13 March 2012

Shot cottons

I've been working with shot cottons today.


Michael at Oakshott Fabrics sent me a bit more than 2 yards of the stuff to try out (the California Poppy fat quarter bundle, plus yardage of Spirit Atlas and Sprit Mimosa). I mixed it with another quater yard of Oakshott Sargasso (purchased locally at A Verb For Keeping Warm), 4 shot cottons from my stash, and another 3 shot cottons that Hamish brought back from India last year to make 64 - 8.5" blocks.

After adding the other fabrics I decided not to use the light green, although there is still quite a range of colors. I love how the different thread colors in the shot cottons lend themselves to unlikely color combinations.

It was interesting to work with shot cottons from so many sources. I have to say the Oakshott fabrics were wonderful to work with, fine and silky but still substantial. The three Indian fabrics are light and gauzy and a bit tricky to work with in combination with quilting cottons. I'm a big fan of Kaufman Carolina Chambrays because they wash up thick and soft. But they aren't in the same league (or price point) as the rich colors and fine hand of the Oakshotts. Of the shot cottons in my stash, the two Kaffe Fassett fabrics (from another wonderful local shop, New Pieces) were most similar to the Oakshotts, but seemed to have a slightly looser weave.

All are fabrics that I will be happy to work with again, but the Oakshotts are certainly a special pleasure.


11 comments:

  1. Gorgeous. I'm going to order some of those one day but it's so hard to chose because the colours apparently just don't show up on the internet!! I've heard they are stunning though

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  2. I love all the colors that you're putting together here. I can't wait to see how the blocks will be arrange.

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  3. This fabric is popping up all over the place and is just lovely to look at - it must be stunning in person

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  4. I'm really glad that you provided comparisons between the different brands of shot cottons that you're familiar with. I've used Kaffe Fassett shot cottons in several projects, and as much as I love the colors and the hand, they end up being a little too "floppy" for some projects (especially those with teensy pieces.) Let's not even mention how easily they fray - especially when I "unsew" stuff.

    Thanks so much - am interested to how you'll place your blocks!

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  5. jealous! thanks for the info on the shot cottons. what will you be making with these blocks? they look lovely.

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  6. Seen the shot cottons around an awful lot. I'll have to invest in some eventually.
    Your blocks are looking good...can't wait to see what you make with them =D

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  7. So beautiful! I really love these fabrics - you saw the quilt I'm currently working on using Kaffe's shot cottons (on Flickr) - I can't wait to make more! Now I want to try out the Oakshott.

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  8. I definitely have a weakness for shot cottons. I love the the way the colors can change slight depending on the light or how you look at them.

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  9. They really are beautiful fabrics

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  10. Gorgeous! I was so interested to read what you thought of the Oakshott cottons; I've been looking at them and contemplating...

    Jennifer :)

    PS I'm so glad to have found your blog today. You do beautiful work!

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