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I have been keeping a secret for almost two years and now, finally, I can spill it!

I am so proud to introduce my very first fabric line – Bunnies Birds & Blooms presented by Free Spirit Fabrics!  Whew!  It’s good to get that one out into the world.

So, for those who aren’t familiar with Free Spirit Fabrics, it’s a quilting fabric company owned by Coats (as in Coats & Clark thread).

And, you might be wondering, how I got connected with a quilting fabric company.  I’m not a quilter.

Well, to make a long story short, one of my readers has a sister who started a fabric company – Free Spirit Fabrics.  When they would get together for vacations, my blog reader would tell her sister all about Miss Mustard Seed.  Fast forward to a couple of years ago and her sister (who retired, but she was working as a creative consultant) reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in designing a fabric line.

I felt a mix of elation and fear.  I have long-loved textiles and designing my own fabrics seemed like a dream.  I could see it all in my head.  But, the fear was stoked by the fact that I had never, ever designed textiles before (or even anything similar, like papers, stationary, etc.).  We talked on the phone about all of that and later had the chance to meet in person.  I shared some rough ideas and color palettes and received some direction on designing fabric.

While I was intimidated, I felt like I was ready to tackle this new project.

It was a long, on-the-fly learning process and I had to design and redesign and redesign again as I worked on learning and creating a design work flow.  There were times I was so frustrated with myself!  How does one learn to design fabric (short of attending design school for four years)?  I was actually running Google searches trying to figure out what software I should use to create digital designs and repeats.

In the beginning, I was hand-drawing everything and using a copier to print multiples of a design that I would spread out over my studio floor to make a pattern.  It was ridiculous.  I’ll share more about my design process in another post, but I did get some things figured out and I started designing digitally.  And, I have to say, I would absolutely not be able to do this without my assistant, Heidi.  She was able to take my ideas and put them into larger repeats and multiple color ways.  She is amazing and I have told her she can never “grow up” and get a real job.  (In actuality, she is grown up and manages several real jobs!)

The result of all of the work and learning is a finished fabric collection that hit in the retailer quilt market in January 2018.  It will be available in stores this spring.

And, just to show the collection “in action”, these are some pretty things made with the fabrics by Susan Dunn of Dunn by Designs.

Aren’t these fabrics happy?  I just love how everything came together and I’m so glad I can now share it with you!

You can see the Bunnies Birds & Blooms look book HERE and the promo video below…

As I said, I will share a lot more about the design process, as well as what I’ve learned, in future posts.  I have already taken what I’ve learned and am working on a second collection!

When I was editing the collection promo video, I actually smiled and thought to myself, this business just keeps on surprising me…

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    114 Comments

    1. Mary

      I can hardly wait to find this fabric for sale to use it to make a quilt. It is fresh, adorable and fun! Congratulations! Your story continues to amaze me! I keep watching for an event you might be having as you are now only 5 hours away.

    2. Nicola

      I am a quilt maker and designer and I can’t tell you how excited I am about your fabric Marian. I love the colour palette and am really looking forward to sewing with it! Congratulations!

    3. Deb

      Congrats Marian! This is amazing news, can’t wait to buy some of your fabric.

    4. Morgane

      How exciting! As a fellow fabric lover, I am looking forward to working with these prints, They do “look” like you! All these blues and greens, just perfect for a spring collection!

    5. Linda

      The fabrics are absolutely beautiful!!! Your endless talents just amaze me. 🙂 Congratulations!

    6. Sara

      Congratulations on your newest milestone! The fabrics are lovely….now I want to make a quilt even though I’m not a quilter. Love all of the patterns.

    7. Brenda

      I can’t wait to see it in person! These are going to make some happy quilts! Congratulations!

    8. Cheryl

      The designs and colors are wonderful! Congratulations on another successful business venture!

