More on the MINIS...

Okay... so I am going to try to answer all the MINI questions at once. Hopefully yours is in there!

• We have 4 new minis. This week they were all available as PDF download patterns. Including a great deal on a bundle! Starting on Monday, they will also all be available as printed paper patterns. Including a bundle too :-). The PDF's will only be available from us. The printed patterns will be available from any store who purchases our patterns. As a gal who loves all things paper, the patterns don't really seem real until they come in their shiny little packages. I can't wait fo the paper patterns to get here.

• We will also start shipping to stores on Monday. So if you have contacted us for the patterns, that is when they will start to ship.

• We will most likely offer a fabric kit of some kind on the bundle of patterns [but probably not individually on each one seperate since they are kind of small]. Those are the kinds of things I will figure out as soon as we come back from Market in a couple of weeks.

• The MINIs are all the same price as our FIG TREE THREADS, $6.50 each.

• These are not hard to make. There are no templates or half square triangles or anything else funky in any of them. All straight forward piecing. Blossom is probably the most simple of the 4 and Canned Pears has the most pieces, but they are really all quite simple.

• We do also have other STANDARD PATTERNS coming out and will start showing those tomorrow... so stay tuned!

• Yes, I will be posting ideas for a mini wall and how I plan to hang them [thinking of a ribbon clothesline on my wall at the moment]. But here is some vintage mini wall inspiration that I have been in love with for a while...

• Yes, we will be making more of them for the next release. We are a little bit addicted. If you have any Fig Tree favorites that you would like to see made into minis, please feel free to let me know. I think we are going to start with the Sail Away pattern.

• Btw, thank you for the MINI love. Can't take any credit whatsoever on the idea itself. My friend Camille is the brainchild behind this MINi quilt craze! She is pretty awesome in general too.

 

As for each pattern, here is the info. Click HERE for more info on each mini.

CANNED PEARS

The original quilt was app. 63" x 75", blocks app. 6" x 11". The MINI is 19 1/2" x 27" and the blocks are app. 3" x 5".

 

BLOSSOM

The original quilt came in 2 sizes and 3 colorways in my book With Fabric & Thread from a few years ago.  The original quilts were either 66" x 66 or 75" x 75" and were set 3 x 3 blocks.

 

 

CHERRY PIE

The original quilt was app. 63" x 80", blocks app. 9". The MINI is 19" x 20"" and the blocks are app. 6".

 

STITCH

Don't feel bad if you are confused on this one... there is no standard pattern yet. We are releasing that one this summer. The MINI came first here because we just couldn't resist sharing it once the math was all done and the quilt was finished. I apologize to anyone who spent time looking for the large version of this one!

 

Happy Sewing!

 

Introducing... MINI PATTERNS!

We are so excited to share a little sneak peek of a new line of patterns...

INTRODUCING OUR BRAND NEW MINI PATTERNS!

I have always loved little quilts. In fact, I remember that one of my very first quilt books- the kind that I poured over in bed night after night trying to figure out which one I was going to make next kind of book- was Little Quilts: All Through the House by Alice Berg. Now that was a long time ago but my love of little quilts has never gone away.

In fact, the very first quilt I ever bought at a flea market was a little bubblegum pink wishbone doll quilt. That was the beginning of my love of doll quilts and other quilt mini quilts [ I wil have to go and dig that one out and show you as soon as I get back from Market].

So when the mini "trend" started I knew that sooner or later I would have to join in... Not sure if this is sooner or later, but here we are!

I am so excited to work on our own wall of minis [in our case it is the wall coming up the stairs to my studio] and mix in some of our own versions with my vintage ones. So this is where we have decided to start our mini collection- with a few of our personal favorites and best sellers- Cherry Pie, Canned Pears and Blossom!

Mini Stitch is one that we snuck in there in reverse because we just couldn't wait any longer! The large/standard version of that pattern will be out this summer. The mini came before the standard one in this case.

We will be sharing more about these soon, but wanted to take a minute today and share our exciting news!

They are now available as pdf downloads and the printed patterns will be here early next week.  Click HERE for more info.

Back to Market prep. Talk to you soon... if I don't drown under a sea of fabric and pattern directions first.

 

... Mini Blossom [standard pattern in our WITH FABRIC & THREAD book].

