I've been told by my publisher that the copies of Quilt Me! have now arrived and should be sent out very soon (the same applies to the US). I know that the publication date changed from January 2nd and was put back to the 16th but I just want to say that these things are completely out of my hands, that publishers and stockists do all they can to get new books in and out as fast as they can, and that Amazon publication dates are often set months and months in advance when a listing is created and that the whole process is not an exact science.
But anyway, Quilt Me! is Quilt Me Now! It's full of quilts made from all sorts of inspirational fabrics and there's a fabric directory that covers a huge number of possibilities you may not have considered (needlepoint? tweed? cord?). There is nothing complicated in here; the designs are all simple, there are lots of strips, squares, rectangles and lengths, and once again it's the fabrics that play the leading role in the quilts. They all begin with a fabric that has shouted 'quilt me!' and I have gone from there. (And there are some very nice words from Kathy Doughty on the back cover.)
Collins & Brown have very kindly offered five copies of Quilt Me! to give away here and are happy to send the books anywhere in the world, so this is open to everyone. All you have to do to be in with a chance of receiving a copy of the book is to leave a comment below letting me know what your favourite fabric is. It doesn't have to be a fabric for quilting, just a fabric you love. And please leave your name and an email address. The comments will close on Friday 24 January at 6pm GMT.
My favourite fabric is a cotton print of Noah's Ark from my bedroom set when I was 8. My daughter has hijacked the pillowcase for her university home.
Posted by: LoriAngela | January 20, 2014 at 16:26
Hi Jane. Congratulations on your latest book. The fabric I am drawn to is 100 linen in well worn clothing, as it is soft, and rayon for clothing. In quilting, I seem to love all the fabric Minick and Simpson design. That said, I tend to end up with scrappy quilts with a little of everything.
Posted by: Pam | January 20, 2014 at 16:53
I love Liberty's tana lawn. Having purchased some, it sits in my fabric cabinet where I go from time to time to simply wonder at its beauty. I have yet to bring myself to actually see with it! -Annette annettessunday (at) hotmail (dot) com
Posted by: Annette N | January 20, 2014 at 16:58
I love natural fibers, so cotton is always a favorite. Close runner ups are silk and wool. Your book makes me think of a stash of silk tie fabric I have been pondering what to do with. I might have just found the answer!
Posted by: Heide | January 20, 2014 at 17:00
Seersucker - a sunny summer's sundress or a table set for tea. A much-loved dress from childhood and memories of my Grannie's cheerful tablecloth give this fabric happy associations for me. Thanks for your fabulous blog, Jane. It's my favourite by far!
Posted by: Elizabeth Bowes | January 20, 2014 at 17:10
Congratulations on your new book! my favourite fabric has to be linen - especially old muted colours.
Posted by: Una Regan | January 20, 2014 at 17:23
My fave fabric is TULLE, even though I can't imagine it would make a good quilt! ha ha. It reminds me of cotton candy, wedding dresses, tutus, and veils.
Posted by: Rebecca | January 20, 2014 at 17:27
Right at this moment? Something light and ditzy, probably a floral voile. Something that doesn't scream grey January day at me!
Posted by: Felicity Bevan | January 20, 2014 at 18:02
This could be just the thing to get me quilting!
Posted by: Nancy | January 20, 2014 at 18:40
I think that my favourite fabric ever is the curtain fabric that used to hang in the bedroom at my grandparents' house. I used to spend hours looking at it when I was little; it was a riot of peacocks and other seemingly magical birds in blues, reds, greens, creams and beiges. It was a little like William Morris' Trellis design, although with more of a chintz feel. The curtains were destroyed in a fire some years ago and the house has been sold. If I were to come across the fabric again, I'd make the birds into the centre of a medallion quilt and surround them with colour.
Good luck with the new book!
Posted by: Vivien | January 20, 2014 at 18:59
Marimekko patterned fabric is my favorite, I love finding new things to make with them.
Posted by: Susanna | January 20, 2014 at 19:11
My favourite fabrics are some embroidered motifs saved by my grandmother when she worked for the Strattons factory making powder compacts. I've kept them with me since I was a teenager, never quite knowing what to do with them, or really wanting to commit to using them up. They feel precious and remind me of her and the times when every lady really 'powdered her nose' .