    9. Pam from Maryland

      This is wonderful !! so proud of you and yes,, your business keep us all on the look… 🙂

    10. Lisa

      Congratulations Marian! You are such an inspiration. These colors and patterns are just beautiful. Please let us know know some of the stores where these fabrics should be available. I’d love to purchase some of them. As I say that, I’m heading to Hobby Lobby this morning to scope out your signs. Have a great day!

    11. Donna

      You amaze me! Wow, this is actually my dream…not that I am pursuing it, but I LOVE TEXTILES, being raised by a seamstress I have always it seems had fabric in my hand….I will be looking for this…CONGRATULATIONS!

    12. Diane

      Congrats on your textile design getting to market! ??? You have several businesses in one. I would like to know how you work your time management? You have family, home, blogging, several design businesses and artist. You mentioned your helper, Heidi. But other than hiring a helper, how do you find time to do all? If you’ve already done a post on this, please share a link to it. If not, I would like to see a post on how you manage your day to day life. I admire people who have “pulled theirselves up by the bootstraps”. A very old fashioned quote but so very apt for today’s blogging moms!

    13. Betsy

      This has to be one of the most beautiful collections of fabric I have ever seen. I want some of each! Could I ask a question? How wide will the fabric be? Will some be wide enough to make a table cover?

    14. Tanya

      OH. MY. GOODNESS. Your fabric line is absolutely gorgeous! I’m love your designs and style and have enjoyed watching your business grow in such unexpected ways. I can’t wait for these fabrics to hit the market. I definitely want to hoard every pattern in every color!

    15. Amy Joanne mogish

      Such awesome-ness! Beautiful designs! Congrats! So excited for you and for us!

    16. Debbie V.

      I’m squealing with delight here – love the fabrics (which look like wovens) and the colors!!! Congratulations!

    17. Mary in VA

      Beautiful fabric! I’m so happy for you to have this latest opportunity! I can’t wait til it arrives in stores this spring.

    18. Susan

      I love these fabrics!! Congratulations! I’m not a quilter, but would this fabric be thick enough for pillow covers or a bed skirt?

      • Marian Parsons

        It’s a quilting weight fabric, so it would be fine for some light-weight home decor sewing, like table linens, bedskirts, pillowcases, etc.

    19. Connie

      Wow! Your talents continue to amaze us! Beautiful collection of colors & designs! Congratulations MMS!!

    20. Suzanne Zingg

      I am a retired quilt shop owner and am thrilled to see your first line with Free Spirit. What a great company to represent your beautiful collection!

      Yes, please talk to us about your time management and how you get so much done. You amaze and exhaust me!

      • Karen

        I’m with Suzanne, please talk time management with us and how you get so much accomplished ! Congratulations on another job well done !!! (I’m especially wondering how you don’t get pulled into the rabbit hole of the internet but are so much a part of it and are engaged in it ?)

    21. Felicity

      Beautiful and perfectly you! Nice job.

    22. A Speckled Cottage

      Please tell us when it’s available, in what stores, can it be ordered online. I already love it and can picture the pillows I will make with it.

    23. Deanna Rabe

      Marian! I love it! I love the colors and patterns! Some of the patterns would make sweet dresses for my granddaughters!

    24. Elaine

      “tell me more, tell me more…………”

      1. Regions
      2. Store’s
      3. I have a secret to tell………………

      How wonderful to still have the “birthing” ability

    25. Karen L.

      Congratulations and well done! They’re beautiful!

    26. Susan

      Absolutely Gorgeous!! Looks like I will be getting my sewing machine out!!!

    27. Monica

      The fabrics are gorgeous! Are they heavy enough for upholstery/curtains?

      Honestly, you must not get any sleep. With two boys, a husband, and all the designing you do (home décor, fabrics, milk paint, furniture remakes, etc.) not to mention having time to paint for fun, I don’t know how you find time to breathe.

      • Marian Parsons

        No, sadly. This is a quilting-weight cotton fabric, so it’s best for lighter-duty projects. The scale is also small, since it’s designed for quilting.

