Saffrons Blog

I'm a fabric designer, mum and creative crafty person. A blog about fabrics, projects, ideas and things that inspire me.

A simple Owl quilt for a new born, made from one piece of fabric

Saffron Craig - Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Sometimes I think it is good to let the fabric do the talking, so I made a small cot sized quilt out of one piece.
I was given a small quilt this size for my daughter when she was born. It was her first quilt and I absolutely loved it. She still uses it today as a blanket for her toys.

To make it I simply folded the width of the Owl Nesting in half, sandwiching some eco friendly Matilda's Own Bamboo batting inside. I merrily hand quilted the three layers together with wavy organic lines while watching the ABC. Then bound it with the Trees Mignon. Done.

It is fun to have a small project which can be accomplished in a day. It gives me that lovely satisfying feeling, knowing I have made something new. This project makes me feel all fuzzy—I have a gift for a friend who has had her third baby boy in 4 years. It say's congratulations while at the same time welcomes a new baby and it feels great to surprise someone.

The front

The back

I think this makes a funky bassinet quilt. Definitely good for the very cold July days in Sydney.

From experience I know this small quilt will only cover a baby for the first four, maybe five months so I added a piece of fabric as a casing at the top, which can hold a piece of dowel for it to become a wall hanging later on.

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4 comments

Kirsten Heap commented on 06-Jul-2010 10:00 PM

What a great idea, and so thoughtful that you added a casing so that it can be used after the little one grows too big to be kept warm.
I need a friend to have a little one so I can borrow your idea!!!

Kate Conklin commented on 07-Jul-2010 12:08 PM

Love that freeform organic hand quilting you do so well. I'm not brave enough to try that yet.

Ellie commented on 07-Jul-2010 02:05 PM

this is totally sweet! I like.

Sharon Feigl commented on 14-Jul-2010 02:34 PM

What an excellent idea...can you can use either side and hang it on the wall afterward.

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How to cover a folder - a glueing project for the "I looove fabrics but I dont sew (yet)" people

Saffron Craig - Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Sometimes the easiest things to do are the the things you put off the most. Sometimes I think, "yep this is so simple every one knows how to do this so why bother and who cares?" However, again today I heard someone say "but I don't sew!"

Well, all you people who do not sew yet love fabrics, here is a glueing project for YOU. Yes you. When I was covering an ultra dodgy looking $3.00 folder (bought way back when) for the trade show three weeks ago I thought to myself, "take some pictures and explain how easy this is." It's so easy it's 5th grade easy. I might have even have made several in third grade...

Saffron Craig glueing project - covering a folder

To start your new project you will need cool fabric that you want to look at, touch and makes your life a whole lot happier. I chose my Dandelion circles on white. You can too if you fancy! Apparently it might have been smarter to cover the black folder in paper first to hide the black. However I didn't and I can't see the black. So up to you.

The equipment you will need

a folder or ring binder
glue that sticks fabric to plastic—the clear glue is the one I like, they call it craft glue
scissors or rotary cutter
ruler
cutting mat
Oh, and 2 x 40cm of fabric to cover inside and out

Step 1 - cutting:
Lay the folder on top of the wrong side of the fabric, the right side is the side with the print on it. Cut out the fabric with a good 5cm (2 inch) around the folder, which you will use to glue to the inside of your folder. Cut a another piece of fabric the same size as the folder and trim off 3mm all around. Then cut this piece in half so you can cover the insides of your folder. Leave out the inside spine so you can open and close the folder easily.

Saffron Craig project - covering a folder

Step 2:
Glue the outside fabric over the edge of the folder's top and then the fabric at the bottom to the inside of the folder, make sure the pattern is facing out.

Step 3:
Now fold in the sides and glue to the folder. Some might worry about corners, you can do a mitered corner but you will cover all your work in the next step when you cover it with fabric on the inside. But first close the folder to make sure the fabric's not too tight. If it is, loosen it and reglue.

