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Pattern Release: Color Collective Season One Collection
The day has finally come for the Season One Color Collective Pattern Collection to release! Until now, it was only available to members of the Color Collective back in 2018. When I launched Color Collective, I mostly didn't know what I was getting myself into. Amy (Sewtopia) and I knew we had a good idea, but we never dreamed we'd still be here providing folks with color and quilting inspiration almost 5 years later! The beauty of Color Collective has been equal parts patterns, colors & community. I know a lot of people participating today have missed out on Season 1 and I've been wanting to release the patterns for a quite a while and finally decided the time was now! Shop patterns here! What makes these patterns special? They're all technique based. Each one gives you a block and a technique. While you're making a block or a whole quilt you're learning a skill you can take onto your next quilt. The blocks are also just good fun! They are repeated in the quilt design, which helps build the skill, and by playing with color and value in each one, you never get bored. What skills will I learn in each pattern? Color Pop: Machine Applique and Inset Circles Color Cross: Foundation Paper Piecing On Point: Foundation Paper Piecing Vintage Star: Hand Piecing & y-seams by hand Modern Log Cabin: Color play & accurate 1/4" seams Radiant Lone Star: Strip piecing & y-seam by machine How can I learn a skill from a written pattern? Some people definitely can, but there are parts of any technique that are just better explained live. It can be one thing to read a paragraph about how to sew an inset circle and then try to replicate that vs having someone show you. With that in mind, for each of these patterns, you can purchase just the PDF or you can opt for the PDF with Mini Workshop. What's a Mini Workshop? A Mini Workshop is 20-40 minutes of on-demand video content where I walk through each step of the pattern and give tips on the trickiest parts of sewing blocks like navigating puckers in an inset circle or how to get the perfect y-seam. The content is hosted on a platform called Thinkific and your access never expires. So you can watch each video as often as you like and whenever you need a refresher. You also have the option to leave comments if you get stuck on a specific part of the pattern and need help. What if I'm already an intermediate to advanced quilter? All of these skill based patterns are written for a confident beginner and above, but each of them has a very useful skill that even immediate and advanced sewists can benefit from: Do you hate foundation paper piecing because you have to tear the papers out at the end of sewing? Try the Color Cross or On Point patterns! They utilize a new method of foundation paper piecing where the papers are reusable and don't have to be torn out. Are you averse to y-seams? They can be intimidating, but are an amazingly useful skill to have. Try the Radiant Lone Star (if you want to do them by machine) or the Vintage Star (if you'd like to try them by hand). What about color? The original color palettes are included in the patterns because that's one part of what makes the Color Collective so fun. Color Pop even includes a second revised color palette and technique that I might just love more than the original. Ready to sew? If you participated in Season 1 of Color Collective back in the day or if you just picked up these patterns and are ready to get going, you can use the original color palette included in the pattern or grab a newly curated color palette bundle from my shop and try a whole new color exploration. A fat quarter bundle will be enough to explore the block concept, and the kit will be enough to make a throw quilt. Do I need these patterns or Mini Workshops if I participated in Season 1 of the Color Collective? The patterns have been revised and the video content has been reshot and expanded on, but much of the information is the same, so you probably don't need them. However, since video content as part of Color Collective expires, if you would like to keep the mini workshop content forever on your favorite pattern (or one you never got to practice during the season) you might enjoy the PDF with the Mini Workshop options. Are you planning to release other patterns from Seasons 2, 3 & 4 of the Color Collective? Eventually, but I don't have a firm idea of when they will happen. I have some brand new stand-alone pattern ideas I'd love to release, so I think those will be up next. Stay tuned! Have questions? I'd love to help you! Just send an email to info@tarafaughnan.com Buy Single Patterns Buy a Fabric Bundle Buy Season 1 Collection I am so excited to release these patterns! I hope you're excited to finally be able to get your hands one them and get sewing!
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What's in my drawers?