    28. Sharon Kennedy

      Marian …. I am a quilter, and your fabrics are beautiful. Lovely colours and patterns. I look forward to seeing them in my local shop. S

    29. Kate

      Oooh! This is so great! I love fabric more than paint. I got rid of most of my fabric stash when we moved last year, but now that we’re settled, it’s time to build it up again.

    30. April

      Oh Marian I absolutely LOVE these fabrics! You are so talented! I love to see your ever evolving business/es & your abundant talent! I don’t quilt, nor am a very good seamstress, but I know enough to make a few things & cant wait till your fabrics are in the stores!

    31. Cheryl

      Eek! They are beautiful! So pretty and Congrats!
      I am a quilted and can’t wait to get my hands on these fabrics!

    32. PC

      Exciting!!! I think some bunny fabric pillow covers are coming for my new granddaughter.

    33. Peggy

      Love! What is really an inspiration is the way you tackled something that you really didn’t know how do to – googled it (research!) – then figured it out! A lesson for us all:)

    34. Peggy

      All I can say is Gorgeous!
      I can’t wait to get my hands on these fabrics! I knew you could do it! My first love has always been sewing and having my own workroom for 15 years you would think I get tired of fabric and sewing but never!

      Hopefully I can carry some of these or at least make some home decor items for the shop! Congratulations Marian!

    35. Debbie Nisson

      Wow!! Love the fabric. Now I need a project!

    36. Elizabeth

      Congratulations on your new line for Free Spirit Fabrics… The designs, colors and variations are stunning. What a great idea to demo the line by making things out of various combinations of Your fabrics. I especially love them when combined. I can’t wait to see a quilt made from the Miss Mustard Seed Collection.

    37. Rita C at Panoply

      Oh wow, Marian, way to go! You said it best – it’s cheerful! I love the color palette and your designs. The hare pattern is adorable. Congratulations!

    38. Louise

      Congratularions, that is awesome and very pretty fabric.

    39. Connie

      Thank you thank you for the strong green colors included in your line. As you are drawn to blue and white. My favorite is green and white. I find it difficult to find a good selection of green fabrics, accessories, etc. Used your milk paint greens when I took a milk paint class.

    40. Debi

      I just love the prints and colors. I have always been a fan of Bunnies and Birds. Good luck, I am sure it will do well. I am not a quilter but LOVE fabric.

    41. marilyn

      Love love love your new fabrics!! You are amazing!

    42. Mary Ann

      LOVE THE FABRIC!! I do not sew but would buy the happy fabric anyway!!!

    43. Mary S

      Marian, your designs are so, so cute!! I used to quilt a little and your new line might spur me to get going on another one. The “wild hare” is indeed your best one. Congratulations on another job very well done.

    44. Marlene Stephenson

      God is so good, congratulations, what a wonderful opportunity for you.

    45. Susan

      “It’s just happy!” is such a fitting description of this venture into fabrics. I have already picked the one with the bunnies as the springboard for re-doing my master bedroom décor. We live in a very small home with a very small 12 x 12 bedroom and I had been struggling to pick a color for the walls and a palette for the accessories. I think you just knocked it out of the park for me!
      Congratulations! You are, as always, a great inspiration!

    46. Laura

      Wow! These are beautiful! I’m not a quilter, but your designs just make me happy. Congrats.

    47. Kay

      I am very excited. I just opened my new store in Taupo, New Zealand, before Christmas 2017 and I already stock some Free Spirit fabrics. My rep is coming to visit this week and so I am going to order your WHOLE range. Then I can tell my customers all about it and give them a link to your site. It’s a shame we will have to wait until the middle of the year though! So excited for you Marian, and actually very excited for any one who’s a stitcher. Lovely fabrics so well done on achieving another goal. Yay YAY and YAY!

