Friday, May 6, 2011

Introducing.....


You all know just how excited I have been about this- and now I get to show you why!

When I first had the idea for 'Going Coastal' I knew I wanted something that would speak to anyone on any coast. We've all seen nautical or beach-themed fabric before, but I wanted mine to be different. I wanted it to be both. I had a vision for a little more sophistication, yet fun and playful. And so I present: GOING COASTAL





It all started with that crab! Last year while I was going through my Radioactive-Iodine treatment for Thyroid cancer I had to be in complete isolation for 10 days. I set up camp in my bedroom with my laptop, a few DVD's, a stack of mag's, and some drawing paper. I was flipping through magazines and I saw a picture of a throw pillow with a huge crab on it. I was in love with that crab. I thought, I wonder if there's a quilting fabric with a crab on it and so I started seaching. But non of them had the feel that I was going for. So I started sketching what I would want to find. All of a sudden my mind started racing with ideas....






'Crab Walk' started a whole process but I didn't think he could carry the line on his own. I wanted the novelty of the crab print, but I also wanted to include other prints that would ground him.




A couple years ago I was visiting my family in California and we went to the beach. Northern California beaches are my personal favorite because they remind me of day-trips as a kid. While there I found a whole sand dollar about the size of a nickel. That was my inspiration for my dot. Everyone loves a good dot print and I hope this will become a favorite of many quilters.

Next came the Sea Star. I LOVE finger starfish and you see them all over the place in decorating. Everyone likes starfish so naturally I had to design a print with them too.




With the color Sand Dollar on white background, and the white Sea Star on a color background I knew I needed to design something with more tone-on-tone color. Also, being a quilter and knowing what quilter's like I wanted to design something plant-like and leafy. Different types of seaweed and kelp litter the beaches wherever you go. That was my inspiration for the Sea Kelp print.





Shortly after I began sketching my crab I had the vision for the Bottle Caps. This, I knew, would be my main print. With several caps I could sample little pieces of ideas I had without having to design a whole print from each of them. The beachball was a given. The oars, a life preserver, my crab! It was all coming together. And the surfboard- a little tribute to the Beach Boys. I mean, who doesn't love the Beach Boys!?




And then there was plaid. I can't even tell you how much I LOVE plaid. If you know me, you know I love plaid- always have. Years ago I bought a pair of plaid pants. Yes, plaid pants. And I wore them like crazy until I decided to paint in them. Ugh, what was I thinking!? If they weren't covered with paint I'd be wearing them to market.




Pieced madras plaid fabric always catches my eye and it's EVERYWHERE in the summer and on the beach. Different patches of different plaids all together on one piece of fabric- that's what I wanted to design. I am THRILLED with the result!




So whether you're an East-coaster, a West-coaster, a tropical beach go-er, or a surfer dude/betty I hope you can find a bit of yourself in 'Going Coastal' because YOU were the inspiration. :o)



*If you're interested in having some of this fun line for yourself- ask for it at your local quilt shop. They can order it now from Michael Miller and it should be delivered later on this summer! :o)







40 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi -- when and where will this fabric line be available? I LOVE IT!

Kira said...

I think I need some of the orange prints for Sam's quilt. He loves orange and I think blue might be a follow up. I like it.

April M. said...

What a great fabric line! Speaking as a So Cal girl, it's perfect!

Tiffany said...

When does this come out? Its fantastic! I live on the East Coast and my MOM loves all things beachy/coastal :)

... and I love plaid and those little crabbies!

Congrats on your new line!

The Peacock family said...

OH MY GOSH EMILY I LOVE IT. HOW EXCITING FOR YOU.... YES I AM SHOUTING THIS TO YOU :) WAY TO GO GIRL. I WILL BE FIRST IN LINE TO BUY IT. WELL ME AND MY MOTHER IN LAW..... HAHA LET ME KNOW WHEN I CAN GET IT.

Lee Ann L. said...

I am loving the colors in this line. The crabs, starfishes, bottlecaps makes it fun; but, the colors just snaps!

Lynette said...

Gonna have to buy some of this, for sure, seeing as how our house is coastal, with sand dollars pinned up instead of wallpaper borders, and starfish adorning windows and walls. :D Not to mention the crabs, starfish, seahorses, and turtles in the sofa fabric print. ;D

rubyslipperz1052 said...

I lie-ka-da these fabrics...Hope we can get some soon! =D

hugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz106.blogspot.com

Moose on the Porch Quilts said...

I'm so happy for you!!!!!

Shannon said...

Yahoo,It's so fun to see the final products. Can't wait to get me some. I am so happy for you and can't wait to hear all the great reviews at market.

Unknown said...

What a fun line! Great job and thanks for sharing your process and inspiration!!

Shaunab said...

I love it and can't wait to get some. Great job!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! I am looking forward to meeting you at market.

And thank you SO much for mailing my fabric to me tomorrow. I am in a sewing frenzy over here as I am sure you are too!

