2010 June

Have you tried this thread?

June 14, 2010 By Anne 29 Comments

I’ve been on a mission to find a really good sewing machine thread. One that’s strong, doesn’t leave lint in the machine, is colorfast and makes me a happy quilter. I’ve been using another thread (shall remain nameless) that I’m really unhappy with, so this was an important mission. I found a thread I really like at spring market. It’s Presencia! I first read about Presencia from Harriet Hargrave. She suggests using the 60 wt Presencia thread for a more accurate 1/4″ seam. Thinner thread = less space = more accurate 1/4″. Probably true if you think about it, but could the 60 wt. possibly be strong enough for quilting?

I put it to the strength test and fell in love. It passed with flying colors! How can you do your own strength test with your own thread? It’s easy, just pull on the thread! If it breaks it’s not very strong. If you have to tug to break it, you’ve got a winner.

I tested the 3 ply 60wt, Presencia against the Superior, Mettler silk-finish, and Aurifil, 50wt. 2 ply threads. The Presencia won! So how does it sew? I personally love it both the 60 wt. and the 50 wt, I’ll use either thread! When I need a really strong thread for sewing stuffed animals etc.I’ll choose the 50wt. and for regular sewing I’ll choose the 60 wt. I’ll give an updated report after I’ve sewn with it for a longer period of time. It’s only been a few weeks since market so I’ll update you again in a few months. In the meantime, if you’d like to try Presencia we have several colors available on our web site, or maybe your local quilt shop carries it! Try one spool and put it to the test. Let me know what you think!

Do you have a favorite thread and why? I’d love to know. We get attached to the thread we sew with and usually stick with that brand buying it over and over. With today’s technology the threads just keep getting better and better! I hope more and more stores start carrying Presencia. I think you’ll love it too!

Have a great day everyone!

Hugs,

Anne

Filed Under: Crafts

Behind the Scenes

June 11, 2010 By Anne 10 Comments

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind a photo shoot? You see the finished pictures, but there are probably hundreds that you don’t get to see. Just to come up with a few photos that end up on the cover of our patterns, web site or in our ads, can take 1 to 2 days of shooting and well over 500 photographs. Add a baby to the picture and you can imagine what might happen!

Meet Bren, our Bunny Hill Baby model. She is too adorable for words with a personality that just makes you smile! I fell in love with this little girl and her 5 week old brother! On photo shoot day, her mom brought her over in her pajamas. We had several outfits ready, but she was so cute in those pj’s that I decided to just put her in the crib and I told Greg to shoot away! Here she is with her little brother, just 5 weeks old! Such a beautiful baby! He’s on the cover of our “Cuddle Cloth” pattern along with Brigette’s daughter Kendall.

The nursery was set up in my kitchen! We moved the table and chairs out and moved the crib, drapes, rug in! Here’s the pre-photo to prove it. See the pink coffee maker? It’s the kitchen! Why there’s even some coffee in the coffee maker!

I had a special dress made in my fabric for Bren to wear. The dress was in a stack of other dresses, and by mistake we put her in the size 4 instead of the size 2…It was falling off her shoulders and way too long, not that Bren cared. She was fascinated by the tea cup I gave her to hold!

And of course Mooch had to get in the photo!

When we were trying to stage the “Cuddle Cloth” pattern we went through several different arrangements. Here’s one of the rejects that is just so sweet!

So take a look at our web site and those beautiful photos you see on the patterns. Behind the scenes at Bunny Hill is always so much fun!

Oh Baby you’re so sophisticated!

June 8, 2010 By Anne 15 Comments

I’ve been talking about it for weeks, you’ve seen the patterns by now, and I’ve even given some fabric away. But have you seen it close-up? Every single fabric? It’s such a treat to have my name on this selvage!

I’m in love with twins, can you imagine? Lily & Will have been taking up most of the Bunny Hill studio for quite awhile. Finally, here they are right out of the Moda catalog!

Introducing

Lily & Will

Luscious pinks for Lily, beautiful blues for Will, and the prettiest green ever for those of us who love green! Combine these with creams and browns and think of the things you can make with this fabric! Baby and so much more! Sophisticated and charming is the look I wanted and thanks to Moda I think we’ve done it! You can enlarge these pictures and see every fabric!

I designed the main print from Lily & Will with home decor in mind. Drapes, crib skirts, bassinets, and even whole cloth quilts. It’s large enough to give an impact and set the stage for the entire room. Just look at the drapes and bumper pad cover created from this fabric!

Diaper bags, bibs, whole-cloth quilts with satin backing and satin trim will be available from Moda home. And yards and yards of pleated satin ruffles in blue, pink, ivory and brown. Oh my what more could I wish for?

How about bundles, jelly rolls and layers cakes packaged by color? That’s right COLOR! Moda’s made it so easy for you to choose and my new line of “Bunny Hill Baby” patterns will help you create the nursery you’ve always wanted! From drapes to cuddle cloths.

Lily & Will will be shipping to your local quilt stores in October. Seems like years away but remember how time goes so fast. I’m working on a coordinating line for Fall market and I hope to show you how this fabric can be used for things other than baby.

Don’t worry, Bunny Hill will still have the same style you’ve gotten used to seeing. I’ll always be working on applique quilts and even using other Moda fabrics. You’ll always find pincushions, Bunny Hill Home patterns, and new surprises for all of you. Nothing has changed, we’ve just added a very post baby section! When you think of baby, turn to our fabric and patterns for a style you won’t find anywhere else!

October can’t come fast enough for me! If you love it too, ask your local quilt store to order it! As we get closer to the ship date I’ll be showing you step by step how to add that pleated ruffle to the border of your quilts. It’s sew easy!

Have a great week everyone! I should be in Germany by now!

Filed Under: Fabric Design, Quilt Design Tagged With: Fabric Design, Lily & Will, Moda fabric

Have you seen this ad?

June 6, 2010 By Anne 17 Comments

Have you seen this ad in the latest issue of McCall’s Magazine? It’s from Shabby Fabrics and it’s for my “Rabbits Prefer Chocolate” block of the month!

Jennifer at Shabby Fabrics used “Astor Manor” from Moda fabrics and remade this quilt. Her version looks so much like my original I just can’t believe it!

Many of you already made this quilt, but for those who missed it you have a second chance!

Here’s my original “Rabbits Prefer Chocolate”!