Step 4:
On the inside of the cover glue in the two pieces of fabric a couple of mm from the edges of your folder.

Step 5:
Once the glue is dry trim any wayward threads.

Step 6: Fill your funky folder, yes your very own creation with your stuff.

Yes you can go crazy and cover your tissue box, your diary—or are they called journals when you are over being a teenager? :) With school holidays around the corner you could make it a family affair.

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2 comments

Rachel Koopmans commented on 04-Jul-2010 09:33 AM

My 14 year old daughter will absolutely love this simple project, and for me it means one less day of the school holidays where she's saying, "I'm boooorreeedd"!!!!

Paper Trimmer commented on 19-Nov-2010 01:01 AM

Anything specific I should look for with the glue? I just get the feeling is is going to give at any moment and want to make sure I have something the really sticks.

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New Tree quilt - 4 months in the making

Saffron Craig - Thursday, June 24, 2010

I thought I should share one of my projects in its progression from start to finish. This Tree quilt started with a simple idea, trees in straight lines with the fairies as the leaves. It originated from a simple drawing I did a while ago.

I started with 4 fat quarters of white fabric as the center pieces appliqued with Fairy Circles fabric for the trunk and branches and a lot of assorted paper-pieced circles from the Fantastic Fairy range. Fairies love nature and so I aimed for an organic, earthy feel and the Tree Quilt evolved from there. Each fabric piece was pinned to the background fabric and hand appliqued one fat quarter at a time.

After I finished the middle panel of the three trees I thought for a while that the quilt was complete. I intended it as a smaller wall hanging, but soon I realized that I should make into a single bed size quilt. What to do? I experimented with lots of different borders and colours but didn't get anywhere.

At that stage I was calling in everyone I knew for advice. My mum even made me take the entire quilt apart at one stage. Thank goodness she did. I had realized I would need to wait for The Forest Elemental range in aquamarine and chocolate to arrive. Back in the cupboard for a few weeks.

Once the Forest Elemental fabrics had arrived I played around with what will go where until I finally decided on putting the fabrics in a strip pieced border on the sides. I just love the Elk Landscape design so I chose to use a 20cm strip of it at the top and bottom adjoined by a big strip of the Fairy Love hearts to suit a girl's bedroom. It's got a real strawberry and chocolate feel, the earthiness of the greens and browns contrasted by the sweetness of the reds and pinks. Organic yet girly.

In the end I think the aquamarine Forest Elemental fabrics worked in very well. And I was my fiercest critic for this quilt. I don't think I have ever laboured so much over a quilt!

To finish off the quilt was long arm machine quilted all over with big love hearts. Then it took me about two weeks to decide what colour to bind it with. In the end I choose the Fairy in Flowers for its light and random feel.

I always like to make a couple of cushions to go with a quilt so I made a love heart cushion, much loved by my little girl.

Then I had to wait nearly 4 weeks for the rain to stop to take some pictures to share the making of this quilt.

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10 comments

Angela commented on 24-Jun-2010 10:21 AM

This is divine ... I think I might have fallen in love!

amy commented on 24-Jun-2010 10:56 AM

You should offer a kit for this, I would sooo buy it up in a minute!

Anne commented on 24-Jun-2010 11:25 AM

Love it

joyce commented on 24-Jun-2010 11:33 AM

Oh this quilt is so pretty. Such lovely colours.

karen commented on 24-Jun-2010 09:40 PM

love it! its given me some ideas for a quilt i abandoned years ago. Thanks

Kate Conklin commented on 25-Jun-2010 01:43 PM

Its wonderful to see a quilt bringing together so many of your beautiful fabrics. And those appliqued trees in the centre are just Stunning!

Sharon Feigl commented on 25-Jun-2010 02:18 PM

Gorgeous...just love love love it.
Hugs, Sharon

Tania commented on 30-Jul-2010 02:41 PM

Adorable prints :) I really love the birdie.

