Pictured Above: Azucar Sugar Skull Day of the Dead fabric by Alexander Henry

Here at Fancy Moon fabric shop we specialise in Day of the Dead fabrics and we have collected together the very best Day of the Dead fabric materials from around the world! These astonishing fabric designs depict decorated sugar skulls, carousing skeletons, and dancing bones, and they all play an important part in Mexico’s three day Dias de los Muertos Festival… Day of the Dead!

Pictured Above: Cartas Macardas by Alexander Henry

Day of the Dead parades are filled with pattern and colour, and these spiritual festivals and their vibrant trappings are depicted time and again in a highly popular proliferation of Day of the Dead fabrics.  Of all the fabric houses, it is Alexander Henry who have created a stand-out collection of Day of the Dead materials within their ‘Folklorico’ Collection, and have come to dominate this genre with new designs released twice a year.  Perhaps it is their Californian location, so close to Mexico, that has given rise to such a strong interest in this cultural event

No-where is this cultural influence more apparent than in the spectacular designs of the Alexander Henry Folklorico fabric collection which vividly exudes the spirit, culture and colour of Mexico.

Pictured Above: Alexander Henry Exhibition Stand

On the evening of 31^st October, it is believed that the gates of heaven open briefly to allow the souls of departed loved ones to return to their families for a short time.  The entire community are involved in this national holiday, and family homes, along with schools, offices and civic buildings join together to erect altars to the deceased, which are decorated with pictures and memorabilia of the dead, marigold flowers (flores de los muertos – flowers of the dead), highly decorative moulded sugar skull ornaments, favourite foods and drink, and little trinkets that it is hoped will interest and honour returning souls.  The altars are often presided over by images of the Virgin Mary, or Mexico’s beloved Virgin of Guadalupe.

Pictured Above: Zocola cotton fabric from the Folklorico Collection by Alexander Henry

Gravestones are cleaned, graves are decorated, and offerings are made.  Unlike western Halloween celebrations that fear returning spirits, Mexican people hope that the deceased with return and joyously invite and welcome their spirits home for a short time.  Mexican tradition honours the deceased with prayers, parades and parties that celebrate the lives of departed souls.

Pictured Above: Cabezas de Coyoacan Day of the Dead fabric by Alexander Henry

This is a social time, and over the course of the festival, families spend time reminiscing and laughing over happy occasions and funny events, celebrating the lives of the departed, rather than dwelling on their death.  Hence, whilst this festival is respectful of the dead, it is also a cheerful and colourful time, and market places are full of decorations, food and drink.

Pictured Above: Fiesta de San Marcos Day of the Dead fabric by Alexander Henry

Fiesta de San Marcos cotton fabric by Alexander Henry pictured above, typifies the hopes of living relatives, that their Day of the Dead celebrations will entice a brief return of departed souls to join in the Festivities.

Dating back to ancient, pre-Aztec roots, this spiritual festival was originally celebrated by indigenous peoples for the full month of August.  Many of the traditional symbols and decorations used during the Day of the Day celebrations are equally ancient including the skulls and skeletons.

It is no coincidence that these festivities now fall on the Christian All Saints and All Souls Days.  The Catholic Spanish Conquistadors viewed these native celebrations as macabre and sinister and initially set about to crush them.  When they failed to eliminate these deeply held spiritual rituals, they instead revised the date of the festivities to coincide with Christian,  religious observances.

Pictured Above: Contigo Day of the Dead fabric by Alexander Henry

Contigo Day of the Dead cotton fabric by Alexander Henry depicts many of the traditional and ancient, symbolic elements of this festival including the ‘Mariposa’ butterfly, the Virgin Mary, the decorated skulls which symbolize death and rebirth, the tequila and of course, the ancient pyramid.

Pictured Above: Fiesta de los Muertos White by Alexander Henry

Fiesta de los Muertos (above) by Alexander Henry shows skeleton figures dressed in traditional costume, having the most fantastic party, drinking, dancing, and making music.