 

 

 

 

 

 ... Mini Canned Pears [standard size pattern available too].

 

... Mini Cherry Pie [standard Cherry Pie pattern available too].

 

 ... Mini Stitch pattern [perfect for everyone's sewing room].

 

 

For more info about each pattern, click HERE.  More soon!

Happy sewing!

Fig Tree on the MODA BLOG HOP!

 

Welcome to Fig Tree everybody and Good Morning!

 

SO HERE IS THE SKINNY:

Today is Fig Tree day on the MODA Blog Hop, SIZE MATTERS. If you haven't been following along yet, click HERE for a list of all the designers who are particating [cool block downloads and giveways at each stop so its definitely worth your time to go and find out what everyone is up to], including all the lovely designers that have gone before us and those that are still to come].

In each designers post, you should be able to find a free downloadable pattern for their block in a variety of sizes. MODA will post a finishing pattern HERE [at the CUTTING TABLE] at the end of the hop so that you can create a wonderful sampler when you are done. Sounds like a whole lot of fun to me!

For those of you you who are new to our little corner of the fabric world, I'm Joanna and I am the go-to-gal behind Fig Tree & Company. I love everything about fabric and design and I can't imagine having any other job in the world! I have been working with MODA for about a decade now [oh my goodness, how can that be?], have created more fabric collections than I can count [see the side of the blog to take a peek at most of them], have created more patterns than should be legal [check out our store if you want to puruse the collection] and have written several books, WITH FABRIC & THREAD being the most recent. I also love to teach about fabric and quilting and this year I have had the honor of teaching in Norway, Spain as well as throughout the US. Just a few weeks ago, we launched my first Craftsy class so that a little bit of Fig Tree can be accessible to anyone interested! Click HERE for more info about that and for a special discount!

 

There are three of us a day and today I am sharing the day with the talented Malka and the amazing Camille so be sure to pop on over there to see what those lovely ladies have been up to and why SIZE MATTERS to them!

 

... our upcoming HONEYSWEET group.

 

SO HERE IS MY CONTRIBUTION TO THE FESTIVITIES:

Download the instructions to my block HERE.

I don't know what the official name for this block is but "X MARKS THE SPOT"  sounds like a pretty good interpretation to me.

When I first looked at the block [back in the Spring when we started creating all these goodies for Spring Market] and thought about what I was going to do with it, I immediately thought about one of the bigger sizes. I figured it would make the quilt faster and easier to construct and I would be able to showcase the fabric better. Because let's be honest sometimes bigger really is better, especially when it means that you can be done faster!  

So I made the 12" size. And then I joined 4 of them together to create a secondary block...

 

Then I thought it would be nice to try the next size down and I made the 6" size. And then I made 4 of those together as well, because I was on a roll...

Well, then I realized that lately I have been enjoying making miniature versions of some of my larger favorite blocks [like with our Honeysweet mini Threads pattern that uses HONEYSWEET mini charms, pictured below], so I made the tiny 3" version.

... Honeysweets "Threads" patttern. Made with MODA mini charms.

 

I decided I liked this 3" one the best and continued on to make 32 more 3" blocks and set it together to create this little table topper....

 

 

 

Keep on reading to see what fun thing we are going to do with this project! 

 

SO HERE IS WHAT IS NEW WITH ME & FIG TREE:

  ... our LIFESAVERS blocks, using a fabulously simple method for making these intricate looking blocks. Also in our CRAFTSY class!

 

We are busy getting ready for our brand new fall collection to hit store shelves any day now [due to ship to stores in September].

In case you haven't alreay figured it out, it is called HONEYSWEET and I really think it is so perfect for this time of the year, even though it is great for many other seasons and projects as well. It is full of raspberry reds, persimmon oranges, a variety of greens and aquas, on a base of ivory and peach, grounded with a taupey brown. Yum!

  ... Cherry Pie pattern.

 We have had so much fun with this line and even though I am now busy working with the next collection that we will be showing in Houston this fall [sneak peeks were shown on our facebook recently if you haven't had a chance to see] as well as designing the next one [way too early to show you anything from that one yet], I still haven't grown tired of HONEYSWEET, probably since it has those fabulous oranges and aquas that I am so in love with right now.

