This month is very exciting with the launch of my first batik line of fabric, Malam. I have been working 18 months on this collection and am very pleased with the results.
The wax resist is applied with a cap (pronounced "chop").
Wondering why I call the collection Malam? Malam means "wax", and wax is the traditional resist medium used in the process of producing the batiks.
I am really thrilled that in a few weeks I will be traveling to Indonesia and will have the opportunity to visit the facility where my fabrics are being printed.
Creating batik fabrics is a completely different process from traditional quilting cotton. For one, everything is done by hand! I promise to take photos of the entire process and will share my experiences with you in the upcoming months.
Introducing the Malam Collection
The collection is organized into three shaded groups.
Malam is a 46-piece collection, my first of batik fabrics. The collection includes three shaded groups of fabrics in blues and greens (Lagoon), reds and purples (Sumatra) and warm neutrals (Java). You can play with the fabric swatches on the Swatch Wall at jinnybeyer.com.
I've created some brand-new projects featuring the Malam fabrics, including the Diamond Life Tote Bag and Diamond Life Table Runner. Both projects are available in three colorways and on a pre-order basis from jinnybeyer.com. Diamond Life Tote Bag Diamond Life Table Runner
I designed the diamond panels in both projects to use 2˝" strips. The regular kits include yardage, but if you'd like to make two projects (two of either the table runner or tote, or one of each), the Diamond Life Duo kits use pre-cut Pixie Strips and are the way to go!
I've got lots more planned with these delicious batiks. For instance, next month you'll be able to download two new free patterns for quilt projects using the Malam fabrics. And I'd love to see what you make, too!
The October 2013 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting will be out in just a few days and one of my quilts is a featured project.
Based on our BOM quilt, Solstice, Light the Way features fabrics from my brand-new Ashford line. (In fact, the fabric isn't even generally available yet!) There are only two compass block variations in the quilt (versus the 13 in Solstice) so it's definitely more manageable.
The wall-sized quilt pattern is featured in the magazine. But we'll also be kitting up a larger version, and offering a choice between light and dark fabrics for the compass backgrounds and flying geese.
We've also created beautiful fat quarter bundles of the fabrics used in the two remaining Solstice colorways. If you love the colors in the quilt and would like to use them in a different project, this is the choice for you. Solstice Inspiration Bundles