Here at Fancy Moon, we're mad about Day of the Dead fabric.  Why not get stitching with one of these spectacular fabric prints and email us pictures of your Day of the Dead creations!

Pictured Above: Astronauts, Space & Planets Cotton Fabric by Elizabeth’s Studio

Using themed fabric such as space material is a great way to capture the imagination of your child whether you make them a rocket ship book bag, or you create an exciting kid’s bedroom with curtains, bedding and cushions.

One of our all time favourite Space themed fabrics is the spectacular Astronauts, Space and Planets fabric from Elizabeth’s studio, featuring great quality illustrations of planet earth from space, the launch of the Space Shuttle, an astronaut’s precarious space-walk, satellites, and distant star systems.  The colours and the rendering in this great quality fabric are fantastic and would inspire any young space cadet!

Pictured Above: Welcome to our Planet cotton fabric panel by the Henley Studio for Makower

Younger children might prefer this fabulous ‘Welcome to Our Planet’ fabric panel which features friendly aliens and robots standing on the planet surface, surrounded by rockets, planets and stars.

Pictured Above: Rocket Rascals cotton fabric by Michael Miller

Alternatively, this gorgeous retro style Rocket Rascals fabric by Michael Miller has become a design classic; straight from the atomic era, Rocket Rascals features very sweet children and animals dressed as astronauts with rockets, flying saucers and radio transmitters, rendered in lovely bright colours.

Pictured Above: Rocket Launch Club cotton fabric from the Play Collection by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller

Rocket Launch Club by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller is a delightful, contemporary, illustrative fabric print featuring little boys assembling rockets to blast off into space – an image that many of us will be familiar with!

Pictured Above: Space, The New Frontier cotton fabric panel by Bernatex

If it’s something more scientific you’re looking for, then look no further than this fabulous fabric panel from Bernatex, ‘Space, The New Frontier’, which features close-up images of the planets of our solar system, the milky way, the sun, satellites, astronauts, the space shuttle and the moon landing.

Pictured Above:  Planets in Space cotton fabric from the Royce Collection by Timeless Treasures

If it’s a straightforward planet fabric that floats your boat then look no further than this fantastic Planets in Space fabric from Timeless Treasures.

Pictured Above: Planets cotton fabric by Elizabeth’s Studio

Or perhaps this fabulous Planets cotton fabric by Elizabeth’s studio.

Pictured Above: Future Ella cotton fabric by Alexander Henry

For something a little more grown-up, Future Ella from Alexander Henry has become a cult classic.  Based on Jane Fonda’s Barbarella this fabulous fabric features an atomic styled space babe against a backdrop of planets, launch pads and futuristic space stations and saucers.

Pictured Above: Galactica cotton fabric by Alexander Henry

The ultimate, sexed-up space fabric has to be Alexander Henry’s Galactica which features siren space warriors with rocket packs and ray guns.

Whatever the sewing project, or the age-group, we’ve got a fabulous array of space themed fabrics in store.

How did you start designing?

I started designing fabrics for Freespirit as I approached Westminster Fibres in the US, who own the Freespirit, and to my surprise they had already heard of my paintings as they had been distributing my stitch kits, by Coats in the States. Much to my surprise they said they would be interested in me designing fabric for them. My background is as a painter rather than a textile designer, but that is actually what they liked they said as they wanted designers whose fabrics looked more painterly and not so computer generated.

From where do you draw your inspiration?

I draw my inspiration directly from my original paintings, if you would like to see some go to  http://www.nelwhatmore.com/ . Having now immersed myself more in the textile world, which I love, I find that when painting I am always thinking about the next collection. I have to say also that having met and listened to quite a lot of quilters and sewers now at the Festival of Quilts and the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, their particular needs also effect how I design fabrics. I am now constantly thinking how each fabric can be used and how the size of the pattern as well as the pattern design itself will be most effective in a quilt or bag etc etc

What is your method of designing? Do you produce hand drawn sketches?  Do you paint?  Are your designs produced direct onto a computer? 

