Friday, January 9, 2015

Introducing My New Fabric Line, With Sewing Contest!


I'm so happy I finally get to share this with you, readers! I've been working with Fabric Traditions on a line of retro-inspired apparel fabrics that will be available in Joann Fabric and Crafts this March. To celebrate, Fabric Traditions and Butterick (home of my pattern line, Patterns by Gertie) are teaming up to do a fantastic giveaway.

First, a little about the line:

  • It's a collection of 17 designs on apparel fabrics: cotton sateens, cotton poplin, rayon challis, Swiss dot, chambray, and more. 
  • The designs range from classic vintage florals to 40s- and 50s-inspired novelty prints (cherries and strawberries and bows and poodles!). There are also some super fun novelty weaves especially intended for retro dress patterns. 
  • The idea was to create special vintage prints that are hard to find, produced especially on apparel fabrics. (Retro kitty cats on a textured chiffon, for instance!)
I hope this all sounds interesting to you, because it's pretty much my dream come true. I will be sharing more of the fabric designs as we get closer to the actual release date. 

Now! More about the contest. For a grand prize, we're giving away a bolt EACH of all the designs. (That's over a hundred yards of fabric, and worth $2100!) Have you made any of my Patterns by Gertie? Because to enter the contest, all you need to do is send in a photo of the garment. I will be announcing the winner in February at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo. The winning garment will be displayed in the Butterick/McCalls booth. All the rules and details are right here. If you want to make up a garment specially for the contest, there's time! Submissions are due January 31st. 

I hope you will consider entering, readers. I can't wait to see the submissions! And I can't wait to show you more of the fabric designs. There's a stunning large-scale rose print I'm dying to sew with. Hmm, I wonder if  I have time to make a dress for myself for the expo . . . 

84 comments:

  1. This is so exciting!!! I can't wait to see the entire fabric line! This contest will give me a good deadline to make up the swimsuit from your pattern. I'm already going to the Sew Expo, so hopefully I will see you there!

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  2. That's amazing! I've never been very satisfied with the apparel fabrics at joann's (lots of polyester). I can't wait!!

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    1. Yes, this is very exciting! My Joann's has mostly quilting cottons (OK for somethings, but, eh, never my first choice) and a very sad little section of mostly poly-blend fashion fabrics. Hopefully they will stock these!

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  3. This is exciting! To enter the contest, does the pattern have to be from Butterick? Or can it be from your books? Thank you!

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    1. Hi! Yes, it needs to be one of my Butterick patterns since they are the sponsor. I hope you enter!

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  4. I got the email for this a few days ago and already entered with my 6094!

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    1. That's awesome! Can't wait to see your entry!!!

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  5. I am so excited to see these fabric available in Joann's! This IS a dream come true. I look forward to seeing your designs!

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  6. Congrats on the fabric line, Gertie! It's awesome that they'll be available to the masses (Jo-Ann's is the only local fabric shop I have), especially on garment specific fibers!

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  7. Looking forward to seeing some fabulous floral prints!

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  8. Yay! I can't tell you how much time I spend online chasing vintagey print fabrics. Side note, love the dark blue hair color!

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  9. Oh no! I live in the Netherlands so can't buy at JoAnns :( So sad, I will just have to drool at the pictures when to come out

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  10. I really hope that Joann's will ship fabric to Europe. I'm kind of sad that I can't participate in the contest :(

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  11. Congrats on your new fabric line I have been following you for many years! The thing that saddens me is that we Canadian sewing Sisters can't participate in the contest :-(( good luck to all my USA sewing sisters!

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    1. I'm sorry, my international friends! Tell you what, I'll do a fabric giveaway on the blog that will be open to all countries. :)

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    2. Yay!! Yes please and congratulations!

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    3. Yes please! Do you know whether they will have your fabrics at Spotlight in Australia? Often (for instance) designer quilt fabrics that they sell in Joann's in the US come to Spotlight in Australia (Juliana Horner, Denyse Schmidt, etc).

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    4. They do have some fabrics with your name on them at Spotlight here in Oz, but I'm not sure it they're the same as the ones at Joanns. I'm not terribly impressed with the quality (seems very lightweight and a bit to synthetic-y for a summer dress.) However there are some nice prints, with matching border and all-over prints.

