Kona Bay Customer Has Fabric Tours to Japan

Susan Faeder of Quilters Express to Japan will be having another one of her great tours to Japan and the dates have been announced -- January 17 - 28, 2010.  Susan has been giving tours for quilters to Japan for over twenty years!

I have been to Japan many times for business and have found many contacts and great fabric places but Susan Faeder gives a fabric tour that is unsurpassed.  Her working knowledge of Japan and fabric sources are what makes her tour the ultimate textile trip and comes highly recommended.  Add to that great mix the fact that she is very fluent in Japanese and you have all the major ingredients for a great tour.

If you are interested in her tour, you can go to her special web page at http://www.qejapan.com/QETours.html

Four New Tone on Tone Groups Add Pop to Your Project!

Ok, I know what you’re saying, “Tone on tones aren’t the pop in the project, you silly boy”! But you know I’ve been paying attention and, even more than that, admiring, quilts of all types pretty intently for nearly twenty years now.

On top of that, I’ve been pumping out those striking Asian designs that, I’m told, have made your toes tingle for just as long. Plus, several years back, we added the Seattle Bay division with its artistic, nature-inspired designs. I’m not wearing my “Ask the Expert” button today but here’s what I’ve concluded.

Tone on tone designs are like the foundation of a house or the bun on a hot dog (Is it lunchtime yet!?)—without them, everything falls apart. Over the years, our tone on tone designs have gained popularity with quilters using designs of every kind for their focus fabric. Seattle Bay, in particular, has worked to build a strong and ample selection of tonals.

The ideal tone on tone will read almost like a solid if you stand back yet offer a subtle texture and interest close up. It’s important that a tone on tone use various values of the same color to maintain only a slight contrast.

Tone on tones play a supporting role in your fabric theater. The right tone on tone is what makes the focus fabric pop.

This brings us back to the four new Kona Bay and Seattle Bay tone on tone collections. Starring on the Kona Bay side are the Gingko Tonals. Due out in stores come August, the Gingko Tonal design takes advantage of the unique shape of the gingko leaf which will pair well with both Asian and non-Asian designs. The addition of metallic gold along the rim of the leaves offers a dramatic twist.

Seattle Bay has built a name and reputation for its user-friendly tone on tone groups. Quilters can count on finding just the right print and color. Look for the three new Seattle Bay groups in local quilt shops starting in September—Falling Leaves, Vine Tonals and Tulip Tonals.
Each of the Seattle Bay groups feature eighteen different colors each while the Gingko Tonals offer eleven. Visit our website to see all the new tone and tone collections and more!

All I Could Say Was Wow!

In each issue of Asian Fabric, our magazine, we include a fun and inspiring section titled, “What I Did With My Kona Bay”. I never cease to be astounded by the photos of truly phenomenal projects our readers submit.

Last month, our editor forwarded an email submission from Magdalena Urbankova (pictured above) of Madison, New Jersey. She had lovingly transformed the Mount Fuji print from the Emperor Collection into a stunning shirt for her husband. It was fun to see our fabric used in a new way.

The seemingly endless vault of creativity we see stitched into artistic creations is heartwarming to say the least. Many quilts—large and small—along with bags, home dec items and an occasional wearable, are submitted. I never get tired of seeing ways our fabric can be used.

Last week, upon my return to the office from Hawaii, I was presented with a package. As I opened it, I saw our fabric. After unfolding the contents, I found a shirt—a shirt for me! Wow! Yes, I'm wearing it in the photo here. If I had a toothy grin, you'd be seeing it.

In staff correspondence with Magdalena, it was mentioned how neat it would be if I had a shirt like the one she had sewn and submitted for our What I Did With My Kona Bay section. Bless her heart, if Magdalena didn’t offer to make me one. I am touched and grateful for this very special gift. The craftsmanship and imaginative use of the scenic design is incredible. This will be special occasion wear.

You still have time to submit projects for the next issue. Send in a photo and a little information about you and your project. Email PublishingPeople@mac.com or submit via mail to: Eagle Publishing, KB Project, 328 E. Indiana Ave, Spokane, WA 99207.

Thank you again, Magdalena and thank you to all of you who support Kona Bay Fabrics and churn out the magnificent, inspired projects we see and the many we don’t. I admire you!