Posted by: Hazel Garlick | January 20, 2014 at 19:19
Velvet.....always green velvet.
Posted by: Nancy Ng | January 20, 2014 at 20:05
Toile de Jouy without a doubt!
Posted by: Denise Moulun-Pasek | January 20, 2014 at 20:58
Liberty's Tana Lawn for me always. Congratulations on your book. I look forward to reading it. I might even make my own quilt one day...bx xxx
Posted by: Rebecca Clegg | January 20, 2014 at 20:58
Currently my favorite is dark navy blue with white polka dots. Cotton. Just bought a shirt made with it and I love it. I put it into one of my favorite quilts too. It just makes me happy.
Posted by: Julie | January 20, 2014 at 21:04
I can't go past anything with big blowsy blooms printed on it! Usually cotton but it doesn't have to be.
Posted by: Helen | January 20, 2014 at 21:09
It's hard to choose just ONE favorite fabric! I've always loved linen. In my dreaming, I've thought of using linen to make a quilt to cover my bed.
Willow
willowknitsatyahoodotcom
Posted by: Willow | January 20, 2014 at 21:55
Anything in a bright and whimsical print! I have a quarter of lemon yellow fabric with bright coloured owls and flowers on it that I love!
Posted by: Laura | January 20, 2014 at 22:21
i'm very impartial to the japanese echino fabric - they do a great print of a car that reminds me of a capri.
Posted by: bloepper | January 20, 2014 at 22:23
Gingham - especially black and white.
Posted by: Katrina | January 20, 2014 at 22:40
What a gorgeous book cover! I love love love silk -- mostly the ikat silks of SE Asia!
Posted by: Jan quarles | January 20, 2014 at 22:49
I'd have to agree with Liberty Tana Lawn! Congrats on the lovely book.
Posted by: Melissa | January 20, 2014 at 22:51
My favourite is kimono silk.
Posted by: Jill Pierpoint | January 20, 2014 at 23:44
I am (impatiently) waiting for this book as I love my copy of The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking. My favorite fabrics are vintage handkerchiefs, old linens, etc. that I re purpose into new creations.
Posted by: Martha Petry | January 20, 2014 at 23:53
The Liberty Lawn is just so special but I also really like linen. Congratulations on the new book.
Posted by: Elaine | January 21, 2014 at 00:52
Thanks for the giveaway - I <3 Liberty fabrics!
Posted by: Lara R | January 21, 2014 at 01:49
I'll quilt anything by Moda or Liberty or a nice cotton, preferably in periwinkle blue . . .
Posted by: Byrd | January 21, 2014 at 02:35
Right now, I really love the navy-and-red paisley that's the centerpiece fabric for what will soon be my very first quilt! I'm so excited!
Posted by: Marille | January 21, 2014 at 02:39
It is really hard to choose a favourite fabric.
Today I think I vote for dark blue batik.
(Tomorrow it could be gingham.)
Thanks for the contest!
Posted by: Lisa R-R | January 21, 2014 at 02:53
My favourite fabric is good old flannel, cozy for cold Canadian winters!
Posted by: Leslie | January 21, 2014 at 03:33
I love flannels, for being pajamas, for being quilt backs, for snuggling up with. If they are vintage, all the better . . .
Posted by: rosesmama | January 21, 2014 at 03:38
Soft organic cotton in solid colours...and flannels of all sorts. With babies in the house, the softer and gentler on the skin, the happier we all are.
And--oh how we love your children's books, Jane. They're in frequent rotation around here.
Posted by: Kirstin | January 21, 2014 at 04:06
I love to reuse fabrics that I find in the thrift (op) shops and that is usually 100% cottons, linen and denim. I am always drawn to a simple, somewhat coarse, plain weave, undyed fabric. I keep bringing it home, planning to cover it entirely with hand embroidery and applique.
Oh how I would love to win this book. It's on my wishlist.
Posted by: debbie | January 21, 2014 at 04:27
It's hard to choose just one, but I'm making my daughter a little dress right now in a slate blue wool flannel. It's really lovely.
I am so excited for your new book!
Posted by: Sarah | January 21, 2014 at 05:04
My favorite fabric right now is a gorgeous orange-pink stripey cotton called Wa-Nouveau by Hokkah.
