It’s been a hot minute

I’m not even gonna try to explain the last 3 years. Ok, just a little…

I have been stuck in fucking blog purgatory, not writing what comes to mind because a) as a blogger, I should be taking beautifully staged and professionally edited photos, not writing random thoughts from my bathtub at 4 am. I’m in my bathtub at 4 am and not taking pictures of my toes. Just no! We can deal with that, no?

There was at least one more point about my reluctance to blog. I can’t think of it right now, so moving on!

I’m doing my best to write stories my way and ignore other people’s expectations. Yah! You included. … I tell stories; I paint with words; I play with fabric; I have no interest in seo or influencing; I cuss like a fucking sailor on shore leave in a logging camp; the only pictures I take are crappy ones of my cats, and my neighbours’ plants; I can never find a pair of scissors when I need one.

My bath water is getting too cold, so I’m off to find a square foot on my bed and join the slumber party. Oh hell! I’m not even editing this post. Maybe tomorrow… And that is still a no on bathtub pics. Hard no!

Have a good night or good day wherever you are! And wear a goddamn mask ffs!

Cbeers!

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Feature: Camelot Fabrics (or The Road to King Arthur’s Court)

Kitties, owls and foxes on a 3-D quilt

Pretty Camelot Fabrics

Holding court at Camelot

Take a long journey with me. I promise I will eventually get to the point. Or past it — whatever!

This post contains affiliate links

A Detour or Two

Going back a few months… When Reece from Happy Okapi invited me to get involved with this Canada Day 2016 blog hop, the intention was for me to showcase a pattern from a Canadian designer. I fell in love with a Jalie pattern for the lacy version of the Bella Fit & Flare dance dress — because I still have hopes of strapping on my suede soled shoes and returning to the dance floor one day.

And as with most of my plans, they went astray. (Or they took a little detour, if that sounds less random.) Just as I was printing and taping my pattern pieces together, one of my foster cats bit me and it turned into a painful infection of my right hand. Then 3 days later “someone” dropped a 25 Kg rock on my left hand. Right there was the end of any aspirations I had for sewing between May and July.

Fortunately — for me, and I hope for her too — we were able to recruit Michelle of Michelle’s Creations to cover for me with Jalie. I’d say everyone benefitted all around because she did a bang up job with her Jalie cami & panty set. If you haven’t seen Michelle’s sexy underthings yet, go read her post here.

Now, I might have incapacitated my sewing self, but I could still type with one hand. So I set about grilling Beverly, the owner of Bra-Maker’s Supply — who, by the way, makes the most delightful heroine in any story — for a post that didn’t involve cutting or operating dangerous machinery. It’s a good thing I suited up with some of her under-armour because… Reece had another quest to send me on.

Welcome to Camelot

One sunny Tuesday afternoon, I said goodbye to my village and set out for Camelot. I’m sorry to disappoint, but Lancelot, Galahad, Arthur and Guinevere were nowhere to be found because, well, they’ve been dead for centuries. There was no round table either, but depending on how much you love fabric, there might have indeed been a Holy Grail.

A tiny part of Camelot Fabrics' warehouse.

Could this be the Holy Grail of Fabric?

Public transportation schedules being as inconvenient as they are, I had the choice to arrive at Camelot either 25 minutes before or 5 minutes after the appointed time. I opted for the former because, let’s face it! when you’ve been summoned to court, you don’t get to use Societé de Transport de Montréal (STM) as an excuse.

Norma, the sweetest, most professional receptionist ever, greeted me at the castle gates and welcomed me despite my being too early for my appointment. And while I waited for Claire Haillot, the Marketing Director and resident blogger, to come and collect me, Norma let me fondle some of the display fabric bolts. I may or may not have drooled on a few of them, but that’s strictly between us.  And while I was poking about in the entrance display cases, look what I found! Janelle, you sure get around!*

Pretty Pink Necessary Clutch Wallet

The Necessary Clutch Wallet (NCW) made from a pattern by Emmaline Bags

Focus wall quilt

Claire’s wall quilt helped me focus.

