This is a first in our Meet the Team series showcasing the fabulous retailers who stock and sell our fabrics.  

Last month I took a trip to the Carolinas.  One of the highlights was getting to meet the people at NearSea Naturals.  NearSea Naturals was founded by Winnie Culp and her daughter Tara Bloyd in 2002!  NearSea Naturals is one of the original organic fabric suppliers in the USA.  

To quote NearSea:  "With our focus on the triple bottom line of People, Planet, and Profit, we endeavor to make those choices easier and more enjoyable by carefully selecting sustainable fabrics, yarns, notions, and goods as delightful to work with as they are beneficial to people and the planet."

In 2010, they launched their sister site: American Grown•Spun•Milled which focuses entirely on USA produced fabrics, from seed to shelf.  When it come to living and breathing your convictions, NearSea Naturals tops the charts.  

Why a picture of these dapper shoes?  Well, these are Tim's work shoes.  What?  Huh?  See, when Laura, Debbie and Tim get to work they take their outside shoes off and put on their work shoes.  Yes, it's a bit like Mr. Roger's Neighboorhood (but in a good way!). These guys take contamination seriously!  The area that houses the fabric is kept as sterile and sanitary as possible.  Yes, I removed my shoes before entering the "fabric zone".  

Laura does the cleaning each week and when she mops, the mop water in the "fabric zone" is perfectly clear unlike the front room where "outside shoes" are worn.  She says the difference between the water is staggering.  Hummmm....maybe my house needs to be a shoe free zone too?  

What sets NearSea Naturals apart in my mind is their thorough thoughtfulness.  They stringently assess not just the fabrics they purchase but the manner in which they are handled and treated in their care.  The warehouse team (above) were so kind and lovely.  I am sincerely grateful to have them on the Harmony Art team.  The world is a better (and cleaner!) place with NearSea in it!  

Now, how about hoping over to their Facebook page and "liking" them (American Grown•Spun•Milled has one too: https://www.facebook.com/OrganicCotton).   If you have ordered from NearSea Naturals feel free to leave a comment about your experience.  If you haven't yet, go check 'em out!

Check out Timmy T-Rex made with Chili Pepper Red Flannel and Space Cowboy Red/Green by Pauline at Funky Friends Factory!  It's it great?!  There will be three winners selected.  You might win Timmy, or fabric + pattern or the pattern.  Just bop on over to the Funky Friends Factory blog for entry and details.  Note:  Giveaway ends on Monday, January 23rd.

Funky Friends Factory specializes in simple soft toy patterns.  The business is based in Australia but all the patterns can be purchased and downloaded instantly via pdf.  By signing up for Funky Friends Factory newsletter, you can get a FREE Honey Teddy pattern.  

While we are on the subject of giveaways, Monkey See, Monkey Do is giving away some of our knit fabrics... enough to make your very own version of this "yoga skirt" which features our Apricot interlock paired with our Solstice Interlock.  If you have always been curious about knits but have been afraid to try them here's your opportunity.

So check out Monkey See, Monkey Do and enter to win.  Note:  Giveaway ends Tuesday, January 24th.

Good Luck!  Happy Sewing!

I want to introduce you to Debra Lynn Dadd who has been called the "Queen of Green. Debra's knowledge of how to live a toxic free life is not just theoretical; she has lived it and has lovingly been sharing what she has learned for more than 30 years!  In honor of her recently published book, I asked if she would like to do a guest blog post for us.  

I have long been a fan of Harmony Art Organic Design because toxic fabrics played a part in disabling my health, and I greatly appreciate that Harmony has created safe, organic fabrics that are also colorful and beautiful.

Back in the late 1970s my body became very ill from a multitude of exposures to toxic chemicals in my home from various consumer products—not that my home was any more toxic than any other American home, but even the average level of toxic chemical exposure was too much for my immune system, to the point where I could barely function in life.

One of the most surprising sources of toxic chemicals I found was the very sheets I was sleeping on every night. They were made from a polyester/cotton blend, coated with a permanent press resin that released formaldehyde day and night. One of my symptoms at the time was insomnia. Imagine my surprise when I learned that one of the symptoms associated with formaldehyde exposure is insomnia! Here we have bedsheets that cause insomnia and sales of sleeping pills are higher than ever before (in 2008, the New York Times reported that about 42 million prescriptions for sleeping pills were filled in 2007, up nearly 60 percent since 2000).  I wasn’t taking sleeping pills, but it made sense to me that if formaldehyde on bedsheets caused insomnia, and I couldn’t sleep, I should just find some sheets without formaldehyde. It wasn’t easy to find formaldehyde-free sheets in 1978, but one brand did exist (no organic sheets at all then). I put them on my bed and I finally was able to sleep.