Posted by: Marcy Singer | January 21, 2014 at 06:51
Dear Jane
my favorites are and most fabrics of Kaffe Fassett and Philip Jakobs. I love Flowers. I love dahlias, roses and I love the wunderful bright and brilliant colours of their designs,which are very colourful and exude true joy.
One of my favorite is "Floating Mums " ( Philip Jacobs).
At the Moment I´m in love with "Brassica" from K.Fassett.
This fabric inspired me to a quilt for my sister,who is vegetarian and hobby gardener. I imagine it, like a floral
vegetable garden :-)
hopefully jumping in the lottery pot :-)
Heike
Posted by: Heike Jäger | January 21, 2014 at 09:24
My favourite is charley Harper cotton
Posted by: Karen hutchens | January 21, 2014 at 09:48
My favourite material is thrifted bed linen from charity shops - especially cotton with floral prints.
Posted by: Rebecca M | January 21, 2014 at 10:02
I love, love tweed though I've never tried to quilt with it before.
Posted by: Blithe Spirit | January 21, 2014 at 10:11
It's difficult to pick one particular brand of fabric, I think. But at the moment I'm very much in love with the fabrics from Lotta Jansdotter! But then there's also Liberty tana lawn and linen. :-)
Posted by: jette | January 21, 2014 at 10:46
I love raw silk, exotic and luxurious yet with the humble history of its weaving evident in its texture. The blush-coloured offcuts of my wedding dress have made their way into a couple of quilt projects so far.
Posted by: Kylie | January 21, 2014 at 11:55
Liberty Tana Lawn - there will be at least one or two that I love every season and the classic 1930s designs from Westfalenstoffe.
Posted by: Charlotte | January 21, 2014 at 11:56
Congratulations on your book and I'm looking forward to reading it! I haven't read the above comments so don't know if anyone else has already mentioned this. I have a thing about vintage/hand embroidered table cloths and have been collecting them for years; apart from the ones in the kitchen cupboard there is a large suitcase under the bed. I also buy the ones with stains on- I imagine cups of tea spilled over tears, sunday roast splashes of gravy and so on- I'm sorry for them and think they were made with love and are now maybe unloved because of the stains, so I take them home to love them some more. They are cut up and made into a bedspread, cushion cover, laundry bag, and so on. The linen ones are the best, still beautiful, a dream to iron though I hate ironing! I have added some of my own embroidery in matching colours with the silks I inherited from a very dear elderly friend.
Posted by: Elien Groot | January 21, 2014 at 12:05
My favourite fabric is any fabric in the scrap bin in my moms laundry closet that I was allowed to dig through anytime I wanted to make something. So many creative projects started there. There was everything from awful polyester knits (that made sturdy puppet bodies) to pretty cottons with tiny floral patterns that made my first quilts. I still get nostalgic when I see a fabric with a similar tiny floral pattern!
Posted by: Pauline | January 21, 2014 at 12:33
ooohh - no contest. my favorite fabric is natural colored linen, especially after it gets old and soft.
Posted by: roxanne g reynolds | January 21, 2014 at 12:38
I know I'm in a time warp, as my favourite fabric seems to have always been a good thick vintage velvet. I can't seem to move on from it, buying it whenever I find it, small pieces to sets of curtains - whatever I can get hold of! I adore the rich, bold colours and the feel of it all.
Maybe my next project should be a velvet quilt..........
Posted by: Linda Faichney | January 21, 2014 at 14:39
I unabashedly love "novelty print" quilting cottons - whether the fabric has cupcakes on it, or cute animals, or sewing implements. I use that much more frequently in quiltmaking than I ever use the flowered calicoes that are "traditional" any more.
I also love Kona Cotton solid colors.
Posted by: fillyjonk | January 21, 2014 at 14:56
Congratulations! As a person who can't resist any pretty printed fabric, I find it difficult to choose. When we visited London, I brought fabric home in my already heavy suitcase :) It's always bad when I decide to peruse the Anna Maria Horner website. However, the first thing that popped into my head is fleece, as in fleece jammies on my kids this cold January!
Posted by: Constance | January 21, 2014 at 15:11
My favourite fabric is handwoven fabric, no matter the fiber used, or whether patterned or plain, it's always beautiful (I'm not a weaver myself).
Posted by: Kimberly | January 21, 2014 at 15:39