Once I started the tour and chat with Claire, I was overwhelmed to be honest. I had no idea which angle to take with my post. There was so much! They had history; they had stories; they had incredible people; oodles of talent; social conscience, award winning staff, and some of the nicest damned fabric I’ve ever been allowed to feel up. I finally figured I’d focus on their foreseeable future. That and the warm work culture that made me very nearly consider dusting off my moldy résumé. Nearly, I said!

More than 12 years ago, when father and son team Max and Steve decided to buy the floundering Eugene Textiles and modernize it to appeal to the emerging quilters’ market, they had vision. (Coincidentally, it was at the same time that Claire opened her quilt shop, so destiny was already at work.) Montreal’s once flourishing textile and garment industry had started to sink along with the flounder, and most companies were bailing. These guys saw something the others didn’t see so they took a chance and Camelot Fabrics emerged from the mist. In March of this year, Claire closed her quilt shop and joined formidable forces with Camelot.

During the interview, when I wasn’t shoving my hands into bins of fabric or gawking in awe at the finished bags, clothes and quilts they have on display, I wanted to know what life was really like inside those castle walls. I had barely got the question of group dynamics out of my mouth before both Claire and Cinzia pointed to the hanging on the wall of Cinzia’s office: Synergy. Everything else I saw there backed up their claim. We popped in and out of people’s offices saying hello and waving like royalty.

Synergy quilt

A synergistic workplace

Despite their commitment to keeping their new and longtime employees happy (some have been there nearly 50 years), this year, the company has found itself in the unique position of having outgrown its staff. Yup! They have been hiring more and more staff in just about every department with plans to add a few more by the end of summer. They do need all the extra people to handle the increasing popularity of their fabrics, but I think they also need fresh ears to listen to the old-timers’ stories that start with, “In my day…” (“You guys are so spoiled. In my day, we didn’t have trucks and all these fancy machines to move the bolts from here to there. I would push my shopping cart of fabric down the street…”)

Speaking of happy — and apparently absent-minded — employees, how many times in your working life have you been so engaged in your work that you didn’t hear the announcement that the building was closing up and it’s time to go home? Hah! Most of us would be out the door and merging into traffic before the announcement was finished. But that’s exactly what happened to Cinzia, who also works in the marketing department with Claire. Cinzia is an award-winning, internationally published, quilt designer who joined the team just this past February. But I digress, though not as much as I usually do…

Stunning quilt and designer

Master quilt designer Cinzia justifiably proud of her exquisite workwomanship

Cinzia told me the story of how she was so absorbed in her work and grooving to her music that several hours later when she looked up, the whole office was dark. She tried to leave, set off the alarms, called Max the owner, and was eventually rescued from the building by Jason the guy who works in the unit next door.

(Now, I didn’t pry but I wonder if she was happy to be rescued. I guess it all depends on their respective relationship statuses, attractiveness of Jason coz Cinzia is pretty cute, and how much she was looking forward to spending the night in a deserted building.) I’m inclined to think this Knight-in-shining-armour Jason dude was the direct descendant of Sir Galahad, but nobody asked me!

And then there was the other locked-in story of what happened after the Christmas party, but you’ll have to infiltrate the ranks to hear about that one. My lips are sealed with plastic wrap!

Where was I before that last tangent? Lost, I suppose, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone. Oh! The future! Right… So some of the pretty cool stuff I saw in the works and slated for release soon:

  • Disney licensed colouring fabric (you colour it yourself)
  • Specially designed fabric markers that don’t fade in the wash
  • Scented fabric (Releases delicious smells when you scratch it, and it last up to about 30 washes.)
  • Lots of new modern quilting prints, of course!

Cat-face handbag

I WANT this bag! Meow!

Oh gosh! I’ve been going on and on about quilts, but doggonit! their fabric prints look simply amazing in bags, kid’s clothes, women’s wear and my personal stash. If I only had a shopping cart, I would have had to push a few bolts down the street myself. Look at some of these lovely creations!

Women's clothing in Camelot fabrics

Robe, skirt, dress

Summer dress and duffle bag

If I had a body like this mannequin, I’d totally make that dress.

What’s not quite working for them yet?

