Our colour challenge is back for another year and we have a gorgeous new group of colours to work with. We got so much enjoyment watching everyone's makes last year, we thought we should do it again. And, this year, we're going with a Canadian supplier for all of our colour challenge fabric.

The Challenge

Create a quilt incorporating ALL of the following five Colorworks solid colours,

You are free to introduce ANY other colours or fabrics into to your work, or you can stick to our five, BUT, you have to use all five colours. 

All quilt styles and techniques will be welcome! There is no minimum size, but the quilt cannot be larger than 60” square. Please see below for a full list of all the rules. 

Prizes

In this three hour workshop, you will learn Johanna's unique EPP method using freezer paper and an acrylic template (a custom Fabric Spark template, included in the workshop).

You'll learn to make your own quilt frame, and then how to hand quilt using a frame. 

We hope you have a wonderful holiday. Just so you know, we're going to be closed from 2:00 December 24 until 11:00 January 2. 

Be safe, eat lots of goodies, and happy making,

The Fabric Spark Team

The string snowball is a beautiful quilt with so many different versions. We carry the pattern and acrylic templates and have brought back Sandy's class as well. 

The real beauty of this quilt is the many variations that are possible with the pattern, and Sandy keeps soming up with new ones. Here are just a few

   

This is a brick of Tula goodness with her signature colours and pretty designs. If you have any Tula in your stash, these prints will work in perfectly. (And would make a fine Christmas gift...hint, hint!)

In just two hours, Kris can add an important tool to your sewing tool chest. We're starting with a two hour class on making ruffles, and a two hour class on creating piping. 

 

We have the new, perpetual, calendar panel from Arounna Khounnoraj (Bookhou). This stunning panel is a metre in length by the full width of fabric and includes 12 different original images from Arounna. 

The panel is 40" high (1 metre) x  44" (width of fabric) and can be hung as a whole cloth wall hanging, or cut up for interesting projects. 

Arounna provided a lot of sewing inspiration with this one, including pieced throw pillows, zipper pouches, fun bags and more. 

Continue scrolling to see more detail of the images and the panel and all the ways you can make use of the illustrations. 

 

We're delighted to have 12 gorgeous prints from this collection and fat quarter bundles of the full 26. There were a number of samples in Libs booth at H&H Americas in Chicago this Spring and she share these images on Instagram. 

Click on the image below to get all of the details. 

We're back to shipping with Canada Post. There may be slow downs but the shipments are all tracked so we should be able to predict arrivals. 

Thanks for your patience in these many shipping changes. We appreciate it.

Happy Sewing, 

Daryl

She'll be teaching Visible Mending from 8:00AM to 1:00 PM...

When we were at Quilt Canada we had a very enthusiastic run on our big spectrum bundles of Andover Century Solids. That area of our booth always had people gathered around it and you could see the creative wheels turning.

Explore Ocean, Citrus, Berry and Neutrals for some beautifully colourful quilt options. Each bundle contains 25 colours and we have them in fat quarter and half yard sizes.

The four bundles together represent the full colour spectrum of Century Solids. If you're interested in solids, this is a great opportunity to really beef up your stash.

While supplies last, if you buy any four bundles, we'll add a Century Solid Colour Card.

The warp and weft threads are different colours and that gives chambray its excellent depth and the appearance of a slight texture

Chambray hangs beautifully but still has just enough structure to hold the shape of the garment you're making. And, it can go from warm temperatures (think sleeveless dress) to cooler temperatures (like a tunic or men's shirt). 

 

We couldn't resist Alexia Marcelle Abegg's new colour combinations for this latest installment of Starry. Part of The Ruby Start Society design team, she always has a unique sense of colour and distinct pairings. The members of the team here at Fabric Spark each has their own favourite (mine is that olive with pink stars, but if you ask me tomorrow it might change). 

Starry is a versatile blender with simple, random stars that breath a little life into a tone on tone or contrasting print. I've used them many times in my own quilting (there is nothing like finding the perfect blender!). 

We liked them so much, we bought them all and have yardage, fat quarter bundles, jelly rolls, and charm squares of the complete group. 

