It’s been a few months since Balboa, my second fabric collection for Robert Kaufman, started arriving in stores, and the projects that are popping up on Instagram are looking good! Thought I’d take a moment to share some of my favorites so far….
Balboa Fabric Lookbook
Balboa Fabric Lookbook - Cotton & Flax
With my second fabric collection for Robert Kaufman, Balboa, arriving in stores in November, I’d like to share the lookbook of Balboa projects, which were created with lots of help from my favorite sewing mavens. I hope it inspires you to sew with Balboa once it arrives in a shop near you!
Featured Sewists + Projects in the lookbook:
- Jill Haggerty of Independent Clothing Initiative – Yari Jumpsuit from True Bias
- Jean Monsanto – Willow Dress from Grainline
- Kristyn Jansen – Minimalist Wallets from Noodlehead, Sienna Burst Quilt from Then Came June, Coram Top by Allie Olsen
- Lindsey of A Closet Handmade – Summer Day Top from Made Everyday, Burnside Bibs by Sew House Seven, Scout Tee by Grainline
- Alina Design Co. – Chi-town Chinos Skirt
- Then Came June – Meadowland Quilt
- Amy Schelle of Sewn Handmade – Baby booties (self-drafted design)
- Elise Blaha Cripe – Wiksten Kimono
- Erin Dollar – Wholecloth baby quilt
Ready to sew with Balboa? Ask your favorite local fabric store if they have it in stock!
Balboa Fabrics in Bust Magazine
A lovely feature for Balboa fabrics: this awesome, eco-friendly DIY project in Bust Magazine! Grab the Oct/Nov ’18 issue to see the full project, and learn to make your own beeswax wraps from Balboa fabric. The profile of cover gal Busy Philipps written by my friend Lisa Butterworth is a timely feminist read, too. Always excited to see my work featured in my favorite magazines.
Introducing Balboa – New Linen Fabrics for Robert Kaufman
I’m thrilled to finally share Balboa, my second collection of 29 new patterned linen fabrics, created in collaboration with Robert Kaufman Fabrics in Los Angeles! This collection was inspired by my explorations into the world of textiles, featuring pattern motifs that echo Anni Albers’ weavings, Sashiko mending techniques, endless spools of cotton thread, and traditional woven baskets from around the world. The color palette is drawn from my life in my new city: San Diego. Lots of beautiful blues, sandy tans, and even a little green. I named my first fabric collection for the Arroyo Seco where I’d hike in LA, and Balboa is named for the park that’s just blocks from my new home — a beautiful place of inspiration in my daily life.
I was excited to collaborate with a few of my favorite makers to create sample projects for this collection! I worked extensively with Meghan from Then Came June to mock up her gorgeous quilt patterns with Balboa fabric. The quilts above are called Meadowlands and Double Mountain.
My friend Kristyn sewed up this cute Gemma Tank from Made by Rae, and I’m in love! Gonna make so many tanks with Balboa for those late summer heat waves. She also sewed some Noodlehead wallets for me, which I’ll be sharing over on Instagram soon!
I designed a special quilt for this release, which I called “City Blocks.” It will be available to download for free from the Robert Kaufman website once the fabric begins to ship to stores later in the Fall!
The marketing team at Robert Kaufman created this beautiful Cora Bag from Sotak Handmade out of the Spools fabric in Chambray. Such a dreamy tote for all your crafty gear.
Balboa will begin shipping out to fabric stores later in the fall. If you’re excited to sew with Balboa, let your local fabric shop know, so they can order it! Sharing the love for this collection is the best way to make sure it ends up in more fabric stores near you.
I’m so excited to see what other makers will create with these new fabrics. The biggest thrill of releasing a new fabric collection is seeing my work take on new life as creative sewists make something new with my designs. If you create something with Balboa, tag me on Instagram, and use the hashtag #balboafabric!