Speaking of oranges... we are working on a new kit that has oranges, greys and blacks in it and will be ready soon so be sure you check back for that as those Halloween flavored items seem to dissapear around here faster than we can make them! More info coming soon!

But back to SIZE. We have created some TINY things with this collection...

... our little HEXIES purse pattern made from the yummy HONEYCOMBS. 

And some rather GRAND things....

  ... our CLOVERS & JAM pattern made from just 1 jelly roll  and some background fabric to make a 71" x 71" quilt!

And I truly can't tell you that I have a favorite between the two of them! So I guess the moral of this story is that .... size doesn't really matter at all in the end!

 

GIVEAWAY

Of course we are doing a giveway- what would a blog hop be without one?! Hopefully you have actually read through the whole post to see what's new instead of just skipping to this part :-).

We are going to givewaway a couple things to a couple lucky winners:

1- A Honeysweet precut.Not sure what this will be yet- it all depends on what MODA can dig up and send on over!

2- The finished little quilt that we showed above made from our 3" blocks. We already have some stores that have entered that particular giveway at Market and now we are going to add in all of you to choose the final winner!

3- A bundle of our newest patterns.

To be entered, you need to LEAVE A COMMENT AND tell us what Fig Tree pattern in our store is your favorite [current favorite at least, since we all know how fickle we can be when it comes to our favorite patterns].

But just as importantly you need to come back next week and see who the winners are so you don't miss out. If we don't hear back from you for 2 days after we announce, we will redraw for that particular prize.

[international winners will need to pay for the additional shipping]

And since we have been wanting to have a sale lately and haven't had a chance, today is the day!  SO WE ARE HAVING A SALE TOO! 15% OFF all patterns in the store... patterns of any kind and any size and any format! Just this week though, so take a look around!

Have fun and we'll see you next week for the end of the hop and the winners!

 

On the 5th Day of Christmas...

A little note: We completely understand that many of you are frustrated that we don' t have more product and that some of the items are selling out so quick- you guys are crazy, committed shoppers! Please understand that we never know what is going to sell like mad and what is going to go slowly. We do not normally stock home dec items or some of the other goodies that we offer on our 12 DAYS sale and often can't get more stock for the sale because the product is either back ordered at MODA or because it is simply no longer available. We do this sale for a bit of fun, to celebrate the holiday and to give our customers a chance to have fun along with us. Please shop in the spirit of the holiday!

                                                      Thank you, the Fig Tree Elves

 

On the  5th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me, five Golden Rings .

Did someone say Golden Rings? Really? I think I might just keep those. I think I might be able to find a use for all five of them... perhaps, if I have to.

Dear Hub... If you are reading this post, five Golden Rings of any kind sounds like a plan to me.

But along with it perhaps you might like to see one of my favorite projects from my new book... the BLOSSOM quilt. In the book it comes in several sizes and color combinations but for today, the project is the BLOSSOM kit in green and cream solid. It's perfect for either the vintage or the modern home. I love this quilt. And since you need the book for the directions to the quilt, we will offer that on sale as well, just for today.  

 

... Nine giant, simple, pieced blocks are perfect for beginners and long time quilters alike.

 

... don't even ask what it took to set this photo shoot up in a garden!

 

... great as a throw or

 

... on a bed. Love how simple and yet graphic it is at the same time.

 

... Kit contains the exact same green & cream we used in the sample above. Including the binding.

 

The book is available at a special sale price for today. It is filled to the brim with wonderful sewing and quilting projects and this is your perfect opportunity to snatch one up for yourself or as a wonderful gift for a friend or family member.

If you would like something special inscribed, please let us know and I would be happy to add it. Otherwise I will just sign it to the name on the order.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

 

But it wouldn't be a 12 DAYS sale day if there wasn't a goodie to be had.... today the free pattern is our brand new "Sunday Cover-Ups" pattern so that you can dress-up any old chair into something lovely just in time for company to arrive!

 

... with a scrappy sash and our favorite polka dot DOTTIE.

 

... all dressed up for the holidays.

 

For more info on either the kit or the book, CLICK HERE.

See you tomorrow!

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FINE PRINT

 

*** Please note that if the 12 Days of Christmas website space is blank, that means that the item for the day has sold out. Nothing is wrong with the site, the item has just been sold out.

