CHICKPEA SEWING STUDIO

Best of Market: oliver+s

This spring, Market seemed almost as much about children sewing patterns than quilts. Or maybe just having a baby opened-up my eyes to previously ignored booths. In the multitude of options, one new-to-me company takes the prize: oliver+s. I must admit to a mild obsession with their 'death-by-cuteness' patterns for girls and boys (boys coming soon, August 2008). Let me mention one major reason why: all those charming dresses, pj's or bloomers can be sewn out of quilting weight fabric, denim/canvas or on payday Liberty. That alone is a reason for me to rejoice because finding good children knits around here is extremely difficult/impossible. Apparently I am not the only one to be taken, you can find Oliver+s in this month Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine. Joy!

I was so excited to meet Liesl Gibson, the creator, and her fantastic little team. These women are charming, fresh, accessible and lucky enough to live in NYC (think about the fabric-shopping possibilities!). Liesl is a fellow blogger, check her out here!

Graphics used with permission.

 

More on Market, Kokka Booth.

By far the cutest fabric booth, all Japanese import goodness was collected in one place, a few square feet of complete Zakka things!

I spotted this book and against all expectations someone there (an angel maybe ?) let me buy it. Right on the spot, with American Money! I can't understand a word of course, but the garments are beautifully simple and I should be able to figure it out. It's mostly a question of what size to choose, being that Japanese women are tiny (I suspect so much). ISBN978-4-579-1183-1, may not be out quite yet. Some inside pictures here and here.






















The booth was filled with items made of Trèfle fabric often available from SuperBuzzy or the Reprodepot.
Most of the objects sewn and displayed looked right out of Cotton Time. picture here.
Kokka Fabrics is also previewing the brand new Heather Ross line: Rabbits and Race-Cars.






















I got to meet Heather at Bolt where she was previewing a new line  for Free Spirit called Mendocino. She is so nice! Very approachable. Incidently Denise Schmitt was there too, tiny, shy and sweet!