Sewing Industry Reflections and Predictions

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind?

What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.)

What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)

What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)
A quilt for a new baby girl, whose grandmother (a quilter) had passed away.  It felt wonderful to share some quilty love.

What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?
The best thing I've seen *today* is the "Manhattan" quilt in the Art Quilt Collection book.

What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.) Different weights of fabric: linen, voile, etc.  I hope along with it will come hints for how to use these fabrics.


What's on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? What would you like to learn more about?  I'm excited to make some "modern quilts", and am working on a series of my own design.  I'm quite excited about both of these.

For me, 2010 will be most notable for my discovery of modern quilting and the many inspiring modern quilt bloggers.

Well, this was the year I 'discovered' sewing, so everything was new and exciting to me...but my favorite collection by far was 'Macaroni Love Story' by Heather Ross. For next (this) year, I'm gearing up to dip my toe into sewing with vintage patterns...I'm nervous, but ready to take a stab at it!

2010 Trends and favorite things:  Use of Japanese prints and hexagon projects.  Overall, i basically enjoyed seeing the great craftsmanship displayed all over the blogosphere. 

What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)  Little folks voile - Forest Hills print.

What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)  My son's Imagination Movers Halloween costume - my first serious attempt at garment sewing since high school.

What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?  Elizabeth Hartmann's Birch quilt stands out in my mind.  But it was a crowded field.

What do you think 2011 has in store? More solids, use of linen and organic cottons

Anything you're ready for the sewing world to get over? 
Acquiring fabric for it's own sake and not actually to use for anything (yes I'm guilty of this too).

What's on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? What would you like to learn more about?
I would like to take more time to do sewing projects - some garment sewing and some sewing for the home. 

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind?

Big bold and bright fabric patterns!

What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs, whatever you really loved.)

Learning about the sewing world and I am still learning about it. But I did not do too bad for just starting out. Favorite fabric collections came from Michael Miller, Amy Butler, and some Moda. Patterns hands down I love Kwik Sew the most but I have also ventured into others. Favorite blog to read: Anne Sutton from Bunny Hill Designs. Her blog is personal but she also keeps her products flowing too! 

What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above)

I loved what came out of Michael Miller’s designers because a lot of it was fun, cartoon like along with the big bold patterns. Amy Butler had hands down the biggest boldest patterns colors and designs that I have not seen since my childhood and I loved it! Moda I am sad to say that I am still exploring what they have to offer. Though I love the American Jane line and Bunny Hill line. Oh I forgot to mention Robert Kaufman’s designers with the vintage prints. So loved them!

What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)

I have not just one thing to share but a few.

I had quite a challenge while making Darlene Zimmerman’s Day Wash Clothespin Bag. Breezed through Simplicity’s Simply Teen pattern # 5105 View C. Though easy to make it went over well with my kids and cats that is why I put it as one of my best things to make. My other challenge was McCall’s pattern #3979 view D. Talk about hair pulling if you go by the pattern right. But in the end it turned out fantastic.

Go to gablehousesewing.blogspot.com to see photos!

What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?

I saw a lot of great and fantastic quilts, and clothing items that were out in the market this past year. I would have to say that the cloth diaper patterns out there were something that I liked. My cousin’s wife made them for their son and I thought that they were clever.
 
What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.)

That is a hard question to answer directly because fashion determines how everything else will be. The colors, shapes, and overall designs that are on the runways of Paris, New York, Milan, ECT determine what will dominate other designing elements. Example: being home interiors. You will see the same colors and shapes that are on the run ways just as much as you will see them in home magazines. I do have to say that typically quilting stays a bit on the country side and patterns rarely change. But I hope the vintage feel stays around. It is nice to be able to fill my house which is really old with things from past eras.

Anything you’re ready for the sewing world to get over?

Purses! Almost every quilt shop that I have been to has loads and loads of purse patterns! And typically they are tote bags! How many tote bags does one sewer need? More of a variety please!!!
 
What’s on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? What would you like to learn more about?

To use up everything that I bought in 2010 so I can move on to new items in 2011. Maybe to learn how to appliqué and start designing my own stuff so I can get a career started. I am excited about learning more and more things in the sewing world and I am looking forward to making some quilts but to keep on with the clothing items

Hmmm, After 48 years, a dear friend taught me how to sew. My cheapo machine died and she lent me her 40 year old very retro Bernina Record! On a whim I made my first quilt! In 2010 I fell in love with fabric after a trip to a local quilting store had me dreaming in Technicolor all night long.

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind? I am a new sewer/quilter and to blogs so all was very new to me. The tutorials are great! Lots of bright colors and solids or big prints being used.