• The Fig Tree 12 Days of Christmas sale starts on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and lasts for 12 days.

• Each day a different kit, stocking stuffer or home dec goodie will be advertised. Each day a special offer will be made as well.

• Each special offer will only be available on that day. Each goodie will only be available while stock lasts. Many of the items offered will sell out on that day.

• For those of you who want to continue to purchase items throughout the 12 days of the sale but want us to hold your purchases for one shipment, you need to note that in the comments section of your order. If there is no note, we will ship the items as they are ordered.

• For those of you who have your items held for one shipment at the end, your orders will continue to accrue shipping charges for each order throughout the sale. We will calculate the actual shipping at the end and then refund any necessary shipping charges then. 

 

Our trip to PIQF

Each year we vend at the Pacific International Quilt Festival and each year we are humbled and surprised by how many of you travel to visit us from near and far. This is the only retail show that we do and we love the opportunity to say hi to our customers and hear from you so.... THANK YOU for stopping by and chatting and letting us know what your favorite products and patterns are. We appreciate you and all your amazing support of our business!

This year our whole family participated, our oldest on the cash register for several days, our middle trying his hand at the register as well for a few hours and our youngest.... well, she will tell anyone who will listen that she is famous as she is our cover model for many of the patterns!

As usual, it takes us much longer to dig out than we expect and we are still unpacking boxes, sending out orders and and re-approriating quilts... all while trying to get new products ready for Market. Makes me a bit tired just thinking about it all.

So here are a few shots of our booth....

 

... a few of our bestselling TAPESTRY patterns, SPARKLE and PINEAPPLE & FIGS [ a few kits have come back from the show so if you missed out on them the first time around, nab one now], topped off with my seasonal favorite, CINDERELLA PUMPKINS [ we have a few kits of that one too].

 

... DANCING DOLLIES & PRAIRIE ROSE in the foreground and the yummy PINEAPPLE & FIGS in the background.

 

... a lot of little goodies and our brand new MILKY WAY pattern done in reds and taupes [pattern will be available next week I promise].

 

... a truly yummy combination: JELLY PARFAIT on the table, the Halloween version of our LOLLIPOPS pattern on the right, a quilt from our new WITH FABRIC & THREAD BOOK on the top left [the cute little red purse is from the book too, the pumpkin with the initial is a mini project from a Fresh Vintage issue.

 

... a little bit of everything...

 

... MILKY WAY, POSTAGE STAMP Series, MARIGOLDS in the corner.

 

... MILKY WAY [pattern coming] and the BLOSSOM quilt from the book. 

 

 

 

 ... our brand new pattern LOLLIPOPS in the HARVEST version [ a few kits available]. This quilt is my current autumn love. Graphic and bold but wonderfully autumny feeling [pretty sure that is not a word but you know what I mean]! SPARKLE in the background.

 

... same yumminess as above.

 

There was SO MUCH MORE TO SEE than our little corner of the show and we have a couple good links that I will share this weekend, but at least this is what we looked at for 4 days so thought we would share the view!

 

More info on new patterns coming very soon. To see the above kits we have available from the show, GO HERE. 

MODA CANDY BLOG TOUR!

 

WELCOME

 

... just a little decoration on my table right now.

 

Hello Everybody and Welcome to Fig Treeland!

I hope you have been enjoying the roadtrip so far. Here is the info to everyone who has come before and all those who will come after! There have been some fabulous stops on the blog tour so far with some of my favorite friends like a couple of the ones you see here below....

... we're usually not this confused but I love this shot! I have absolutely NO IDEA what we are talking about or looking for!!

 

ABOUT US

For those of you who don't know me.... well, let me tell you a little about myself. Or more accurately, a little about my hometown.

 

 

I live in a little town called San Leandro in the San Francisco Bay Area. Usually when folks visit we take them to all the standard San Francisco type places like Pier 39 and Ghiradelli Square. We love to go to baseball games at PacBell Park to see the GIANTS and to stop off for a little bit of shopping at the Ferry Building Shops. San Francisco is a wonderful place to visit but it definitely doesn't feel like my hometown.

      

 

But our little town is where we mostly stay when we're, you know, living our regular life.

