Call for entries: SAQA Urban Textures

Read on if you are interested in becoming a fabric designer and have a heart for doing good. From today’s eQuilter newsletter by Luana Rubin:

One of the best things about my “job” is that I have the opportunity to help others. In addition to our fundraising through our charity program (2% of sales go to charity – over $1 million raised so far!) we also support several quilt shows through sponsorship and prize money.

Over the years I’ve enjoyed supporting SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) by sponsoring their shows, and doing video reviews of many of their exhibits in the US, UK and Australia.

Last year I was very honored to be asked to join their President’s Advisory Committee, which means I’ve had several brainstorming sessions on how to help the organization grow.

Awhile ago I was approached by SAQA board members about doing a fundraiser fabric collection. After much brainstorming, we came up with the idea that I would curate and merchandise a line based on the winning artwork submitted by SAQA artists.

So I am happy to announce that SAQA is partnering with Andover Fabrics, and we have put out a Call for Entries. The winning artists will have their name on the selvedge and of course in the collection’s marketing, and will be participating in what is hopefully a longterm source of income for SAQA – and then all of the members will benefit! (The copyright will belong to SAQA, and the royalties will also go directly to SAQA.)

For an artist who wants to get their foot in the door of the world of commercial textile production, this could be a great opportunity. For SAQA, it is a chance to promote their organization and the winning artists, and hopefully attract new members.

In case you are wondering, no I am not making a penny from this effort. I am excited about working with a group of aspiring designers, and taking them through the process of making a collection.

I have watched SAQA grow and spread around the world, and I hope that we’ll see entries from several countries. My sincere thanks to Andover Fabrics, and all the artists and designers who will join me in donating their time and talent to this project, to support SAQA in their 25th Anniversary Year!

Best wishes and Happy sewing,
Paul and Luana Rubin

Go to SAQA’s announcement.

Some fabric collections feel pretty, some feel useful, and then there are those rare ones that instantly spark a dozen ideas the moment you see them. The In the Garden Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop falls firmly into that last category. From the moment I opened the pack, it felt like stepping into a watercolor garden—soft, romantic, full of movement, and brimming with detail that invites you to slow down and really look.

This collection brings together an elegant mix of florals, garden motifs, and soothing color palettes that feel like they were created for spring quilting. Instead of loud novelty prints, the designer chose a gentle balance of botanical sketches, scattered blossoms, tiny seed patterns, and larger feature florals that work beautifully in both traditional and modern layouts.

What struck me most is how thoughtfully the color stories are arranged. Each print blends seamlessly into the next, giving you a spectrum that includes soft rose pinks, leafy greens, lavender tones, fresh sky blues, rich corals, and delicate neutrals. It’s the kind of palette that instantly feels “quilty” in the best way—inviting, calm, and incredibly easy to mix and match. You can tell the designer planned this for maximum versatility.

Layer cakes are one of the most beginner-friendly precuts, but this collection elevates them with a sense of sophistication. The prints are strong enough to shine in simple patterns, but subtle enough to support more complex designs. Whether you prefer classic half-square triangles, framed squares, modern grid quilts, or something scrappier, this fabric adapts beautifully. It’s also a wonderful choice for table runners, spring wall hangings, and even quilted bags or home décor projects.

One of the nicest surprises with this layer cake is how it manages to feel seasonal without becoming locked into one particular holiday or theme. While the palette is undeniably perfect for spring, the prints themselves are timeless enough to work year-round. A floral quilt made from this collection would look just as lovely on a summer sunroom sofa as it would draped over a guest bed in winter.

The fabric quality is exactly what you’d expect from Fat Quarter Shop—crisp, clean cuts, vibrant printing, and a smooth hand that makes piecing feel effortless. Nothing is too thin or too stiff, and the colors are even more beautiful in person than they appear online.

If you enjoy sewing projects that feel light, fresh, and inspired by nature, In the Garden is a collection worth adding to your stash. It has all the qualities quilters look for: balance, versatility, gentle movement, and that spark of creativity that makes you want to start a project immediately. Whether you’re planning a gift quilt, treating yourself to a new spring project, or simply building your fabric library with a set of prints that will play nicely with others, this layer cake is a thoughtful and inspiring choice.

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