Summer, 2007

Kaffe and I are just home from a gruelling but productive 9 weeks away from the Studio on a promotional tour which began at the end of April. We started off in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Spring Quilt Market launching the latest fabrics range which is being shipped to stores as we speak from Westminster Fibers.   Look out for the new designs such as 'Bekah' - large painterly overlapping blossoms named after a quilter friend in Houston who has big rosy cheeks, short copper red hair and loves big flowers. A fabric design called 'Target' is inspired by a mosaic we did at the Highland Stoneware in Scotland.   Kaffe has a thing for dots so he has finally done his own dot fabrics in irresistible colourways, these are just a few of the new designs in the collection. 

After a workshop in the Utah area we headed on to do a workshop tour of New Zealand and Australia. We stopped off en route at the Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Resort, Fiji, which was as near to paradise as could be found. Mid-May we arrived in Auckland, NZ as our first port of call before heading up and down the North and South island at the start of their winter season. In early June we continued the tour covering the main cities in Australia. The last time we were in this part of the world was 7 years ago - hopefully we won't leave it so long to return. A big thank you to all those who made us feel so welcomed, indeed. Especially the shops, who bent over backwards stocking Kaffe's books and fabrics and dealing with all the enquiries. There's also a nice mention of the Tour in the July edition of Australia's Woman & Home for those interested.

It's strange being back at our familiar London Studio after being away since the end of April. We took 4 days in Broome, Australia to re-charge our batteries swimming in the turquoise waters and basking in the winter sun of 28 degree's while London is still struggling to warm up. Now we are preparing for The 'Festival Of Quilts' in Birmingham where Kaffe will have an exhibition of Quilts he has made by hand as well as a selection from the up and coming patchwork magazine 'Quilts In The Sun' featuring the latest collection of quilts shot in Portugal (you can order your copy at either the US Amazon or the UK Amazon).

The end of September Kaffe and I will be heading to the US to start a workshop tour on patchwork and knitting and book signings for the launch of Kaffe's latest knit book Kaffe Knits Again (Ebury Press, UK & Potter Craft, USA).  Based around a collection of Kaffe knits from past Rowan designs updated in new colour ways, it is sumptuously photographed at Charleston House, famously decorated by the Bloomsbury artists.  'Kaffe Knits Again' will be launched in the UK mid September.  Please see the web site calendar events for any book signings in your area.  One special event will be a slide lecture in Brighton University sponsored by Charleston House itself. For tickets and more information please contact Charleston House via their website.    Kaffe will be at Houston Quilt market signing copies of his latest books and the launching his next range of fabrics along with a stunning range from Philip Jacob too. So, lots to keep you inspired by. 

For those knitters into knitting socks, check out the new designs Kaffe has done for Regia - one of the many stores to carry the range in the US is Wool & Company.    Here's a link to images of these designs to give you a tease.

I've written here more than I intended too - but I didn't want to forget to add a note here to check out Kaffe's 2 new designs for Peruvian Connection - An Inca Patchwork Robe (shown here), and a Huari Steps Pullover.

For full details of events please visit the calendar page of Kaffe's web site.

All best wishes,

Brandon Mably,

Studio Manager
Kaffe Fassett Studios