Renowned Australian Pattern Designer Joins the Kona Bay Fabrics Family

I have exciting news! Leesa Chandler is well known throughout Australia and beyond as a premier pattern designer. Kona Bay Fabrics is now the exclusive US distributor of several of her most popular patterns. With over 50 exquisite designs and patterns to her name, she is a sought after teacher throughout Australia. We're looking forward to bringing her expertise to our customers.

When not on the road, Leesa is busy at her studio in Melbourne creating patterns for quilts, wall hangings and her exquisite designer handbags. She started her first handcraft business at the enthusiatic age of 14 and made her first quilt at 18.

She sources her inspiration from different cultures and their landscapes, flora, customs and architecture. Leesa loves teaching and sharing her obsession with rich Oriental design influences. Her patterns are well written and easy to follow.

One of the patterns Kona Bay will release first is shown here. The Eastern Tote teaches a three dimensional technique that you’ll love. You’ll find many uses for this technique in your future projects. This stylish bag would make the perfect gift for that special someone on your holiday gift list.

Summer Palace 98” x 74” (right) offers the same dramatic influence of the windows in a Beijing Palace that provided the inspiration. The remaining two, Emperors Stonework 83” x 83” and Imperial Windows 72” x 72”, are equally delightful.

The four patterns by Leesa offer proven success. We are proud to be the distributor of these unique patterns whose artful use of Asian fabrics is renowned in Australia. Inquire at your favorite local quilt shop. Tell ‘em Doug at Kona Bay Fabrics sent you!

As a special bonus, we’ll be featuring a new bag design by Leesa in the upcoming issue of Asian Fabric due out the first of the year. There is still time to subscribe! Visit www.konabay.com to subscribe today. Check out our latest fabric releases while you’re there. We have some gorgeous new designs rolling in over the next couple months so stop by often!

The Concrete Revolution in Beijing China

The face of Beijing, China has changed drastically over the years with the pace picking up momentum in the last few. Some refer to it as renewal and modernization, usually a positive connotation.

The big question many are asking is what is being sacrificed in China’s effort to build a new modern city. Old Beijing was originally built around the royal palace—the Forbidden City. A hutong is an ancient city alley or lane dating back as early as the 1200s. The surrounding buildings, which created the need for and design of these passageways, were and in some cases still are peoples’ homes.

Large areas of hutong are being demolished to make way for modern streets, commercials buildings and high-rise living quarters for the ever-growing population in China. Preservationists believe the trade-off—a rich living history—is too great. In many cases, as it is around the world, the homeowners feel they are not being fairly compensated for the loss of their homes.

A recent article in the New York Times speaks of one mans’ efforts to salvage historically significant pieces from the rubble of demolished remains.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment here or follow me at my new twitter presence http://www.twitter.com/konabayfabrics.