What is Quilt Canada?

Quilt Canada is an annual event organized by the Canadian Quilter's Association (CQA). The event is comprised of several exhibits and components. Most notably, it features a national juried show (NJS) of quilts - "a high-profile quilting exhibition where quilts are judged by certified judges and awarded prizes."

You'll also find a bustling marketplace with lots of shops from smaller local vendors to some of the industry's biggest names. There are additional exhibits/concurrent quilt shows that feature the work of individual quilters, quilting guilds, or other quilting groups.

We're excited to see lots of local talent being featured in the concurrent show exhibits, including an exhibit by the Toronto Modern Quilt Guild (TMQG) called 'A Modern Take', and a selection of pieces by local Toronto quilter Peter Byrne in an exhibit called 'Peter Byrne, 5 Years Later.'

There are also numerous workshops and lectures for quilting enthusiasts - new and seasoned alike - to enjoy and to be inspired!

Fabric Spark at Quilt Canada - Booth #318

You can find Fabric Spark at Quilt Canada - June 19 through June 21 - at booth #318. We've been working diligently behind the scenes to prepare some exclusive products and offers for attendees of the show. 

Quilt Canada Perk #1: FREE Andover Century Solids Colour Card with a purchase of 4 Century Solids Bundles

We love our solids here at Fabric Spark - and we decided to highlight our collection of Andover Century Solids with some curated bundles.

Choose from four different colour ways: neutrals, ocean, berry, and citrus. There are no duplicate colours between the bundles. Each bundle contains 24/25 pieces and is available in fat quarters or half-yards. 

They're excellent stash builders and a quick way to expand the colours available to you when inspiration strikes! 

And with all those new colours at your fingertips, you'll need a colour card for planning and referencing. You can purchase one for $30 or get a free one when you buy any four Century Solids bundles (while supplies last!).

Update: These bundles are NOW AVAILABLE online and in-store! Shop here.

Quilt Canada Perk #2: FREE Star Quilt Pattern when you spend $150 or more at the booth

Late last year we designed an exclusive star pattern for the shop - the Striped Big Star pattern. The project was inspired by our holiday colour palette of turquoise, pink, navy, and red. The initial design came from an earlier star pattern using eight fat quarters.

In our new version we introduced stripes that lightly alluded to our favourite peppermint treats - candy canes! It's quick and impactful finish.

The pattern includes illustrated instructions to make a 68" x 68" throw quilt. It's a relatively straight forward quilt that's best suited for a confident and organized beginner. 

We're treating you to this EXCLUSIVE pattern when you spend $150 or more at our booth over the course of the weekend (while supplies last!). 

Quilt Canada Perk #3: Special Price for "I Love CQA" Participants

We'll be participating in the CQA's "I Love CQA" program. If you stop by our booth donning your CQA pin, we'll offer you a special price on one of our goodies! It's a secret for now, but what we can say is that it's an sewing essential! 

We can't wait to see you there!

Our anniversary campaign has been all about showcasing what makes us, well, us! And colour is DEFINITELY us. It's hard not to be struck by the shelves of rainbow hues. Even the staff agree that it's energizing and inspiring place to step into each day. It really is a wonderful world of colourful textiles.

For the month of February, we decided to celebrate colour by challenging our community to design with a limited palette of Andover Century Solids. And what a turn out of submissions!

Read on to learn:

• What the challenge involved,
• About our generous sponsors, and
• Who the lucky winners are.

We've also compiled a photo gallery of over 25 quilts made by our awesome staff and Fabric Spark community members, near and far.

The Colour Challenge Details

If you haven't been following along, here's a little more about the challenge we set.

Participants were asked to create a quilt incorporating ALL of the following five Andover Century Solids: Flax, Margarita, Faded, Isle and Gunmetal. Participants could introduce ANY other colours or fabrics into to the mix or stick to our five.

The submission requirements stated the following:

• All quilt styles and techniques were welcome.
• No minimum size, but the quilt could not be larger than 60” square.
• Quilt tops and finished quilts were accepted.

