*post by Victoria Snape, images via: (Top-Left) 13 threads, (2nd Row-Right) People like art, (3rd Row-Light) Bglorified boutique, (3rd Row-Right) Silk Couture by Takuyo, (4th Row-Left) Left right

* images via: “Pilot” by Philo Nordlund, Just Cavalli Fall ’12, House of Holland Fall ’12, “The Gentleman’s Relish Quilt” by Sarah Witherby, Just Cavalli Fall ’12, Just Cavalli Fall ’12, Jenni Kayne Fall ’12,

Like plaids, it seems that the houndstooth is a trend that just won’t quit. As much as I try to stick the look in seasons past it is still relevant and will be important to Fall ’13 collections. The trick is, of course, to find new and innovative ways of using this classic pattern. I love all the examples seen here and hope they inspire you in your work!

Lots of love, Michelle

images via: “Gears” by Liz West, “Cogs” by Kevin Walsh, “Steam Engine Machinery” by William Warby, “Photowalk 141” by Chris Betcher, “Plate Bending Machine” by David Wright

Hi there! Chelsea found these amazing photos of machinery and it was such a great reminder of the endless opportunities that there are for inspiration. The shapes, colors and movement within these pieces are fantastic! Speaking of fantastic, the weather here in Portland has been a stunner and I had a wonderful weekend filled with shopping for the nursery, music and a little bit of work. My business is not yet at the point where I can take the entire weekend off, but I am making changes to do so soon! Some examples are:

Automating emails: I love connecting with clients and Pattern Observer readers, but I find myself writing the same emails over and over again. I knew google canned responses was an option, but I struggled with feeling unauthentic. My solution? Using canned responses as a starting point for common emails and then editing and adding to the draft for a more personal touch. You can read a how-to here.

Using more freelance help: The big business guys and gals all preach the powers of outsourcing, but hiring freelancers can be scary!!!! It took a while to find the right “team,” but I can now see that hiring out tasks that I have been doing for years: repeats, data entry and more is the only way to grow my business and offer a higher quality of service to clients, students and readers. I still struggle with the “I can do it all” attitude, but if I ever want to take a weekend off, let alone maternity leave, I know I have to let go and trust those around me!

Developing systems for frequent tasks: I am slowly going through each aspect of my business to see how I can more efficiently work and get even better results. In the past couple months I have streamlined my invoicing process, started using an amazing project management program called intervals and have scheduled out my blog posts months in advance, which is nice, but is still difficult for me to follow ; )

Do you have a 3-month goal for your business? What steps are you taking to accomplish your goal? I would love to hear all about it..

It’s a Feature Friday!!!! and I am delighted to share these pieces by the talented visual artist and designer Polly Harvey, who’s work celebrates a range of materials including collage, mono printing, screen printing, painting and drawing. Polly finds inspiration from the everyday world, patterns and objects, conversations, nature and music. Her influences range from 1920′s printed materials to Bauhuas design, Surrealism and the Arts and Crafts movements. Polly works as an Illustrator and designer, creating textile designs for wallpaper and fabric and has exhibited throughout London, Frankfurt and Hamburg.

If you are in London this month you can check out her ‘ Secret 7”’ Vinyl Record design for ‘Friday I’m in Love’ by The Cure, which is being exhibited alongside David Shrigley at the Idea Generation Gallery. To see more of Polly’s work please visit her website or blog.

Have an amazing weekend!!!!!!!

19th century quilts

Four distinct types of quilts developed during 19th century America: the American Pieced Quilt, 9 patch quilt, Album Quilt and the Victorian Crazy Quilt. The American Pieced Quilt, which was designed to accentuate the contrast between colors and patterns, began with a central medallion that spread out evenly over the quilt.

* images via: Postage Stamp Center Medallion Quilt Dated 1888, Silk Stars by Mary Mern. 1845. Hand pieced and quilted

The 9 patch quilt
It was the change in construction, from pieced medallions to nine-patch blocks that revolutionised American quilting. While bed-size quilts required a lot of room to piece, pieced patterns could be assembled in a relatively small space and easily carried until stitched together.

The Oregon Trail opened up the American West, where settlers carved out a life for themselves in the harsh wilderness. Quilts were made on the wagon and in the dugout and things of beauty were created from scraps of old clothing and feed sacks. Patterns, such as windmill blades, barn raising, straight furrow and court house steps, developed from the landscape.

* images via: www.oldquiltcompany.com, Windmill Quilt from Ben Mildwoff Collection, Straight Furrow Log Cabin Quilt
c. 1870, Barn Raising Log Cabin quilt

Album quilts
For more formal occasions, such as weddings and christenings, elaborately appliquéd Album Quilts were made to commemorate the special day. The detailed appliquéd tops were further embellished with intricate stitching as seen in the close-up image of this patriotic eagle and floral quilt.

