Rosebud's Cottage

Sneak peek at Fabri-Quilt!

Ha ... you can't let a little sign like this stop me from seeing what's going on!

Ok fine ... here's the truth. Paul and Adlai from Fabri-Quilt invited a few of us to stop by for a quick tour of their company before we all headed home from Quilt Market in Kansas City. Wowzers! There was more to this company than I was expecting!

As we walked up to the door I was thinking ... great ... we'll get to see where they keep all the pretty fabric. They sell bolts and bolts of quilt fabric to stores, after all.

They've won awards at the machine quilting shows.

Not to mention, the Astral Summer line from their Paintbrush Studios division was the perfect choice for my Side Dish quilt in the October 2011 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting. Actually, the whole experience working with Adlai and Paul to get sample fabric for this project ... plus fabric for kits ... was such an enjoyable process! We were working so far ahead because of deadlines ... they stashed all the bolts I wanted away for me until I needed them for kitting. Loved that!

So as we started our tour and began looking around, I thought their inventive use of quilts as Sun blockers was very clever. In fact ... they had lots of unusual touches!

But then the fun really began! I don't know about you but I'm a Curious George about businesses and what they are about. It's fun seeing what's behind the closed doors. Some of the features in the warehouse reminded me of working for Woolworths as a teenager ... or in the Montgomery Wards building in the Midway area ... specifically those cool and freaky and creaky old freight elevators. I felt right at home!

The Fabri-Quilt building is a full block square ... five floors ... and a basement. We started there to see the steps to getting fabric out to the stores. One area is all cutting, folding, stacking, and packaging fat quarters. The employees were fast!

The fabric comes in on huge rolls and then is folded, measured,  and bolted by machine. After it is shrink-wrapped it's stored on shelves waiting to be shipped. All of their machines are calibrated by the government to make sure they're accurate.

Check out the stack of bolt cores eager for pretty fabric!

Boxes destined for Italy. Fabri-Quilt ships worldwide. Their warehouse is in a unique location allowing them to ship via air, land, or water. Genius business move!

Not sure what this is for but it looks like fun!

Some of it made me feel right at home. Love exposed brick!

On another floor, they make and ship polyester batting. Some of it is for their own use but the rest ends up in stores or at other manufacturers. The fibers come into the warehouse in these huge bales ... they have to be smoothed out and separated ... sort of like a carding machine would smooth sheeps wool. Some of the fibers are straight and others ripply and that's what helps them cling to each other. They are run through a series of machines that eventually makes them into the sheets of batting we're familiar with. Adlai told me that the number of layers added in the process determines how thick and fluffy the batting is. Once they are as thick as they need to be, they are sprayed with a binding agent and run through an oven ... on the other end the batting is rolled and packaged. Then, because the rolls are so gigantic, they run them through a machine that looks like a giant food saver.  It sucks all the air out of the bag and compresses it so it's almost flat ... makes loading up a semi pretty darn easy! I've never seen anything like this ... it was pretty cool!

So what happens to the batting that stays in the warehouse? They quilt it! They have the biggest longarm machines I've ever seen!! They layer microfiber or nylon fabric or printed cotton with the batting and then send it through machines to quilt it together. It ends up at manufacturers who make outerwear or tote bags or fireblankets or quilts or table decor. You might be using something right this minute that began it's journey at Fabri-Quilt!

I want this sewing machine!! But they said I couldn't have it. Every piece of quilted fabric is checked to make sure the stitching is perfect ... if it isn't, an experienced sewer fixes it before it leaves the area. Quality control. It's a big deal to them.

Robert Kaufmann fabric waiting for it's turn on the quilting machine. Wonder what it'll be?

But there's more! Fabri-Quilt has so much more going on. But before we continue ... I want this work area. Look at those tables!! And the windows ... I'm imagining the hideout there.

They make Woollypockets! I saw them on HGTV about a month ago. They're vertical planters that you hang on walls. And Fabri-Quilt makes them. So cool!