    48. Terri (FL)

      Miss Mustard Seed, I just want to ask…”How many are there of you?” I know you are a busy lady, and maybe you might modestly say you could use a bit more tweaking on time management. However, I just can’t imagine where you find the time to create/beautify/design/transform everything you do (and add to that your family/church/business responsibilities, etc.)!!! I send to you heartfelt congratulations on your many successes as well as your beautiful new fabric line. LOVE IT!

    49. Linda

      Wow! I love your patterns. I’m not a quilter either, but I can think of lots of home decorating ideas to use these for. You just keep creating in so many areas. You’re an inspiration to me. God Bless!

    50. Bonnie

      Beautiful! Congratulations on your new creative expression. It makes me want to look at quilting again but slipcovers seem to take all my energies now. I will watch to see if you take off in that direction.

    51. Cynthia Chilson Finger

      Congratulations!! What a charming fabric collection. Hope it’s a great success!

    52. Linda

      You are so multi-talented! I’ve been a quilter for over 25 years, and can’t wait to try your fabric line…I can’t tell you how well they will blend in my house!! Keep those creative juices flowing!

    53. Michele

      Lovely collection – those birds! As a quilter I love the fresh look of these designs and I’m hoping the stores I typically buy from will carry them since they carry many other Free Spirit designers. Congratulations!

    54. Jean E.

      I love it! I hope your next collection will have something with a vintage look and bees!

    55. Annette Kelly

      I adore these fabrics! I am already thinking about what I am going to do with them.

    56. Maggie

      Love them! Congratulations!

    57. Chris

      Do you sleep? I can’t figure out how you accomplish so many tasks and do them all splendidly. Love your fabrics!

    58. Linda

      I am a quilter and looking forward to ordering your fabric in the Spring. Congratulations!

    59. Natasha

      Wow that is amazing! What fantastic work. Crazy the doors that keep opening for you – it’s wonderful 🙂

    60. Deb

      Your energy and talent is amazing.
      Great job! Love those fabrics.

    61. Elizabeth M

      LOVE the bird fabric the best!!! Next a stationery line??
      Congratulations! Fun to see how God blesses and uses you.

    62. Sandy

      I’m so happy for you – love how your creativity continues to blossom – don’t let anything stop you being you! love it 🙂

    63. TERI

      lovely. And they remind me in some way of that gorgeous bed you hand painted then let go ♥

    64. Norma Rolader

      You go girl!!! Congratulations and we serve a mighty God may he continue to bless you and your new adventure … They are beautiful

    65. Shoham

      Congratulations! Very well done Marian?????. Best of luck, can’t wait to see in person, lovely.

    66. Linnea Aaland

      Congratulations, Marian! What an accomplishment & dream come true! The fabric looks so fun!

    67. Diane Ruebel

      Such gorgeousness! The color ways draw me into their whimsy as ideas percolate for sewing projects. Thank you for letting us in on your secret!
      Diney on Camano Is

    68. Beth

      You are so humble! Think of all the quilts you have purchased or has been handed down through generations! You are going to be part of that story and will last through many more generations!

    69. Mary

      I even love the name of your fabric line-Bunnies Birds & Blooms- Just beautiful fabrics! I also want to know when you sleep!!

    70. Cheryl

      Oh Marion!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am a quilter, love birds and those bunnies are adorable! I’ll keep a lookout for your line. You are ROCKIN IT girl?

    71. Heidi

      Wow! These fabrics are so beautiful! I’m so proud of you!

    72. Mary

      Congratulations! How exciting! You are so talented! Can’t wait to see it.

    73. Rebecca

      I’m so pleased that your business is growing. With talent, hard work, and taking advantage of opportunities, you have developed a wonderful brand that I think has even more potential. Businesses do change and grow and diversify. I think I speak for your many followers; we’re all very proud of you. What a tremendous role model you are for women! Congratulations!!