Initially I work in pastel on sand paper and take as my inspiration one of my finished originals paintings or elements of a few paintings. I work out the main pattern limiting my design to 18 colours, then produce pastel sketches of the complimentary patterns all of which have to balance and tie in with the main pattern. These are very rough and I usually do them on the same piece of paper as the main pattern. See pic of Katharine's Wheel on easel. I then get this scanned and put it into repeat on my computer as it is not possible to do repeats in pastel. It is very time consuming and the first time I did it it took weeks and weeks as literally I had to learn how to put things into repeat from scratch. Each time I do a collection it is getting easier and now that we have the pattern site it also allows me to show exactly how I envisage the fabrics been used.

What is your work environment? Do you have a studio? Do you work on your own or with other people?

I have a studio in Leeds where I do all my painting as it's messy and away from my computer!  I play music very loud and sing (much to my daughters embarrassment) when I paint as well as listening to hours and hours of Radio 4. I design the fabric at home in a very tiny office but now my son is at University, I am hoping to move into his bedroom although shhhh about that as he doesn't know yet! It's either me going in their or my husband invading it with books as he's a writer.

How long does it take to complete a design?

From beginning to end it is always hard to say as it depends on whether the designs need alterations or when they are all printed out they all balance as a whole. I am always asked about my paintings " How long do they take?" I think people sometimes equate the length of time with how good they are but in fact in my experience both with paintings and fabrics the ones that take you the least time are the ones that are truly inspired and just work straight away.

What is your favourite part of your work as a designer?

My favourite part of being a designer in order is; painting, meeting people at the shows who are kind enough to like my fabric and chatting about what they will do with it, seeing the end result and particularly the finished quilt...if it turns out how I want it to. 

Do you sew?  If so, what do you like to make?

Yes I do sew and made everything on my http://www.nelpatterns.com/ site apart from the bags and quilts, which I design, but just don't have the time to actually make myself and also because I know that Christine and Sally make a much better job of it than I. I am I suppose a creative sewer, who is a very busy Mum with limited time, and so I am not so interested in everything being finished to an immaculate standard on the inside where no one will see it. There are never enough hours in the day, and like a lot of women running businesses from home I’m always juggling work and family demands. Even at 16 my daughter Polly has a fantastic knack of hurtling into my office when I am on the phone and shouting  “But I NEED TO GO TO HOCKEY NOOOW!" Even as I write this she is downstairs with her friend Chloe having turned the lounge into a bomb site as they both have their art homework to do. I need to make something to wear for the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace next week, so will try and find a square foot to do that next to them.

I like things to look great on the outside and love using fabrics in the same way I use pastels to hopefully create lovely things that make people smile.

If any of you would like to follow me on twitter just search for @nelwhatmore I look forward to meeting more of you soon. Love Nel x

A very big thanks to Nel for taking the time to talk with us!

Here at Fancy Moon we are often asked “how much fabric will I need to make a single / double / king size duvet cover or quilt?” So we’ve put together a table of standard bedding sizes and the corresponding fabric requirement to make them yourself - using our amazing range of fabrics of course;-)))

Actually, bedding is one of the easiest sewing projects you can try; stitching a couple of oblong pieces of fabric together is about as straightforward as it gets, and using a fantastic fabric, you can really transform a bedroom with your own handmade bedding, matching curtains, quilts and cushion covers.

Quilts on the other hand, can be as simple or as complex as you like depending on your chosen design.  A simple quilt can involve just a single, gorgeous fabric that is beautifully stitched.  Or you can really go to town with a magnificent patchwork extravaganza made up of a multitude of fabrics.  A combination of fabrics is usually a good solution when the individual fabric that you want to use isn't wide enough for the bedding size that you need.

