Kwanzaa Harambee Fabric from Kweli

It's that time of year! Innovative holiday fabrics from Kweli - this print is Kwanzaa Harambee and is available on Spoonflower.com. Enjoy!

Vlisco African Prints - Fashion Catalog July 2011

Just saw the new Vlisco ad campaign on their website. There is video of the runway show! And, if you click here, a copy of the catalog with fashion photos like the two here. Can you see a quilt made from these fabrics!? Enjoy!

Spring Cleaning of the Ole Fabric Stash

I did it. I finally cleared out my fabric stash - all eight clear bins of fabric lovingly collected over the decade plus! The calicos from when I first learned to quilt... the dozens and dozens of brown fabrics for the people I sew... the yards of fabrics featuring African American images (yes, Black Santa Claus!).... and more. I realized that I didn't need EIGHT bins of fabrics. So, the other week I had a clear-out. I had a ball recalling when or where I was when I purchased different prints, including the horribly expensive Art Deco print I got from Liberty's in London one summer. I laughed asking myself why I purchased four YARDS of the Michael Jordon "Space Jam" cotton print. I finally admitted to myself there are some fabrics I'll never really sew with. Slowly I put aside those prints that I'm not really going to use or need to keep any longer.

I have only three bins of fabric left... the-really-will-sew-with this fabric... the must keep ethnic prints.... and any other piece that simply made me happy. (I donated all the other fabric as well as the 40 spools of thread I'll not use either!) I feel lighter now. Have you ever had such a fabric experience?

Black Santa Fabric from Kweli Kitwana

Every year I am on the look out for African American or Black Santa Fabrics. If you see some in your area or online, will you drop a note? Have you seen Kweli Kitwana's Black Santa Joy fabric?! The cotton print is available from SpoonFlower.com. The print also comes in a blue background. Enjoy!

Latisha Horton offers new Alphabet Girl Fabric on Spoonflower

Congratulations to graphic designer Latisha Horton on the introduction of her "Alphabet Girl" fabric on Spoonflower.com. I can see this print as a border on a quilt - or even a lovely sundress for a little girl! Enjoy!

Kweli introduces Black Wedding-themed Fabric

Over at Kweli's African American Fabrics blog, she has announced the introduction of a new Ethnic Wedding Fabric collection. Yellow, pink, and pale blue colorwaves are available. Enjoy!

Disney's Tiana Cotton Fabric available

Thanks to KevinB for letting me know that fabric inspired by Disney's Princess and the Frog movie is now available. eQuilter has three different prints from $7.95 per yard.

UPDATE: Thanks to another reader who emailed me that Hancock Fabrics has a sale on one of the Princess and the Frog prints - $3.99 per yard. Enjoy!

New Mary Mack fabric from Kweli Kitwana

Kweli Kitwana has designed cotton fabric based on the children's clapping game, Miss Mary Mack. You can purchase the fabric from Spoonflower.com. If you click here, you can see the cloth purse Kweli made with the fabric. Enjoy!

Your help: Who Manufactured this Harriet Powers fabric?

I swear - quilt history is such an adventure!

Unexpectedly, I received in the mail this upholstery fabric swatch featuring reproduced images of Harriet Powers' Bible Quilt now at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. A dear New Jersey reader of This I Accomplish sent it to me. She wrote in her letter:

"I began making quilts 48 years ago... and I became aware of Harriet Powers' work when I was a teenager. Her quilts have always held a special interest for me.... I am writing to send you copied images of some upholstery fabric that I bought many years ago in Manhattan. I do not know who made the fabric, but it is very sturdy woven tapestry ... I think that I bought the fabric about 20 years ago. It is 54" wide ..."

WOW! She also sent me an 11" x 14" color photocopy of the fabric. She mentioned that she didn't see the fabric listed in This I Accomplish. Well, I never knew it existed! Can you help? Do you know any information about this Powers fabric? Do Tell!

Underground Railroad Quilt Custom Shoes by Kweli Kitwana from Zazzle

Sistah quilter, multi-talented artist, and political activist Kweli Kitwana has taken her love of color and designed a number of canvas shoes on Zazzle.com, the website that allows you to personalized products and make them available for sale. Pictured here is her Underground Railroad Quilt Custom Shoes, available for $63.55. Kweli has also designed a toile-like Harriet Tubman themed fabric on Spoonflower.com - click here to see. I love seeing how Sistah quilters are using technology to push creative boundaries. Can you imagine - a local quilting guild could design their own themed-shoes or commemorative fabrics?! Enjoy!

