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Preview of David Butler's 1st fabric collection & look inside his cool studio

YOU READ ABOUT IT HERE 1ST!  THIS IS A FABRIC EXCLUSIVE!!!!  

Its time for the big reveal: Mr Butler (yes that's right, Amy Butler's husband) is finally doing fabric, and boy, the fabric is simply divine!  It will be hitting the stores later this winter/fall.

 

As some of you might already now I was lucky enough to spend a blissful weekend in their home last May.  It was during that time that I got to see paper prints of David's first fabric collection.  So you see I've known about this (and wanted to get my mitts on some) for months! You are going to love it!

For those of you who haven't heard of David before, the chances are that you're already quite familiar with some of his work.  David is responsible for Amy's luscious lifestyle product photography and he also designs the beautiful graphics that adorn Amy's site, books and other products.  In fact Amy & David have been a close-knit creative team for years.  Not only do they collaborate brilliantly togther, they are obviously big-time in love with each other and are very protective cat parents! 

So, before we get a sneaky peek of David's fabrics I asked him a few questions about his new collection:

Lisa: "In the past I've found it impossible to find stylish fabrics to make things for the men in my life.  I can see that people are going to LOVE using your fabric to make items for their men (Al has already put orders in for some bags, and he's very choosy!).  Who do you think your collection is likely to appeal to ?"

David: "I'm hoping these designs will appeal to anyone looking for somewhat sophisticated basics. Prints and colors that cross genders & can find a home either in urban clothing style or richly muted quilts. Hip Amish? Maybe? ha ha. I see them lining denim cuffs, as bandannas, pocket quilts, rucksacks, pillows, simple work shirts, modern quilts and throws. Ascots and ties even. Everything."

"Your first collection looks very accomplished, there isn't a collection like it out there. I think it's 'very you'.  How did you find the fabric design process? Was it quite different from your other design work?"

"It is different from my other design work because I have to think not only in repeat, but in collaboration of textures and forms. Fortunately I've been watching and learning from Amy for the last 10 years so that's a pretty heavy head start. As it seems new you gotta realize that I've really been in the industry for years working with Amy on the brand and looking over her shoulder.  I'm glad you think it's very "me" - that really does mean a lot. I feel that Amy's work really does represent her personality and I want mine to have that same fine art character. It needs to have a voice to stand apart."

"We know that Mrs Butler is a keen gardener who is very inspired by nature. Some of us know that besides your graphic design and photography work you are also singer in a rock band and a (crazy) mountain biker.  When designing your fabric where are you likely draw your inspiration from?"

"You know I spend a great deal of time out in nature as well. In the woods. As a mountain biker and snowboarder I do find a great deal of inspiration in the textures and patterns of outdoor life. That's where Curious Nature comes about. I often feel like a modern man in a prehistorical realm when I'm out in the woods, and that's a bit of the story behind these designs. I think the rock and roll aspect of it comes through only inasmuch as the prints and colors reflect personal expression, like the music. Combinations of notes that make a song. That sounds pretty pompous, but I just made it up. I swear it! I do think these designs will make killer rock scarves to hang from my mic stand. Ha ha."

Thanks for your answers David, now lets have a look at the good stuff:

 

Here is a promo spread of David's first fabric collection: 'Curious Nature'  Ohh boy when fabric looks this tasty in print form one can only image how yummy it's going to be in real-life!

 

David showed me his mood board that was inspiration for his collection. Gorgeous vases and beautiful earthy colours, apparently it's as simple as that!

David laid out his fabric sheets on the table for me to photograph.  These paper prints are the 'working prototypes' of what will eventually become the stuff we all crave:  FABRIC!!! 

I love his geometric patterns and I just love the colours. To me the whole look is 'classy, bold and expensive', don't you agree?

Hello sweet Pip!  The Butler kitties regularly pad in and out of Amy & David's studios (and I bet they always stop what they are doing and play with the kitties!)  Amy & David have separate studios in the basement of their home.  I love how individual both their studios are.

Al is a big fan of the blue and the charcol grey colour ways.  He's already put orders in for a messenger bag and a laptop cosy (join the queue darling!)

 

...I'm a big fan of the charcoal grey myself!  You can just about see yellow sticky notes on the sheets, those notes are my requests for sample yardage.  Mwah ha ha!  If you don't ask...

Stunning bone colourway.

Inspiration can come from anywhere.

Rich opulent colours for the home dec weight collection. I need the basket weave and trees prints in my life and on my sewing machine!

These 5 prints are David's faves....

 

...and these 2 prints are what David thinks will make a great bag.  Well David, get that sample yardage sent over to the UK and we can talk about getting you a bag sorted!   ;)

 

Now lets have a nosy around David's studio:

Do you have a thing about stationary too?  I love checking out other people's desks and pen pots. The cymbal cleaning polish is probably there cos David is also a rock drummer!

It's only natural that David would have a soft spot for Black Owls.  I love the plushie!

I wish my studio was: a) this large; b)  this bright; c)  this tidy!

David has this very cool gurney that he uses as a work surface, I'm not going to wonder about it's history.  I'll just focus on how cool it looks.

 

 If you want to learn more about David and his new fabric collection check out his new Facebook Page

 

 

There are loads more pics of David's fabric and his studio in my Facbook. If you want to see them all please join my Faceslap page.

☜ Click to join my U-Handbag Facebook page. Thanks!

 

I hope you enjoyed the fabric drool.  What do you think of David's collection?  What would you use his fabrics for?

...and the winners of May's Amy Butler Patterns contest are...!

Thanks to EVERYONE who entered, I hope you (and anyone else who fancies winning an Amy B. pattern) will enter more of your lovely Amy B. handwork again in the next MONTHLY CONTEST.

