Melly's Meadowlark Fabric Blog Hop

Welcome to the blog hop that will introduce you to Melanie Testa's fabulous new fabric line, Meadowlark, produced in partnership with Windham Fabrics.



I can't tell you anything about Melly's inspiration, the design process, or what makes this fabric line so meaningful to her.  For that kind of intel, head on over to Melly's blog.  I can, however, tell you what it was like to use her fabrics.

I had the pleasure of being a part of Melanie's sample team. Being part of a sample team means, of course, that my job is to create samples to showcase the luscious fabric she created.  Melly's sample team members had varying expertise and aesthetics.  We each agreed to create different items so that Melly didn't end up with 15 of the same type of sample to bring to Quilt Market.  This combination of people and projects was a perfect way to show the myriad ways the fabric line could be used. As you travel through the blog hop, you'll have fun seeing how creatively the team members combined and used the fabrics.

Like everyone, I swooned when I opened the package of Meadowlark fabrics from Windham.  The colors are rich and there's a wonderful array of images ranging from simple circles, to a toile-like floral and an array of comfy chairs.  Despite the disparate themes, strength of line, and colors, the fabrics flow together beautifully.

Strips of Meadowlark fabrics laid out on my work table
I felt it was important to wash the fabrics before using them since the samples I was making might ultimately need a spin in the machine.  It's no fun to have to spend lots of time clipping and cutting all the stray, fraying loose ends after pulling the fabrics from the wash, and then to spend more time untangling the wads of cloth that come out of the dryer.  But that was NOT the case here.  Melly's fabrics held up to washing beautifully and didn't tie themselves into knots in the dryer.  (I washed both yard lengths of fabric and fat quarters.)  The colors also stayed as bright and fresh as when I first saw them.  The fabrics ironed with ease and didn't wobble or get distorted,  even when I cut long strips.  Bliss!

I thought of how nicely all the fabrics looked stacked up one atop the other, and decided to make a Chines Coin variation for my sample table runner.  I'm calling it Spare Change since it combines bits of Chinese Coin strip sets with medallions of color, like loose dimes and nickels on the table top.

Spare Change, © 2014, 18" x 54"
I jumped at the chance to make a pet bed with the fabrics.  I could visualize Peach looking glamorous and royal on a purple bed, and how wonderfully she'd complement the color!  (I just love how the solids colors in the line aren't flat, but have great visual texture.  You can really see what I mean in the picture below.) As I thought about Peach, I considered how she had survived the streets by quick thinking, and sharp teeth and claws.  From there, it was an easy leap to use a derivative of the sawtooth pattern for Peach's Pad.  The center panel disguises an envelope that can hold a heating or cooling pad, depending on the weather.  Bella the dog is most distressed that I made this bed for a CAT.

Peach's Pad, ©2014, 16" x 24"
These two samples joined Melly at QuiltMarket, but I just couldn't stop there; I was having too much fun and was still being inspired by the fabrics.   So, I made a companion piece to Spare Change for myself.  I think the smaller square shape filled with color is perfect to show off a vase of flowers from the garden.  I'm calling this piece, Coins! because the circles make the strip sets look a bit like exclamation points.  Don't the fabrics and flowers look lovely together?

The patio table adorned with flowers and Coins! © 2014, made with Meadowlark fabrics.

I've thoroughly enjoyed working with Melly's Meadowlark fabrics and I'm certain you will, too.  The line will be available in stores in October...  BUT, if you'd like the chance to have the fabric in your hands before then, leave a comment on this blog post before June 13th.   I'll randomly select a winner on that date to receive 10" squares from the entire fabric line from all those who leave a comment here.  (If you're a winner, you'll need to send me your street address.)

Be sure to visit the blogs of the rest of the sample team to see how they used the fabric in their wonderful creations -- leave a comment on their blogs too, for another chance to win!  Here's the line-up:

June 3:  Chrissie D  http://www.madebychrissied.blogspot.com
June 4:  Sue Bleiweiss  http://www.suebleiweiss.com/blog
June 5:  Leslie Tucker Jenison  http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com
June 6:  Jamie Fingal  http://JamieFingalDesigns.blogspot.com
June 7:  Lyric Kinard  http://lyrickinard.com/blog
June 8:  Jen Eskridge  http://www.reannalilydesigns.com
June 8:  Jacqui Holmes Calhoun  http://melanietesta.com/blog (guest post on Melly's blog)
June 9:  Stephanie Forsyth  http://thefibernation.blogspot.com
June 10:Victoria Findlay Wolfe  http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com
June 11:Teri Lucas  http://terificreations.wordpress.com
June 12:Scott Hansen  http://bluenickelstudios.com
June 12:Helen Eckard  http://melanietesta.com/blog  (guest post on Melly's blog)

Congratulations to Melanie for creating such a dynamic line of fabric!  

