Greetings from the Dolomites in Northern Italy

Today our tour group traveled to Innsbruck Austria for the Tyrolean Folk Museum and Christmas Market. There was a frosting of snow on the forested mountains as we left in the morning, with low clouds hanging in the valleys. This gorgeous city sits at the base of a range of dramatic snowy peaks, reminding me of Anchorage Alaska…without the coastline. For lunch I had some dumplings that my grandma used to make. The fragrance of mulled wine and pine boughs is in the air, with couples strolling arm-in-arm under the twinkling holiday lights. I am definitely in the holiday mood now!

I’ll be flying home Monday, and sharing photos after the dust settles.

This year is a great time to start a tradition of holiday gift wrapping with fabrics. In Japan it is a traditional and very special way to wrap a gift for someone you really appreciate. There are YouTube videos about Furoshiki techniques, but the bottom line is…you can do a simple wrap or you can quickly sew a bag (like a basic pillowcase) to present your gifts to loved ones. For those of us with ample stashes, this is a way to sustainably wrap for this holiday season.

sharing your love for fabric,
Luana and Paul

Travel/Lecture Dates:
December 3-16 – Italy Textile & Costume Tour – Alpine Xmas Markets.
Jan 9 – Fraser Valley Modern Guild – Art & Activism Zoom Lecture
Jan 21 – Visions Museum Zoom Lecture
Feb 25 – Mar 5 – Kyoto Quilt Festival

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

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Free Quilt Pattern – Dragonfly Dance

You will love working with these gorgeous fabrics in this week’s Free Quilt Pattern – with the wildly popular ‘Dragonfly Dance’ collection in soothing tones of Teal, Aquamarine, Fuchsia, and Amethyst.

What makes this 49″ x 63″ quilt so special is the subtle watercolor-wash style, giving this an elegant but magical quality. The rich, saturated hues and wildflower theme will bring splash of summer splendor to the room or bed where it is used.

…from the ‘Dragonfly Dance’ collection by Deborah Edwards and Melanie Samra for Northcott Fabrics.

PLUS – you’ll receive Free USA / 50% off INTL shipping
when you order the fabrics for this exquisite quilt pattern
(orders $100 and over, no coupon needed).

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

Sharing your passion for fabric and color,
Luana and Paul Rubin

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Fabrics, Flowers, and Portraits

Tonight I am writing to you from Venice, after spending 6 days in Florence. Our textile/costume tour group has been immersed in historic fabrics, and in this image we are focused on a detail of a portrait of Teresa Gavaruzzi by Clemente Alberi, featuring lots of pink silk damask, silver lace, and a complementary flower arrangement. It is amazing how much information you can get from portrait paintings. This one is dated 1836, and hangs at the Pitti Palazzo in Florence, which houses an impressive costume exhibit.

Tomorrow we are renting (and wearing!) historic reproduction costumes, and going out to take photos in front of typical Venetian architecture. It is chilly, so we also have capes to go with our gowns. How much fun can a group of women have together? The last time I was in Venice, it was during George and Amal Clooney’s wedding. There were paparazzi piled into speedboats, chasing larger boats with women in sequined gowns and men in tuxes. There is something about Venice that makes you want to dress up.

I’ll be sharing photos from our textile tour after I return December 16. We hope your holiday preparations are progressing, and you have some time to relax, sew, and make ‘quilty’ plans for the New Year.

Sharing your love of fabric…
Luana and Paul

Travel/Lecture Dates:
December 3-16 – Italy Textile & Costume Tour – Alpine Xmas Markets.
Jan 9 – Fraser Valley Modern Guild – Art & Activism Zoom Lecture
Jan 21 – Visions Museum Zoom Lecture
Feb 25 – Mar 5 – Kyoto Quilt Festival

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

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Hello from Florence

Tonight I am writing to you from Florence Italy, where our Textile & Costume Tour has commenced. Our first few days have been full of museums, costumes, fabrics, art and the camaraderie that comes with hanging out with The Tribe. Today the 2025 Pantone Color of the Year was announced: “Mocha Mousse”, a mid-tone Cocoa color. Also the Kona Color of the Year was announced – “Nocturne” is a deep Amethyst. I’ve been tracking a color that is halfway in between these two – an earthy Mauve color. There is something for everyone in these colors.

