.

9. Sew the seam with a small zig zag stitch between .5mm width and 2.5mm length. Top stitching is not recommended.

10. If pressing, use only very low heat on the wrong side of the fabric.

11. The best hem finish is to use 1/2 inch strip of  Steam A Seam light to the wrong side of the fabric. Remove the paper tape and finger press the hem upwards. Using a pressing cloth, press again with a low heat, dry iron. Hold in place for 10 seconds. This will make an invisible hem.

Now you are ready to add some glitz to your wardrobe. Go party!

 P. S. Some of these tips are mine but many are from Sandra Betzina. She certainly knows her way around a sewing machine.

Within the last several years, I have had a sister-in-law die from breast cancer. Last year I had a friend diagnosed with breast cancer. Even though I could not share her pain, I could be there for her to talk to. I think breast cancer is the most frightening disease for women. Our ego is tied into an image of our body.  Besides the pain, we are locked into a fear of disfigurement. Will we lose our hair! We, as women, have been the foundation for our families. They bring their problems to us and we try to "kiss and make it better".  Who will be our rock! If we are lucky, our families will support us in our time of crisis or we will have good friends who will listen to our fears and concerns. Hopefully, they will guide us at a time when we are not sure what to do.

First of all read all the information you can, so you can ask your doctor about your treatment. A great source of information is the American Cancer Society or the Susan G Komen for the Cure. Pantene offers free wigs made from real hair to cancer patients. At a time when you have just had your life shatter, you have to figure out how to pay for treatment. The American Association for Cancer Research is a good resource to use to find additional funds. Another important factor is your doctor. Can you talk to them or are they detached from you? Find a doctor that you are comfortable with. You are trusting this person with your life!

For those of us who do not have cancer take an active role in your health management. Check out the websites above for the latest information. Be an advocate for you! Donate to charities, participate in activities, be a volunteer, make a difference! Many companies donate a portion of their sales to breast cancer research including several fabric manufacturers. Check our Breast Cancer Awareness fabrics!  A portion of the price per yard is contributed to breast cancer research.

Above all, take care of yourself. We will miss you if you are not here!