Comments

Your samples using Melly's fabrics are lovely! Thanks for helping her with her launch... she is a very special lady, and I'm hoping her fabric designs become best sellers!
Gilli said…
I love this new line! Projects being planned in my head right now.
Carol C said…
What gorgeous products you made! I appreciate your review of sewing with the fabrics and look forward to using them this fall!
Norma Schlager said…
Love what you did with the fabrics. The two coin quilts are especially appealing. I thought you might capitalize on the "chairs" print.
Now to go see what everyone else has done.
Lisa Chin said…
Your sample pieces with Melly's fabrics are great! I love her new line and am so happy that she has achieved her goal!!! Thanks for sharing and hosting the giveaway too.
Beautiful fabrics and what fun projects you made!
Jeannie said…
Your samples for Melly's new line are wonderful. Chinese coins is one of those patterns that I love because it showcases the fabric. You are so right ~ Peach will look regal and beautiful on her new pad. Thanks so much for helping Melly launch her first (of many) line of fabric.
Miss Jean said…
This blog hop is a great way to occupy me while I can't sew (broke my ding dang arm :( pre-cuts might be just the thing when sewing therapy starts in a month or two. Good luck everyone.
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Kristin L said…
Super projects! They show off the spirit of the fabric well, and I just love your interpretation of the Chinese Coins.
sue viall said…
Hi there,,,I love your colors,,,you put medowlark fabric together very well,,,,,
Anonymous said…
Love the fabrics by Melanie and can hardly wait for them to be available. I have been sending all my friends to her blog. Have also been dying for the blog hop to start and you did an amazing job of showcasing the fabric and describing how the fabric handles.
Cecilia said…
Your samples are great! I love the vibrant purple and the other colors as well. This line will have to be added to my wish list.
Cindy Green said…
Wow, you've been busy! All beautiful samples and a great review! I'll have to check out some of the other sites too. Thanks!
HollyM said…
I love the fabricsp lines! I think the spare change is my favourite.
Thanks!
Mary said…
Beautiful samples! Love Spare Change!
Lin said…
You made great use of your fabrics Vivien - this is going to be fun, seeing the variety of different things made with the fabric. xx
Michele Bilyeu said…
What an absolutely perfect review in all ways of Melly's new amazing fabric line. You did, made, and shared all of the facets of both fabric and design that are the tipping points for letting us know that yes! I would truly love to work this fabric, this line, and Melly's own unique inspirational energy. Right on! Place my name into the drawing and crossing my fingers and toes as I would LOVE to work with such creative energies, myself!
Kathy Heacock said…
I love Spare Change -- I'm a freak for circles! :-)
Margaret said…
It looks like a lovely line--it must be such fun to get advance fabric to "play" with!
beth said…
I would love to win!
dez3b@yahoo.com
Allison said…
A beautiful line of fabric!
Mara said…
All beautiful pieces, I love that solid purple it looks fabulous and so textural!
Karen said…
The fabric is gorgeous and your great samples really show it off.
Gill said…
I love what you've done with Melly's fabrics!
Unknown said…
love these gorgeous fabrics Melly has created - and thanks for the chance of winning a stash of them
Unknown said…
mmm, don't know if that comment was published or not...love these fabrics that Melly has created - thanks for the chance of winning some
Deb Hathaway said…
Thanks for sharing your experience with handling the fabrics. As if the designs weren't fabulous on their own... knowing they won't snarl in the wash makes purchasing yards and yards a no brainer. I love your table runner... and a pocket to place a cool pack or heating pad on the pet bed is pure genius!!
Teresa said…
Cool giveaway!!
Kathleen said…
Love your projects! And nice to know how well the fabrics wash and dry too. I especially like your Spare Change piece. Showcases each fabric nicely. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Pamela said…
I love Spare Change! What a great way to showcase this awesome fabric. And I like the kitty bed too. This is my first visit to your blog, and it is such a pleasure. Thanks for the inspiration!
Susan said…
I love her new line. The prints are wonderful! And your work using her fabric is lovely.
Anonymous said…
Your ideas became perfect reality with Melly's fab fabric line!!! "Spare Change" and "Coins!!!" is so striking.....clean, fresh & beckoning!! CanNOT wait for October release date!!!!! Kudos to you!!!!
Mokki said…
I love your table runner. The spare change coins are really effective and show the beautiful colours of the line wonderfully. It is stunning fabric, and so quirky!
Sarah said…
I really love that table runner you made! The colors in the fabrics are so lovely in those little dots! sarah@forrussia.org
Pam Sherman said…
It is great to see these beautiful fabrics used in various projects. Your projects sparked some ideas.
Pam Sherman said…
It is great to see these beautiful fabrics used in various projects. Your projects sparked some ideas.
Terry Grant said…
So pretty and fresh! Leave it to Melanie to create designs that have such appeal and personality. Like nothing else out there.
Dee Spillane said…
Wow, great samples but now you need a dog bed to go with your kit bed! I really liked that you added the washing and drying experience to your review. This is such a beautiful line of fabric, thanks for sharing.
Marysu Bennett said…
Melly' fabrics are just too delightful! Good for her!! She is like a woman possessed when she sets her sights on a plan! Do you think some of that drive comes with the fabrics? Your pieces are awesome, and really showcase the colors, patterns, and pure joy of being a quilter!!
Vicki H said…
Love your Spare Change and Coins. This is a great new line.
Diann said…
I especially like your Coins! runner.
Lisa England said…
What gorgeous and unique fabrics!
Aussie Jo said…
Great items made with Melanie's new range!
I loved your spare change idea. Nice use of the fabrics. Love the color combinations.
Wonderful fabric. What a great giveaway!
Carolyn said…
Fun, fun, fun! Melanie has given us some peeks of her fabric line process on her blog. So great to see it out.
Jeri said…
Love that cat bed! And the coins idea is a lot of fun. The fabrics you used are great together. I know Peach will be pleased!
The colors are so rich in this fabric line and your samples are great!
johnnyp said…
lovely fabric . I really like the colors.
I have enjoyed the use of Melly's fabrics from each one of you participating.. My favorite is the runner you made for yourself..
Peaches pad looks pretty.
24Tangent "at" gmail "dot" com
Tawney said…
If Peaches will actually loll on her custom pad you have a more gracious cat than most! But I'm tempted...
Also love 'Spare Change'. Meadowlark is one good looking line of fabric - Good work, Melanie.
Rhonda said…
Love your "Spare Change" table runner and "Coins" on your patio table!! Also love the irises--my favorite flower.
Andy said…
Love the colors! Yum!
Lee said…
I love your projects! the coin one is great! thank you!
nicolesender said…
Oh, what fun it would be to sew with this fabulous fabric!
GranChris said…
I really like your quilt. The colors are great.
queenopearls said…
The fabric is ah-mazing. I love the quirky colors (my favs)! Oh yes, I definitely see using these for some projects. Thanks for the opportunity to win some stash of this great line!!
Unknown said…
I love the chinese coin table runner. What a great idea.
Have a great day.
Unknown said…
My cat Toby would love the pet bed. Again, another great idea.
Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful line of fabrics.
Anonymous said…
Both of your projects are beautiful! I love this fabric. Thanks!

Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.
Michele T said…
Awesome projects!!! I love the colours and prints in this line!!!
Janet said…
I love the look of the Spare Change table runners. Great colours!
Emily C said…
I love the effect of the Chinese Coins.
barb said…
i love your table runners you did such an excellent job, very inspirational. babscorbitt at gmail dot com
Anne-Marie B. said…
Great samples! I really love the spare change one! Thanks for this good review, especially about the prewashing!20
Quiltmomof6 said…
Love the table runner, the name is awesome as the fabrics that made it.
patty a. said…
This fabric is so interesting!
Sharmond said…
You created a lovely piece! Would love to work with these beautiful fabrics.
Vickie said…
Melanie's fabrics are gorgeous ! A table runner was a great idea to use them in !
Nathalie said…
Yes, Please! Looks like a fun line of fabrics.
Margaret said…
I love what you did with this beautiful line of fabrics
Margaret said…
I really love what you did with those beautiful fabrics
Julie S said…
The purple background really makes the colors shine. Not that they needed the help, but I like the effect! What color did you use on the Chinese coin and coin pieces?
Charlotta said…
Sure is lovely fabric, and I can't wait to get a chance to work with it myself. Thanks.
Anonymous said…
The things you made with Melanie's fabric are positively stunning.
Carole
Anonymous said…
The things you made with Melanie's fabric are positively stunning.
Carole Hoffman
Unknown said…
love what you did with the fabric, which is great in itself. gjeneve@gmail.com
Wtrstone said…
What gorgeous colors! Love that you made a cat pad! That is one lucky cat.
Deborah said…
Love the whimsy of these fabrics! Great table runners!
Afquilt said…
Love your samples! I'm too chicken for circles!
Afquilt said…
Love your samples! I'm too chicken for circles!