Tidal Lace Blog Hop

Welcome to new readers who've popped over for the Tidal Lace blog hop showcasing Kim Andersson's first collection with Windham Fabrics. This stop almost didn't happen, but thanks to Kim's persistence, I got to play with some beautiful new fabrics and I was inspired to create a clever new pattern. If you haven't had a chance yet, pop over to Kim's blog to read all about her prints and the inspiration behind them.

Kim invited me to contribute a project for the collection lookbook a few months ago when our life was off the rails chaotic. The fabric was due to arrive just as we were packing our apartment for a move and the deadline landed while I was on the road, I didn't think I could pull it off. I wrote back a bit deflated and told Kim that there was just no way I'd squeeze it in. My heart sunk a little because I'd miss an opportunity to play with her clever sea meets ballet lace prints.

She must have read between the lines. I wanted to play with the prints, but I was worried about letting her down. Thankfully Kim was persistent and sent another letter. The mail arrived while I was standing on a dock; moments later my husband caught a starfish. I took it as a sign and set to work designing a zakka-style project for her sea-themed collection.

Tidal Lace features 14 prints and 3 solids, all on the high quality fabric that Windham has been producing for years. Kim's designs include organic sea creatures, lace-like nets that shimmer and versatile border prints. The fabric drape and print scales make them ideal for both quilts and clothing, but I was on a tight schedule and decided to make something small. With the coastal prints in mind, I decided a sailboat pouch was in order. Before I knew it, the Ahoy There! pouch burst to life.

Tooting my own horn for just one moment, check out the zipper mast. It was one of those rare moments of creative brilliance that are few and far between.  I don't think I would have gotten there without the coastal inspiration in Tidal Lace.

When queried about which fabrics I'd like to use in my project, I sheepishly said 'all of them' and then narrowed it down to about half the collection. I knew the sea creatures on the Tide Pool prints would look great on a sail and the twinkle of colors in Shimmer would add just the right balance.

One unexpected surprise came with title print, Tidal Lace, which is used on the back of all three pouches. While I expect most people will gravitate to the starfish and lace on the border, I found myself excited about the quilting possibilities. The soft wavy lines of the Tidal Lace print are perfectly spaced to quilt along. Inside I added the small-scale Sea Gems print.

Tidal Lace is due in stores in January 2015 and is available for order for quilt shops now. If you like the collection, now is the time to start pestering your local shop owners to get their orders in. The Ahoy There! pouch pattern is available in my Craftsy store. You can get it now before the collection arrives.

Windham Fabrics is generously giving away fat quarter bundles of the Tidal Lace collection throughout the blog hop. For your chance to win right here at Badskirt, leave a comment about your favorite print in the Tidal Lace collection.

This contest is open internationally. One entry per person. A random drawing will be September 23rd, noon, Melbourne, Australia time and I will contact the winner shortly there after to confirm their details.

For more chances to win, visit:

Mon, Sept 15:  Windham Fabrics and I Adore Pattern 

Tues, Sept 16:  House on Hill Road and Badskirt and @cathmosely

Wed, Sept 17: Play Crafts and Stacey In Stitches

Thu, Sept 18: Little Bluebell  and The Quilted Fox 

Fri, Sept 19: See How We Sew  and My Sewcial Hour

Sat, Sept 20:  Sew Messy and Domestic Strata  

Sun, Sept 21: Hodge Podge Farm and Drop Cloth

Mon, Sept 22:  Swoon Patterns and Peppermint Pinwheels

Tues, Sept 23: Bettycrockerass and The Berlin Quilter  

happy crafting and good luck, amy badskirt.