Collaboration with Fabric Designer Natalie Barnes
Quilt making can be a very solitary process. That’s why I welcome opportunities to collaborate. I recently had such an opportunity. In December, I was contacted by Natalie Barnes, a fabric designer for Windham / Anthology Fabrics. She inquired about potentially using my Shuttle quilt pattern in the Look Book for a new line of batiks—titled Sparkle and Shine.
Every Journey has a Bump in the Road
Natalie sent me digital swatches of the fabrics. As soon as I saw them, I said, “Yes!” But, we hit a snag.
Windham worried about featuring a pattern that wasn’t available in a printed version. They wanted to be sure that local quilt shops could make quilt kits if they wanted. I don’t currently offer any of my patterns as a print version – only downloadable PDF. So, Natalie and I decided that we’d collaborate in some other way that didn’t include the Look Book.
The Collaboration Begins
I developed a few mock ups of Shuttle quilt in the Sparkle and Shine fabrics and sent them to Natalie.
For Version A, I leaned into the grays and minimized the colors to a triadic color harmony of magenta, cyan and yellow. I felt this amped up the modern look. For Version B, I leaned into the colors and chose a neutral background. This version is much closer to the original sample quilt I made for Shuttle.
Natalie chose Version B because it featured lots of the blue and teal colors that are favorites among quilters (plus, it’s just more cheery).
Happy Mail and First Impressions
Sparkle and Shine is a fabric collection of 24 batik blenders. Even those Shuttle only uses 12 fabrics, Natalie sent me yardage in all 24 fabrics just in case I needed to make a change after seeing the fabrics in real life.
I really appreciated Natalie sending all the fabrics. I’ve learned that digital swatches are not always 100% accurate in their color. It’s always best to verifying your choices with the actual fabric. In this case, I didn’t have to make any changes.
Sparkle and Shine Batiks by Natalie Barnes for Windham/Anthology Fabrics
These fabrics really do sparkle in real life. They feature speckles of color over a blend of hues with a watercolor look. With names like Galaxy, Firecracker, Tutti Frutti and Pool Party, you get a hint of what the fabrics evoke.
Sample Quilt Time
With fabrics in hand, I got to work constructing the sample of Shuttle quilt using the Sparkle and Shine fabrics. Once the quilt top was complete, I headed over to Mistletoe Quilting Co and enlisted Haley to add some edge-to-edge quilting.
After putting all the finishing touches on the quilt, it was time to take photos. Natalie mentioned that it’d be great to have some lifestyle photos of the quilt to share on social. I’m lucky to have a cousin that owns a home decor shop here in Omaha. She was gracious enough to help me stage and take photos. With two dogs and two cats at home, my house is never photo ready.
We managed to get some great photos. I sent them along to Natalie, and we made a plan to touch base in April when the fabric collection would be available for LQS to order.
A Twist Ending
Last week, I checked in with Natalie to ask when the collection would be announced and to coordinate sharing on social. She gave me a huge surprise! Turns out my pattern was included in the Sparkle and Shine Look Book.
Sparkle and Shine Look Book
This is a first for me. I’m so excited to be included in a Look Book that will be seen by thousands of local quilt shops! And, I’m honored that Natalie would choose me along side so many other amazing quilt pattern designers to showcase her new fabric collection.
I’m hoping this is the first of many collaborations!
If you know of a quilt shop that might be interested in creating Shuttle quilt kits with the Sparkle and Shine fabrics, I have info on my Wholesale page.
