10/07/2011
Nancy Mahoney is a force…..a really nice force….to be reckoned with. Quilter, teacher, fabric designer, author, pattern maker, tech checker, chocolate consumer – she pretty much does it all. Nancy is often associated with her 30s fabric collections and books, but her new collection with P&B is a departure from that. Florenzia is a beautiful floral group that is just starting to ship to the quilt shops.
Click here or on the swatch to see the entire collection!
We asked Nancy to give us a little tour of her Studio, and a tour of her quilterly life as well.
Who or what got you interested in sewing?
As a child I was fortunate to sleep under a Double Wedding Ring quilt, made by my great-grandmother in the 1930s. And since the family sewing machine was kept in my bedroom, I started sewing bits of fabrics together when I was 11 or 12 years old.
How old were you when you made your first quilt?
When I was about 20 years old I worked in the fabric department, at a department store in Boise, and found a magazine featuring vintage quilts. I decided to try my hand at making a quilt. I diligently made cardboard templates, cut out the pieces with scissors, but gave up before I'd completed even one block. It was several years later, after moving to Seattle and taking a scrap quilt class that my journey as a quilter began.
"Road to Oklahoma"
What is your sewing environment like?
I'm fortunate to have a large space dedicated to quilting with separate pressing, cutting, and sewing areas. I'm able to move my cutting table around the room as needed to make it more convenient. I have one machine for patchwork and a different machine for quilting. And a huge design wall.
What do you do to get your inspiration?
I find inspiration in lots of different places including vintage quilts, nature, and architecture.
One of Nancy’s latest creations is the quilt she designed for her new collection. It’s a free download on our web site.
Click here or on the quilt to download our free pattern
How many quilts have you made?
I've lost count, but conservatively, I would guess I've made over 400 quilts.
Heroes?
My heroes have always been cowboys! I was a bit of a tomboy as a child and wasn't into dolls or other "girly" activities. I loved westerns and wanted to be a cowboy.
Current read or favorite read?
I'm currently reading "The Distant Hours" by Kate Morton, an enjoyable mystery, set in England, that spans two time periods, the early 1940s and 50 years later.
If you could be doing anything you wanted right now, what would it be?
A leisurely walk through a beautiful garden in England!
You can see more of Nancy’s work on her web site, www.nancymahoney.com. And look for her next 30s fabric collection at the end of the year!
09/22/2011
Can you ever have too much of a good thing? Maybe, if it has too many calories, but that doesn’t apply to fabric. We initially offered Expressions, a haunting, beautiful neutral collection worthy of an art gallery. The main print alone has an amazing array of textures and painterly touches, with light accents of gold metallic.
Each pattern in this collection is given its own print, and together they create a sumptuous and arty package.
Look what you can do with a pile of pillows on your sofa!
Free projects
We also have some wonderful quilts. You can download these patterns,
Elegant Expressions and Round and Round, from our web site.
Not enough? Our Design Department agreed, so they re-invented the same striking prints in an unexpected denim blue. Just look at what a difference it makes!
The vibe for Expressions 2 is just as arty, but it resonates with a warmth and a casual familiarity, like your favorite pair of jeans. Our expert quilters outdid themselves once again, with two great quilts. We will have patterns soon on the free pattern page.
Sandy Lueth of Totes by Sandy made this fabulous shoulder bag . She sells her purse patterns to many quilt shops.
You can currently find Expressions neutrals in many quilt shops across the country. Click here for a listing.
Expressions 2 in the denim colorway will start shipping to shops at the end of the month. Look for both of them!
visit our website www.pbtex.com !
