Author Archives: Phyllis

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Class at Graceland with Elvis Fabrics

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I have taken a blog break.  Not long after starting my blog, I had several design deadlines and had to work on getting these finished.  Its great that I love my “job”.

Over the years, my career as a designer for needlework, quilting and textiles has offered some fantastic work opportunities that I call “perks”. They are jobs, but fun and unusual jobs that just don’t occur every day.

Tomorrow, I’m going to Memphis, TN, and more specifically, to Graceland to teach a class. This month is the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ passing. How time flies – I still remember where I was and the time of day when I heard the news about Elvis. August 11 starts Elvis Week in Memphis. They have a full week of activities planned. Check this website for the activities.

The class I’m teaching is a “Make and Take” workshop by Cranston Fabrics. I will be teaching a no-sew project, a photo frame, using some wonderful new Elvis fabrics. elvis-photo-frame.jpg You can use it to frame your favorite photo of your trip. If you are in Memphis Saturday, I hope you sign up for the class. I would love to meet you.

Cranston has some fabulous Elvis fabrics. So all of you sewers and quilters who are Elvis fans, you can make a wonderful quilt or other sewing item.

As I said, some of my jobs are “perks” and I consider this one of them – I’m very excited.  I will take photos and post them next week after I return.  And…..I hope to meet some of you.

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Visit to New York during the Surtex show and a visit to The City Quilter

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I love to visit NYC.  There is so much to see and do. I also enjoyed seeing friends and meeting “online” friends face to face, while I was exhibiting at the SURTEX Show (Surface and Textile Design) held in NY in connection with the National Stationery Show. 

As soon as I tossed my suitcase in my room, I headed to Chinatown and Little Italy.  I love to go to Pearl Paint, a great art supply store on Canal Street, just off the subway in Chinatown.  My next stop was Little Italy, a couple of blocks walk, to eat Italian. Mulberry Street in Little Italy This is a view looking down Mulberry Street in Little Italy. The Empire State Building is in the background, which I didn’t notice when I took the picture. It looks close but is over 35 blocks away. 

I love to visit quilt shops, and NY is no exception.  I visited with Cathy Izzo at The City Quilter.   Phyllis with Cathy

The City Quilter is a fabulous quilt shop that is well established after being in business over 10 years.  Its located at 133 West 25th Street in the Chelsea area and is very easy to locate (its not far from Macy’s.)  Fabrics in the City Quilter quilt shop.Cathy keeps the store stocked and up to date with the latest fabrics. City Quiilter Store

This charming shop is also filled with all the quilting supplies you might need. I was also impressed with the number of classes that they offer – 100 different classes. Just look down the street for the red awning that marks the spot for The City Quilter.City Quilter

Thanks for visiting with me.  I will add more of my NY adventures soon.

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Pink Sweetheart Ballerina fabrics

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Today I’m sitting in my studio working on my next fabric collection for Quilting Treasures.  I can’t say much about the next collection yet, but it will be really fabulous and in wonderful colors and will be out at the end of the year. 

I wanted to show you my newly released Sweetheart Ballerinas fabrics  in the pink color range since my previous postings had shown a lot of the aqua colors.  The fabrics come in a lot more colors for the coordinating fabrics.  Sweetheart Ballerinas fabric from Quilting Treasures by Phyllis Dobbs I made a rollup-naptime for children to use for their naps from this fabric.  In the filming last week for Martha Pullen’s TV show Martha’s Sewing Room, I showed how to make it. I’m showing the top half.  The bottom is made the same but is reversed in sewing the borders.Sweetheart Ballerinas fabric from Quilting Treasures by Phyllis Dobbs 

My time for writing is short today as I’m also getting ready to leave for New York.  I am exhibiting in a surface and textile design show (SURTEX), where manufacturers come to find art images to use for their product design. Wish me luck!

I love New York and will post some photos from there.  Its a fabulous place for spotting trends and sparking unique ideas.  I have my favorite places that I go each trip for that….stay tuned!!!  Of course, I have to throw in a little shopping! What fun would it be if I couldn’t do that?? My husband Danny would think something was wrong with me if I didn’t come back with my suitcase stuffed to the max with my finds.