What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.)I love the japanese fabrics that came out and Heather Ross ffaway II. And of course all the online patterns in PDF are great - I have some from Little Lizard King and Oliver and S

What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)
FFaway II, Innocent Crush and Castle Peeps!
What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!) A tumbler quilt for my sister!

What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?  I loved the Sand Castle Quilt by Merry Made

What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.)I am hoping more for boys and mens prints and patterns.

Anything you’re ready for the sewing world to get over?  mug rugs and purses and totes.

What’s on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? What would you like to learn more about?  More about tailoring techniques and bindings for quilts.
my agenda is at least 4 quilts for gifts and to do more pattern testing and do more free motion quilting.

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind?purses, purses and more purses 

What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.)I love SMS, I love the Alexander Henry fabric.

What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)Alexander Henry.

What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)I can't share a photo, but I made myself a pair of pj pants. AMAZING! I still wear them =D

What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?My mom made baby blankets and changing pads for friends of ours who were having babies.

What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.)Really square and straight lines. Everywhere.

Anything you're ready for the sewing world to get over?Mini skirts.

What's on your sewing agenda for 2011?I want to make a lot of things, bookmarks, wristlets, purses... What are you excited about?All the cool fabric I got for Christmas. What would you like to learn more about?Embroidery, and how to make things actually come out right when I am done sewing them.

I think that COLOR was a big one. So many designs contained LOTS of colors (not just 5 but maybe more like 15-20). I think even more modern designs also broke through - designers like Tula Pink are really stirring the pot.

I'm a HUGE Anna Maria Horner fan and love her new collection, Innocent Crush. I'm also loving how many new designers there - entering the design world from non-design backgrounds/design backgrounds alike (Laurie Wisbrun, Aneela Hoey, etc.)

I think one of the best things I made was this little embroidered quote: http://www.flickr.com/photos/littleolivebranch/5190293565. It combined my love of quilting with a new skill: embroidery!

Oh, so many to choose from! I'm in awe of this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uniaoderetalhos/2578629065/in/faves-littleolivebranch.

I think there's going to be a big move toward more use of solids. I also think a lot of talented people who were hesitant to try their hand at fabric/pattern design will emerge, hopefully inspired by those that have in the past few couple of years!

I'm so excited about using my stash for projects, finishing up WIPs, etc. Check out what I'm up to on my blog at http://littleolivebranch.blogspot.com.

Thanks!!!

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind? I have to think of fashion. In the sewing world, there seemed to be a lot of reinterpreting reinterpretations. The 80s have been reinterpreted via lace, punk references, an abundance of "vintage" details, ruffles, trims, etc., but ultimately the 80s borrowed heavily from other eras. In 2010, these runway trends had finally trickled down to the mainstream and as such have been attacked and hacked by the "sewing scene".

What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.) I "discovered" Paul Overton's blog Dudecraft. It's brilliant to see what subcultural artists in other media are creating!

What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.) Not a fan of fabric collections as a rule, but this was the year I learned that the name Alexander Henry is associated with many of my favorite blacks and whites.

What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!) I finished my Cathedral Window Chuppah! This was a process of several years and has deep meaning for me. It was created completely by hand. Each piece was individually traced and cut with scissors (no rotary cutters!) then basted, ironed and sewed together with hand quilting thread. I love the way it turned out, and it represents quite a significant milestone in my life!
http://flic.kr/p/8KhyQF

What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else? I ended up being quite inspired by Elizabeth Hartman's Tokyo Subway Map quilt.

What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.) I suppose we will keep with the trend that "busier is better", but I would love to see a return to simplicity. When I visited the National Quilt Museum in KY, some of the most striking pieces were composed of two solids in one well-thought-out symmetrical geometric design. Those pieces exuded the kind of beauty that allows for rest, making its presence known without being overbearing. On another note, I would love to see Liberty of London prints drop towards affordability! :-)

Anything you're ready for the sewing world to get over? Embellishments on clothing. They limit the flexibility of your wardrobe, keep creative accessorizing to a minimum, and draw focus away from the truly beautiful person underneath those layers of haphazardly-placed stuff. Hmm... Maybe we should go back to buckskins and loincloths.

What's on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? What would you like to learn more about? This is a year of completing projects! I am fasting from buying more fabric in hopes of using what I have and finishing what I've started! I inherited several quilt tops from friends and family whose block patterns I have yet to identify but are so glorious in their vintage appeal that they cry out to be quilted. I am also looking forward to finishing quilts for my hope chest--from baby-sized to queen-sized!

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind?
I work with kids ages 7-14 and they all want to sew creatures and monsters. I started to see a trend of hats that have long flaps that become the paws of the animals. My kids all want to make these!