Nalo Hopkinson's fabrics - now for sale!

Nalo Hopkinson's fabrics - now for sale on Spoonflower.com - including this one called "Bubbles". Enjoy!

Vlisco - new Frozen Dreams fabric collection

I simply love the way Vlisco presents "Frozen Dreams," its new fabric collection! Just wish the dresses were available in the US! Enjoy!

Disney's Princess and the Frog - when will there be quilting fabric?

The new Disney movie the Princess and the Frog will open in the next few weeks. There's sure to be loads of licensed or themed products. I can't wait to get the cotton fabrics! I have a stash of African-American themed prints - and would like to add this new African American Disney Princess. This cover (photo) is a baby blanket. There are also twin comforters and sheet sets. Does anyone know if there is quilting fabric available? Do leave a comment here. Enjoy!

Vlisco New Fabric Collection from the Netherlands

Ok - if you are a fabric-aholic, get ready to drool! No, really, get ready.

Yesterday I received an email from the Dutch Wax fabric manufacturer Vlisco in the Netherlands. Their new line of fabrics is available - minimum order is 6 yards per design. Yes, they do ship to the US. You've got to visit the site and see these FABULOUS dresses made from the fabrics, like the one at left. I'm jealous, there are even stores with the FASHIONS - click here! Enjoy!

Have you created your own fabrics? Spoonflower.com

Have you tried Spoonflower.com to create your own fabrics? You create the design, upload it, and then you can order your own fabric! I haven't yet tried it - but it seems like fun.

I don't think you're able to order other folks fabric designs, but it is sure fun to look! One of my FAVORITE designers is Nalo Hopkinson from Canada. Sistah designer created this Colored Lady from New Orleans print and this Seaworthy print. Click here to see the Paper Doll design. Or, click here to see Nalo's Creole Print. And, finally, click here for her Honeybun print featuring a little boy.

Don't you just want to incorporate her designs into a quilt?! Which one do you enjoy the most? Enjoy!

Ghana Fabric of President Obama's July Visit

The fabrics honoring President Obama's visit to Ghana last month were so hot to see! I found an online vendor in Harlem who has the fabric in this photo. I'm enjoying my two yards! Not sure I'll ever cut it for a quilt though. Are you aware of other Obama fabrics? Enjoy!

VIP Cranston Fabrics - four Barack Obama designs

Gotta give a shout out to VIP Cranston Fabrics for introducing these four Barack Obama 100% cotton fabrics - 44" wide. My fingers are itching to make a quilt now! Thanks to Millie for sharing this link to Bear Paw Quilt Co, who is taking pre-orders for the fabric, which is due out in May 2009. Enjoy!

Marquetta Bell Johnson - Hand-Dyed Quilts

Have you read "Hand-Dyed Quilts" by sistah quilter and self-taught artist Marquetta Bell Johnson? I haven't dyed fabric since my one summer at a girls camp - but I remember the experience as fun. Enjoy this book!

Get Your Barack Obama Fabrics - while supplies last

Many thanks to SimplyTanzania.com, an online website in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I received a lovely email from Joanna, the site's co-owner, who visited this blog. She invited me to visit her website and see the COLLECTION of Barack Obama kanga fabrics - each for $19.99 + shipping. While on the site, I saw the elusive George Bush Presidential Fabric (sorry, it's now out of stock), and ordered a piece. It arrived within three days and looks great. Joanna says: "We started simplytanzanian.com with the aim of promoting products from Tanzania. We have a variety of beautiful khangas from Tanzania and would love for the readers of Black Threads to visit our store!" Enjoy!

Timeless Treasures Fabrics 2007 Kenta

While attending the Uhuru Quilters Guild 2008 show, I purchased a couple of yards of fabric from The Fabric Peddler, a local fabric store founded in 1988 by Nadine Mills. She had bolts of colorful cottons to choose from, including these two prints from Timeless Treasures Fabrics 2007 line. Kenta-C3161 (multiple girls) and C3160 (yellow background). Had you already seen this fabric?

I don't know if the Fabric Peddler fabric store has any more in stock - you can send an email to Nadine (thefabricpeddler@yahoo.com) or give a call (301) 336-3646. I did find two online store with the prints: eQuilter.com (type in Kenta in the search box) and Elkabee’s Fabric Paradise.com. Enjoy!