Red Hot Gingham

As you've probably noticed, I get a bit excited when people use our Spotlight fabrics for their projects and then blog about them! The buying team also get a bit hyper when fabrics cross over from one department to the other.
This week's "innapropriate fabric love" comes from Rita at Red Pepper Quilts, who has gone a bit gaga over our beautiful cotton gingham!

100% Cotton Gingham, available from Spotlight

While Shoshana assures me that gingham is strictly for her to wear and not to be shared with "sticky fingered quilters", I reckon that Rita has done an amazing job of quilting up a beauty!

Love the mix of vintage stash fabrics and bright Gingham!

No longer for tea towels, gingham is hot!

We're all about exploring new uses for traditional fabrics here - and I'm sure with all the beautiful things we have dropping in over the season even the purists will be persuaded to try something new.

Have you created a fun project out of a fabric usually reserved for something else? Tell us about it!
And don't forget to check out some more of Rita's projects at Red Pepper Quilts!

Blogs we Love: things for boys

Describing yourself as a "typical, overtired, stay at home mum" is probably the best way to get your readers onside - especially if they too are typical, overtired mums! That's exactly what Abby at things for boys is striving for.
While I'm not a Mum (in fact we have one Dad and no Mums here at W&W), I definately appreciate the hard work it is being a busy Mum and it leaves us wondering how a lovely blogger like Abby has time to create such a beautiful blog chock full of inspiring projects and yummy recipes (plus a cocktail or two).

things for boys has a great project archive, brimming with fun baby ideas, as well as bits for older kids and even projects to treat Mums themselves!

Baby Roman looking comfy in this DIY Baby Sleeping Bag

For Mum - simple embellished lace tanks

Fantastic vintage tshirt shopping bag!

Abby's projects are simple, fun, and totally practical - and best of all, she's a Spotlight customer! Show her some love and maybe make up one of these for the weekend...

Delicious Peach Sangria!

Over the weekend, why not drop us a line and tell us about your favourite "practical Mum" project? Don't forget to like us on Facebook! 

Sorbet Summer

Despite me spending most of last week lamenting the cold snap and telling you all about our upcoming winter warmers, it's still very much summer here in Melbourne. The annual St Kilda festival is running all of this week and is a timely reminder of the beachside, sun-soaked lifestyle so many of us take for granted here. It's also got me looking forward to next summer, as we start to plot out our colour palettes and ideas.

 The official program guide of the St Kilda festival is festooned with beautiful ice cream colours - what a better way to ring in the hottest month of the year!

Sorbet and sherbert tones are a pop alternative to last year's pastels - warmer and more fun than ever!

 

Don't they remind you of Mediterranean escapes and sunny spring mornings? But these tones are designed to last you from morning right through to that iconic St Kilda sunset...

Bring on the sun!

xoxo
The Insider

Stash Solver: Wall Art!

I thought I was being the best brother ever when I bought my sister a bundle of fat quarters for Christmas this year. After inquiring as to why she had a puzzled look on her face, she expressed "I really like the fabric, but they're not big enough to make a full quilt".
Well, clearly, I couldn't afford to buy her a WHOLE quilt, that would just take the fun out of it.
So it's got us thinking here in the office - what do you do with those fat flats, gros quarts, jelly rolls and fashion bundles that you accumulate in your stash? And what great projects could we bring to you to utilise those fabrics you love and just can't quite use?

So introducing Stash Solvers Project Guide! (You can also file today's entry under "New Sew Pro" - no sewing required)

This week: Fabric Wall Art.

Fabric Wall Art is a quick and easy way to instantly bring a pop to your room! Wether it be a fabric collection or just an assortment of your favourite prints, arrange a group of fabrics on a wall to create a three-dimensional talking point.

There are a couple of different methods for creating your fabric art.

1. Stretched Canvas
Tidy Mom brings us the instructions to quickly cover artists canvas with fabric and a staple gun. Couldn't be easier!

2. Cereal Boxes
What?! Covering Cereal Boxes with fabric was once a pastime reserved for kindergartens. Check out Sew Mama Sew for a practical guide to using up that recycling pile!


I'm sure there are many other ways - including framing your fabric, or stretching it over embroidery hoops, to display your favourites. What have you done with yours?

Some more inspirational ideas at Baby Lifestyles

Pepper Design Blog

Pepper Design Blog

Sneak Peek: Time for Taffeta

Shoshana came across an absolute gem of a book last week: In Vogue: 50 Years of Australian Style. It's chock full of fantastic images from the last 50 years of the style tome.
A couple of pictures got our radars ticking - and Boutiques Buyer Elle pulled out some samples of the most incredible printed taffeta!

Printed & Plain Taffeta - here's one Elle prepared earlier!

Get Husky

You Asked for it...

Brand spankin new Polar fleece! Husky Polar is just one of our exciting new polar fleece ranges that is dropping in from Mid February.

This isn't the scratchy, squeaky polar fleece like my Dad wore in the 90s. Seriously, that stuff made my toes curl, like fingernails down a blackboard!
Husky Polar is gorgeous soft and warm anti-pill fleece. Ideal for kids outfits, cosy blankets, or dare I say it...

A snuggie?

Husky comes in a great range of 14 colours - all of which co-ordinate back with our new Printed Polar fleece ranges, and also with our exciting new winter cord ranges.

AU$4.99/m, in stores early-mid February.

What will you whip up with polar fleece this winter? Share your project ideas with us in the comments section, or leave us a post on Facebook.

Feeling Bookish

A cold snap has hit us here in Melbourne, and after a wave of a very hot past few weeks, I'm excited to be busting out my trusty cardigan in the office.
Shoshana tells me I look like I should be working in the state library...so I opened up a suitably vintage-looking book and what did I find?

Wonderful Wool Blanketing!

This gorgeous 300gsm wool/nylon blanketing will be dropping in soon. Trust me, it feels as soft and warm as it looks. In beautiful vintage-inspired checks and fantastic solids, it's a sure fire winner for your winter coats, sensible skirts and wrapping up by the fire.

Find it in store from Mid Feburary for an amazing $19.99m in 10 colours.

Feeling inspired? This fabric would be perfect for a 50's inspired coat! Try Vintage Vogue pattern #2401

 Stay warm!

xoxo
The Insider