There's more. And by now I have no idea what floor we're on. We've been in and out of a bunch of different freight elevators and have traipsed all over the building. But here are a few things I've learned. I was a little concerned about the vibrations on one of the floors so asked Adlai if that was a problem. He told me the cement floors between each level are about two feet thick ... not a big deal! The building was a factory that made cans for food products before they purchased it back in the 80s. Also ... Fabri-Quilt is able to take on small manufacturers who want their products made in America. Why didn't I know this ten years ago when I was trying to find a US company to produce a gift item I had in mind???

Next time you're in a hotel room, look around. The drapes, bed skirts, pillow shams ... they might have been made by Fabri-Quilt. Who knew! I saw an order for a hotel in Minnesota ... someone's getting a new look. Hotel remodeling is booming right now and they are right in the thick of it!

They have really fast sewers! Some people were working alone and others in teams.

I've made drapes before and the pleats are a pain in the neck. This woman could fold and tack them perfectly each time. I'm jealous.

I don't know where this beautiful pillow sham was going but I think I want to spend a night in that hotel!

Flying home on I35 my mind was spinning from all that I'd seen. I keep thinking of all of my pals who design fabric and wonder what kind of products they could create.  I love that a Made in America attitude is important to Fabri-Quilt.  And I know I've been impressed with their customer service. Paul ... Adlai ... thumbs up! Thanks for the tour. It was so interesting ... gives me a new perspective on Fabri-Quilt!

Pondering pretty fabric!

I had a bucket of fun driving my pal Pam from Quilt Market in Kansas City to Minnesota yesterday. She's hanging out with her cousin here for a few days. So today she popped into the Cottage to check things out and survey our inventory of Pam Kitty Morning fabric.

So after surveying what I have left of her fabric line on my bench ... and pondering a bit ... she had a genius idea! Everone should make Late Bloomers Farmer's Market Bag in PKM fabric!

And look at that ... Pam just happened to have one on her shoulder! It's darn cute!! So go to Late Bloomers and get your pattern ... then email Facebook or call the Cottage to let us get you set up with the purrfect fabric. We have all the pieces to make the bag.  And in December ... you'll want to make another one in the Pam Kitty LOVE fabric when it arrives!

Super duper Mom's Day project!

Are you are fed up with your sewing machine bouncing all over the table? We have a solution and with just ten minutes of your time, your problem will be solved!  Our Sewing Machine Mat will help keep your machine in one place ... but ... it also doubles as a portable ironing pad. It will roll up easily and is perfect for taking along on a retreat. So if you feel you need to make your own Mom's Day gift ... or one for a friend ... or maybe your own quilty mom ... drop in! The cost for the entire project is $12 and includes your choice of a fat quarter from our stash.

And a bonus ... we have mini-mats too! You can use it for a coaster or it makes a great ironing mat for paper piecing. They are two bux for the mat ... you could use the leftover fabric from your sewing mat to make them match!

We'll have everything ready for you on Friday, May 11 from 10 to 3 and Saturday May 12 from 10 to 2. Stop in and make one ... while supplies last ... but we have a pretty big box of kits so hopefully enough for everyone. See you then!

Quilting in happy Apple Valley!

When my friends and I would want to go to Fabric Town we'd always say "let's go to Happy Valley"  ... some kind of inside joke that I don't remember ... but maybe it was because we were together on a little excursion and we were happy to be out! I haven't been to Fabric Town for probably 15 years. But it's not because I didn't want to ... I just feel funny about going to other quilt shops near me. But Patti kept telling me to come down and see how she's changed the store ... she bought it about four years ago ... so one day I jumped in the car and did just that! Wow!!

Gone are all the high walls and skinny fabric rows ... you could never stand back and get an overview of the fabric before. Patti has opened it up so that you have plenty of space to walk around and enjoy the various vignettes and displays. I always love a store that has rocking chairs with quilts and other cool vintage furniture!

Kim Diehl is coming to spend some time in Happy Valley late in August. Patti is bringing her in for classes and meet and greets and some other fun stuff. Make sure you get on her list for that. I'm bummed because it's during the Minnesota State Fair so I'll be kind of tied up. But you go in my place and report back, ok?

Need batiks?

Plenty of wild life in the store too! Aren't these a hoot?

