With their vibrant colors, exciting colors, unique textures and cultural relevance, it’s no wonder that African fabrics continue to grow in popularity in the DIY sewing, quilting and craft arena. Ankara African prints, bogolan (aka “mudcloth”), batiks, kuba cloth and other specialty textiles are becoming increasingly mainstream, making it easy to incorporate these treasures into our creative activities all year long! These are just a few of the upcoming month-by-month celebrations of culture and creativity:
- FEBRUARY – African American Heritage Month invites us to explore the beauty and versatility of African fabrics, regardless of skill level. With no sewing at all, a gorgeous cotton print or batik can become a regal headwrap, a table runner, sarong style skirt, wrapped top, or a quick carryall! More experienced sewers and crafters can make more detailed versions of these projects. And in between, fusible (iron-on) and hand-sewn options increase the creative possibilities.
- MARCH – National Quilting Month AND (and more specifically, National Quilting Day on March 19) encourage stitchers to indulge their senses in rich, colorful prints and batiks. They blend in beautifully with one’s existing fabric stash, adding a pop of excitement to an otherwise familiar quilt project or technique.
- MARCH – National Craft Month also takes place in March, the perfect time to try decoupage with African prints, or create unique jewelry with beads and brass embellishments imported from West Africa. Get a time-saving headstart by decorating items you already own, or begin from scratch.
- APRIL – National Decorating Month is sure to be on the minds of many, as the stay-at-home lifestyle of the pandemic caused so many of us to update and decorate the space we now spend so much time in! Now our décor has to not only look great, but we also need our surroundings to provide a feeling of calm and comfort in unsettling times. The neutral palettes and handwoven textures in Bogolan, from Mali, korhogo from the Ivory Coast and kuba raffia cloths from Central Africa bring a soothing, earthy quality to any home setting, in simple pillows, sofa throws, bed runners, table toppers, seat covers and more.
- APRIL 22 – Earth Day inspires us to Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle in creative ways. African prints or bogolan scraps make excellent appliqué patches for “Trendy Mending” projects on your favorite denim garments and other casual clothing. Or, try integrating already-recycled elements into an Earth Day project, like Krobo beads from Ghana, West Africa. Krobo beads are made from recycled glass bottles, in a centuries-old, labor-intensive process that is still used today.
For many sewing, quilting and crafts enthusiasts, these unique textiles aren’t just raw materials for projects, they’re a lifestyle! And it’s clear form these few examples that anytime is the right time to get creative with these fabrics, whether it’s a month-long celebration or no reason at all – sew many opportunities to “Feel the Fabric and Embrace the Culture”. For more inspiration and details on upcoming classes and events at Cultured Expressions, stop by the studio at 1417 Main Street in Rahway, NJ (open Wed-Sat) or visit http://www.CulturedExpressions.com. Phone 866-MUDCLOTH
I’ve been running a lot lately, and except for just ONE more travel-induced studio closing from Nov 1-3 (a private quilting event in CT), I’ll be in the 
Who’s ready to create some fun new pieces to wear, carry, or enjoy at home? Our Spring/Summer schedule is 
Mechanical sewing machines
Computerized sewing machines are the most expensive type. These machines not only do a variety of utility and decorative stitches, but have the capability of creating embroidery designs. Many have built-in embroidery stitches and alphabets, while some accept embroidery design cards, and still others can be connected directly to your computer. Programmed stitches can also be stored in memory for future use. The computer circuitry involved with these machines allows for a more precise stitch pattern than the mechanicals. You’ll want to protect your investment by plugging it into a good quality power strip with surge protection (such as you would use with your home computer). We recommend: Janome Skyline S5 — includes a 
Electronic sewing machines are basically a hybrid between mechanical and computerized models, creating a workable balance of bells-and-whistles with affordable pricing. Compared to the mechanicals, these machines generally give you a greater selection of utility and decorative stitches, several types of buttonholes, and conveniences like thread cutters and push-button controls. Electronic machines will typically have an LCD screen that allows you to make adjustment to your stitches – giving more precision in your sewing. Because of the LCD display, they’re sometimes mistaken for computerized machines, but they don’t have the same embroidery capabilities. We recommend: Elna 560 Experience — includes a 
We’re planning a fun new twist for our Colorado Mountain Retreat…this year, it’s morphed into The Wine Lovers’ Quilt Retreat. Think of of as a 4-night sip-n-sew pajama party…’Nuff said! Learn to pair wines not only with foods, but with your creative projects! Enjoy time to work on your own projects, along with my mini workshop, a field trip into Denver. It all takes place in the mountains August 8-12, 2018 and the retreat house is located about 1 hour outside of Denver. Details are being firmed up now.
It’s time for our first African Fabric Month giveaway for 2017, inspired by my “Jamaica Blue Mountain” fabric postcard! It started with a piece if extra firm heavyweight fusible craft interfacing, cut about 4″ x 6″. I fused the background fabric to it and layered the appliques to make the design. Note that the rust/orange sky section and the brown/green earth section are a single jacquard batik fabric! Jacquard batiks make the BEST landscape quilts. After it’s all arranged and stitched, I cut a piece of backing fabric about 1/4″ larger all around than the postcard, pressed the edges up and over to the front of the postcard, and stitched the raw edges into place as the binding… I love raw edge applique ; ) and fabric postcards are a nice alternative to regular greeting cards (have you seen the price of greeting cards lately??!!) If you want to write a message, fuse plain muslin to the center on the back and write with a permanent fineline fabric pen.
Whether you get all caught up in the Holidaze, or take a more laid-back approach to this time of year (like we do!), the time is right to wish you a happy, healthy and creative season, and the very best in the coming year! I thank you for allowing me to do what I love for yet another year.
I noticed that many of you enjoyed our most recent promo (last Thursday and Friday), and a couple of you missed it, so I decided to 
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