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    5. I'm very sad that yet again in the UK we will miss out but will look forward to seeing the entries and of course await your giveaway eagerly! Well done and good luck with the new venture. Jenny x

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    6. Hi Kirsty, yes! Spotlight is carrying the designs. I am super excited about it. They are a little different from Joann, because they carry all the designs on the same fabric, which is a poly crepe.

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    7. Love the designs in Spotlight Gertie and would buy them up in a flash if they were in a rayon or cotton fabric. Unfortunately the poly that Spotlight has chosen feels horrible :(

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  12. Wow this sounds great! But only for US residents... :((( I live on the other side of the ocean in Tel Aviv :(( Looking forward to the international giveaway

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  13. Oh no! I'd love to join, but open to U.S. residents only. But I will sure check out the fabric line... looks very promising! And my only resolution for 2015 was to not buy fabrics. Ha ha!

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  14. This is a dream come true!!!!! Can't wait to enter!!!!!

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  15. The fabrics look gorgeous - hope they'll find their way to the UK too!

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  16. Omg! I'm so excited! Cute prints, apparel fabrics, and I can use my monthly Joannes 40% off one cut coupons!

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  17. Holy Crud balls!! That is awesome! Congratulations!!!
    I can't wait to sew something up!!

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  18. It looks like I have an excuse to go fabric and pattern shopping!

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  19. OH MY GOD!!!!!!!! This is the best news I have heard in YEARS!!!!! Joann's fabric is the ONLY fabric store anywhere near where I live and in general their fabric sucks for apparel sewing! This will revolutionize Joann's!!!!!! I cannot believe i will be able to find gorgeous prints on decent fabric in my area!!!! I am also very excited about the contest!!!!!! Can we submit more than one garment per person?

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  20. Too bad it's only for the U.S. residents because the contest sounds awesome and I'd love to take part! Anyway, it will be exciting to watch the competition and of course to wait for the release of your fabrics! Fingers crossed for all of you!

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  21. Just entered, fingers crossed I hear some good news!

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  22. Congratulations, Gretchen! I'm sooooo excited to see your fabric line - and what a great selection of materials. Amazing work, lady xxx

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  23. That is fantastic news! I am so happy for you. congratulations!!!! I can't wait to see the fabrics.

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  24. Great news! I'll be in love with many of them for sure. Hope we can purchase them in Europe.

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  25. wow! how exciting for you ! great fabrics <3. pretty exciting for one lucky person too ;D

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  26. Fantastic! I can only imagine how exciting this is for you! Congrats!

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  27. This is fantastic, how super for you to have your own fabric line!

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  28. This is fantastic, Gertie! I am a beginner sewer, but I love your work. I just ordered your book, and I will enter the contest. I love vintage dresses. I am looking forward to your fabric line and patterns at JoAnn's.

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  29. OH My, I better get to sewing quickly!

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  30. I am so excited for this because you are my favorite pattern designer! I have one question: Does the garment have to follow the pattern exactly? I ask this question because I made a dress using B5882 but I altered it to be a halter style strap rather than the straps in the pattern. It is my favorite dress that I have made using your pattern and I want to be able to submit it more than anything.

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    1. This is a great question, and I'm checking on it right now! Will get back to you!

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  31. Congratulations! and you look beautiful in that picture!

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  32. I would love to see more of your fabrics. I have made many of your patterns but my favourite is the portrait blouse in guipure lace. I am from the UK though so I am not sure if I could enter? Jo x

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  33. Hi Gertie,
    Congratulations on the fabric line.
    Like many other sewista's around the world that follow your blog, buy your patterns etc, I was so sad to learn that I could not enter the competition. I had been working on B6094 as an extra Christmas present for my daughter, who was returning from her first semester at University, here in the U.K. The four hours handstitching the hem on the full skirted version was a labour or love, but worth it.
    I had the cotton organdie custom dyed to match the red silk dupion and added bra carriers and other little couture touches to the dress. The pattern came together beautifully and its a perfect fit on my daughter, who was thrilled with her new dress, ready for summer functions at Law School. Many thanks. I hope we see more butterick retro patterns from you soon.

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  34. So excited! When is the expected release date? By the way, I am sewing up my second pair of pants from your new book...outstanding pattern and notes on fitting!