It is chilly and rainy here, and the sparkling Christmas lights strung overhead on these ancient streets, are glistening and reflecting off the wet cobblestones. This is my favorite time to visit Europe these days, to avoid the heat and tourist crowds of summer. Next week we’ll travel to Venice, and I’ll be sharing photos in the near future.

I hope your holiday preparations are bringing you joy. Take time for yourself, to plan your quilting and sewing projects for 2025.

sharing your love for fabric,
Luana and Paul

Travel/Lecture Dates:
December 3-16 – Italy Textile & Costume Tour – Alpine Xmas Markets.
Jan 9 – Fraser Valley Modern Guild – Art & Activism Zoom Lecture
Jan 21 – Visions Museum Zoom Lecture
Feb 25 – Mar 5 – Kyoto Quilt Festival

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

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Free Quilt Pattern – Enchanted Forest

Tonight’s Free eQuilter Pattern features our best selling Enchanted Forest panel.

Our Free Quilt Pattern embraces the wild spirit of these woodland animals, beginning with the stylish central 36″ x 44″ panel. Add the coordinating engineered border stripe and allover tossed portraits for the border, along with a deep blue Hoffman Hand Dye for the sashing to complete the quick-and-easy border on this evocative quilt design.

From Alaska and Canada, to Montana and Wyoming, down the Rocky Mountains into Colorado,
these are the precious wildlife that define ‘freedom’ as they roam the woods, the peaks, and the tundra.

…from the ‘Enchanted Forest’ collection by Dan Morris for Quilting Treasures.

PLUS – you’ll receive Free USA / 50% off INTL shipping
when you order the fabrics for this exquisite quilt pattern
(orders $100 and over, no coupon needed).

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

Sharing your passion for fabric and color,
Luana and Paul Rubin

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Free Quilt Pattern – Fabric Felines

Everything is better with Kittens in the Sewing Room!

These adorable kitties pose proudly on their sewing table, surrounded by vibrant heirloom quilts. Our eQuilter Free Quilt Pattern features this exclusive ‘Fabric Felines’ panel, displaying an ensemble of cozy kitties just waiting for you to take them into your sewing studio.

To make this 63″ x 63″ quilt design, you will start with the central 43″ x 44″ panel. Add paw-print blocks from our Mysterious Forest Leaves and borders from two coordinating Hoffman Hand Dyes.

Your kitty-loving family and friends will adore this delightful celebration of cats and quilts!

And don’t miss our Fantastic Quilt Backing Sale at 25% off!

…from the ‘Fabulous Pets’ collection by the Rubin Design Studio, designed exclusively for eQuilter.

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

Sharing your passion for fabric and color,
Luana and Paul Rubin

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Gifts, Comfort Quilts, and Packing for a Textile Adventure

I am sure many of you are thinking about the holiday season this weekend – making and purchasing gifts for friends and family. Be sure to check out our selection of fun socks, tea towels, and the new Inspiration Deck this week. Of course an eQuilter Gift Certificate for you or your quilting friends, is always the perfect gift, and can be sent via email at the last minute!

Kelly in North Carolina sends her most sincere thanks to those of you who have donated comfort quilts for those who lost their homes in Hurricane Helene. They were able to distribute over 300 quilts before Thanksgiving.

She writes:
“Multiple people said they were living crammed in extended family members homes after their personal homes were lost (for one family, 20 people in a 3 bedroom house) or living in tents. One man broke down in tears and said it was a reminder that people are still thinking about them and care. He said he was living out of his car since the Hurricane. A mother came through and her children left with smaller kids quilts. They had Spider Man and Wonder Woman wrapped around them when they left. They had huge smiles on their faces.”

They hope to distribute another 500-700 quilts for Christmas, so keep them coming! Either ship direct to Kelly, or drop off in person at eQuilter.

