This is Playroom, the most recent fabric collection by Mathew Boudreaux aka @Misterdomestic, an Angles fabric designer for Art Gallery Fabric. I wish there were “touch-o-vision” so you could reach into the screen and feel the softness and drape of this fabric. It’s lovely! Whether in these prints or coordinating Pure Elements solids, this premium quilting cotton feels amazing. While I have not personally sewn with them, there are also substrates in knit & rayon. I’m tempted to learn more about garment sewing so that I can work with those as well.

In 2019, I was chosen by Mathew to join his team of Master Makers for the “Catch & Release” Blog Party. Fast forward a few months to the release of Playroom and the opportunity to sew for the Art Gallery Fabrics (artgalleryfabrics.com) Look Book. THAT was an exciting day. I saw these fabrics and instantly thought of which I’d use for a quilt, which would be “perfect” binding, those I wanted to save for English Paper Piecing and the ideas kept swirling. I was so anxious to begin. To not only have the chance to sew, but also be published in their book of inspiration, was a dream come true.

The entire collection brought me back to the days when my children were small and I was trying to teach them manners and the Golden Rule. Seriously, the “Playroom Rules” is among my favorites, with the positive affirmations and so many fonts. I love fabric with text.

The very first thing I made once the fabric arrived was a jelly-roll rug. Let’s start with a good foundation, right?

This rug requires quite a bit of straight line sewing, so make sure you have more thread than you think you need. Remember that comment about being anxious to start? Let’s just say, there was a lot of “bobbin-chicken” going on one day. I should have hit pause before I jumped in. In the end, it all worked out and I LOVE the finished product. And to top it off, since it’s made with quilting cotton, it’s machine washable. Even better.

Next was the Reflections Quilt, a pattern by Suzy Quilts (suzyquilts.com). This is the second time I’ve sewn this pattern and it goes together very quickly. The wide bands of fabric beautifully showcase a variety of prints. I made the baby size quilt; the pattern includes additional measurements for other finishes.

Last, but not least, were three quilted nesting buckets. When I think back to my children’s playroom, I remember it being easier to stay organized, yet still fun, through the use of storage containers and buckets. I wasn’t sewing back then, but if I had been, you would have seen a lot more of these little goodies in every corner! In graduated sizes, they easily corral small toys, crayons or colored pencils and even a plant looks good tucked inside. I lined each of these buckets in a coordinating print, all have the same accent band for a cohesive look. The most difficult aspect of this project was wanting to make multiples of EVERYTHING because I had a hard time choosing a favorite print.

Childhood and playrooms should be fun, energetic, positive, inclusive and if you can, a time to surround yourself with super cool fabric! What better way to end the day than snuggled with your favorite person in a cuddly quilt?

In this joyful tribute to his daughter, Helena, Mathew perfectly captured designs with finger painting, alphabets, florals, hearts, melty beads, and more. There’s a saying for parenting young children that “the days are long, but the years are short”. True. Here’s to hoping we can all remain kids at heart!

Special thanks to Samantha for letting me photograph Miss K. Big, giant thank you to Mister Domestic. Working with you is the best.

All patterns were purchased by Two Terriers Studio for this project; all photos property of Two Terriers Studio. Comments and opinions are my own, not sponsored or paid.