We weren't sure what the uptake would be for this event, but we were blown away by your enthusiasm for the challenge! 

Our two-week-long voting window received over 300 responses - wow! You can scroll through the placed winners AND the submissions below. 

The Winning Quilt of the Colour Challenge

First Place Winner

Four Circles In a Square by Janice MacNamara Freeman @pindropquilts

(original finished quilt; 57" x 57")

Second Place Winner

Jester's Journal by Madison Makers (Louise Collins, Lynette Fehir, Lara Huntsman, Judy Losier, Ruth Lui, Mical Pearlman, May Powell, Peter Reeve- Newson and Jane Rajantie and Catherine Watts)

(original quilt top; 39" x 46")

Thank You for Participating

It has been our absolute pleasure to host this event for all you, and to have played some role in your creative journey this year.

A Photo Gallery of Fabric Spark Challenge Quilts

Below you will find projects made by our staff as well as those submitted to the challenge by our greater Fabric Spark community. Enjoy!

"Embracing Imperfection Since 2014" by Daryl Aitken, Chief Imperfectionist (original finished quilted banner using the Skinny Alphabet pattern by Happy Sew Lucky)

 (above) "Berry Parfait" by Annie, Sales Associate (Based on a quilt pattern "Berry Parfait" by Thimbles and Needles; finished quilt)

(above) "Jan's Star" by Jan, Sales Associate (original finished quilt)

(above) "Jelly Bean Row" by Jane, Workshop Coordinator (Based on the quilt pattern "Jelly Bean Row" by Penny Spool Quilts; finished quilt)

(above) "Four Corners" by Laura, Payroll Administrator (original finished quilt)

 (above) "Take Flight" by Nix, Sales Associate (original finished quilt)

A Photo Gallery of All Our Quilt Submissions

Linoleum by Barb Ferris (original finished quilt; 46.5" x 53.25")

(above) Life Is Good by Berene Campbell (@happysewlucky); original finished quilt; 24" x 30"

(above) The Parrot and The Orange by Carol Ashton (original finished quilt; 17" x 21.5")

(above) Spark by Carol Ashton (original finished quilt; 26.5" x 48.5")

 (above) Sequence by Diana Revett-Fox (original finished quilt; 21.5" x 17")

(above) Variation on Around the World by Helen Lambert-Davis (original finished quilt; 39" x 39")

(above) This Way and That by Ilana Kotin (original finished quilt top; 28" x 35")

 (above) Five Stars by Isabella Garrigan (Finished quilt based on Stellar Zebra Pattern by Sandy Saengsuk; 64" x 64")

 (above) Ain't No Rest for the Winged by Jill S. (Finished quilt of "Dragon Dreams" Pattern by Astrid Bordush; 37" x 45")

(above) Thistlebloom by Jitka Clement (two sides of an original finished quilt; 47.5" x 53.5")

 (above) Lemon Squeezy by Julia Scott (original adaptation of "The Big EZ" pattern by Vicki Bellino; 60" x 60")

 (above) New Life by Lauri B. (original finished quilt; 49" x 49")

 (above) Sprinkle by Lenore Ison (original finished quilt inspired by Confetti by Maria Shell; 50" x 66")

 (above) Inspired by Kimono by Lucy Garvin (original quilt top; 48" x 56")

(above) Come Fly a Kite by Melissa Creighton (Finished quilt based on Kite Block Mini Pattern by Flying Parrot Quilts; 21" x 21")

 (above) This Ain't No Disco by Melissa Creighton (Finished quilt of Roof Lines Pattern by Flying Parrot Quilts; 37" x 45")

 (above) YWG by Nupur Deonarine (original finished quilt)

 (above) Early Birds of Spring by Susan Emanuel (original quilt top; 37" x 37")

 (above) Partial Bloom by Terry-Ann Wright (Quilt top based on "Knitted Blooms" pattern by Lo & Behold Stitchery; 19.5" x 19.5")

 (above) Dotty Stars by Valerie Prideaux (original finished quilt; 37" x 37")

Some of the most interesting exhibits at the show are the challenge exhibits - that is, quilts that were made in response to specific criteria set by event sponsors or the MQG itself, so we're helping you by providing handy quilt kits and easy-to-use fabric links to get you started. Read on to find out more!

