Fabric
Designer, Dawn Maher of
Sun Valley Quilts!!
For Northcott Fabrics
Dawn
Tells Her Own Story . . . These Fabrics NOW
Available at SVQ!
I am often asked how I happened to
design a line of fabric and what was my inspiration.
If you are a fabric lover like me you might imagine fabric made
in every print and design you see in your everyday travels.
I
have a great love for the outdoors, earth, sky, sunset, rocks,
ocean, desert, I love all things nature! So… everytime I see
a beautiful sunset or a sparkling lake or ocean I say to myself
“that would make great fabric!” Yes , I have had this
“sickness” for years and years! Well, finally my fabric dreams
have come true…
Working with Ro Gregg, head designer for Northcott Fabrics my
first line Earth Spirit has come to life. After presenting my
ideas to her and having the concept accepted, I was put to work
creating a portfolio of designs, colors and concepts that was
visual. From this portfolio of clippings, pictures etc. we were
able to define what designs we were going to create.
Professional artists created the designs in watercolors
and sent them to me for editing. After mailing
these paintings back and forth a few times for
corrections and
Fabric
Creator Dawn Maher
editing they were sent to
the overseas manufacturer to have the “screens” made for each
design. “Strike Offs” (sample pieces of each in an
unfinished fabric) are created so that we can further edit color
and print if need be. I was lucky and only had to change
one of my prints as the color was not correct. You cannot
imagine how satisfying it is to see the images that take root in
your mind come to life in fabric.
Once the strike offs are approved, then the actually printing of
the “goods” fabric is done.
In the meantime, fabric reps all over the country are showing my
line to other shop owners and online stores. They are seeing
the line on paper first and then later after final printing they
can see it in actual fabric samples.
I am pleased to say that it is selling well and some large
fabric websites have picked it up too! How fun!
The Earth Spirit pattern was my
original creation too. Inspired also by the current Go Green
movement and ecology conservation, it came to me that every
family should have a quilt in their home that celebrates our
precious Earth and its beauty. Many are intimidated by trying
to create landscape quilts so why not use traditional quilt
patterns with landscape fabrics ie. Earth Spirit? Just
like we make holiday quilts out of holiday fabrics, we can make
Earth quilts out of Earth fabrics. Doesn’t really
matter the pattern as long as we love it! Children, teens,
young families and all nature lovers will appreciate the timely
thought of such a quilt. Lessons in conservation and
appreciation of the Earths’ beauty can be a part of the passing
on of these quilts.
Now that my fabric has arrived, I will be creating more projects
for you to see. Planned are a Market bag , a more traditional
but simple landscape hanging and another traditional quilt. Be
watching for news of their arrival early in the New Year.
Currently, we are working on my second line with Northcott. I
say “we” because my husband Frank actually got to name this new
line. I will tell you that the name is “You Go Girl !” but you
will have to guess the rest for now! Hopefully it will be ready
to debut at Spring Quilt Market in 2009.
Life is busy and crazy as a shop owner, Bernina dealer and now
fabric and pattern designer. And I
wouldn’t have it any other
way.
Happy Quilting, hope you enjoy Earth Spirit!
Dawn Maher
Sun Valley Quilts
Ps. Watch for details of Earth Spirit Quilt Challenge. You
could win great prizes!
See more on
www.northcott.com
website and download my free Earth Spirit pattern!
Copyright 2008
Sun Valley Quilts. All rights
reserved.
Revised: March 15, 2010.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companies or trademark holders.
