If you need a color "pick-me-up," reach for these contemporary Aboriginal fabric prints from
M&S Textiles Australia. The motifs on these cotton fabrics are magical, mystical, and bursting with color. They're one of my favorite quilting fabrics to "make" with.
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Fabrics from M&S Textiles Australia.
From left: Yalke Green, Womens Business, Bush Banana, and Gathering by the Creek. |
The designs on these fabrics are created by Australian aboriginal artists. They illustrate the symbiotic relationship between man and nature, and tell the story of the
Dreamtime.
Inspired by Aboriginal fabric designs
Looking beyond the fabrics themselves, here are ideas for using them in quilts, bags, clothing, and home decor. And they can even inspire free-motion quilting designs and other techniques. Quilt shops and independent sewing centers carry these fabrics and links to a few of these shops are listed with the projects below.
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| "Cat City" [Villa Rosa pattern] using a variety of fat quarters from M&S Textiles fabrics. |
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The "6 Pack" quilt featuring Womens Business, Flowers in the Desert green,
Bush Dreamings of Utopia purple (border) and other Australian prints.
Supplies available at Busy Lady Quilt Shop. |
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This quilt uses a precut Dreamtime strip roll from M&S Textiles.
The exclusive Star quilt pattern and other supplies available from Sew Many Blessings. |
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Show off a variety of Aboriginal prints with this "Aboriginal Stained Glass" quilt.
[Melissa and Mom Quilts pattern]. |
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| Log Cabin quilt with an on-point setting. Supplies available at Calico Rose quilt shop. |
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An assortment of black Aboriginal serve as the background to set off Sandhill red.
"Crossroads," fat quarter pattern from Villa Rosa Designs. |
Garments
Don't be afraid to use these cotton fabrics for clothing.
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| Pocket lining or pocket accent with Spirit Place Ecru. |
Bags and Totes
Give a bag or tote some attitude with Aboriginal fabrics!
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Expedition Tote [Swoon patterns] in Kingfisher Camp with Sandy Creek accent.
Supplies available at Calico Rose quilt shop. |
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The Melba Pintuck Bag [The Textile Pantry pattern] with Salt Plain and Sandhill White.
Supplies and pattern available at Kentucky Quilt Company quilt shop. |
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| Summertime Carryall featuring Dreaming in One. |
You can take this water koozie with you on the go!
Dreamtime precuts
Precut strips, charms, 10" squares and fat quarters are available in several colorways such as red, yellow, purple, black and assorted. These projects were made with M&S Textiles
Dreamtime precuts.
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| Bag pattern and supplies available at WV Quilt. |
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| The jelly roll race quilt. Dreamtime strip rolls and supplies available at Calico Rose quilt shop. |
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English paper pieced hexagons from a charm pack or strip roll adorn a pillow.
Class and supplies available at WV Quilt. |
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| A mini tuffet [Tuffet Source]. |
English Paper Piecing and selective cutting
Try selective positioning and fussy cutting of the Aboriginal motifs for fabulous results.
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| Fussy cutting and English Paper Piecing with Aboriginal prints. |
Inspiration for free-motion quilting, collage, art quilts
The free-motion quilting on my 2018 guild Challenge was inspired by the fabrics. Details about the process are in
this blog post.
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| Free-motion quilting inspired by Aboriginal fabric designs. |
The Winter 2020 issue of
Art Quilting Studio features the work of Joan Anderson and her use of Aboriginal fabrics from M&S Textiles in her collaged art quilts.
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Article in Art Quilting Studio magazine featuring the work of Joan Anderson
and her use of Aboriginal fabrics from M&S Textiles. |
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| Winter 2020 issue of Art Quilting Studio magazine. |
So many possibilities!