The website that isn’t quite up to snuff. Frankly (was there ever a Sir Frank at the round table?), I was confused by the site. I couldn’t figure out how to get my hands on their fabric unless I became a retailer. It turns out that they do have many retailers around the country (Canada) and also in the US, but each store is responsible for adding themselves to the list of locations. They haven’t. Bunch-a slackers! I’m sorry but Club Tissu has no excuse for not getting this done! Smaller quilt shops, yes, it might be on the harried owners’ to-do lists but dammit! I want to know where I can buy all this yummy goodness. While we’re waiting for the website to catch up, you can email info@camelotfabrics.com and ask them for a list of stores in your area.

The site isn’t all bad though. Claire writes a pretty awesome blog daily, with giveaways on Wednesdays.

Really, I can’t possibly tell you all the great things I learned about this company; at least, not in one post. (I’m verbose enough as it is.) The main thing I can tell you is that they do have some excellent modern prints in both quilting cottons and double gauze. (Thanks for explaining double gauze to me, Claire!) They are accessible and cost effective for Canadian sewists, especially with the savings on exchange rate, customs duties, and shipping costs. It’s also a super deal for US sewists because their dollars go so much farther here.

Maybe all or most fabric manufacturers do this, but I was blown away that they support local sewists by placing their products on display and for sale. You know like restaurants that decorate their walls with works from local artists so their patrons can buy them and support the artist. Yeah, just like that! Plus, they tag the articles with the name of the pattern and the designer. So cool! … Ok, but seriously though, did everyone else know about this and didn’t tell me?

I’ve got to wrap up this post, but man! I could go on and on about my audience with King Arthur and his court. However, I’m running this risk of boring you to the point of driving a lance through your Guinevere for recreation. I suppose I’ll have to write one or two more posts to finish paying fan-girl homage to my holy grail of fabric.

You can start your own crusade to Camelot by following the trail:
◊ Facebook ◊ Website ◊ Blog ◊ Pinterest ◊ Instagram ◊

Happy holiday weekend, everyone!

Marsha Law Sig2

PS. I did warn you it was going to be a long trip.

* Janelle MacKay is, in my opinion, Canada’s premier handbag designer, hardware supplier, and Craftsy instructor. Besides being supremely talented, she’s also funny, generous, helpful… (Would it be too humiliating if I were to move back to Alberta and entreat her to become my best friend?)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize Pack A: 1 pattern from Jalie, 2 patterns from Blue Calla, 1 pattern from Carla’s Creations, and $25 CAD store credit from Tangled Blossoms Design

Prize Pack B: 1 pattern from Stitch Art, 1 pattern from Pollywoggles, 1 fat quarter bundle from Camelot Fabrics, and $25 CAD store credit from Emmaline Bags

Prize Pack C: Rebel Quilt pattern from Libs Elliott, Bundle of 3 patterns from Thread Riding Hood, 1 pattern from On The Cutting Floor, $20 voucher from Flare Fabrics

 


Canada Day 2016 Blog Hop Schedule

Be sure to visit each of these brilliant blogs this week for more on our
outstanding Canadian designers and suppliers:

June 24: The Tour Starts HERE at Happy Okapi

June 25: Celine guest posts on Happy Okapi; Marsha @ Seam of my Pants

June 26: Fiona @ Tangled Blossoms Designs; Carla @ Half Dozen Daily

June 27: Sherry @ Thread Riding Hood; Reece @ Happy Okapi

June 28: Nicky guest posts on Seam of my Pants

June 29: Daniela @ On the Cutting Floor; Reece @ Happy Okapi

June 30: Michelle @ Michelle’s Creations

Canada Day–June 31**: Ula @ Lulu & Celeste

July 2: Marsha @ Seam of my Pants

July 3: Keshia @ Sand Dollar Design Studio

July 4: Wrap Up @ Happy Okapi

July 6: Giveaway winners announced

** Yes, we know! I’m personally trying to avoid “Moving Day” in Quebec.

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Lost in Translation: Filet de Tissu and Others

www.seamofmypants.com

This fabric is mine, Human. Mine!

In case you haven’t heard, my sewing room is currently overrun by orphaned cats waiting for their medical records and new homes. Until I can evict the cute little furries with a clear conscience there’s no sewing going on at my place. And that leaves me time… You’ve heard the expression, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” so you understand that I should not be left unsupervised.

Lots of time for Facebook!