Bloody 'ell!  Judging this was difficult because ALL of you who took part made such a beautiful job of your bags, and skirts.  I was going to cop out and put all names into a hat for the 3 winners...(in fact I have kind of drawn for winners, more about that in a minute).  I hate the idea of anyone being disappointed  if they don't win, so big sorry to those folks who were not lucky this time (please don't make voodoo dolls of me; I hope you'll try your luck in the next contest!).

OK...stop stalling Lisa!!!!

Righty, firstly I just want to explain (I'm not still stalling...honest) all of the Weekender Bags all looked brilliant, and were beautifully made to the same super high standard...  The same can be said for the skirts, and the Madison bags, and so on.  I'm not kidding, there is NOTHING to differentiate which one is better...this is NOT a cop out, see for yourself!! 

So, I thought the best thing to do would be to put the each type of bag or purse bags into a draw (actually names written on a piece of paper, shut my eyes and where my pen falls (tail on the donkey style) the name goes through to the final draw...sort of a 2 step draw system, geddit?

OK, the winners for May 07 are:

Craft Apple's Barcelona Skirt (and very cool 'pattern cover') lovely!

Lydigann's Weekender Bag.  Fabulous fabric and pattern matching, the same can be said for ALL of the other Weekender bags.  Well done!

Jo's Madison Bag - I really like the key loop that she added to her finished bag.

The 3 winners all win an Amy Butler Pattern of their choice - Congratulations!

Sorry again to those who weren't lucky this time, I hope you'll try your luck next month (anyone can enter).  To enter now and see the contest rules click here.  Good luck!

U-Handbag Tutorial Polls!!

I must say, I feel very touched and a bit maternal (a little bit odd, I know) when you tell me that you use my tutorials.  You've been very kind in telling me that you like them, that they are clear, and that they are not difficult to follow.  So, thanks muchly!

I get quite a few emails and comments from you requesting certain tutorials so I thought rather than make a tutorial and hope you'll like it, I thought why not ask YOU what bag tutorial you want? 

There is no closing date for these polls.  I'll just leave this polling thingy here until I get a spare day (because it takes most of a day to design & write one of these things!) to make up the tutorial.  I'll then make up tutorial the with the most votes - simple eh?

 

Select the bag Tute you want, and then click on the 'Vote' button.

Each time after I've made the Tutorial that has the most votes, I'll make up a new poll which will be (kinda) based on your requests for bag tutes.  If you have any suggestions for further bag tutorials, you can comment on this here post.  If this tutorial polling thing works, I'll make it a permanent fixture on my blog!

NB: To vote in all future polls simply click on the pic of the cute sewing machine which is under under 'Get Involved with U-Handbag' in the right-hand side bar of my blog.

Grab my button.

For me, one of the best things about writing my blog is the way that you have all gotten involved with it.  It means bucket loads to me that you find my bag making garblings, and other 'Lisa' tid-bits interesting and/or useful. 

!!Gushy alert!! I feel so chuffed when you tell me how much you're enjoying yourselves making bags.  I love seeing your bag photos in Flickr, the gallery is looking so lovely.  I'm really happy that I happen to LOVE something that seems to make a lot of other people happy too :)

Some of you suggested I make up a U-Handblog Button.  Jeez you guys, that's very kind!!

Just copy and paste the code below to your site and you'll get this here button (thank you soo much!!!):

<a href="http://u-handbag.typepad.com/"><img src="http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandbagbutton.gif" /></a>

Amy Butler Sewing Patterns Monthly Contests

Closing Date is 30th November 08!!!

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Have you made any of these yummy designs (or any Amy Butler items from her sewing patterns), or are you going to?  Do you fancy winning your choice of an Amy Butler pattern?  YES!!! Well, read on...

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Every month I (or you) will have the tough job of deciding which are the 3 nicest finished bags, skirts or tops, etc. made from Amy Butler's Sewing Patterns.  The 3 winners will receive an Amy Butler Pattern of their choice.

Post your photo/s on our Amy Butler Bag Pool on Flickr, and I will approve your pic before it can show up in the pool (I'll just be checking that you're an entrant to the monthly contest because this pool is only for contest entrants).

So folks, here are the rules (please stick to 'em):

1. There will be 3 pattern prize winners every month. 
   
2. Only one design per entrant, per month please. 
3. IMPORTANT: Before you skip over to our Amy Butler Bag Pool on Flickr to enter you need to first comment on this particular post with your Flickr username and which Amy pattern you've used.  If you forget to do this, I won't know that you're an entrant, and then you won't be able to win (Yeek!).
4. Please keep an eye on this blog for the Contest Winner Announcement to see if you have won.  I'm sorry I don't contact winners because I always have HEAPS of other stuff to do :(
5. FOLKS, PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS ONE NEW RULE IN THIS CONTEST. PLEASE INCLUDE A LINK TO THIS CONTEST IN YOUR PHOTO DESCRIPTION. DO NOT ADD ANY FULL-STOPS, COMMAS OR BRACKETS ETC. TO THE LINK, SIMPLY COPY & PASTE THE LINK BELOW:

http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2007/04/amy_butler_sewi.html

The closing date for this month's contest is the 30th November 08.  There is no theme this month any Amy B. pattern would be great, but (in your photo description) let us know who you are making your Amy Butler pattern for and why and your entry will receive extra attention. Simply comment on this post (as outlined in rule 4), then pop over to our Amy B. Flickr, and you're away!

Good luck folks and I can't wait to see your entries!

Sorry (in advance) if I don't reply to your comment for entering this contest (just soooo much to do all of the time!) don't worry though, as long as you can see your pic in the Amy Butler Bag Pool on Flickr, you can count yourself entered in the contest!