Please ship your donated comfort quilts directly to:
KPC Buddhist Relief
c/o Kelly Zarcone
155 Buckner Rd.
Black Mountain, NC 28711

This weekend I am preparing for my Textile & Costume Tour in Italy. We have a savvy group of 15 ladies who will be traveling around Italy visiting textile and costume museums. I’ll be posting on my personal Facebook page during the group, and more on my photo pages later.

sharing your love for fabric,
Luana and Paul

Travel/Lecture Dates:
December 3-16 – Italy Textile & Costume Tour – Alpine Xmas Markets.
Jan 9 – Fraser Valley Modern Guild – Art & Activism Zoom Lecture
Jan 21 – Visions Museum Zoom Lecture
Feb 25 – Mar 5 – Kyoto Quilt Festival

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

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Free Quilt Pattern – Mysterious Deer Vista

Our mythical Deer in the magical forest panel has returned as the centerpiece for this lush quilt design. This week’s Free Quilt Pattern captures the mesmerizing gaze of a legendary creature, full of ornamental details and colorful embellishments.

To make this 52″ x 52″ quilt design, you will start with the 29″ x 44″ scenic portrait panel. We’ve combined a Hoffman Hand-Dye and two Dan Morris ‘Patina’ blenders to piece the top and bottom panels, and finish the border.

Whether you love fantasia or forests, this stunning piece of artwork will capture your imagination as a wall hanging, or lead you to dreamland as a Lap/Nap quilt.

…from the ‘Inspirational’ collection by the Rubin Design Studio, designed exclusively for eQuilter.

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

Sharing your passion for fabric and color,
Luana and Paul Rubin

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Violet Tango

Today I am featuring another favorite quilt from the Houston Quilt Festival. This piece was kind of hidden in the back of the exhibit hall, but it deserves to be seen. The artist has a stunning use of value and gesture to render the 2 dancing figure in shades of Violet, Mauve, Lavender and Cream.

Michelle Jackson is the quilt maker, and she titles this piece “May I Have This Dance”. When I look at this piece I hear the tango music of Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla – specifically his classic “Libertango“.

Michelle says she used raw-edge applique, partial tulle overlay, and machine quilting. Her artist statement reads:
“I love all forms of dance. I also love it when light seems to emerge from the darkness. The words in the background all have something to do with dance and movement.”

Photos from this gallery, and other inspiring quilts from Houston are now up on my photo pages.

Thank you for supporting our family-owned business, now and through the holiday season!

Sharing your love of fabric…
Luana and Paul

*The photo above “May I Have This Dance” was taken by Luana Rubin at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. Collage frame features fabrics currently in stock at eQuilter.com

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

Follow Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for quilt & travel images, review our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

Subscribe to Luana’s Artist Website blog for more creative inspiration.

Travel/Lecture Dates:
December 3-16 – Italy Textile & Costume Tour – Alpine Xmas Markets.
Jan 9 – Fraser Valley Modern Guild – Art & Activism Zoom Lecture
Jan 21 – Visions Museum Zoom Lecture
Feb 25 – Mar 5 – Kyoto Quilt Festival

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Free Quilt Pattern – Stained Glass Birds

You’ll be enchanted by this delightful portrayal of colorful Songbirds and florals in illuminated stained-glass style on fabric. These beautiful birds are perched in a garden landscape backdrop, with intricate branches, leaves & flowers.

To make this 54″ x 63″ quilt design, you will start with the magnificent 36″ x 44″ stained glass bird panel, then piece the diamond and square blocks with sunny coordinates, which pop out against the solid black background. A cyan blue Hoffman Hand-Dye frames the panel and provides a brilliant outer border.

…from the ‘Sunlit Birds’ collection by JQ Licensing for Quilting Treasures.

PLUS – you’ll receive Free USA / 50% off INTL shipping
when you order the fabrics for this exquisite quilt pattern
(orders $100 and over, no coupon needed).

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

Sharing your passion for fabric and color,
Luana and Paul Rubin

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