Marcia W. commented on 31-Jul-2010 01:23 AM

When I first saw these fabrics on Kate Conklin's site, the purple and oasis green grabbed my attention. The birds as leaves, et al, is wonderful. Looking forward to seeing the other colors. Thank you for the giveaway, and please enter me into the drawing.

Sara H commented on 01-Oct-2010 07:41 PM

Wow I am absolutely in love with this quilt! Do you have a pattern for it anywhere? I am so glad I found your designs. They are so refreshing and there is not a single one that I dislike!

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Biennale 2010

Saffron Craig - Thursday, June 17, 2010

The Sydney Biennale 2010 is always an amazing time of the year for me. I love art and creativity so I could not wait to get out and see what I could find. It's also a great thing to do as a mother explain all the stuff to Sequoia who actually got nearly all of it! These are some pictures we took on Cockatoo Island.

The shape, form and colours are so pretty and Sequoia snuck in to make it my favourite photo of the day.

I loved the runny shiny paint. The freedom in this work is so inspiring.

Amazing what a ball of orange can do. Colour inspiration for me. I wish I could have taken this one home. It reminded me of swimming with turtles on the Great Barrier reef.

Light projection in an utterly dark room.

We danced on the roof tops. It was hard to stop. This was my favorite installation of the day, by far the most creative installation I thought. I took so many pictures. Most of which are blurred in some way. But that's OK! When do you ever get to run on roof tops?

Huge sculptures.

Calm and relaxed on the ferry enjoying a spot of sunshine. So nice. Cockatoo Island we will be back.

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1 comments

Ivy commented on 21-Jun-2010 03:43 PM

Oh Saffron thanks for sharing. Nice to see where you get your inspirations from.

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Our first trade show

Saffron Craig - Monday, June 14, 2010

Meeting so many successful Australian business women over the weekend inspired me. I felt complemented and humbled by the support they showed me. I feel fueled with energy and passion to have found new shops to stock my fabrics from Newcastle through to the Blue Mountains, rural NSW all the way down to Tasmania with even a prospect for a Perth shop.

I am so pleased the new range of Bird Trees has excited all the wholesalers agreeing that these designs are going to be great for the boys. So for me all round a very enjoyable weekend.

And thanks to Kathryn and Jim, Mel and Kate.

You can find more photos on my facebook page or on my flickr page.

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3 comments

Andi Herman commented on 15-Jun-2010 06:49 AM

Congratulations.
Your stall looks amazing.
Andi :-)

elle commented on 30-Jul-2010 10:27 PM

These are delightful and should appeal to just about anyone.

charlotte commented on 31-Jul-2010 12:13 AM

congratulations on another amazing fabric collection!!! simply love all the shades of purple!

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Getting ready for the 2010 Quilt & Craft Expo in Rosehill.

Saffron Craig - Monday, June 07, 2010

The first trade show we will be attending is this weekend. The 2010 Quilt & Craft Expo in Rosehill is upon us. We are organizing everything we need to make the booth look homey and modern at the same time. Such as cushions, quilts, little girls dresses, etc.

We have had the printer running hot and we will have a few free patterns to give away of the Elk Landscape quilt kit.

I made a couple of aprons. I am really into purple so I choose to make mine in the Goose Bubbles, and as it's winter and I am wearing a lot of black I included some Bird in Leaves. Kathryn chose the Fantastic Fairies, she's a Pink Lady.

Kate Conklin is coming along on Saturday morning to set up her gorgeous quilts and we will be selling her patterns too. She is also going to give away a few of her patterns, so if you are coming please drop by.

Mel from Seilke Smith, who makes funky fabric bags is also coming along on Saturday morning. She is driving down from the Blue Mountains with a very cool coat rack to display the bags on. It's lovely to have help and support.

The Market bag in Aquamarine is my favorite and it has been with me everywhere.

Lists are handy at this stage, tick tick. Lucky I have a few more days.

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3 comments

Kate Conklin commented on 07-Jun-2010 04:22 PM

I'm so excited!! Your stand is going to look GORGEOUS! Thanks so much for letting me tag along. What fun!