QuiltCon 2026 Windham Artisan Cotton Challenge

Windham Fabrics has led a challenge for several years featuring their Artisan Cottons, a beautiful collection of shot cottons. In Windham's words, "Artisan Cotton is a stunning cross-weave fabric, available in rich jewel tones and versatile neutrals. With 38 new additions, you now have 90 vibrant colors to choose from--perfect for bringing your creative vision to life!"

We have loved seeing the entries for this challenge at past QuiltCons, and we think 2026 will present another innovative gallery of modern makes. Hillary Goodwin chose the following six fabrics from the Artisan Cotton collection for the challenge:

• 55 Taupe/Lt. Gray
• 100 Dark Coral/White
• 29 Yellow/Copper
• 10 Green/Blue
• 23 Blue/White
• 27 Black/Copper

You can read all the rules and guidelines for entering the challenge here. Submissions open September 1, 2025, and close October 31, 2025.

Windham Artisan Cottons Available at Fabric Spark

Update: The yardage has arrived - you can order it here!

If you order multiple bundles, we will cut continuous yardage of each colour. For example, if you order two half yard bundles, we will send you a full yard of each colour. 

We are anticipating that the bundles will ship by the end of June 2025. 

Community Outreach Colour Palettes in Andover Century Solids

Each year the MQG sets a theme and palette for the community outreach challenge.  This year the theme is a medallion-styled quilt and there are two palette's available to choose from:

Enter this challenge as an MQG Guild or as a collective of individual MQG members. All the rules and guidelines are available here. The entry system will be open October 15 at 12:00 a.m. EDT to December 15, 2025, or until 80 submissions are reached, whichever comes first. 

Community Outreach Challenge Kits at Fabric Spark

We've done some of the leg work for you and have put together a quick shopping list of comparable colours for both palettes in Andover Century Solids. 

You can find our best matches for Palette #1 here and Palette #2 here (we are actively replenishing anything that is 'sold out'.).

Connect with Other Fabric Spark Individual MQG Members

If you're an individual MQG member who would like to take the lead on a community outreach quilt for this challenge, let us know and we can help connect you to other Fabric Spark customers who are individual MQG members. (Please note, we're happy to facilitate the networking, but will not be leading the project.) Email us at create@fabricsparkteam.com to say you're interested.

And more... But there are also the immeasurable benefits, like being able to express yourself creatively and, hopefully, giving you a social connection to other makers. 

We have two fantastic Creative Talents coming to Fabric Spark to speak under our creativeity for wellness theme. Come enjoy a couple of wonderful evenings in the shop. Both will attest to how their craft has served as a necessary refuge in their personal lives, and how it has spilled into the public space for others to participate in, contribute to, explore in, and grow in. 

June 4 at 6: 00 p.m. - Andrea Tsang Jackson  of 3rd Story Workshop in Halifax, will be joining us to speak about her groundbreaking and beautiful book, "Quilting"

We have 25 entries into the colour challenge and they are all so wonderful. Please click the link below and vote for your favourite. 

Please look at all the entries before you cast your vote and only vote once. We will not count multiple votes so please make sure you're casting your vote carefully the first (and only) time. 

You can click through here to cast your vote. 

It's here - This Sunday from noon to 4:00 we are having our big famous (and last) fabric sample sale benefitting Beautiful World Canada. It's our biggest haul ever. We have amazing fabric samples and yardage from our generous and wonderful suppliers. We also have stunning stash donations from members of our community. 

Everything is priced to sell!

We have 

• quilting cotton
• beautiful garment fabrics (many with significant yardage)
• bag making fabrics (linen/cotton blends, etc)
• Japanese imports
• batiks
• holiday fabric 
• kids fabric
• lots of notions
• beading supplies
• yarn
• books
• and lots more

Honestly, it's amazing. We have a lot of impressive donated prizes too including fabric, an Oliso iron, and a BIG thread kit. We'll be handing out prizes throughout the day

Space is Limited
The sale is at Fabric Spark. We have limited space so we'll have to limit the number of people in the store at once. Don't worry! There is so much fabric, we will be replenishing throughout the day. Also - we will be discounting further in the final hour of the sale from 3:00 - 4:00 (we want everything to sell) so if you're on a really tight budget, waiting will have some benefits. 

 IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER 

1. Please bring your own bag! We do not supply bags

2. Please be patient - this is a volunteer run event

3. If you shop the sample sale, you'll get 10% off at Fabric Spark to use on Sunday 4/27.

4. We will be restocking throughout the day, and discounting in the last hour. So don't feel you have to be there first thing.

5. Our washroom will be closed during the event*

Note - we are going to be a bit crowded so please no food or beverages in the shop. If you're worried about your ability to stand in line, let us know at the door. We can find a chair to bring out for you to use while you're in the line up. 

*There is a washroom at the ValueMart at the corner of Woodbine and Danforth.

Many years ago, I stumbled on and pinned a lovely quilt in Pinterest. After some digging I found out that it was made by Jeannette Bruce and posted originally on her Gone Aussie Quilting blog.

A Little About Low Volume Fabrics

Getting to Work

My Low Volume Quilt

I kept working on it through the holidays and then added a couple of blocks whenever I had time to sit down and sew.I laid it out on my floor several different times trying to get a good random and scrappy feel to the placement of the blocks.

It's peaceful and comforting to have a lot of negative space in a surface design and that's essentially what a low volume quilt is. There are many places for the eye to rest, but it's not boring. It also feels a little like one of the very old quilts made by my great aunts that stayed in the family for years. 

The Big Low Volume Fabric Bundle

We started talking about our favourite low volumes prints in the store and began building a pile of bolts that had the same feeling as my quilt.

We had the single objective of making the ultimate low volume bundle (which included many of the fabrics I used in the sample above.)

Voila! Here are 32 skinny quarters in one bountiful bundle! You can purchase it here while supplies last. The bundle is equivalent to 8 yards of fabric. We made sure to include a wide mix of colour, pattern, density and tones. We also included some text prints, graphic images, simple florals, and many many background colours. 

FREE Low Volume Quilt Pattern 

We wrote up the directions for making a strip block quilt like mine. You can download them here for FREE! Our quilt sample measures 64" x 80". You can see it in the shop, or in our booth at Quilt Canada 2025.

We're making a community quilt for our Fabric Spark anniversary celebration, and we hope that you'll contribute a block so we can put them all together and donate a finished quilt!

We asked Cristina De Miranda, our Shop Manager and Ships & Violins quilt designer, to create a quilt block pattern and she has delivered... introducing the Film Strip quilt block. The block was designed to give you room to express your creativity and celebrate your favourite thing about Canada (those cardinals might be the thing for you birdwatchers). The centre rectangle is yours to discover...

There has never been a better time to celebrate our beautiful country. You might want to appliqué your favourite outdoor hangout, choose a fabric that is symbolic of your favourite Canadian artist or band, or maybe embroider a special message celebrating our diverse community. Help us tell our story about all the amazing things that Canada represents!

When you're finished you can drop off your completed block(s) at the store or mail it to us (1992 Danforth Ave.). We're hoping to collect them all by July 1st - Canada Day! We will turn all of your blocks into a finished quilt for Friends of Ruby's residential facility. In one project, our community will be celebrating Canada, and providing warmth and comfort to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth when they need it most.

About the Film Strip Quilt Block

The pattern includes two construction methods: foundation paper piecing and traditional piecing. Choose the method that you’re most comfortable with. If you’re a bit adventurous and want to experiment with FPP, you can find a step-by-step photo tutorial below to guide you. 

Download the Free Film Strip Block Pattern

Film Strip quilt block pattern is available here.

About this FPP Photo Tutorial

This tutorial will demonstrate how to complete template A of the Film Strip quilt block pattern. The pattern includes the foundation paper piecing (FPP) template you’ll require for this tutorial. If you prefer, you can follow the traditional piecing instructions included on the third page of the pattern. 

