Culcita (Kul-see-tah)

This is a product-sponsored post; written opinions and observations are my own.

There's a brand new monthly subscription box for quilters and it's called Culcita (which apparently comes from the Latin origin for the word 'quilt'). This new, dynamic company is a family venture born out of a desire to get the latest modern fabric designs into the hands of quilters by delivering it right to their door monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly. I love that they have several different options so that you can tailor the service just for you (for example, every box will contain 12 prints but you get to choose a FQ or 1/2 yard option). It isn't just fabric, currently they offer a straight fabric box, modern quilt project kit , a skillz-builder box or a bag/accessory kit  like this one which includes everything you need to make Anna's awesome Compass Bag!

Jessica and Jamie contacted me to see if I'd like to give their February box a try and see how it all works. I am a big supporter of women-lead small business and make an effort to only partner with those able to serve Canadian quilters.  Although Culcita ships from the US (domestic shipping included in the monthly subscription) they also offer Canadians a reasonable flat rate shipping option and the company is co-owned by family members living in the U.S. and Canada (meet them here). I love that! Having investigated a few other subscription box services since the trend began, I've been disappointed a few times by those who are unable to ship to Canada.

Here's what I received in their super-efficiently packed and custom designed  re-usable box:

A handwritten thank you note, a card describing the fabric collection and why it was chosen for subscribers, two super cute woven labels, a quilting fortune and 12 FQ of Sleep Tight in the Stargazing palette. 

I like this format! I'm a notion junkie, so I already have everything I need in that department and I stick to fairly mainstream/neutral thread colours, so I like the fact that I wouldn't be paying for stuff every month that I wouldn't use or need. I can always use the fabric, or share, gift or trade it. On that note, Cucita offers a "trade" hashtag for subscribers to get in touch with each other if they're wishing for the alternate colourway and want to connect with others hoping for a swap. Cool! 

I'm hoping to use some of this collection to make a mini-mini quilt for an upcoming swap between the Vancouver MQG and the Ottawa MQG....something tells me my secret partner would like this fabric.  

Thank you for sharing, Culcita!

My Favourite Thread Deal

I'm happy to pass along the news to you lovely readers that my blog partner Sew Sisters has a fabulous special on this month!

This is the only piecing thread I use, ever. I've been piecing with Aurifil 50wt (orange spools) for over 10 years and all of my quilts are wearing perfectly fine with no broken seams (side-pressing works, people). I've been growing my collection of 40 wt Aurifil (green spools) colours as well and am enjoying it immensely for quilting!  28 wt (grey spools) remains my top-stitching thread of choice for work on bags, pouches, sashiko by machine, and anywhere that I need a punch of colour.

The special is for a multi-pack of these three perfect peicing staples: white, dove and black. I'll be buying one right after I post! Get them while they're hot, right here.   I think I'll also check out Tula's extra wide Free Fall backing fabric in 6 different colours and have a peruse through Jeni Bakers Curiosities line that just arrived!

108" wide Free Fall - navy

Look, it's George!!

Happy Shopping!

Looking for that special SPARK? or maybe a giveaway?

Then you're in the right place!! I'm really proud and happy to have a new partner here on Poppyprint: Canadian online shop Fabric Spark.  I met Daryl at Spring Quilt Market and was immediately drawn to her kind demeanour and mutual love of unique fabric substrates and prints.  We recently enjoyed an unexpected visit right here in Vancouver!  I wanted you all to know more about Daryl and her lovely shop, so asked her to share her philosophy and vision.

Fabric Spark started as Daryl Aitken’s passion project. She had nurtured a love of design and creative endeavors in her spare time as a sewist/knitter/crafter and in her career spanning over 30 years in advertising and marketing. For most of that time, making took a distant back seat to work, but finally last year after selling her small business, Daryl got to turn her attention back to her first love.

Nani Iro double gauze!

Fabric Spark was launched last January and reflects Daryl’s belief that good fabric design should spark your imagination and start the ideas flowing. “I like to look at a piece of fabric the way a sculptor looks at a hunk of marble… if it’s really great, I start thinking immediately about all of the things I’d like to make with it” That’s her buying filter for the shop – the fabric needs to inspire her, and in turn, hopefully inspire her customers....

Lotta Jansdotter's Follie collection

..and it does! Daryl provides a personally inspired write-up for just about all of the collections in her shop and even makes a few suggestions about what she’d do with it: what’s the “spark” from the fabric?  

I love Daryl's May bundle - still available!

Fabric Spark also has a great selection of patterns and Wool and theGang yarn from the UK, and there are monthly subscriptions that deliver a specially-curated bundle of coordinating fat quarters to subscribers every month.  She is also kindly selling autographed copies of my book from her shop at a great price (yay!). 

Often Daryl find unique limited run prints (I love her Japanese and double gauze finds!). Be sure to sign up for her newsletter at the bottom of her shop homepage so you don't miss out on these special fabrics. You can also keep up with shop happenings and specials on the blog, Facebook or Instagram. Fabric Spark is one of the few Canadian retailers with stock of Anna Graham's sublime Rainwalk (in organic quilting cottons and cotton canvas - pictured above). I may have just placed an order....

****GIVEAWAY BUNDLE****

Thanks for reading all about my newest partner. I hope you'll check out her shop and support a fellow fabric junkie. Daryl would like to share one of her custom bundles featuring some gorgeous classics (below) with one of my readers (that's YOU). All you have to do is leave one comment below for a chance. A random winner will be chosen Monday evening (Aug.3) after what I hope is a lovely long weekend. Please be sure your email is linked to your comment, or written into your comment - if I can't contact you, I'm afraid the random number robot will get to choose another winner.

This is my last birthday month giveaway. Good luck friends!

ETA:Comments are now closed, thanks for stopping by. Congratulations to Kristy of Hopefulthreads who is commenter #84. The RNG chose YOU!