I belong to a lot of sewing groups on Facebook, and one of my favourites is a group for Canadian bag makers. Several group members (including me) recently bought the pattern for the Creative Maker Supplies Case from Sew Sweetness. It requires mesh fabric for the inside pockets, and some sewing supplies are kinda hard to find North of the 49th Parallel.

—–Last night—–

Melissa posted in the group asking which suppliers carry the mesh for these cases. And at some point, the conversation thread veered off on this tangent:

Me (an “Anglo” living in Quebec): This question is making me look [mesh] up in French because I will have to go into my local store and ask for it. The store owner (and only employee) doesn’t speak any English so I use hand signals a lot. There are about a million different translations for “mesh” but I’ve narrowed it down to maille or filet. Does anyone know which it would be? Do you have a package handy with both languages on it? Please!

Joanne: The french translation is “filet de tissu

Me: Thanks, Joanne! Off to visit my favourite shopkeeper and wave my arms around tomorrow.

Joanne: If you have a laundry bag or even something with some netting on it, take it with you. It might make it simpler to get them to understand.

Me: Great idea! Thanks. Although I suspect she’s secretly entertained by my flailing arms and pathetic attempt to remember my high school French. You shoulda seen me trying to ask her for low-loft fleece. There may or may not have been some baaaaa-ing going on. And wouldn’t you know it, I remembered the word for sheep after I walked through the entire store and found it myself. And for the record, the word for “sheep” and the word for “chin” are just too damned close!! You flip one flippin’ “u” upside down and lose the last shred of your dignity right there.

—– Today—–

Thanks to Melissa’s question (and armed with Joanne’s translation), I go to see Marie, my lovely French-speaking fabric store owner. I don’t make a complete fool of myself this time but I come close, because she has no idea what filet de tissu is, even after I spell it. (I don’t trust my pronunciation one bit, especially when people do that scrunchy face and ask, “What???” so I have to repeat myself 5 times before I give up and yell it in English.) She’s convinced I want tulle. I look at her tulle, and nope! that’s not it.

20160309_153253_resizedSo, I go down the street to the dollar store, buy a laundry bag and come back to show it to her. After all that, she doesn’t have any such thing in her store. At least I have a new laundry bag, right? … but somewhere during all this, I fall in love with 3 different fabrics and they fall in love with me too because they hop in my bag…

I get to the cash to pay for the stowaways, and wouldn’t you know it! The system goes completely kafluey and starts giving random errors! I know my card works because I had just used it to buy all sorts of other unnecessary items at the dollar store. Marie says, “Just come back later with cash.” In French, that is.

I leave, drop off my purchases at home, feed the cats and since I need to go to my bank for other reasons, off I go! On the way back to Marie’s store with the money, I pass by an upholstery shop. I’d been eyeing the place since last year and didn’t have the nerve to go in and ask them about headliner fabric (used in car upholstery, and recently in handbags for that cushy stability we love so much). I’m stoked and feeling pretty brave today, so in I go! … Flailing arms, words that sound close but are ever so wrong, and a few other helpless gestures later, I finally explain what I’m looking for and the dude says, “I’ve never seen anything like that.” In frikkin English!! [deep sigh].

www.seamofmypants.com

Mon cuir

At least he’s nice enough that, after more chatting in English, he gives me a piece of scrap leather to play with because I want to try making a wallet out of leather. And Salvatore (the upholstery shop owner) says to me in parting, “See ya! And next time, speak English!”

[HEADDESK!!]

 

Marsha Law Sig2

P.S. My card and Marie’s card reader both worked just fine after that.

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Moving Fairies

The past 6 months have been chaotic, to say the least. But for the last two, I’ve taken moving paralysis to a whole new level. And that is not a good thing. Especially not for a writer and artist.

I have been cowering behind a tower of moving boxes and hoping that the day I finally get the courage to peek out, I will find that the moving fairies have cleaned, unpacked and organized my apartment for me. And extra bonus if they’ve sorted and shredded the obsolete documents from my past lives.

Well, I peeked out this morning and guess what! Those irresponsible little bastards have been flitting about and got nothing done! I’m going to talk to them and see what they have to say for themselves. The least they could do is unearth my sewing notions and art supplies so I can get some work done.

I’ll keep you posted. I might have to call in the unicorns.

www.seamofmypants.com

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