 

We are known as the cherry city as we are located on old cherry orchards. Each year we host the Cherry Festival where the entire town gathers to play and, to be honest, mostly to eat. I guess most of our festivals or town activities are somehow created around food- Sausages & Suds Festival, our Farmer's Markets, Drake's Brewery evenings, our school Fall Festival, our 4th of July Street BBQ and so forth and so forth. 

We live on a little street lined with giant Liquid Ambers that turn every shade of orange and gold in the fall. In fact one of my daughter's favorite activities during that time of year is to make "leaf bouquets" and scatter them all over the house in little glass vases!

Speaking of food, our favorite San Leandro restaurants [which we frequent much more often than we should, especially during those times when I am designing fabric or creating new patterns and dinner just doesn't seem to happen] include:

 

Our favorite Taqueria-

  ... my personal favorite here is the salsa bar. I could eat nothing but the complimentary chips & salsa for dinner, really. I guess I'm a cheap date.

 

Our favorite Sushi-

  ... my personal favorite here is the New Mexico Roll. Like a California Roll but with Ebi on top and spicy srirachi in the mix. Yum!

 

And Frozen Yogurt of course-

...the kiddos will have to pick the favorite here but let's just say that my middle son has been known to eat almost a pound of yogurt [you buy it by the weight of yogurt and toppings]. True story. 

However, right now if we are actually in San Leandro you will find us either playing with fabric in one way or another...

  ... a lovely little stack of TAPESTRY [coming to stores in October] 

 

Or doing a whole lot of this...

 

...Gotta love those mini F50's in a size 1!!!

Or that...

 

Given that all 3 of our kids play one [two goalies and one striker] or the other [a kicker/punter and wide receiver] or both at the same time, it feels like we are either in the studio or on the field. I guess that doesn't leave a whole lot of time for anything else. 

 

WHAT'S NEW AROUND THESE PARTS

FABRIC

Our newest fabric collection TAPESTRY is about to hit stores in October. We are so excited that you will soon be able to play with this group. It is absolutely perfect for this time of the year. Here is the PDF of the entire line along with skus, etc. in case you find yourself looking for something in particular.

 

BOOK

We also recently finished our latest book WITH FABRIC & THREAD! We are so pleased with how well it has been received.

It is full of both quilting and sewing projects and the entire middle section of the book gives each set of instructions twice- once if you are coming from the quilting side of things and once if your background is more from the sewing side of things. The result, we hope, is that the book can be used so broadly by people from both backgrounds. All of that and there's alot of pretty cool photography done in our home and garden.

 

FACEBOOK

As of a few weeks ago, we are on FACEBOOK. Can you believe it? Come and friend us so you don't miss out on all of the upcoming goodies that we will be writing about!

                           

WEBSITE

We have recently completely updated and changed our entire website so if you haven't had a chance to browse around lately, you might want to. We have added several new features as well as added a lot of new info and photos. And our SHOP is so much easier to use and has many more goodies in it!  

Plus we are currently having a little ODDS & ENDS SALE to finish off the summer.... check it out HERE!! 

 

FREE PATTERN & GIVEAWAY

For those of you patiently waiting for our free MODA 2 1/2" CANDY pattern, Starburst, HERE  it is.

We really like the idea, that one of our customers suggested last time we did one of these crazy blog hops, of creating a small binder and to add all of the patterns as you print them out, one by one. You could decorate the front of the binder with some of your favorite fabric scraps or something else. That way you will never lose or forget about your little CANDIES.

 

For those of you patiently waiting for the GIVEAWAY information, here we go:

We will be giving away a copy of our new book to one winner, a Layer Cake of TAPESTRY to another winner and a set of MODA TAPESTRY 2 1/2" CANDIES to another 4 winners.

All you have to do is comment below to be entered. TELL US WHAT YOUR FAVORITE FIG TREE PATTERN IS and if you are one of the winners we will add that pattern [or another one if you already have that one] into your prizes.

Winners will be announced on September 15th so be sure to come back to check. If you want to catch a sneak peek of our newest upcoming collection, come back even before then to see!

 

Don't forget to check out tomorrow's designers:

PRIMITIVE GATHERINGS

LILY ASHBURY

FRENCH GENERAL

 

Hope to see you soon!

More Market... can you stand it?

I know, I know. It is a bit silly showing Market photos this late in the game. But maybe you have actually managed to start missing some Market posts at this point... maybe?

