Sunday, January 18, 2009

CALLING ALL JANE AUSTEN FANS!

Fans of Jane Austen's novels will recognize Hartfield as the home of Emma Woodhouse, the matchmaking heroine of Emma. Barbara Brackman's new HARTFIELD collection reproduces early prints from the years when Jane Austen flourished. Each print is named for an English estate featured in her novels such as Emma, Pride & Prejudice and Mansfield Park.

Colorways echoing the natural dyes of the time are named for the novel's beloved character's -- Lizzie's Rose Pink, Marianne's Plum, Darcy's Biscuit Tan, Emma's Hedge Green and Knightley's Umber Brown. The Regency-era reproductions evoke the early 19th century, when fashionable cotton prints were called muslins and the Bennet girls could only be distracted from eyeing the handsome soldiers by "a really new muslin in a shop window."

The prints range from the small florals that the Austen characters called sprigged or spotted muslins to a chintz-scale fabric perfect for an English drawing room. All the prints have been drawn from period cottons, the kind Emma and her friend Harriet purchased at the dry goods counter at Ford's shop, where they tried to decide between plain or figured muslins.

Jane Austen pieced a quilt with her sister and mother about 1811. The medallion quilt can be seen at Jane Austen's House Museum at Chawton, in Hampshire, England. The original quilt is composed of diamonds and features a chintz basket in the center.

Between writing and playing the piano Jane often made time for sewing. Her niece Anna remembered telling Aunt Jane about the latest novels "much to her amusement, as she sat over some needlework which was nearly always for the poor."


More information about the Jane Austen Quilt can be found here.

The HARTFIELD QUILT FRAME from Moda, echoes the shades in Jane's quilt in a different format. It recalls the English taste of the early 19th century when soft colors defined patchwork coverlets. Pieced and plain borders frame a simple star, ending with a floral border, a particularly British touch.

This FREE pattern is available from Moda.

Barbara Brackman has also made available several free projects available here.
Hartfield products available at The Quilt Shoppe:
Charm Packs, Layer Cakes, Jelly Rolls, Honey Buns, Bundles and Yardage.

Leave a comment and one lucky winner will win a Hartfield Honey Bun!
Drawing will be held on Saturday, January 24.

48 comments:

Lilli Blue said...

Lovely! jane Austin comes from a time filled with so much romance. Beautiful selections. i like Lucy below too! Lilli

Anonymous said...

I love the soft colors in the Hartfield collection.
Judy B jbechosend@sbcglobal.net

Eileen & Karen said...

That's beautiful fabric Lani! I just love Moda fabrics.
Hugs,
Eileen
www.forgetmenotdreams.com

Carolee Crafts said...

I live in Jane Austin Country (Hampshire, England) so am a great fan, thank you for sharing this information.

Yvonne said...

I just love reproduction fabrics, & these are sooo beautiful. Thank you for telling us about them. I'll be watching out for them. Yvonne.

Wendy said...

Thanks so much for the heads up and links to see the fabric and Barbara's page. I'm so excited about the new line. I'm such a Jane nut :)

Anonymous said...

Lani

I love the colors of the new fabric.

You will have great success with this line.

Lisa
www.palepinkandroses.com

free indeed said...

I'm so drawn to soft romantic colors; I need to make me a calm quilt out of these!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful collection. It sure fires up that "I have to make something with that!" thinking.
lundstromkim63@aol.com

Kim

Kris said...

This line does bring Jane Austin to life, she would love the whole selction. I wonder what she would create in todays world with such beautiful fabrics. I am sure she would dream up something spectacular.

Kris

Susan - InHerOwnWords said...

The fabric is lovely! Soft and romantic! Ah, Jane Austin! Must get those books out again!

gail said...

Hi Lani,,, I loved this post. The new fabrics are so pretty as well.
I am thinking I will need to order some of the Chocolate fabric for an apron. I think that would be sooo cute. Have a great day.
Hugs always, gail

mirose76 said...

Thank you for sharing. I am a long time fan of Pride and Prejudice and love retro fabrics. This is a must have for me.

Deb said...

Oh my goodness....these new prints are soooo pretty! Thanks for bringing this to our attention...I think I'm going to hve to create something with them. :)

xo,
Debbie
www.shabbycozycottage.com
www.patchoulirosehome.com

Patty said...