What to do if the fabric isn’t wide enough

There are two possible solutions:

1. Create a fabric panel in the centre, with a complimentary border down both sides.
2. Create a fabulous quilted design with multiple pieces of fabric.

You can keep the cost down by using a deliciously extravagant piece of fabric for the front, along with a complimentary and more affordable piece of fabric for the rear.

Our utterly gorgeous 100% cotton fabrics are perfect for bedding, and if you’re making a quilt, why not check out our sumptuously soft quilt wadding.  Happy Sewing!

  A fat quarter is a rectangular piece of fabric that usually measures 56cm wide x 50cm long. Sometimes fat quarters are wider than this depending on the manufactured width of the fabric. 

(Note: If you’re in the US, then the measurements are slightly shorter at 18” wide x 22”long.)

Above: Diagram of  a Fat Quarter as it is cut from the bolt of fabric

Why is it called a ‘Fat Quarter’?

Yes, odd name isn’t it, but quite logical when you understand why.

‘Quarter’ because the surface area is equal to a quarter of a metre of fabric (in the US it’s a quarter of a yard). 

A standard or regular quarter of a metre of fabric is usually cut from the bottom of the bolt as a 25cm strip along the full width of the fabric.  This would measure 112cm wide x 25cm long and is often referred to as a ‘Skinny Quarter’ or ‘Thin Quarter’ because of its long, thin, strip shape. 

However, the same quarter metre surface area can be achieved with a deeper and squarer shaped cut of fabric and this is known as a ‘Fat Quarter’.

Above: Diagram of  a Fat Quarter and a 'Skinny Quarter' or 'Thin Quarter'

How to make a Fat Quarter

 Usually available in quilting and fabric shops, a fat quarter is made by first cutting half a metre of fabric from the bolt.  You then cut the half metre down the middle to produce two equal sized rectangular pieces of fabric measuring 56cm wide x 50cm long.

Why would I want a Fat Quarter?

Good question! A fat quarter is an affordable way of getting a usable and pretty versatile cut of fabric.  It costs the same as a 25cm strip of fabric (‘Skinny/Thin Quarter’), and it has the same surface area, but it gives you a better view of the full pattern repeat, particularly with larger scale prints.

Fat Quarter Uses

 The size and shape of a fat quarter lends itself to a number of crafting projects that would be impossible with a ‘Skinny Quarter’ including a cushion top, a piece of wall art, a small apron, or any crafted projects where a broader, squarer shape is required or where the fabric has a large scale pattern.

Things I’ve made with a Fat Quarter

This old footstool was tatty and dated.  I re-covered it with a single fat quarter of fabric; you can see that it would not be possible to complete this project using a standard 25cm ‘Skinny Quarter’ fabric cut. 

The fabric is a medium-weight cotton/linen blend from the Echino Nico Collection by Etsuko Furuya for Kokka.
It cost £4.50 – a bargain price for a great new footstool!

I’ve made loads of cushion covers – my house is full of them – I’m a self-confessed fabric addict, (I tell myself that I’m product testing!)!  In this case I decided to use the same fabric on both the front and back of the cushion and therefore used half a metre (two fat quarters).  However, one fat quarter would do for the cushion top with a plainer co-ordinating fabric on the back.  This gorgeous parrot fabric is by Alexander Henry and you can see that the parrots are pretty big.  The only way to cut this fabric is as an incremental metric length or as a fat quarter, otherwise you’d end up with headless parrots!

Why are UK Fat Quarters Bigger than Fat Quarters from the United States?

In the UK and Europe we use the metric measuring system and consequently a fat quarter is equal in area to a quarter of a metre.  Therefore, a metric Fat Quarter measures 56cm wide x 50cm long (22 inches x 20 inches).

The United States use the Imperial system of measurement and a US Fat Quarter is therefore equal in area to a quarter of a yard, which is shorter than a quarter of a metre.  Consequently an imperial Fat Quarter measures just 56cm wide x 46cm long (22 inches x 18 inches).