Fabric Requirements for the Film Strip Quilt Block

Please refer to the pattern for fabric requirements. 

Supplies

• Paper (copy paper, newsprint, or specialty FPP paper)
• Access to a printer or copier
• Ruler with 1" markings
• Craft or paper scissors
• Glue stick or tape
• Pen or pencil
• Add-a-Quarter Ruler (optional)
• Sewing machine
• Cutting mat and rotary cutter
• Thread (Aurifil)
• Iron or seam roller
• Pins 

How to Foundation Paper Piece the Film Strip Quilt Block

The following steps will demonstrate how to paper piece your template from printing to trimming. 

Step 1: Print and Cut-Out Template A

Printing and preparing your template is an important step.

You can read more on what to look for when printing templates, and how to prepare them to minimize any chances of errors when piecing here, but I've summarized it for you below, too. Browse the photos for visuals of each step.

• Print two copies of template A.
• The printer setting should be set to 100% scale or actual size.
• Confirm that the 1" test square measures correctly. Adjust the scaling percentage, if needed.
• Cut out each template leaving 1/8" of excess around the dashed border. Leave about ¼” of excess along the edge that is to be joined.
• Glue or tape the sections of template A together as noted.

Step 2: Preparing Your Fabrics

For the film strip quilt block, I recommend you cut a 2.25” strip from your dark fabric yardage and your light fabric yardage to start. If you would like to give yourself a greater margin for error you can increase this to 2.5”. 

We will be cutting the fabric as we go, rather than cutting individual pieces for each section. You can use an assortment of scraps as well, but be sure that the scraps still read as darks and lights, because contrast is important for the design.

Keep in mind that, unlike other patchwork techniques, your fabric pieces don't have to be perfectly accurate. We’ll be trimming them to the required size in later steps.

Step 3: Pre-fold Template A Along the First Sewline

The sections are identified by the number within each shape. The shape with the number 1 is the first section, the shape with the number 2 is the second section, and so on. This will be the order in which we attach fabric pieces to the template.

Place the tapered edge of your Add-a-Quarter ruler (or the edge of a piece of cardstock) along the solid line between sections A1 and A2 of the template. Fold the template toward the hard edge and press to create a crease.

Step 4: Place your Fabric Pieces

Place your light and dark fabric strips right sides together.

With the template folded along the crease, place section A1 on top of the light fabric strip (the dark fabric strip is at the very bottom). Estimate about ¼” of excess fabric above the folded edge. Flip open the template and pin everything in place (note that there should not be more than 1/4" above section 1).

Step 5: Stitch Along the First Sewline

Adjust the stitch length on your sewing machine to 1.5 mm. A small stitch length will help to perforate the paper template and ensure that your stitch will not be compromised when tearing out the paper.

Sew along the first sewline (a few stitches into the next section is fine). You don't need to backstitch. 

Flip your template back. If the excess fabric above the fold is more than ¼” use your ruler to trim it down.

Step 6: Press Fabrics Open

With the template right side down, flip open the dark fabric strip. Confirm that it covers the entirety of section 2 plus 1/4" of excess around the section's perimeter.

Using a seam roller or an iron to press the fabric piece open.

Trim the light fabric beyond the template as shown below, so that it can be used in the next step.

Step 7: Pre-fold Along the Second Sewline

With the template right side up (your fabrics should still be pressed open underneath the template), place the tapered edge of your Add-a-Quarter ruler along the solid line between sections A2 and A3 of the template. Fold the template toward the hard edge and press to crease.

Step 8: Prepare the Seam Allowance

With the template folded along the second sewline, place your Add-a-Quarter ruler so that it sits on the folded edge of the template. (When the ruler is nesting on the fold, it measures exactly 1/4" above the fold. You can align the folded edge with the 1/4" marking on any ruler if you don’t own the Add-a-Quarter.)

Use a rotary cutter to trim the fabric above the fold.

Step 9: Place the Third Fabric Piece

The third fabric piece to be placed is for section A3. Section A3 of the template requires a light fabric piece.