Moda always has the best, and this one is no exception.

Anonymous said...

Barbara Brackman has created a lovely collection. The Allenham Court design is so dainty--I love it. Thanks for the opportunity to win some of this wonderful fabric.
Barb

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Lani I just love this collection. I'll be doing some shopping!
bunny kisses,
shell

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous fabric line. I think I need to make that Moda quilt with those fabrics. Thanks for the link to the free pattern.

Patricia said...

Moda and Jane Austin in one package-WOW! That is just beautiful fabric.
Pat
Patricia Rose-A Potpourri of Fabric, Fragrance and Findings
www.patriciarose-apotpourri.com

Anonymous said...

I love pink fabric and this being called "soft colors" makes it perfect for me.

Carol said...

Wow - such pretty prints. I'm in love with the purple hues.

Shabby Shan said...

Lani, I love those colors! I know you will have great success with them. Thank for sharing!

Shannon
www.shabbyshanscottage.com

Inka Smith said...

Lani,
Thanks for sharing all the beautiful fabrics. I love anything Jane Austin!
Inka

Anonymous said...

Beautiful colors and designs.

Garilyn
blessed.mama4@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Lani, As always - just lovely. But then everything you touch seems to be!
Tedi
www.PetiteBookstore.com

Anonymous said...

Hartfield looks so much like Jane Austen...I'm such a fan of hers - am always reading her timeless novels...captures her romantic dreams...sandy

Anonymous said...

I have Hartfield on my must have list. I really like the pattern featured also. Betty

Anonymous said...

The colors are so soft and beautiful-what a romantic and lovely quilt!! What girl doesn't love romance...
mary F marysquiltinn@hotmail.com

Miniature Patisserie Chef said...

So beautiful! I know a friend who will absolutely love anything Jane Austin!

Pei Li

Shanna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shanna said...

I have always loved Jane Austen!! She is my favorite author and when I found out she made quilts, it made my own quilting that much more special!! I think my favorite is Sense and Sensibility.
sqragan@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Moda does amazing designs!

Suzanne said...

I would love a Honey Bun in this beautiful fabric!
- Suzanne
Just Another Hang Up

Willow Grove - Kez said...

The colours are so soft. I can see them in a quilt already. You cant go past Moda fabrics. They are great to work with as well.

janimann said...

I love this feminine fabric!

QuilterMary said...

Beautiful soft colors for a cold winter day. Makes my heart warm!

acecraig100 said...

Love the colors.

Anonymous said...

Lani love the new Jane Austin! Changing my Quilt for the spring will be so much fun this year with the soft colors,can't wait to get started on making he quilt! your shop is Fab!!!!Dee

Anonymous said...

I love the colors and the books!
kkholland@centurytel.net

Anonymous said...

The colors are so soft and romantic. Thanks for the chance to win! Donna
knightdomino@yahoo.com

Nancy said...

Beautiful collection - Moda does it again!

Anonymous said...

I cant wait to try out this collection. I am not always a fan of reproductions, prefering instead bold and bright prints myself. But I love the color palette on this collection and see endless possibilities for what can be done with it. esartgirl81@yahoo.com

pojeda said...

Oh I love the soft colors of the Hartfield colloction! Can I please win? Can I? PLEASE!

Anonymous said...

I love the Hartfield collection. I would be able to make a beautiful quilt with the wonderful colors. Keep the lovely collections of materials coming.

Anonymous said...

Just as in her Jane Austin novels, these Hartfield Collection prints just 'speak volumes of the times more attuned to nature', albeit with the poignant romance and femininity so prevalent. Jane somehow was both above and within it... much like the softened shades of the Pemberly and Mansfield Park Rose Pink designs.
Wonderful! Joani B
jhbaldwin33@prodigy.net

Unknown said...

that collection is beautiful! Thanks for sharing :)

Marshall said...

Soft, serene colors...very pretty
MLW

Robin said...

Love the Blog! You won't believe it but I am a blog buddy to Desi Arnaz Jr.s wife Amy...I will have to show her your site with the Lucy fabric. Love ya! I chose my photo pic just for you...