What an awakening! I not only saw that if I replaced one toxic product with a nontoxic alternative that symptoms could disappear, but I also realized that this disabling condition I was in could have been prevented in the first place if I had been using products in my home that were not toxic.

I did regain my health by removing all the toxic chemicals from my home that I could identify and replacing them, one by one, with nontoxic alternatives. And I began to write about toxic chemicals in consumer products and how to choose safe products. I felt everyone should know that toxic chemicals in everyday consumer products could make them sick, and that they have a choice to create a toxic-free home.

Now, thirty years later, I’ve written seven books, have a huge website, and the world is catching up with me. More than ever before the general public is becoming aware of the toxic chemicals we are exposed to in daily life. Today we have safe choices available for every product we regularly use in our homes. It’s just a matter of making the decision to live toxic-free and doing it.

Thanks Debra!!  The world is a better (and less toxic) place with you in it!  I have recently finished reading Toxic Free and I for one, learned a lot!  We expect that if it is on a store shelf it is safe, but the sad fact is that it just isn't the case.  The good news is that her book isn't all doom and gloom but is more an easy to read guide book to live a less toxic (and fuller) life.  

NOTE: Debra is graciously offering her book at 30% off  - $15.95 plus shipping AND you can get an autographed copy!  Just place your order directly by calling Debra at 727-466-6812 or email her and mention Harmony Art.  In addition to her books, Debra also maintains a web site directory of more than 1000 Non toxic products, offers personal consultations, a Q & A resource, hosts Toxic Free Talk Radio (I was a guest on her inaugural 12-hour marathon), speaking around the country and much more!  WHEW!!  Talk about one busy woman! 

On a side note, if you are looking for organic sheets and bedding (and MANY other items) you can check out our products page or contact one of our retailers and make your own.  Since Harmony Art organic cotton sateens are wide width (110") they are perfect for NON TOXIC sheets.  Sweet Dreams.  

Back in October I went to Colorado to visit a friend from high school and to help celebrate the birthday of another dear friend (Suzanne Gerber).  Suzanne's birthday party was held at her friend Robyn's home in Boulder.  What a home!  I was immediately smitten by the real, authentic, lived in, creative vibe the place exuded.  This was no cold, heartless show house but a home.  A place that had me immediately at ease.  Robyn is the former editor of Natural Home and Garden magazine and as such we had exchanged emails from time to time but we had never met in person.  She is a gem!!!  

As we were saying goodbye Robyn mentioned a book she had written entitled "Simply Imperfect" and she gave me a copy.  (Of course I made her sign it.) I read the entire book cover to cover on the way home on the plane.  This is a design book that espouses reusing, repurposing and things that are worn with stories and life!  Not only does Robyn write of such things she lives it.  

Imagine my surprise when I got to the back of the book, to the resources section, and found on page 162 in the Textiles and Upholstery section:  Harmony Art!  I just about fainted.  I am sure the person seated next to me on the plane was wondering what I was giggling about.  How totally amazing.  

Robyn is the newly appointed editor of  Organic Spa magazine.  With Robyn at the helm, I am sure it will be wonderful, thoughtful and inspiring.  

Oh, and Suzanne is up to some really exciting things in 2012 too.... so stay tuned to hear about more women of strength and purpose.

Have you heard of Black Friday?  The day after Thanksgiving which is legend to be the biggest shopping day in America?  What about Small Business Saturday?  

American Express (who are the folks behind Small Business Saturday), are also offering a $25 statement credit for registered cardmembers who spend at least $25 at a qualified small business like Stitch Simple on 11/26.  WOAH!  Think about that.... a BIG bank giving you a $25 credit for spending $25.  I'd call that a no brainer!  As you would expect there are some fine print details --  here are links for more info- General Info (http://www.smallbusinesssaturday.com/).  Card Registration (https://sync.americanexpress.com/sbs2011).

Stitch Simple is a qualified small business and to celebrate and encourage you to take advantage of this incredible deal they are offering special products as well as  FREE US Shipping.


The Harmony Art Super Fat Quarter set (above) is one of these special products.  It's comprised of 9 Super Fat Quarters -- $32.76 value but from 11/26-12/2/11 it's yours for just $25!  A great deal!  

If you register your Amex card and use it for this order, you will automatically get the $25 credit for shopping a registered small business (Stitch Simple) on 11/26.  Pretty cool, eh?

