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!