Melinda Smith commented on 07-Jun-2010 11:13 PM

I'm excited too, can't wait to see how the stall turns out, I sure it will look fab! I second what Kate said : )

Live a Colorful Life commented on 09-Jun-2010 11:51 PM

Hi, Saffron: My daughter-in-law is starting a digital scrapbooking shop on etsy and used Kate's quilt, Sierra's Forest, as an example of how quilters might like to document their process of making a quilt. I also linked to your fabric. Thought you might like to take a look:

http://aroundtheblockdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/06/meet-and-greet-fairytale-pumpkin_09.html

Hope things go well for you this weekend!

Cindy

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Bird in Leaves skirt and bag

Saffron Craig - Wednesday, June 02, 2010

On Saturday I was sketching little girl's skirts. I thought to myself "stop procrastinating Saffron and sew one up"! At least my sketches nutted out how easy it might be to cut and sew.

I set the sewing machine up in front on the computer and sewed up a few skirts for Sequoia. She loved it so much she might just have slept in it. Hmm, yes I don't do that every day.

I spent Sunday afternoon in the park. The rain stopped for an hour or two and it was very social, it felt like the neighborhood had been staring out the windows waiting for the rain to pause so we could get outside. I chatted away to my neighbor until it was dark.

We took a few pictures of our daughter, she was so happy to be outside, she was a blur in the park.

She grabbed her bag made by Selkie Smith Design loaded it with cars and puppies.

I thought I should show a detail of the skirt . This is the kind of image I had in my mind all those months ago when the Bird in Leaves and Goose Bubbles designs were simple black and white sketches.

I thought I had better show the love: I snatched her into a tight hug! At least most of her stayed still for the second the shutter closed capturing us.

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1 comments

kendall langford commented on 02-Jun-2010 12:38 PM

Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Both your work and your gorgeous girl. I just LOVE the bag. Do you have the pattern for that to share?

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Two year celebration and a new quilt kit

Saffron Craig - Saturday, May 29, 2010

Today celebrates two years of writing this blog and designing fabrics. It certainly took me a while to find my voice and know what to write. More and more I am finding myself going to facebook and flickr as it is so much faster and easier. Often I wonder what will l blog about this week? What is the story morning glory? So I write about a mixture of current fabric design, upcoming fabric designs, new quilts and kits. I am most relieved when I have enough ideas to write about and have a few posts lined up dated for the future, though that said often they don't get published as they are not aligned with my mood.

The most wonderful thing about writing a blog has been the friends I make. Meeting like minded people is really special to me. Only a few years ago a mother in my mothers group who I really liked said in pity that she thought I was "sad" liking quilting and having a passion for fabrics. After thinking about it I realized what she said did not ring true with me! I now can laugh about it. How can one person's passion ever be "sad"? So these are the people I turned away from and found many like minded ones through my love for fabrics.

On Monday the 31st I have been a fabric designer for two years. It was on my birthday that I decided that this is what I wanted to do. The interesting thing about my journey in fabric design is the more I design the more ideas come to me. Really fun innocent designs have been swinging in my imagination lately. This week it is bugs. My daughter commented that "you can't have a Lady Bug Snail?" I think I can!

I am dreaming big and hoping to find more time to escape into the world of design as freelance work comes my way. I have just designed fabrics for a children wear label and I hope to do more of that.

Thanks to all of you who send me emails, put comments on facebook, flickr and on this website. It keeps me connected with you and takes me out of my little wee studio, which I love. A celebration is in stall for me. I have lined up a week of catching up with friends and having lots of one-on-one time with them.

One such friend is Kate Conklin who has designed a new quilt kit, Sienna's Forest. As a launch special use "sienna" as the discount code to get 10% until Monday midnight the 31st of May.

Love peace and harmony to you all.

