Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Introducing Oakshott Fabrics

I have to say, I've been incredibly lucky with my sponsors.  Today I'm thrilled to introduce Oakshott Fabrics as my newest sponsor.  I approached Oakshott Fabrics because I am totally crazy about their fabrics and after I sent off the email I crossed my fingers and toes that they would want to work with me.  I was so happy when they said yes!


Oakshott Fabrics make the most gorgeous luminous hand woven shot cottons (a different colour thread is used for each of the warp and the weft of the fabric).   I've used their fabrics in several projects, starting with my Rubies in the Rough quilt made using a fat eighth Ruby Reds bundle.  You can find the tutorial for this quilt here.

Rubies in the Rough

The Oakshott shot cottons have an amazing sheen and depth of colour.  In the photo above, each hexagon is made of the same Oakshott fabric, and you can see how different the colour can look depending on the angle from which you are viewing it.

I know shot cottons have a bit of a bad reputation for being stretchy or slippery or thin but you won't get any of that with Oakshotts. They look like silk but they are 100% cotton and they behave like cotton - they iron out beautifully and are a delight to sew with.  For instance, I had no trouble sewing the wee tiny scraps left over from my Rubies in the Rough quilt into a panel for this matching cushion.

Oakshott pillow and quilt

I also used Oakshotts and a mixture of improv and ultra precise piecing to make this Butterfly Ghosts mini quilt.  Sometimes freezer paper can stick to delicate fabrics and be hard to remove (I've had bad experiences with freezer paper and double gauze) but it was just fine with the Oakshotts in this project.

Butterfly ghosts

I especially like the colour packs and blocks, pre-cut bundles of fabrics ranging in size from fat eighths to half metres - there are some glorious combinations.  My low volume and Oakshotts plusses quilt is made with the Sunrise bundle.

Low Volume Crosses Quilt

I bought a fat quarter bundle and I have loads left over.  Look how pretty the fabrics are all together in colour order!  This is possibly the only bad thing about Oakshotts - the bundles are so pretty that it can be hard to open them up and cut into them!


Apart from the fabrics, I'm really enjoying working with Oakshott Fabrics.  It's a small family owned company and Michael Oakshott is really great to deal with.  I recommend that you sign up for the newsletter (I did, long before I approached Oakshott Fabrics for sponsorship) to make sure you keep up to date with new products and any promotions.

For anyone who hasn't tried Oakshotts yet - be warned, Oakshotts are highly addictive!  So, any other Oakshott addicts out there?

21 comments:

Susan said...

I have read many rave reviews about Oakshotts but my budget does not stretch to purchasing any! (Someone gave me some scraps once so I know they are lovely!) I look forward to seeing your future creations! Do you buy them from England?

Anna said...

They are based just up the road from me! I love their fabrics- they are soooooooo lush!

Salsy said...

Good for you Adrianne. I love that rich looking quilt with it's cushion. I haven't used them yet...something to look forward to.

Elmosmate said...

I bought a pastel bundle at Taupo Symposium for my Gwen Marsten class, they were awesome!

dutchcomfort said...

Well, that’s a sponsor I wouldn’t refuse!
I love Oakshotts and use them in all sorts of projects. Love your low volume plusses and the Butterfly Ghosts! I bought the complete box of Oakshotts last year, it was a birthday gift from the hubby, but I can’t bring myself to using them, it looks so beautiful, all those colours lined up!

Charlotte said...

I absolutely love Oakshotts - they are my favourite fabrics by far!

Annabella said...

Good for you Adrianne - all your makes are beautiful and your Oakshott ones are stunning!

Leanne M said...

I love that pluses quilt, and the Rubies in the Rough quilt is really stunning too. I love your contemporary take on quilting, I hope to make something along these lines one day.

Erin @ Once Upon a Donkey said...

Congrats! Fab news. I've never had the pleasure so will have to check them out. Love, love, love all of your makes - especially that gorgeous cushion (which I've pinned!!),

Kim @ TiesThatBindQuilting said...

I've never used them but I'm loving how even the solids have that visual interest and "texture" to them due to the two different color threads.

Rebecca said...

Oh my gosh! You are lucky. I love Oakshotts.

Leanne said...

I too love them, and use them often. Lovely sponsor!

Erica said...

Wonderful! I still haven't had a chance to try Oakshotts, hopefully soon!

Kelsey said...

I am absolutely in love with Oakshott cottons since completing our Wonky Star Quit (which I'm posting final pics of on friday yay!). I love that Oakshott is sponsoring you! I love your oakshott quilts and I'm looking forward to seeing what else you come up with :)

Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts said...

Congratulations! Using their fabrics is totally on my bucket list, if I can just get my hands on them!

Anne said...

!!!!! OMG that is fantastic that they are sponsoring you!! I am such a huge oakshott fan. I adore working with it, and you're right, cutting it is by far the hardest part. So beautiful!! I have some other shot cottons and they just don't compare at all.

Michelle@factotum-of-arts.com said...

Congrats, what a great sponsor. I have always loved your use of oakshott and the quilts you made with them - and have several times taken a look at them just haven't taken that purchasing step....maybe I will have to put it on my Christmas wish list :-)

The Glass Collector said...

Wow. What a fantastic resource. Too bad they are overseas as that hurts my shipping budget. Maybe I'll treat myself to some ruby red colour packs on a special occasion.

sarah elizabeth :: {no} hats said...

Drooling over your latest sponsor, congratulations, friend!

jeifner said...

I'm getting to do the Made With Oakshott challenge on Lily's Quilts with Lynne and supported by Michael Oakshott. I got a small bundle of them and have to make a quilt by the first week of November. So excited and nervous! The do have such a lovely sheen.

Jill said...

I love the colors of the top two projects, maybe it's because it's fall here. They remind me of the falling leaves.