| Copyright 2003-2009 Allison Ray. All rights reserved. Updated January 9, 2009 |
| What is the process for designing fabric for a major fabric company? Inquiring minds want to know... Few things are more interesting to me than being able to have your idea/designs on fabric that are shared with millions of people all over the world. We had a great speeker February 11, 2007 at the Garland Quilt Guild Sandy Brawner Owner Quilt Country Quilt Country 701 S Stemmons Fwy #260 Lewisville, TX 75067-4591 Phone (972) 436-7022 fax (972) 436-6065 http://www.quiltcountry.com/ Sandy spoke about owning a quilt shop and on designing her own fabric lines for Moda. Sandy owns a quilt shop in Lewisville, Texas called Quilt Country. I have not been there yet, but after hearing her speak I will visit soon. It sounds like a large store at 7500 sf with between 9,000 and 10,000 bolts of fabric. She has been designing fabric for 5 years for Moda (My favorite fabric by the way). I was surprised to hear that the process for designing fabric takes about a year from start to having the fabric in quilt shops. Evidently each fabric line is made up of 10 to 11 different fabrics to make up the group. Each line usually has one panel fabric, one stripe fabric and then 8-12 prints to go with the main panel fabric. Sandy was saying that after she has the design of the main fabric created with her partner, they visit local paint stores for “chips” and choose the fabric colors. After they turn in the design and colors and they have been approved, approx 5 to 6 weeks later the designer received a small fabric sample. Then a short while after that has been approved she receives a small box with fabric squares of the fabrics to make up a quilt for sample with the fabric so it can be shown at Quilt Market. Approximately 3,000 yards of each fabric is printed and it takes approximately 3-5 months before the fabric is actually in the quilt shops for sale. As a bonus- each designer receives 5 yards of the fabric in the group. All very interesting! |
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