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8 comments

Kate Conklin commented on 29-May-2010 03:31 PM

Congratulations on the 2 year mark! You've achieved an incredible amount in that time and should be very proud of yourself. Sounds like you've got lots of great ideas and designs in the pipeline - exciting stuff. Hope you have a wonderful birthday week!

nicole vos commented on 29-May-2010 05:13 PM

Congratulations on your second fabric designer-versary (or something) You have achieved a lot in two years and you should be really proud of yourself. I think your fabrics are unique and deserve all the attention and fabric love they get!

amy commented on 30-May-2010 12:18 AM

Congratulations on your anniversary! Us quilters and crafters are sure happy you are there also :) And I more than welcome the idea of a ladybug snail...lol. Sounds very cool, I can picture it already.

Judy Holzberger commented on 31-May-2010 06:49 AM

I found your fabrics on Facebook and I am delighted with them. So pleased you took this direction. There is nothing 'sad' about your work. Congratulations on what you have achieved in two years.

Sharon Feigl commented on 31-May-2010 01:42 PM

Hi Saffron,
Congratulations on reaching your second year designing...that must feel fabulous. I had a friend who asked me (re quilts), but what do you do with them, meaning whats the point...she just didn't get. I love the buzz of feeling a quilt is coming together...its creative, its fun and lovely people do it :)
You are even less (or more) sadder (LOL)than the rest of us as you create the fabric and patterns as well.
I met you at a Stitches & Craft show a couple of years ago on a visit to Sydney and have been following you ever since.

Hugs, Sharon

Michelle Surendrakumar commented on 01-Jun-2010 01:46 AM

Hi Saffron,

congratulations on the 2nd annivesary! I love your designs and can't wait to see what you come up with next.

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New colours - Dandelion Fields in green and in blue.

Saffron Craig - Wednesday, May 26, 2010

I listen to what you ask, actually I really appreciate your feedback and questions so thanks! I have been asked for the DandelionFields to be printed in green and blue. Out of the infinite possibilities of those colours this is what I decided on. It will tie in with the upcoming Bird Tree range that I will share with you over the next week or so. So I think I will call it sky blue and apple green.

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5 comments

Angela Moore commented on 26-May-2010 03:51 PM

Those prints and colours are right up my alley - can't wait until they are released along with the Bird Tree range! Great work - love your stuff.

nicole vos commented on 26-May-2010 04:59 PM

Ooh dandelion fluff! Will have to order some later this year along with some of those new owls! :)

amy commented on 27-May-2010 12:50 AM

Oh, I LOVE that blue! Perfect!

Sharon Feigl commented on 27-May-2010 12:31 PM

Hi Saffron,

These look great...looking forward to seeing the bird tree range :)
I also love the owls (and red)from the previous post.
Hugs, Sharon

Kate Pangbourne commented on 28-May-2010 05:41 AM

I love those colour ways, they are really beautiful. I wish I didn't live so far away!

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2 new fabrics — Night Owl and Day Owl

Saffron Craig - Monday, May 24, 2010

Last night I was visited by an Owl. Gosh it was magic, I was just gazing out the window and there it was gazing back at me. We watched each other until the darkness inked him away.

On my face book page Sharon wrote "Nothing happens by chance - particularly with owls Saffron.... is my experience!!!! Owls are a reminder of the strength of feminine energy and a connection with the wider universe... xx". What a great reminder, thanks Sharon.

Then this morning these two strike-offs arrived. I think the Owls are telling me something?

Small owls in red on white and white on red, ideal for patchwork. So for all you Owl lovers and lovers of red — here they are.
We will be showing them at 2010 Quilt & Craft Expo Sydney, 12th June and 13th June 2010 in Sydney (trade only). Please ask your favorite quilt shop to get them in for you. They are too cute.

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2 comments

Leah Birmingham commented on 24-May-2010 01:55 PM

Oh, I love them!!!!!

Kate Conklin commented on 25-May-2010 03:29 PM

I love the way you notice nature all around you and are able to capture that in your designs. I love the owls - the movement and the fun. I think I might have to do an owl quilt!