This variety pack of organic cotton sateen prints and solids was selected so your holiday sewing projects could "take flight".  Why not make some 3d ornaments for your tree this year?  With 9 Super Fat quarters you will be able to let any crafting vision you may have soar.  Some gift ideas are:  fabric coasters, pot holders, gift bags, furoshiki (japanese fabric wrapping), placemats or whatever your creative self dreams up.  

Here's a easy link to get in on the action.  To see the other special deals click here.

When you’re a complete fabric junkie like I am, you’re always looking for a bargain.  Of course, my eye is drawn to gorgeous designer fabrics with really high thread count.  Swoon!  But the cost—well, that can bring on a real fainting spell.

That’s why I started out sewing with fat quarters.  I found fabrics that I loved—and could easily afford—and figured out really cool things I could make with them.  Little, zippered change purses, box-bags for balls of yarn and knitting needle rolls.  I sewed and sewed and sewed.  And I was very happy.

Until I started eyeing my bare windows and mismatched sofa and side chairs.  If I could make all of those little things, I could make big things—like curtains and slipcovers—too.  

But cotton fabrics are generally 40”, 54”, 60” or 72” wide.  And that meant I was buying a lot of fabric.  

That’s when I met decorator fabrics.  And then I found HarmonyArt.  These babies come in 110” widths—plenty wide for the 98” long drapes I had planned.  And you can’t deny that Harmony’s designs are gorgeous.  Perfect for curtains, tablecloths, slipcovers, and heck, if I quilted, even quilts!

The prices were much higher though. Compared to the $15-$20 per yard I was used to paying for designer cotton fabrics, 110”-wide fabrics were at least $25 per yard.  It was time to do a little math.

I wanted to dress three windows in my new living room.  I drew this sketch to figure out the math.

With 110” of fabric, I could make do with one yard per panel.  (It’s not as wide as the experts recommend, but with the rich design, I decided it would look terrific.)  

2 panels per window
3 windows
1 yard of fabric per panel

2 x 3 = 6 panels
6 yards of fabric total


I chose the Evelyn design from HarmonyArt’s collection, 
which is $28.80 per yard at Stitch Simple.  

$28.80 x 6 yards = $172.80

(I’m ignoring the tax and shipping costs here—because I have to pay them no matter what width fabric I buy.)

How much of the 54”-wide fabric would I need to make the same curtains?  That’s going to require more math.

If I want each panel to be about 36” by 110” (before they’re sewn), I would to need about 3 yards per panel.  Here’s why:

• Because the fabric is only 54” wide, it won’t work having the selvages at the top and bottom of the curtain.  (There are other reasons for this, too, but we won’t go into that right now.) That means the selvages will have to go from side to side, and the length will be the yardage purchased.
• Since I want my unsewn panels to be 110” long, I divide 110 by 36 (the number of inches in a yard) to find 3 yards:

110” ÷ 36” ≈ 3 yards
(that wobbly, little equals sign means “approximately”)

So I’ll need 3 yards of fabric per panel. And I’ll have lots left over.  In fact for each panel, I’ll have a 3-yard strip of 18” wide fabric left over. 

54” – 36” = 18”

(I could sew up those leftover to make one panel, but let’s face it—that’s a lot of work, and it’s not as good looking.)

How much 54”-wide fabric will I need for all 6 panels?

6 panels x 3 yards = 18 yards

And let’s say I’ve found a great sale on the designer fabric I love—$14 per yard.  What’s the total cost?

$14 x 18 yards = $252

Yikes!  Even though the 110”-wide fabric is much more expensive per yard, I’ll be spending a lot more for the 54”-wide fabric.

The lesson for me?  While the 110”-wide fabric is more than twice the cost per yard, it’s the better deal for this project.  The same could be true for slipcovers, skirts, pillows and yes, even quilting.  

It pays to do the math.  (See?  These are my new curtains!)

Thanks Laura!  Laura is the author of the fabulous book Math For Grownups.  She has a great companion blog dedicated to showing us ways math can be useful and handy.  You can check out her post from Monday which is an interview with yours truly.  If you check back on Friday (Nov. 18th) she will be posting a how-to about sewing the curtains above. Enjoy!

Ok, you asked for it... How did I end up having lunch in Timber Cove with Laurie and Tony from Sapphire International Ltd. (the makers of the Breganwood brand organic towels)?  Well, the connection started in Kansas City.  I was a keynote speaker for the Surface Design Association's annual conference (Off the Grid*).  I was the first speaker of the week long events which is my favorite place in the line up since after that I can relax and enjoy the experience without my nerves getting in the way.