Fancy Moon Fat Quarter Cutting Notes

All of our fat quarters are cut using the metric system and therefore always measure 50cm long.  Most of our fat quarters are 56cm wide, though some are wider. The width may vary depending on the manufactured width of the fabric. You will find details of the manufactured width of each fabric under the ‘Essential Information’ tab on each of the fabric pages.

If you purchase more than one fat quarter of the same fabric it will be supplied as a single uncut length; we do this so that you have more options about how you choose to cut your fabric. 

Fat Quarter, Skinny / Thin Quarters and Metric Lengths at Fancy Moon

 Our website is set up to enable you to purchase Fat Quarters, Skinny Quarters, and incremental metric lengths of fabric.

If you choose to purchase multiple fat quarters of the same fabric, your fabric will be supplied as uncut multiple ‘Fat’ Quarters, and if the number of fat quarters you’ve purchased is odd, you will receive an ‘L’ shaped piece of fabric.  If this is not what you want, then please use the ‘metres’ quantity box to order an incremental length, rather than an accumulation of fat quarters.

Buying a Fat Quarter

 Go to your chosen fabric page and enter the number of fat quarters that you would like into the ‘fat quarter’ quantity box then click the ‘Add to Bag’ button.

Buying a Skinny / Thin Quarter

 Go to your chosen fabric page and enter 0.25 into the box marked ‘metres’, then click the ‘Add to Bag’ button.

Buying Incremental Metric Lengths

 Go to your chosen fabric page and enter the fabric length that you would like into the box marked ‘metres’, then click the ‘Add to Bag’ button. 

For instance, if you would like ¾ of a metre then enter a quantity of 0.75.  If you would like 1½ metres then enter a quantity of 1.5 and so on.  You may purchase any length that you require (as long as we’ve got it in stock!), and you don’t have to purchase to the nearest 10cm, 25cm, 50cm or even 100cm, as is the current practice with many online fabric shops.

Well I hope that’s explained things.  I’d love to see what you make with your fat quarters.  Why not email your pictures to customerservices@fancymoon.co.uk and we’ll get them up on Facebook!

Happy Sewing!

Pictured Above: Las Senoritas from Alexander Henry’s Folklorico Collection

Alexander Henry fabric designs range from pretty to witty to downright kitsch and we’re pretty much addicted to them all!  It’s no secret that here at Fancy Moon Fabric Shop we love the brilliant fabric designs of Alexander Henry!  So much so in fact, that some time ago we decided to build the biggest and most comprehensive Alexander Henry fabric collection in the UK.  

Pictured Above from Left to Right: The Dotted Line, Prehistoric, Matchstick, Barcelona, Amazona fabrics by Alexander Henry

It goes without saying that Alexander Henry fabrics are great quality, incredibly versatile, and fantastic value, but much more than this, the talented design team at Alexander Henry have an uncanny knack for tapping into the zeitgeist, and for predicting and nailing just about every trend before any one else knows it’s happening. And what’s more, they get it right time after time, turning out definitive, highly original fabric collections twice a year, punctuated with humour, flair and spectacular style.  Is it any wonder that Alexander Henry fabrics are firm favourites with manufacturers, artisans and home sewists alike.

Pictured Above: Mercer from the Mecca for Moderns fabric collection by Alexander Henry

Specialising in illustrative and novelty fabric prints under the banner “The Fabric of Imagination”, this successful family business was founded by Marc de Leon some 30 years ago in Burbank California. Having grown up with the business, his children Nicole and Philip de Leon are now integral to Alexander Henry’s success, working side by side with their father as principal designers.  Embracing traditional textile design methods, doyens of design Nicole and Philip are artists and painters, and each of their designs is a hand rendered work, unfolding and developing organically with each brush stroke, lending each design a vitality that elevates them far beyond the competition.