I loved all the cute little kids things that were around the store. Patti had a lot of sweet patterns and samples to inspire mom or grandma!

I think it's fun to go into stores that have a lot of inspiration. These aprons all looked so happy ... like they are dancing! Fabric Town had a load of kits too. Nice for picking up and running home to sew ... or to take on a quilt retreat.

Fabric Town is on the Twin Cities Shop Hop circuit. They are doing basket blocks this year. It begins tomorrow ... May 3rd and continues through Saturday May 5th ... lots of fun prizes and inspiration so make sure you attend!  Make FT your  lunch stop because I saw a lot of places to eat nearby. Tell Patti hi for me, too!!

We're lucky to live in this area where there are so many great quilting stores. I'm glad Patti invited me to come and peek around her place. Can't wait to go again!

Crossing the river!

One of the things that always amazes me is when I hear people ... on both sides of it ... say "I don't cross the river". And I always think ... oh honey, you have no idea what you're missing! Like being able to visit Sewtropolis! If you're afraid to cross over from the St Paul side to the Minneapolis side you really need to check your fears at the car door and head on over.

Sewtropolis relocated a few weeks ago to their new space at 48th and Chicago. It's in a darling neighborhood with some gift shops, coffee spots, and tasty restaurants. If you're familiar with the area, its across the street from Turtle Bread and near to Pepitos. You can take fencing classes nearby too if you're looking for a new way to slice up your fabric!

Nikol's skills shine in one major way ... she's great at teaching! When I was there she had a group of kids learning to sew and I have to say ... I've never seen anyone that calm around such energetic sewers! If you want to learn to make garments, this is where I'd go. As she expands into quilting classes, I can see her going far!

Sewtropolis has a bend toward the modern look but I found plenty of fabrics that I liked! I'm more of a middle of the road person ... not modern not traditional. Once a month, Nikol hosts the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild in her party room. Don't let the word 'modern' scare you off ... its all just quilting but with a new approach. We all can relate! And there's plenty of eye-candy to go around. The atomosphere at Sewtroplis is very friendly and welcoming which is what I love the best!

Not all of the fabrics are on a bolt and the kits aren't always folded into bags. Clever displays here! The location came with these pretty yellow awnings that bring a mellow, happy look to the inside of the store. I can imagine sitting in the class area on a cold Winter day and still feel like I'm in a warm oasis!

They make bias binding. If that's not enough to get you in the car ... well then I just don't know what will! For those of you on the Minneapolis side of the river ... well you won't have any trouble finding Sewtropolis ... you're already on the right bank. Coming from St Paul ... take my way ... mostly because you get to see some interesting neighborhoods on the way. Cross the Marshall Street/Lake Street Bridge and turn left on Chicago ... then just drive until you get to 48th and look for a parking space. It's that easy. Worth the trip!

Hideaways!

Who doesn't love a place to escape! At the Bachman's Idea House they have a knack for putting together rooms where you dream of heading to at the end of a busy day.

I loved the boys room. Why didn't I think of this when I had those little boys hanging around my house? Probably cuz it would have led to more mischief on their part!

How many coconuts did they have to eat to get enough for a string of lights?

Astro turf on the floor! I overheard two women commenting on how this room would be a nightmare to dust. Who dusts anymore??

Transition in the hallway ... on to the girls room ... but I love this laundry chute!

I'd love to have a sweet room for a couple of little girls to hang out in! (hint hint!!)

The thing I find amuzing is that I used to do this kind of thing in the room I grew up in. It was great being the youngest ... my Mom let me do just about anything I wanted in there! I still love floaty things on ribbon.

I just recently completed a project using hoops so I'm finely tuned to them right now. I was excited to see them being used as a bulletin board ... or maybe an inspiration board? Hoops were my first dip into applique a million years ago ... it's amuzing to me that they're back in style!

My other favorite room in the Bachman's House is the craft room. I love these little purses but hesitate to buy them because really ... how many can one person use? But now I have a reason ... we all need to be more organized, right? Love that blue burlap, too.

I love the Bachman's House and can't wait to see what they do next season!