 

MORE BOOK PROJECTS IN THE BOOTH

... the Summer Soiree quilt. Mixing some of my favorite Fig Tree fabrics with Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett and other more contemporary designers was so much fun. Always happy to show people that our Fig Tree colors and contemporary colors go so well together!

 

... more book projects in the foreground.

 

 

... the slipper pattern from the book. Comes in every conceivable children's and women's sizes! 

 

NEW PATTERN: MARIGOLDS

 

... both Marigolds and Sparkle.

 

NEW PATTERN: SPARKLE

... pattern is done in a cream colorway, a plum colorway and even as a single table topper to show you all the different variations that can be done. It is possibly one of the easiest patterns I have done in a while. Each star seems to come together in what seems like an hour.

 

 TAPESTRY COLLECTION

... one of our lovely MODA reps showing our collection to a customer.

 

... don't you just love it when its all laid out like this?

 

A FEW MORE FAVORITES...

... lunchbags from the book, both quilted and made from laminated fabric. So versatile!

 

 

Hope you enjoyed the pics... even if seriously delayed!

Stay tuned for tomorrow for a special little sale.

 

Joanna 

 

 

From Market...

I am sure that some of you remember that I promised booth shots yesterday. But then again I am sure that some others of you remember that I sometimes promise things and can't manage to get them here in time LOL!

Well, today my day aligned and I found a moment to upload a whole LOT of Market pictures... way more than I would guess most of you would ever want to se!. But here are some of my favorites and I promise that tomorrow I will show some more.... promises, promises!

 

A FEW FAVORITE CLOSEUPS FROM MARKET...

... a bowl full of candy goodness. These new mini swatches are called MODA CANDIES and they are good enough to eat. We will have plenty of them available for your snacking pleasure in the fall!

 

... simple little pins from the new book, WITH FABRIC & THREAD.

 

... a stack of our new brochures for stores.

 

... my new book in the booth.

 

... a closeup of the left side of the booth. Where many of the projects from the book resided.

 

NEW PATTERN: PINEAPPLE & FIGS

 

 

 

MORE BOOTH PRODUCT SHOTS

... one of my favorite quilts from the book, dressing a mannequin like a jacket.

 

... a little booth embellishment.

 

... me in the booth. Doesn't it look like I need that chair to hold myself up with?

 

BOOTH SHOTS

... right side of the booth.

 

... middle of the booth. Table filled with goodies from the book and new patterns too.

 

 

... the whole booth.

 

... center right.

 

... the book side or the left side.

 

More shots tomorrow. Not sure you guys could load it all up if I kept going today!

Joanna

 

Sneak...

...Peek

Just thought I'd pop in amidst our sewing and designing frenzy to show you a project in my upcoming book, With Fabric & Thread. This is one of my favs. 

 

We don't have them in our hot little hand just yet but a little birdie just told me that we should be getting them any day now!

So we are working to get books ready to ship to you next week, WOOHOO!

We will start taking pre-orders on the site this weekend [or perhaps later today if all goes well] so check back if you would like a signed copy as soon as we have them! 

 

 

 

More on all this book fun later. For now, hope these little goodies give you something yummy to think about this weekend! And if you have time, feel free to send all possible sewing and cutting vibes our way as we will be literally buried in fabric!

Talk to you soon.

Introducing...

I am so very excited and proud to share with you, my latest "baby". Many a times I did indeed compare it to child birth so I guess the metaphor has stuck!

My new book....

 

WITH FABRIC & THREAD

 

It feels like it has been such a long time in the coming but I guess if I look at it all with better perspective, it hasn't been that long at all- at least not for a book process that is!

I will tell you much more in the upcoming weeks and share a lot of fun stuff about the process & the projects. For now I am just happy to show you this!

 

 

The book showcases projects that are both geared towards quilters as well as sewers and focuses on both of these wonderful worlds in separate sections of the book!

 

Leave a comment telling me what topic in the book-  QUILTING or SEWING- you are most excited about or interested in and I will enter you to win a mini bundle of our newest fabric collection, California Girl!

We will draw at the end of this week so be sure to check back.

 

Can't wait to hear which "side" you are coming from. Geesh, I can barely wait to show you more goodies!

For more information on the book, click here!