    74. Susan

      Congrats! So exciting. Love the birds in blue. Was really bummed when my local Hobby Lobby didn’t have anything of yours…?

    75. Kathi

      What a wonderful line of fabric ! I am a quilter and former quilt shop owner and we would have ordered your whole line for our shop in a heartbeat. Congratulations!

    76. Carole

      Several of your fabrics would be perfect in making sundresses for young girls. I do like the sample items showing the combinations of your fabrics, as well. Congratulations on this huge achievement and please post when Bunnies, Birds, and Blooms fabrics are available for sale.

    77. Karen K from Buffalo

      WOW!! I LOVE your new fabric line!! As a lover of blue & white, & of bunnies, birds & blooms, you have a win, win with me!! I certainly will be on the look out for your fabrics as I love to quilt. Congratulations Marian!!

    78. Perri Williamson

      Forget all the congratulations and can’t waits! When, WHEN and where can we feather our stash nest with these lovlies? Oh, ad congratulations! ?

    79. Naomi S.

      How wonderful! Congratulations, Marian! I can’t wait to find your designs in a store. Will they be primarily in stores that primarily carry quilting fabrics? I already love some of the colors and designs. Exciting!

    80. Cynthia

      One if each please!! I have my favorites but truly live them all.

      I am visiting “home” in My Minnesota and am cuddled up in bed next door to my old house just about an hour and a half from you~ how surreal.

      Keep inspiring us!
      Congrats Marian!

      Cynthia

    81. Julia

      Congratulations, your fabrics are beautiful. Do you know if they will be available in the UK?

    82. B. Folk

      Dear fellow blog-followers, the last page of the Look Book that Marian linked to states that the fabric is 100% cotton, 44/45″ wide, and not suitable for children’s sleepwear (probably no flame retardant).

      Chiming in with congrats, Marian! Was it hard to keep mum for two years?

      I know some big-time quilters that I will need to direct to your fabrics:-)

    83. Cindy L Smith

      Congratulations Marion!!! Your fabrics are so exciting and beautiful. I’m going on line right now to see where I can purchase some. You amaze me with all your creativity and willing to share. Now off to locate this and to see sew sew! ?. And again, congratulations.

    84. Kathleen

      Love your fabrics! Congratulations! I can’t wait to make something! They’re so happy & cheerful!

    85. Cheryl

      Congrats Marian!! You’re awesome!

    86. Michelle

      LOVE! I’m a fabric gal, now I have to find out how to get my hands on this! Oh, my heart leapt when i saw Boxwood as an inspiration color!

    87. DeAnna

      I’ve had real rabbit fur babies to love for the past 30 years of my life and this fabric speaks to my heart. Congratulations Marion!

    88. Mary M

      Lovely designs…….. I live a half hour from Keepsake Quilts/Fabric in Center Harbor, NH. Sadly they closed the store which contained 10K bolts of fabric and many their own design. They are now online only.
      I thought to myself darn when can I get quality fabric NOW. So you solved that problem!

      Where is the fabric going to be sold and where is it manufactures.

    89. arabesquescissors

      Oh oh oh oh!!! I’ve followed your blog for years and am so happy to see you designing fabric! I can see the most perfect of vintage style Irish chain quilts! All the prints are just so amazing!! Please please pretty please consider letting me play with it early??? xAli

    90. Janine R

      You’ve created a winning collection. I make children’s clothes and will be definately buying some of this fabric. Congrats on your new venture.

    91. Vicki

      Your fabric is so beautiful! Can’t wait to see them in my local shop and make a quilt with them!

    92. Carla

      Love your adorable fabrics!

    93. Jessica

      Cute! I would love to see you design some fabric in your signature colors, blue and white!

    94. Teresa

      While I am very happy that your hard work and talent have brought you much success, I am also a little sad. I have seen this same scenario play out with other décor bloggers and designers. As soon as corporate discovers them and their talent, things change.