With your template folded along the second sewline, place the light fabric strip under the template by matching the raw edges of the prepared seam allowance. Flip open the template and pin the fabrics in place.

Step 10: Stitch Along Sewline 2

Stitch along the solid line between sections A2 and A3. (Note there should not be more than 1/4" of fabric above section 2).

Step 11: Press Fabrics Open

With the template right side down, flip open the light fabric strip. Confirm that it covers the entirety of section 3 plus 1/4" of excess around its perimeter.

Using a seam roller or iron to press the fabric piece open.

TIP: Avoiding shadowing (seeing the dark fabric behind the light fabric) by trimming down your dark fabric's seam allowance so that it is smaller than the light fabric seam allowance as shown below.

Step 12: Complete the Remaining Sections of Template A

Now we're getting into a rhythm! Follow the simplified steps below to complete the remaining sections of Template A.

• Pre-fold the template along the next sewline. 
• Prepare your seam allowance above the fold.
• Place your dark fabric piece by matching the raw edges of the prepared seam allowance. Pin in place.
• Stitch along the sewline.
• Press fabrics open.

Completing Sections 10 and 11

Sections 10 and 11 are completed the same way as the other sections. They are just longer and will require a long piece of dark fabric and more pins to hold the fabric in place. Follow the steps above to complete.

Your template will look like the photo below once all the sections have been completed:

Step 13: Trimming Template A

Once you’ve completed all of the sections on Template A you can trim it to size. To do this, align the 1/4" line on any ruler with the solid line alone one edge of the template.

Using a rotary cutter, trim along the edge of the ruler (which will automatically line up with the dashed outer border of the template).

Do this for each side of the template.

Ta-da! You’ve completed the template! I recommend that you remove the paper before assembling the rest of your block. You can switch back to 2.0 or 2.5mm stitch length in this case.

Next Steps

You will require two of template A to complete the film strip block pattern. Use what you’ve learned above to make the second template. You’ll get the hang of this technique in no time!

Follow the “Assemble the Block” instructions to complete your quilt block. 

Share your finished block on Instagram by using the hashtag #filmstripquiltblock. Tag @shipsandviolins and @fabricspark too!

If you're participating in Fabric Spark community quilt, please mail or drop off your quilt block at: 1992 Danforth Ave., East York, ON M4C 1J6, Toronto, ON, Canada. We will be accepting entries until July 1, 2025.

Sign up for one or all here.  to get the link, and stay to the end to qualify to win fantastic fabric prizes and possibly have access to an exclusive discount (only for participants).

March 7  "Let's talk about Colour and Print" with Johanna Masko
For many quilters, choosing fabric for a new project is fraught with uncertainty. Where do we begin? Let Johanna Masko help you get going with her lively discussion about working with colour and print in quilts. A scholarly understanding of the colour wheel is not required! 

March 14 "Sewing Room Hacks" with Shirley Dawson
It's frustrating that when a product is designated as sewing related, the price goes up. I think this is what's called a "pink tax". It takes a life long maker, like Shirley, to know the excellent tricks and sources for using every day objects, hardware store finds, and the like to equip your sewing room creatively and cost effectively. This is especially helpful for new makers who face a big price tag for building their sewing kit. Join us for valuable tips on keeping it affordable.     
                                                               

March 21 - Quilt Math with Johanna Masko
Sometimes, you need to do math to be a quilter. Johanna brings clarity and helpful tips so that you can calculate fabric requirements for the different elements of your quilt, including within your quilt blocks. You will learn some handy formulas and practical strategies for using them to your best advantage. This session is especially helpful for people who don't like math!

March 28 - Demystifying Pre-Quilt Design software
Whether you're designing your own quilt or you want to experiment with different fabrics in your favourite designer's pattern, Pre-Quilt is an amazing software tool that will help you do both. Founder Laura Henneberry will be here to show you how easy it is to design and plan like a pro. 

All of our lunch and learns will start at noon, and be finished by 1:00. They will also include a draw at the end for a fantastic fabric prize. 

Don't forget to sign up for one or all here. We'll send you the link to the class and a reminder before the date. We'll also use your email address to draw our prizes, and/or send a promo code for a discount, only available to participants. 