I thought it would be fun to show you what's in my drawers! I know most folks do a studio tour, but honestly my studio is not one of those picture perfect Pinterest worthy spaces I find myself drooling over, but it is functional! I have a large drafting table where I sew, and it has the loveliest giant drawers, where all my most used tools live. I DO clean it out every so often, but things have a way of migrating and piling up in there. Some belong and some have snuck in there like that High Chew that Sewtopia sends out with your order. Ok, so here are the before pictures, please don't clutch your pearls! I warned you... Incidentally, when I looked at these pictures I found that roll of artist tape I've been missing...and my coveted old scissors for cutting plastic were crammed way in the back of the drawer too! And those True Grips for rulers I was looking for those a few months back... Ok so I took it all out and sorted everything into piles, found a few things I had lost, some things I was ready to let go of and....So. Many. Glue Sticks. I'll be back in a few minutes after I clean them up and reorganize. And here they are all pretty and neat, or at least as pretty and neat as my drawers will ever be! Organization is not my strong suit, but hey, sewing is! OK, and now for my most favorite tool recommendations! Kai rotary cutter - for 20 years I thought this was a Dritz rotary cutter, but in taking this picture TODAY it CLEARLY says Kai on it... no wonder I love it so much! It's ergonomically just right for my hand, and so easy to use if you cut with left and right hands too. Sewline Glue Pen and Sewline Pencil - enough said, these are just the best tools, I use them almost everyday. Wonderfil DecoBob - an 80wt. cottonized polyester thread. This is a nice thin piecing thread that helps reduce bulk in your seams. Aurifil 50wt - a good all around cotton piecing thread in a nice neutral color that works in most situations. Artist's Tape- a useful tool to have on hand for everything! I use it on my rulers, with EPP, to tape my quilt backs to the floor for basting, on my sewing machine, for foundation piecing, and label making too! It's repositionable and comes off easily. Omnigrip 12½" ruler - this is available everywhere! I like this size as it slips less and can be used for most blocks. Though I confess I have a love of square rulers, and have a giant one that trims up to 24" blocks! Color Cards from various manufacturers! These are an essential tool for being able to see colors when you order online. Contact your local quilt shop to see if they carry them or can order some. And I'll leave you with my favorite find of the day. My sweet little nephew's first quilt design that he wrote up when he was maybe 6. I laughed so hard at the stick figures he drew to figure out how big he wanted to make his quilt. All the hearts for this one!!! I'll have to find a picture of the quilt he made and post it on IG one of these days. Alright everyone, that's it for today. If you have read this far thanks so much for taking the time to read my first ever blog post! I hope you enjoyed it and maybe found the inspiration to clean out your drawers too- you never know what lost treasures are in there.
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Join the Traverse Block of the Month!
Let's make this quilt together! Join me and your local quilt shop for the Traverse Block of the Month & sew along. Inspiration comes from the funniest places. I'd been thinking on this block of the month for awhile, brewing ideas and waiting for the right spark. Well, one night I was watching Jane the Virgin on TV when inspiration struck! The characters were seated in a restaurant, and there was a blurry out of focus woven fabric on a bench in the background, and it hit me that this was it! I snapped a screenshot and off I went. I recalled the jar of woven ribbons my mom had when I was a child, and how I loved to get them out and look at all the lovely colors and patterns, the way the shapes played with one another and the quiet spaces where there was a block of solid color (kind of like that sashing above). I'll share more progress pictures later, but read on below to get all the details! What’s the Traverse Quilt? It’s a take on a traditional row-by-row. The quilt consists of a series of blocks sewn into rows each month. When completed the quilt will measure 72” x 85”. Block of the Month includes: 10 row patterns 12 month sew-along Monthly video tutorialsTips on quilt time managementKits featuring Windham Artisan Cottons Monthly prizes How do I sign-up? A list of quilt shops offering the multi-color way are linked here. A list of quilt shops offering the neutral colorway are linked here. Don't see your favorite LQS? Join by signing up with one our online shop participants. When does it start? The sew along will start here on the blog in August, with an overview and some preparations before we begin. Then the actual sewing will start September 1st! Be sure to check with your local quilt shop to see their exact dates for fabric distribution and in-person events. Read on for all the details about this exciting year-long experience:This looks complicated. Can I do it? If you are an adventurous beginner with at least some sewing experience and maybe one quilt (or half a dozen unfinished quilt tops!) under your belt, you most certainly can do it! The sew along will be supported by me, online, and supported by shops with either in-person or video tutorials to help you learn and complete the row each