      Product lines are developed and mass produced and unfortunately most of the time the individualism and charm are gone too. I know you have been going in a different direction for some time now with a more retail side to your blog and I just hope you wont lose “you” as you partner with big business.

    95. Marilyn Lundberg

      Congratulations on a beautiful fabric line. You are amazingly talented! I’m going to have to tell my friend who owns a quilt shop to be sure to carry your line! (Don’t listen to the naysayers!)

    96. Shirley Housepitality

      Congrats Marian!…the collection is so beautiful…I love each and every pattern!!!….Looking forward to your second line!

    97. Susan P.

      I love your passion for creating!! You first inspired me to look at furniture in a new way…in color! Then you inspired me to drag out the paints and canvas!! Now?? Love, love your fabric. Fabric design? Probably not, but feeling the itch to sew!!

    98. Wendy Y

      I love these Marian! Can’t wait to make dresses for my little granddaughters out of them ?. Also love the fact that they coordinated with your paint colors. Endless possibilities here!

    99. Lora

      What a blast! I love them! Great job; can’t wait to see them in real life! Can I be you when I grow up? (Even though I’m older than you;)

    100. MaryLisa Noyes

      I just opened my email for this post because I’ve been sewing. I look forward to some projects with your fabric. I’ve been reading about digitalizing designs because I have a computerized embroidery machine that can handle it. Best of luck…

    101. Nicki Beeler

      I am still a fairly new self-taught quilter, and these fabrics are fabulous! I have trouble finding unique patterns, and the colors are great! Another issue is that often the pattern does not follow the grain, so it’s impossible to cut nice pieces that aren’t crooked, which makes the quilt look wonky. I hope I will be able to find your fabrics in the Dallas area. Thank you so much. You’re a design genius!

    102. Sandy Gilreath

      Here is one excited quilter! I am a fiber artist who uses traditional quiltmaking skills coupled with vintage linens, photos, and ephemera to create memorable stories in cloth. The recent focus on vintage bits means that my stash of commercial fabrics is not getting replenished as often as it once did. But your collection will change that. I can’t wait to add these fabrics to my quilts. More about my traditional and new art quilt side can be found at my blog.

    103. Diane

      I ? the bunny fabric. I am not a quilter but would certainly use it for my projects

    104. Laura Forehand

      congratulations! can’t wait to see them in stores, and use them in a new project 🙂

    105. Pat L

      Love what I’ve seen if your fabric line here! I look at one print and think that’s my favorite, then up comes another and I have the same thought!
      I can’t wait to see them in the stores so I can pick some up and sew with them!

    106. Allyn

      I love your designs with a white background! Will definitely be looking for these at my local quilt store!

    107. Connie

      These are so fresh and pretty, Marian. I assume you will let us know where we can purchase them!

    108. Lucy Beliveau

      I have no sewing machine but if I did….I would be making “Bunny Pillows”!!

    109. Beth

      I love your fabrics, and have always wanted to design fabrics but have been too intimidated by the process!!! Have you thought about making a tutorial?

    110. Nicole Twa Winters

      Hi Marian,
      I hope everyone there is well and staying safe! I happened across your site and products this winter and was inspired. I am also a mum of boys, almost grown (them and me!), a frequent acquirer of “someone else’s rubbish” (i come by it honestly – my grandfather would frequently take on treasure hunts to the dump in our little town in BC) and painter of os said rubbish. years ago i found two vintage arm chairs at a trading post , similar to white recovered one I’ve seen in some of your posts with the lovely stuffed seat. I would really like to tackle recovering my old chairs and would love any tips or a full tutorial you might be able share. Things like the, and pardon me you’ll have to guess at what I’m referring to because one thing i am not is a sewer, the fabric “tape” , not piping, that is applied over the area where fabric nails might have been used-the seat back or arms where the cushioned fabric area meets wood. Does that make any sense at all?
      Love your videos, tutorials and your products!
      Thank you so much !
      Love Nicole

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