Well, I believe it was the following night, I was approached by a lovely woman who said (paraphrasing) "I could have given your lecture."  Pardon me?  "Truly, your story of feeling fed up with mass market and leaving to do your own more thoughtful thing, that's me too!"  The conversation continued and I must admit our lives were pretty synched.  No, Jennifer Libby Fay doesn't have an organic cotton line of fabric, but she did design for mass market (like me) and she left that world to create her own-one-of-a-kind fine art.  She lived part time in Fayetteville, AK and part time in Bodega Bay, CA. 

Now, the odds of anyone attending the lecture in Kansas City knowing where Gualala, CA is were slim . . . but having someone actually live a mere 1.25 hours away in another small coastal town was really quite extraordinary.  So, how does this relate to Sapphire and China production?  Well, Jennifer's husband is a mover and shaker with his own green line of kitchen products.  Jennifer felt we should meet.  It was Bill who eventually introduced me to Laurie and Tony over Caesar salad with pacific salmon overlooking the coast at a restaurant midway between Bodega Bay and Gualala.  Laurie and Tony were on a business trip from Hong Kong and I had the good fortune of our chance meeting.

That lunch happened exactly 2 years ago today, October 18th, 2009.  As my hubby always says, "You never know where a conversation may lead."  In this case from Kansas City to California, Australia to China and then some.

*Note: They recorded the event and you can purchase a DVD recording of my talk and the others from the conference, in case you are interested.

Today marks the 3rd anniversary of Stitch Simple!  In case you aren't familiar with Stitch Simple, I thought I'd take this occasion to interview Jen (the founder) and tell you about her unusual and wonderful business.

Tell us how you came up with the idea for Stitch Simple?  
The Reader’s Digest version is that after I finished business school, I wanted to celebrate and make a quilt.  I had stopped sewing altogether while I was in school- so I had forgotten about all the tedium required to just get fabric ready to sew.  You have to wash it, press it like crazy (those bizarre wrinkled twists of fabric that come out of the dryer are SO hard to deal with) and cut it- all of which takes hours for any given project.  I thought surely I could buy fabric that would already be washed, pressed and maybe even cut into squares or other pieces- but I was wrong.  There were plenty of precuts available, but none of them were washed which is really important to me as well as many sewing and quilting enthusiasts.  So, I figured I could start by writing a business plan for the idea (and put that new degree to good use right away!).  While writing the plan, the concept started to take a life of its own and eventually I pulled together enough resources to get started.

What has been the most rewarding part of the last 3 years?  The hardest part?
Hands down the most rewarding part of the last 3 years has been getting positive customer feedback about our products.  From people with physical disabilities that prevent them from cutting accurately to busy crafters who just need more hours in day, it is amazing to hear how our products make sewing and quilting easier for our customers and in some cases all out possible.

The hardest part has been getting the word out about Stitch Simple.  Many people don’t even know products like ours exist and so they don’t know to come looking for us.   It is hard (and expensive) to market effectively in this kind of situation.  It also requires a lot of patience, which is not something anyone who knows me would cite among my virtues.  Thankfully, persistence is and I’ve found peace in my grassroots marketing efforts.  The community surrounding the textile industry and DIY crafters has been amazingly supportive.  I’m fueled by their kind comments and positive energy every day.

Who do you see as your main customer? 
Anyone who sews of course!  More specifically, anyone who cannot or does not want to get their own fabric ready to sew.   That brings to mind people with physical ailments that make ironing and cutting uncomfortable, crafty parents (do you want to actually sew during nap time or iron?) and crafters on a deadline (forgot you promised to make a quilt for that baby shower next month?) to name just a few.

What is a Quilt du Jour?  
Quilt Kit du Jour is our daily pick of fabrics for a CYO (Create-Your-Own) quilt kit.  Our kits are unique in that they let you choose the exact fabric you want in your quilt, which is great but sometimes the choices can be mesmerizing and it helps to take a look at some examples for inspiration.   We post a new QKDJ (including a coordinating apron!) every Monday-Thursday plus we maintain a brief archive of around 50 or so examples for customers to look through if they are feeling stuck.

This was a Quilt du Jour back in May that featured all Harmony Art fabrics:  Evelyn, Whispering Grass, Chocolate Brown and Pale Auqa.  

In honor of Stitch Simple's birthday they are offering .99 cent shipping for all US orders and 50% off international shipping through October 24th!  (Note: Sale is for retail orders only.)

I am proud that Stitch Simple offers Harmony Art organic fabrics to their customers.  We wish them a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and MANY MORE!  THANKS JEN!