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  35. Yay! I'm so looking forward to seeing your fabric. What a great thing to be able to sew with the fabric you dream of!

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  36. Oh, shame it's only open to US residents. I would have entered, I look forward to seeing the fabrics they look really cute and I bet they will sell right out.

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  37. Congratulations! And on apparel fabric too, way to go!
    Also, on a totally unrelated note: you get more beautiful every year (wish I knew the secret to *that*, hah!) I mean, that photo on top, with the blue hair - say no more :-)

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  38. I love that you're doing apparel fabric, and at Joann! Congrats! I used to work at a Joann and would recommend your blog to beginners.

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  39. Question about the pattern, does the finished garment have to look exactly like the original design? I made B5582 but with a straight skirt and I was wondering if that would count.

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  40. Please make your patterns in larger sizes in the future! Wonderful styles! Please make them in 24-28 sizes too!
    Can't enter the contest because your patterns don't come in my size. As a new sewer I am hesitant to try to resize patterns right now.

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  41. You are gorgeous! Love the blue hair best of all the colors I've seen on you!! Oh and congrats on the fabric line :) I don't sew much beyond crafty stuff (pillows, wall hangings, etc) but I do love to see what you are sewing up. Thanks!

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  42. Aha! I was wondering what it was that had you so busy (no posts over a month???!!!), and finally the truth is disclosed! A fabric line! It is fantastic news. I am sure I will find something appealing in there! And you're tempting me about the contest... I have this grey wool.... let me think about it!

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    1. I've been dreaming about cherries on black for years! Please, Gertie... white and blue??? make us some black for those cherries, please...

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  43. This is fantastic and congratulations! I'll start on something ASAP

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  44. Wonderful news! And as a Polish sewing enthusiast cannot wait for the blog edition of the contest> My B6049 is waiting to be shown!

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  45. Gertie- I just tried to enter and the mailbox is full so my email got bounced back! Help!!

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    1. Has this issue been resolved? I just finished up my garment and was getting ready to submit.

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    2. Yes it's resolved! Can't wait to see your garments!

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  46. Gertie! I tried twice, and it is still happening.
    The email has the same message that the inbox is full:(

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    1. I have not tried submitting yet ( I am tomorrow because I have the day off from work) but, I hope I am able to submit my garment : (

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    2. Sorry, it should be fixed now! For real this time!

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  47. Sorry, it should be fixed now! For real this time!

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  48. Just finished my dress! Photos tomorrow morning and cutting it close!

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  49. Do you have a flicker group for this contest AND for your blog because I always want to see what others are making from your patterns? Also, I just sent my entry to the contest not sure if you got it?

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  50. Hello Gertie, How do I know that my contest entry was received? Also, do you have a flicker group that we can look at all people making your patterns from contest and on an ongoing basis? I am THRILLED to be able to go to the expo and SO excited to meet you there!!!!!!!!

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  51. It says mailbox full! What do I do??

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  52. Gertie, do you have a flicker group so that we can see what patterns of yours people are making - for this contest and ongoing? How do I know that you received my entry? I am thrilled to find out that I will be going to the expo and finally will have a chance to meet you!!!!!!! Thanks for everything!!!!!!!

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  53. I've tried sending mine twice and I keep getting the full inbox message. What now?

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  54. Gertie the emails keep coming back saying the box is full, now the dealine has passed. :-( is there some way people's entries can still be counted since it's a technical error?

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  55. I just received an email this morning that the inbox was full when I sent mine yesterday. Oh please tell me what to do. I've worked so hard and now I'm devistated.

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  56. Hi all, I'm really sorry for the continued problems with the mailbox being full, I know it's very frustrating! I'm told it has been fixed again, and you can still send in your entry today because of the issues. So please send in those emails now! Sorry again for the hassle. Can't wait to see all the garments!

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  57. What is the price range of the fabric going to be?

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  58. Have finalists been notified yet? I'm on pins and needles! 🙏

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  59. I'm dying that I only just found out about this!! It would have been so fun!

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  60. You have no idea how excited I am that you are making a retro apparel line at joanns!!! That's amazing! I've been wanting to sew a retro dress for a while but they just don't seem to have anything that catches my eye! When does your line go to joanns?

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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