Hawthorne Threads Blog

Poetica Sings Sweet Poetry

Here is a gorgeous peek at the upcoming Poetica collection. With fabric names like Serendade, Sonnet, Spirited Verse, and Sweet Melody, Pat Bravo channels her inner poet with catchy alliterative flare, I daresay. Whether it's in verse, song, or ink, I'm struck by how similar various forms of expression really are. As in poetry and fine art, fabric designers have the ability to convey emotion through their work, connecting to an audience in a very personal way. Ironically, for me Poetica recalls to mind this painting that graced the cover of a small notebook I used as a teen to scrawl out my hand at poetry.

Midsummer Eve by Edward Robert Hughes

In turn, this painting celebrates a beloved play from Shakespeare

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine:
There sleeps Titania sometime of the night,
Lull'd in these flowers with dances and delight.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (2.1.255-60)

As though Pat was channeling Titania herself, Poetica captures that same feeling of being lulled to sleep in a blanket of purple flowers. What could be better?! The collection will waltz into our shop this February - sign up in our Coming Soon section to receive notice as soon as this artful beauty arrives!

Saying "I Do" to Gray

Inspiration boards courtesy of Snippet and Ink

I absolutely love that gray is the new black. It's versatility and appeal is largely attributed to the fact that gray compliments both warm and cool color palettes, adding depth and sophistication whilst maintaining an overall softness that black could not achieve. Nowhere do we see this trend more apparent than perhaps at weddings. Pink, aqua, and gray are softly romantic and this Wedding collection from Michael Miller Fabrics will no doubt be a hit with all the savy brides and decorators out there!

Springtime in January

I do love an Indian Summer, but I don't remember experiencing a January Spring! With the unseasonably balmy weather we're having in Upstate New York this weekend, my thoughts are skipping forward to springtime projects. Here's a happy palette in celebration of this warm weather! Collections featured are Flower Sugar, Folk Heart, Daisy Cottage, Alphabet Soup and Modern Whimsy.

Lecien's Flower Sugar Pops with Candy Colored Sweetness

We've just received our annual release of Flower Sugar from Lecien Fabrics of Japan. Just when the fabrics become scarce and immensely hard to come by, new designs arrive to join this ongoing collection of dashing roses and welcoming flowers in sugary sweet hues that pop. I love it more each time!

A Gift for the Guys - Ties!

Anyone still looking for gift ideas for the guys in your life, both big and small? How about some stylin' neckties for the guys this Christmas? Perhaps Mr.Ty Pennington was having a fun play on words with his name this past Quilt Market, for on prominent display in Ty's booth were, as you can see, ties! He whipped up a tie from each and every print in his new Impressions collection.

With its beautiful array of lush designs and distinctly organic, tribal feel, Ty has refined his woodcut printing technique and chosen a more daring color palette this time around. The line is great for any guy not afraid to add a little color to his wardrobe.

Having "winged it" with my son's necktie seen here, I'd certainly recommend following a tutorial (especially if, ahem, you're like me and pressed for time getting through your list of handmade gifts this year).

Images courtesy of The Purl Bee

I found a couple of great tutorials over at the Purl Bee - here's one for the little guys and the big guys in your life. The Impressions line is sophisticated yet brightly colored and would work well for stylish guys, both big and small. Happy Sewing!