Thanks for visiting.

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On the set with Martha Pullen

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One of the perks of my career as a professional designer is occasionally being on television.  Last week, I taped two segments sponsored  by the Warm Company (fabulous batting!) on “Martha’s Sewing Room” for PBS.  This show is hosted by Martha Pullen and demonstrates all kinds of sewing techniques – from hand sewing to machine sewing as well as embroidery and incredible hand sewn heirloom items. The show is filmed at the University of Alabama, my alma Martha’s Sewing Room set mater.

I find all the behind-the-scenes interesting and wanted to share it with you.  Some of the photos are dark, but even with the lighting on, its not very bright in the studio.

Maratha Pullen and Phyllis Dobbs on setThat’s me on the right, sitting on the set with Martha, a truly warm and charming lady.

What’s a TV show without bloopers! My blooper happened when I started to sew.  I reached for the pressure foot lever to lower the pressure foot and could not find it.  My hand was groping all around trying to find the lever when I hit the snap-on pressure foot and knocked it off. Of course, it turned out that the pressure foot lever was there all along, it was just higher up on the back.

I used my new fabrics, Sweetheart Ballerinas by Quilting Treasures for the items I created for the show.  Window Curtain Panel made with Sweetheart Ballerinas fabric by Phyllis Dobbs for Quilting TreasuresThis window curtain is quilted (using batting from Warm Company) to hang over the window by the tabs at the top.  Creating a window treatment is an additional way to use your quilting skills and this one is easy.

Outside the set, all the projects for the segments being taped are lined up. Projects lined up for taping on Martha’s Sewing Room for PBSThe 2nd segment that I was on featured a naptime roll-up mat for children to use for their afternoon naps.  It was made with the pink colors of Sweetheart Ballerinas.  I also made the aqua pillowcase.

A huge workroom is needed to coordinate everything for the show. Martha’s Sewing Room For PBS workroomEveryone is working away on their laptops.  Martha’s producer, Charlotte Potter, is in the center. It was a very pleasant and fun day.

I hope you will watch for me on the shows on PBS, in addition to becoming a regular viewer of Martha’s Sewing Room.  One show will be shown after August 2007 and the other one will be shown after Christmas.

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New Fabrics

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Hi, welcome to my blog and my first entry. To introduce myself, I am a mother, wife, and pet owner. I spend my days being creative as a professional artist and designer in textile and surface design (that’s basically anything you can put a design on). I have also designed mountains of needlework and quilts and have written quilt books. 

My latest design venture was creating a fabric collection of 20 fabrics, Sweetheart Ballerinas with Quilting Treasures. These fabrics debuted last week at the International Quilt Market in Salt Lake City and had me floating above the ground for several days.  Phyllis Dobbs with a quilt made of Sweetheart Ballerina FabircThat’s me in the Quilting Treasures booth standing in front of a quilt designed with Sweetheart Ballerinas.  It is such fun to me, designing, sewing and quilting items with my fabrics, although I didn’t  design the one above. 

This is a snapshot of part of the Sweetheart Ballerinas fabric collection. The entire collection can be viewed on my website. Phyllis Dobbs Sweetheart Ballerinas fabric stash

I love creating things to use in home decor, especially with fabrics and a sewing machine.  My  home is always a work in progress as I am always changing things.  There’s nothing like a new color paint to completely change the way a room looks. Add some great fabrics and you’ve redecorated so easily with such things as window swags or throw pillows. I have so many pillows that they have to be moved before you can sit or sleep. I don’t know what it is about pillows, but I just love them.  Sweetheart Ballerinas PillowcaseThis pillow is for sleeping, covered with a pillowcase I made with the aqua colors of the Sweetheart Ballerinas. 

I guess its time for me to quit writing as Kitty Kat is sitting in my lap wanting to help me type. Thank you for joining me and  I hope you are back again very soon!