Getting Free Fabric

When I started my blog, way back in 2015, one of my motivations was getting “free fabric”. Well, friends, I have cracked that code. So far this month I have received over 150 yards of fabric for projects with my industry partners. I’m starting to think it’s maybe a little too much. Free fabric isn’t free – it comes with obligations. Not that I don’t love it, but wow, I think I’ve got enough now. I’m going to share photos of the ones I can share, and also tell you how I managed to get it, so if you want to get your own “free fabric”, you can go for it.

First was my brand ambassador package from Blank Quilting Company. I received this sweet collection designed by Diane Kater called Feeling Frosty. Let’s say this is 7 yards. I’ll be making a quilt using the panel, Christmas stockings, and maybe a cute little garland. I’ll be honest – I’m having a hard time getting into Christmas making while my cherry tree is blooming.

Next is a collection I can’t share photos of. I’m helping on the launch of a new fabric line. I’ve got enough fabric to make two quilts and an apron – all samples that will be used to spark excitement about the collection. It looks like I’ve got around 15 yards here, and the only one I can show you is a dark grey solid.

If you want to get “in” for making shop samples, reach out to your local quilt shop. If they need samples made talk to them about their expectations. Sometimes a shop will give you all of the fabric, batting, and pattern and expect you to make the quilt for free. You then give them the quilt to display for a set period, and when they are done with it, you get it back. Good partners will pay you for your time. Build those relationships up when you have the opportunity. Less great partners will expect you to work for free, then will lose the quilt before they give it back to you. So, you make a quilt and get an apology. That’s not as awesome. Don’t spend more time on those businesses.

Working with fabric designers who are launching a collection involves building a long term relationship with the designer. In most cases where I do that, I have spent time and money getting the designer’s attention. I make stuff with their early collections, tag them on social media, and reach out and offer my help for their next collection. I’ve found it very helpful to ask for the job I want, and to spell out what I will give in return. For me, that includes a timeline, a blog post, social media posts, and info on my follower numbers. So far I’ve worked with the Dale Jackson, Lizzie Clark, Mathew Boudreaux, Deborah Fisher, Karen Overton, and Sherry Shish.

Next I received a package from Andover. You may have seen me sharing photos on Instagram. This one has been a long time in the making, and involved business things beyond just being friends. I’ve gotten a few different Andover collections into magazines, so they know who I am, and are familiar with my work. It doesn’t hurt that I’m friends with someone who works there, too. They sent out a request for me to design a quilt using all 100 colors of their Century Solids collection. I was beyond excited. I spent some time in Adobe Illustrator, prepared a proposal and sent it off. Part of my fee included getting extra fabric for myself, in all 100 colors. I mean, how often is that opportunity going to come up? They said yes, and pretty soon boxes started arriving. I received 100 – 1/2 yard cuts of Century Solids, plus two bolts of a white on white print, and 2 yards of a black print for binding. Now I just have to make the quilt on time. (72 yards, btw).

The last shipment arrived on Mother’s Day and was unexpected. This was part of my Jaftex partnership. Scott Fortunoff took Madison, our Social Media Manager (and my brand ambassador boss) to the warehouse and loaded her up with bolts of fabrics to show his appreciation for all we do to promote his fabrics. So, on Sunday morning I received 7 bolts of fabric that I wasn’t expecting. Six are Peppered Cottons, which Scott knows I love, and one is an aqua solid. My mind was blown. It still is a little frazzled. (70 yards of fabric).

Behold – my full collection of Peppered Cotton bolts. I received 10 bolts earlier this year when I told Scott it was my favorite. He’s the most generous guy I know in the industry.

I know this is a lot of words already, and little inspiration. Sorry. I just thought it was important to share my feelings about getting free fabrc. While I am usually absolutely gleeful at receiving “free stuff”, this time it has hit me a little differently. (I think it was the box of bolts that broke me). This fabric all comes with obligations to my partners, and I don’t want to let them down. The bolts at least are truly meant as a gift, but don’t think that doesn’t mean I won’t be making a ton of Peppered Cotton projects this year. I’m starting to feel a little overwhelmed by how much fabric comes through my doors. This is a lot to deal with. Okay. I’m off to work. Today I’ll be teaching two sessions of Quilt binding by machine, learning how to format large templates to print across multiple pages, and preparing for a live stream event with AccuQuilt tomorrow.

I hope you get to sew today, and if you ever have questions about blogging or working in the quilting industry, shoot me an email. Obviously I’m happy to share whatever I can. Oh, and if you want to hit me up for freebies, you have to come to my house and play with me.