Best of sewing to you!

Jackie Kirner said...

What a terrific line of fabric. The bottle caps and the plaid are my favorite of the moment. (but love it all, really)

Mauby said...

Love it! The crabs, the sand dollars, the starfish, the KELP! Love the Kelp! How versatile and yet beach-y. :)

Congratulations it looks GREAT!

Beth said...

I have to get those bottle caps. Love the dots and the kelp. Need those in every color. So exciting. I like that it feels beachy without being 'novelty'. Great job.

Sharon Pernes said...

I love this line. I grew up a few miles from the beach and had a sailboat also so I have always loved beachy prints. And you are right, i haven't seen a line like this. I will definitely be looking for it later this month.

Yvonne said...

Love the prints and the colors Emily! Hope to get some this September when we are in Utah and bring it back home to the North Sea coast in the Netherlands!

Belle and Buttercup said...

This is knock me over with a feather adorable. I LOVE it. I can't wait to get it in at the shop. And I'm decorating my Master Bedroom in an orange and blue beach theme but haven't finished yet. I now know exactly what fabric I'll use for pillows and quilts. I love all the prints but I have no words to describe how awesome the bottlecaps and madras are! Can't wait to get my hands on it!!!

Tina in Boston said...

Congratulations! I love the sea and I have designed a sea theme fabric line as well (though I have yet to have someone pick it up :) ). The bottle caps are so clever!

Michele said...

I love it! So original :-) when is it available to buy?

Patticakes said...

I just adore this line of fabric! I keep coming back to look at it again and again!

Joy said...

I love every color way... awesome.

amy smart said...

So cute! I have to get some of that crab fabric! My mom was born on the west coast (Berkeley, CA) and my mother-in-law was born on the east coast (Bath, Maine) so even though my poor kids are land-locked, they love the ocean and they love crabs especially. (We went crabbing in Maryland last summer.) They would love this.

Excited to meet you soon, Emily. Good luck with all the final Market preparations!

Sinta Renee said...

YOu have hit the nail on the head!!! I just did a post yesterday about beachy colors... your new line is EXACTLY what I am looking for! I actually had thought about writing to some designers I know and asking them to do something fun and nautical... but here you are! Yeah!

Sinta Renee said...

BTY, I live in the mountains at Yosemite Nat'l Park... but the beach (where I grew up) is very much of who I am dispite where I live!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

It's fabulous Emily! I can't wait to get some!

Vicki said...

Beautiful! We are at the beach right now and this fabric is perfect for summer! Can't wait to get some!

robin said...

As a land-locked prairie girl, I LOVE Going Coastal! I'd give up a lot to live near the sea. (sigh....)

Kwiltsfl said...

I must have this fabric - it is wonderful! I'm a Florida girl. ~Karen

angie said...

I just got back from market and ordered up a bunch of this awesome collection! I can't wait to get it in the shop! I too went through the same radioactive treatment about 1 1/2 years ago for my Thyroid Cancer, 10 days of isolation can either make you crazy, or produce amazing things. Looks like for you it produced amamzing things!

Kim Brackett said...

I can't wait! I live on the Coast of Florida and I NEED this fabric. :-) I love every one of the prints, and the oolors are beautiful.

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

Is this going to come in laminate or home dec? This would be fabulous for beach bags!!

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

I love this line and it would go so well with my blog name don't you think? I have no idea where to find it. We don't have many fabric shops around here. The colors and design are fabulous. I don't quilt but this sure makes me want to. Is it heavy enough to use for other things? Spotted you on Craft Gossip!

Jane said...

I love this fabric! I thought I would share that in our family we call the breaking waves, "bottlecaps". It all started when one of my children couldn't say that the waves had white caps when they crested. So, your bottlecap fabric is perfect for this collection!

Anonymous said...

I have only just seen this fabric, went searching for a nephew's quillow and this touched me. i love the freshness and vitality your colours and prints have, it really says "beach' to me. Thanks for "putting it out there" I love it and now I have to go round some up! I Hope your treatment went well too. God bless you.

Unknown said...

I don't know if you are aware of the "Swoon-Along" that is currently taking place over on flickr, but I just wanted you to know that I am making my Swoon quilt using the Going Coastal fabrics, and I'm wild about how it is turning out! If you want you can see my first blocks here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryquilter/6716333311/in/set-72157628797163497/

Unknown said...

This is so fantastic! I bought a half yard of each to make a quilt for my ocean crazy hubby .... and whatever else I can squeeze out of it :) I loveyour line!

Cheri C. said...

It has been over a year now and can you believe I still can't get your plaid?!! Talke about the love for this line. I'm so happy for you. I know you have moved on and created new lines but this has been a favorite of mine and every time I go to order the plaid... well, it's on backorder. This has got to make you happy that so many people LOVE this line and that specific print. Here's to Sept... when I get a chance to order it again... that is the back order time... gotta love it!!!

Anonymous said...

i love Crab Print, really excellent work do own your blog.