Free Quilt Pattern – Aurora Wolves

Posted on December 22, 2024 by Luana

One of our most popular design motifs is Wolves – representing the wild free spirit of the Northwoods. This week’s exclusive eQuilter Free Quilt Pattern features our new majestic Wolves panel, with a pack running through fresh powder snow under the Moon and Northern Lights.

To make this 59″ x 67″ quilt design, you will start with our Arctic Wolf Pack panel, then piece the borders with an Aurora Borealis print and Lavender Hoffman hand dye; then border with solid black.

This beautiful arctic quilt is a great gift for wildlife enthusiasts who dreams of running wild and free!

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

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

Share Post:
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Posted in Free Quilt Patterns, Quilt Pattern | Comments Off on Free Quilt Pattern – Aurora Wolves

Peace on Winter Solstice

Posted on December 21, 2024 by Luana

Today (Saturday) is the Winter Solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Summer Solstice for our friends in the Southern Hemisphere. The Winter Solstice is a time of quiet contemplation for me, as I take stock of the year that has passed, prepare for the holidays, and plan for the coming year.

This year, more than ever, I spend this solstice praying for Peace on Earth. My quilting keeps me centered and sane when the world is in chaos. Today, every stitch is made with love and hope. I am completing prayer flags for the Toward 2050 labyrinth.

Now more than ever, the Quilting Community is so precious to me. To ALL of you with whom I have spent time with this year, from QuiltCon to Houston, from Allegre to my recent Textile tour in Italy, I thank you for being such a blessing in my life. We have gathered on Zoom across the miles, and when we are lucky we share a meal at a quilt event. When I left the garment industry and found my way to the world of quilting, I instantly knew I had arrived where I was supposed to be. If you are new to quilting, I urge you to find your local tribe and partake of the warmth and camaraderie we find together.

We seek common ground, upon which to build the New Year together. When we gather based on our shared passion for making things with our hands….when we creatively collaborate in a joyful community….it strengthens us for the challenges of our day to day lives.

Thank you for sharing this passion for quilting with us.
We are sending holiday smiles and hugs to all of you.

sharing your love for fabric,
Luana and Paul

Travel/Lecture Dates:
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.

Share Post:
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Posted in Creativity, Design, Holidays/Events, Trends | Comments Off on Peace on Winter Solstice

Free Quilt Pattern – Santa on the Mountain

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Luana

There’s still time to celebrate Santa’s arrival with our fabulous new exclusive Christmas panel, depicting a jolly St. Nick sledding with his friendly animals of the forest.

To make this 55″ x 62″ Free Quilt Pattern, you will start with the 36″ x 44″ digital printed central panel. Then piece the borders with three coordinating wintry-blue snowflake prints adjacent to some magical white tonal stars.

Make this quilt for friends and family, and rejoice in the magic of Santa and the Christmas spirit.

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

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

Share Post:
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Posted in Free Quilt Patterns, Quilt Pattern | Comments Off on Free Quilt Pattern – Santa on the Mountain

Master Fortuny’s Workshop

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Luana

Monday night I returned home from our Textile & Costume tour in Italy. There so many special things in this trip. One of my favorites was our visit to the Fortuny Museum, which was the home and workshop of designer and polymath Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo.

In the 1980s when I was at my first fashion design job, I had the opportunity to design my first silk print collection. The dresses were being made from my prints, in the same factory making Oscar de la Renta’s silk dress collection.

My first silk print collection was inspired by one of my heroes – Fortuny! You may recall that in the late 70s there was a revival of his style – with the micro-pleated silk dresses that were figure-hugging columns. He had a vast library and also studied historic brocades and velvets, then producing his own line of Venetian-inspired textiles.

While in his home Palazzo Pesaro, which is now the museum, I was swooning over his reference library. (A small snippet in the image above.) His home was in this Venetian Palace, built around 1470. The museum opened in 1975. It was in a state of decay when he saw it for the first time in 1898. Over the following years he began the restoration, making it his home, and installing a textile workshop in 1907. Here they mixed dyes, printed silk and velvet fabrics, and created theatrical scenes…inspired by the splendor of the Italian Renaissance.

You can imagine how thrilled I was to find the original reference fabric in the display, that inspired my own collection in 1982. Up until that moment, I had only seen it in a reference book. It was 45 years from when I had first found a book about Fortuny’s work, and was inspired by his Venetian Renaissance patterns. Those moments when we come ‘full circle’ in our life, are momentous….and rare. My passion for Fortuny is part of my passion for textiles, and I finally completed my pilgrimage.

Sharing your love of fabric…
Luana and Paul

Travel/Lecture Dates:
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.

Share Post:
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Posted in Creativity, Design | Comments Off on Master Fortuny’s Workshop

Free Quilt Pattern – Father Christmas

Posted on December 15, 2024 by Luana

Just in time for Christmas, we’ve re-stocked our best-selling, beloved Father Christmas & wild animal friends panel!

To make this week’s 49″ x 61″ Free Quilt Pattern, you will start with the 29″ x 44″ digital printed central panel. Then piece the borders with three coordinating wintry-blue snowflake prints.

This exclusive eQuilter design is one of our all time favorites, with the Arctic Blue and White color story. Make something unique for your upcoming holiday celebrations!

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

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

Share Post:
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Posted in Free Quilt Patterns, Quilt Pattern | Comments Off on Free Quilt Pattern – Father Christmas

Greetings from the Dolomites in Northern Italy

Posted on December 14, 2024 by Luana

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.

Share Post:
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Posted in Creativity, Design, Travel | Comments Off on Greetings from the Dolomites in Northern Italy

Free Quilt Pattern – Dragonfly Dance

Posted on December 12, 2024 by Luana

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

Share Post:
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Posted in Free Quilt Patterns, Quilt Pattern | Comments Off on Free Quilt Pattern – Dragonfly Dance

Fabrics, Flowers, and Portraits

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Luana

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.

Share Post:
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Posted in Creativity, Design, Travel | Comments Off on Fabrics, Flowers, and Portraits

Hello from Florence

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Luana

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.

Share Post:
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Posted in Creativity, Design, Travel | Comments Off on Hello from Florence

Free Quilt Pattern – Enchanted Forest

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Luana

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

Share Post:
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Posted in Free Quilt Patterns, Quilt Pattern | Comments Off on Free Quilt Pattern – Enchanted Forest