*images via: Eagles with Floral Wreath Applique Quilt 
c.1875, Album quilt. Made by a member of the Hargest Family, Baltimore, Maryland Dated 1845

The Victorian Crazy Quilt

The Victorian Crazy Quilt was very different with its flamboyant pattern of rich silks and velvets embroidered together to make a contemporary display. It was a passion that began towards the end of the 19th century in response to the influence of Arts and Crafts movement and American Aesthetic Movement… change was in the air. – Molly

* image via: Victorian Crazy Quilt c 1890

* post by Victoria Snape, images via: (1st Row/ Right) Sweet llama Supplies, (2nd Row/Left) Captain Cat, (3rd Row) Sweet llama Supplies

Today’s Featured Designer is the talented Tanya Brown, who designs under the name Schatzi Brown. Schatzi’s inspiration comes from her love of nature and being outdoors. She is a runner, biker, skier, and a surfer who loves quirky color combinations, hand drawn motifs, surf/skate/ski lifestyle brands & street wear. She also loves travel, anthropology, and researching different cultures for inspiration.

I was immediately drawn to Schatzi’s work and color usage, but her heart warming description of her love with print and pattern truly warmed my heart, “I think I have loved pattern since I was a child. I started drawing when I was three years old and never stopped. My favorite childhood memories include my crayon apron that my mom made me and, my multicolor ball point pen, magic changing color markers, & my spiral graph! All the signs were there pointing me to my passion for patterns, but I didn’t know it then.”

I couldn’t relate more! You can find more of Schatzi’s work over at her wonderful blog, Schatzi Brown.

I just wanted to remind everyone that the next Sellable Sketch class begins this Monday, May 7th! This is the last time that I will be teaching the class for quite sometime, since I have a baby arriving in August! The class will be offered as a self-study course, but if you are interested in the full course I encourage you to sign up today. Have a wonderful weekend!

17th and 18th Century Whole Cloth Quilts

It is widely thought that the American tradition of patchwork began with the early settlers utilising every scrap of imported fabric to make warm quilts for the homestead. However research suggests that expensive, imported English whole cloth quilts were found in early colonial homes. The making of American whole-cloth quilts did not become established until the 1750’s and it was not until after the The Revolutionary War, when America was freed from trade restrictions imposed by the English, that quilting evolved with a unique American style – bolder colors and innovative designs.

*images (clockwise): “Copper plated printed whole-cloth quilt 1785,” “Cornish trapunto quilt early 17th Century,” “Whole Cloth Quilt,” “Trapunto Close up,” “Whole Cloth Quilt,”

A whole cloth quilt is not made from a single piece of fabric, as the name suggests; it simply means that the quilt is made from fabric of a single color or intricately embroidered to produce a highly textured, tactile design. In addition to embroidery, Trapunto or ‘stuffed technique,’ was used to add extra texture and dimension to whole cloth quilts.

17th and 18th Century Indian Chintz

* images (clockwise): “Broderie Perse Closeup,” “Winthur Collection,” “Chintz,” “17th and 18th C Indian Chintz, ” “Broderie Perse”

By the beginning of the 18th century, Broderie Perse, French for “Persian Embroidery”, was a popular method of applique created from patterned chintz imported from India. The clearly defined floral motifs were cut out and appliqued onto plain cloth backgrounds, resulting in stunningly beautiful pieces. These quilts were luxurious, expensive and used for display on special occasions.

*images (Clockwise): “Broderie Perse Quilt,” “Broderie Perse Fragments”

In the 19th century, The Industrial Revolution brought about two key innovations which helped to popularize American quilting. Firstly, mechanised looms emerged, resulting in cheaper American fabrics and yarns. Secondly, the invention of the sewing machine accelerated the process of stitching small pieces of fabric together, making it quicker and easier to piece and produce quilts.

See you next week for Part 3 – 19th Century Quilts! – Molly

*post by Victoria Snape

If you have been following Pattern Observer for a while, you know that I just adore the work of textile designer Ana Romero. In addition to being a fantastic designer, she is a wonderful person and I am thrilled to share her latest project with you today. Ana has exhibited her work at design events like Printsource and Direction by Indigo and being the driven designer that she is, her next goal is “to translate her fashion inspired prints into a collection of living accessories. This collection will be introduced at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York in May 2012.”

As most of you know, trade shows are EXPENSIVE and Ana is asking for your support through a really cool Kickstarter program! As a thank you for your donation, Ana is giving away cool prizes like limited edition prints, postcards, printed items and more.

And………..just because she is awesome and needs your help spreading the word, Ana is running an exclusive giveaway contest for Pattern Observer readers.

To enter: Post the kickstarter video(found here), or information on your blog, facebook page or twitter account. Each media outlet is an additional entry! Once you share Ana’s Kickstarter with your community, just post a link in the comments section below and you will be entered into the contest.

The prize: Ana’s products! Including: one silk scarf, two pillows, one iphone case and a limited edition 16×16” print!!!!!

The deadline: May 18th

Ana thanks you for you support and let’s help a fellow Pattern Observer get to ICFF!