month. Video tutorials you say? I've made exclusive video tutorials to support you every step of the way. Each month your shop will distribute these in-depth videos with all the tips & tricks necessary to construct each row. I love video, as it makes it easy to show you the techniques and point out things you should pay particular attention to! What techniques are included in the pattern? I designed the quilt so that each row demonstrates a range of techniques that will build the skills of a novice quilter but also be fun for experts. Techniques include strip piecing, curves, and a brand new way to foundation paper piece! Will I be able to keep up? Yes! I will be providing a suggested schedule each month right here on my blog with guidelines for what should get done each week to keep up. Some months are less complex than others, so there will be a few easy months where you can get caught up if you get behind when life happens. Plus! There will be prizes for participating along the way so you will be motivated! Prizes you say?! Oh yes! I can’t reveal all the sponsors just yet but I have some fabulous prizes from Oliso, Quilter’s Dream, Windham, and Wonderfil to name a few! How can I participate online? Join the Tara Faughnan Quilts Facebook Group to interact with participants from the BOM. Then repost the I'm In badge using #traversequiltsa #traversequilt & #artisancottons. Using the hashtag for all your Traverse BOM Instagram posts enters you to win monthly prizes & may get you featured in participant spotlights on Instagram, this blog, or monthly newsletters. What’s included in the kit? Each kit will include enough Windham Artisan Cottons to make the quilt top (that’s 14+ yards of fabric including brand new colors I designed!) as well as the 20+ page pattern which is exclusive to BOM participants! How much does the kit cost & how is it distributed? Contact your participating quilt shop for details on distribution and cost. What about backing & binding fabric? Backing and binding are sold separately. Can I buy a fabric kit or pattern from you? Not this year! While I am about to start offering some curated fabric bundles (see my shop here), you can only get the Traverse BOM kit and patterns from participating shops. What other tools or fabric do I need to complete the entire BOM? Marking pencils. In colors to mark both light and dark fabrics. I personally love the Sewline Ceramic Lead Marking Pencil. Glue sticks. Confession: for paper piecing I like Elmer’s Washable School Glue Sticks for most things as they’re cheap and they work! For curves it's also nice to have a Sewline glue stick or other fine tip glue stick for precision application. Printer paper. Normal printer paper, not cardstock. Square Acrylic Ruler. This should be at least 9.5” square with 45 degree markings. A Walking Foot. Not just for quilting your quilt but also to help with long seams when sewing together rows. I still have questions! I'd love to help you! Just send an email to info@tarafaughnan.com I am so excited to begin, and I hope you'll join me in making this beautiful quilt. I'm off now to make the version in the neutral color way, as I think I do need both!
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All About On-Demand Courses
Did you know I offer on demand courses? Right now, I've got 2 On Demand Classes! Click the link to learn more and to sign up!On Demand classes are great for learning at your own pace and on your own schedule, and the ability to rewind and pause the videos is incredibly useful for learning in depth techniques. In each course you will find: • Step by step videos and clear graphics to explain the technique.• An in depth look at using color and value to create a dynamic design.• A downloadable PDF pattern for the quilt• A comment section for each lesson, where you can ask questions and get feedback from me! Explore On Demand classes here.
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Meet Tara Faughnan
As I kick-off the launch of my newly updated website, I wanted to give you all an open introduction to me, Tara Faughnan, artist, quilt-maker, creator. I am a professional textile designer and quilter living and working in Oakland, CA. I started to quilt around 2001 or so, using a reprint of the 1931 edition of 101 Patchwork Patterns by Ruby Short McKim as my guide. I had no idea such things as rotary cutters, rulers or plastic templates existed, and spent many happy weeks tracing around cardboard templates and cutting out pieces with a pair of scissors.Somewhere along the way, my love of quilting led to school and on to a career in textile design, with clients including Michael Miller Fabrics, Riley Blake and Pottery Barn Kids.I find inspiration in forms, shapes and the place where 2 seams meet. Color interaction is the key inspiration that drives me. It's that intuitive moment when you put two colors together, and then two more, and two more after that that I focus on. The explorations are endless and I strive to try to walk the line of discomfort and still make everything work together as a whole. I draw a lot of inspiration from the simple bold geometry of antique quilts, the gorgeous bright colors from textiles around the world, and freedom and spontaneity found in unconventional and improvisational quilts. When I look at my current work, I see all 3 of these aspects represented. I like to use simple geometry, complex color interaction and find the line the exists somewhere between harmony and discord.
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