What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.)
I love the Japanese fabrics with little cute animals. My kids all want very 70s/80s inspired prints - little rainbows, bunnies, funny little anime-inspired creatures - cute, cute-cute! This is a departure from the more geometric prints or skulls/rock and roll prints they were drawn to in the past

What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)
Personally I like Denise Schmidt and Amy Butler.

What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)
I made my daughter a coat on Christmas Eve when I found out she had lent hers to a friend. I bought red faux sheering and added a few raw edges to the design, used giant snaps instead of buttons and she loved it. I also made an aviator inspired costume for a local play and the designer won an award for it.

What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?
My students always amaze me. This summer we hand dyed vintage nylon slips and transformed them into modern outfits. They were incredible. Also, my friend Rachelle is a costume designer and made this outrageous rose-petal dress for a production of the Little Prince.

What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.)
Oh, I wish I had a crystal ball and I could answer this. I would say a trend toward 80s inspired apparel and textile prints are heading our way - neon colors, shoulder pad (yes, folks, they're back!) and stirrup pants. Maybe the really cool stuff like the Issey Miaki designs will be back in style too. I am also getting a hand-dyed textile vibe. Just call it like I feel it, nothing but a hunch about that one.

Anything you're ready for the sewing world to get over?
GLUE!!!

What's on your sewing agenda for 2011?
Teach more kids to sew, make curtains (the real way - eek!) and work on my blog about sewing machines.

my fave things: i love Sarah Fielke's work, nearly everyting I've made in the last year comes from one of her Material Obsession books. 

fave fabric collection: i have been enjoying the tradition of French General

best thing i made in 2010: hmmm i probably only completed one project as i don't have as much time for sewing as I'd like - a quilt for my parents with a design (from Material Obsession!) and fabrics that they chose

best things by someone else: there are talented people who blow me away every week with things they have created, I couldn't chose![/font]
My sewing agenda for 2011: finish a beautiful applique quilt I'm doing for a friend's wedding gift, a quilt for my husband made with fabrics we bought in Japan and a fatquartershop Christmas block of the month quilt that i WILL have finished for Christmas!!

Happy sewing everyone!

I am really excited about the increasing number of PDF e-patterns available.  There are so many great childrens' designers doing e-patterns and some great purse & bag e-patterns available.  I'm hopeful for more e-patterns for womens' apparel. 

In the year ahead, my goal is to sew more apparel for myself instead of just for the kiddos.  Can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for the sewing world!

Shoulder pads???  Don't know if I am quite ready to return to the '80's!

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind?
I definitely saw an expanding following among young, new sewers (myself included). I follow a lot of blogs, and I’m always impressed by how many of them (even really popular ones) are relatively new, which gives me hope for my own blog (http://ablueskykindoflife.blogspot.com), as well as my own skills (seeing how quickly people improve over time).

What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.)
I could not get over the Modern Meadow collection by Joel Dewberry. I kept going back to it for a lot of projects, from wine totes to makeup bags. I also loved Ann Kelle’s Urban Zoologie owls. I know everyone’s over the owl trend, but I couldn’t get enough of that fabric. I also loved the ever-increasing focus on modern quilting. As a relatively new sewer, it’s so encouraging to see the amazing things people are doing and to be guided by so much free help (thank you, Elizabeth Hartman!).

What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)
In addition to Modern Meadow and Urban Zoologie, my other favorite line has been Sanctuary by Patty Young. I thought the combination of masculine geometrics and feminine florals was brilliant, and the teal color way was beautiful. Oh, and the Early Bird collection by Cosmo Cricket. I’ll be using it to make my first quilt!

What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)
I’ve only been sewing for a year, so I’m still pulling from a relatively limited pool, but I really loved how the gathered clutches I made based on Noodlehead’s tutorial turned out http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcrafter/5310282734/. They’ve also probably received more comments than anything else, so I guess others liked them, too.

What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?
I’m amazed by everything Elizabeth Hartman does. I couldn’t get over her Tokyo Subway Map quilt.

What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.)
I think (and hope) that local sewing circles will continue to grow. I’m jealous of the ones I see people participating in all the time, and I’m hopeful we can get something started in St. Louis. I’m also hopeful for the continued growth of “modern” sewing stores. I’m so over shopping at the big box stores or the stores around me that continue to cater to a much older crowd.

What’s on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? What would you like to learn more about.
So many things! And a lot of firsts — my first dress and quilt are biggies, plus a ton of smaller projects in the queue. I’m starting off by working through Jem Jam’s Style Stitches Monthly Bag Challenge and sewing table runners for my sister’s wedding in March.