That these designers take their inspiration from the life and humanity around them is abundantly evident in their collections and prints; California’s rich heritage as both a Mexican territory and as an American South West frontier, alongside a century that has seen film-making grow from an embryonic art-form through to a multi-billion dollar industry, has created a rich, diverse and uniquely Californian culture from which to draw, and has led to Alexander Henry producing outstanding fabric prints that are as creatively unique as they are commercially viable.

Pictured Above: Images from Alexander Henry’s Inspiration Page

Alexander Henry fabrics come in a variety of weights and textures that lend themselves to multiple uses.  The 100% cotton sheeting or pima poplin fabric prints currently form the largest part of the collection and are extremely versatile.  We have seen these fabrics used for dressmaking, bedding for both adults and kids, light-weight curtains, quilting, accessories and a multitude of crafts. 

Pictured Above: A selection of Alexander Henry’s cotton sheeting and pima poplin fabrics

Then there’s Alexander Henry’s ‘Fashion for Home’ collection; these 100% cotton oxford fabrics are real heavy-weights at 8.7 ounces per square yard, and are the perfect strength and weight for upholstery, curtains, bags and rucksacks, along with heavier-weight clothing such as coats and jackets. 

Pictured Above: Chairs piled high all covered in fabrics from Alexander Henry’s Fashion for Home collection

A couple of years ago Alexander Henry launched their beautiful, floaty, light and lovely cotton lawn fabrics under the Fulham Road fabric collection banner.  These catwalk quality gorgeous prints are sublime for dressmaking, quilting and crafting your finest work! 

Pictured Above: a selection from Alexander Henry’s Fulham Road Cotton Lawn fabric collection

More recently, (just this summer 2012 in fact), Alexander Henry have launched cotton flannels, (great for cosying up at bedtime), and laminated fabrics which are perfect for wipe-able tablecloths, nappy changing mats and bags, make-up and toilet bags and of course for the UK, raincoats!

Over the years Alexander Henry fabric designs have come to embody American life, creating and curating their very own catalogue of Americana with keen observation and often, great humour.

Pictured Above: Left -  Grizzly Cliff from Alexander Henry’s Twin Peaks fabric collection.  Middle – Wranglers, Alexander Henry’s Pin-Ups fabric collection.  Right – Warriors Story from the Santa Fe fabric collection by Alexander Henry

Back in 2005 when we first discovered these dazzling fabrics, we were instantly captivated and thoroughly hooked, and we knew that these fabrics that were largely undiscovered outside the US, would be a massive hit in the UK and Europe.  At the time it was notoriously difficult to source these materials beyond US borders, and if you don’t know where to look, you’ll still find it pretty difficult to get them in significant quantity. So, we created a one-stop-shop for all Alexander Henry fabrics here in the UK and it seems that you’re as thrilled about this as we are!

Pictured Above: ‘Home Sewing is Easy’ from Nicole’s Prints fabric collection by Alexander Henry

So, what is it that makes Alexander Henry fabric so desirable? I’d say it’s a fantastic design team with an intuitive talent for nailing the prevailing zeitgeist, and encapsulating it within an illustrative, often witty and thoroughly must-have, affordable, and useable length of fabric… but that’s just my opinion!

The Summer Sale is now on at Fancy Moon
with prices slashed and up to 60% off sale fabric!

Sophisticated, sinuous lines and softly muted tones are the defining characteristics of
the debut fabric collection ‘Curious Nature’ from David Butler, aka ‘Parson Gray’.

Above: Curious Nature Coral Reef

Designing for Rowan Westminster fabrics, Curious Nature is a beautifully crafted and
cleverly conceived collection that works well across multiple applications.

Designs are based on organic, natural shapes, and the subtle Japanese Indigo
influence on this collection is evident.

This cloth combined with the delicate print and soft tones, makes for sophisticated
dressmaking, and is great for interiors and hand-crafted goods.

Curious Nature by Parson Gray is in store now at Fancy Moon from £13/m