Thinking about what to make?

You can just cut out a square and use it as a table cloth or placemat (laminates don't fray). Or use a laminate to create a cute rain coat for your favourite little one, or a water resistant toiletries bag with a cute zipper.

Things to keep in mind.

If the fabric gets folded, either in shipping or when you store it, you'll want to press out the folds. We suggest you iron any laminate upside down (plastic side away from the heat) with a tea towel or ironing cloth between the iron and the fabric.  Use the lowest  heat setting and keep the iron moving. That way you'll remove creases without melting the laminate. 

We also suggest that you lengthen your stitch when sewing laminates (or oil cloth) so that you don't accidentally perforate your fabrics! 

Think about making something new and different with this fun and interesting textile. 

 

 

The Colour Challenge

Create a quilt incorporating ALL of the following five Andover Century Solids: Flax, Margarita, Faded, Isle and Gunmetal. Feel free to introduce ANY other colours or fabrics into to the mix or stick to our five, BUT, you have to use all five colours. 

All quilt styles and techniques welcome! There is no minimum size, but the quilt cannot be larger than 60” square. Please see below for a full list of all the rules. 

Prizes

We have a fantastic prize package including fabric, design software, and visibility for your entry. The prize for our audience favourite includes:

• An ‘Iconic’ fat quarter bundle by Libs Elliot including , 'Glaze II' Charm Pack and Design Roll (prizes generously provided by our wonderful Andover supplier in Canada, J.N. Harper)

• A PreQuilt Annual Subscription

• The quilt will hang at the Fabric Spark booth at Quilt Canada in Toronto, June 19-21, 2025.

• Winning quilt will be published in Fabric Spark newsletter and socials. 

There will be more prizes too!

*A note about PreQuilt
PreQuilt is an online software application for designing, visualizing, and making quilts. Some of
the benefits of subscribing to PreQuilt are:

• Design and visualize your quilt ideas quickly and dynamically
• Save your quilts and digital coloring page mockups
• Calculate fabric needed to make your quilt idea
• Use printed fabric swatches in your quilt idea or mockups
• Use the randomization features to play with a quilt idea

 

Don't Miss Out

Please join the fun and help us celebrate our anniversary by showing us your creativity and design ideas with this challenge. 

Amazingly, the Ikat woven technique emerged independently in various parts of the world including the Philipines, Indonesia and India. The weaving method is centuries old and was originally employed as a ceremonial fabric.

What is it?

Ikat refers to fabrics that have been woven using resist-dyed strands of yarn. Resist-dying involves tying the threads at specific areas, which makes it more difficult for the dye to saturate that part of the threads, then leaving the other areas untied, allowing for dye to be completely absorbed. The threads appear to move from low to high saturation, as a result. When these yarns are woven strategically, they create a dynamic pattern that is truly unique. 

The number of colours used to dye the yarn can range from two to several dozen. Below is a two colour Ikat (left) and a three colour ikat (right).

 

There are other yarn dyed wovens like shot cottons or chambrays, gingham and yarn dyed stripes, but Ikat is different. The use of resist dyeing to creates a variegated effect on the thread. Many wovens we see in the quilting and bag making world feature yarn that is dyed with a single colour. Each of the single-colours threads are then woven into patterns to create yardage. The patterns are often grid-based as a result because the warp threads are one colour and the weft threads another. 

The complexity of the pattern in Ikat is the result of how the dyed yarns are used when weaving. It’s important to emphasize the high-level of craftsmanship required to produce patterns using dyed yarn. Artisans perfect their skills with experience and experimentation.

"Single Ikat" fabric uses a single-coloured weft thread (left to right) and resist-dyed warp threads (up and down) to create motifs that feature lengthy elements, such as stretched chevrons. This approach created a dramatic and modern look so we chose 5 single Ikat designs to bring in. You can see them here. 

If you're wondering what to make with Ikat, check out the lovely Chanterelle pants that Shirley made in the black. We're offering a workshop to make these awesome pants in case you'd like to learn to make them.