Color Me Fabric: A Michael Miller and Mouse House Collaboration

Everyone has a bucket list, even if it is unspoken.  There are accomplishments we hope to achieve, goals that we secretly hope come true, and situations that we hope to be in.  One of my major bucket list items has come to fruition and I simply can’t believe it.  I officially have a fabric line with Michael Miller Fabrics.   (I can’t believe I just wrote those words!)  This has been over a year in the works, so it is extra incredibly special to my entire family.  The entirety of the designs were 100% created with my two amazing children in mind and I hope everyone else loves them.

Introducing: Color Me fabric designed by ME!!  Sold by the amazing Michael Miller Fabrics and printed on their amazing cotton couture line. ( won’t be available in stores until April/May!!)
ColorMe_Cover-01

Like I said, this was a year in the making, so the day that my yardage finally arrived in my mailbox and I saw these selvedges…. I cried.  I cried happy tears.  These were a result of long and happy hours.  Hours that were spent doubting myself, redrawing, redesigning, and submitting.  So, when these final fabrics arrived…. I have no words other than pure joy.  To see my name and my company that I have built all by myself on that beautiful fabric…. it was just simply joy.

color me selvedges

One year ago, I had an idea.  An idea that I knew people would like:  Coloring book style fabric that can be used for clothing and could also be purchased world wide.   I sat there on a Friday night and decided to send an email to Michael Miller fabrics, with no real expectations.  I told them my ideas.   Within 10 minutes, I heard back from them with a very enthusiastic go-ahead.   I couldn’t believe it.  Literally.   Until I saw the actual fabrics in my hands, I refused to believe it.

I started sketching and submitting.  It was months and months of work.  I worked with amazing people who helped me narrow my ideas down.   Karen, Kait, and Christine were amazing.   They were so patient and helpful.  I had never designed fabric before and they walked me through every step of the “repeats” and “scattered” and “border” designs.  I drew and redid many many times until it was perfect.

I requested to have it all printed on the 20×20/60×60 quilting cotton.  Trust me… this is SOOO different than your average quilter’s cottons.  This fabric is incredibly soft and has a wonderful drape and silkiness to it.   It is perfect for clothing, but it is also great for pillows, pencil cases, etc.  Most importantly is that it can be used for clothing.

Without further ado…. my 4 fabrics, which will be available in stores May 2015!

First up:

My princess line.   Everything about this princess fabric had to do with Ainsley in mind.  I sat down with her and asked her exactly what should be included.  We talked about unicorns, kitty cats, princess girls, clouds, castles and frogs.   Oh, and heart balloons, crowns, mushroom stools and ballerinas.   Every single thing in the border print was requested by Ainsley.  The allover print was more “me” but I made sure to include hearts, flowers, crowns, and butterflies!

color me 24

color me 27

color-me-24

The space print was absolutely ideal for Ethan.  He is my math and science guy and I knew that there is a need for “boy prints”.  Even though this is a “boy print”, I know that many girls would love this too.   Ethan and I talked about what should be included and it was rockets, big planets, space ships, astronauts, stars, and martians.   I made sure to sketch all of them.  Ethan disagrees with my inaccurate planet drawings (and also tells me all the time), but you can only please so many people HAHHA.    He said, “Mommy, you clearly don’t know how to draw Saturn… would you like me to show you?”    Love it.  And I love Ethan.cover me 27

color me 28

color-me-25

This line was obviously created with coloring in mind, which I know is freaking some of you out.  Color on fabric??????  Teach kids to color on clothes or accessories?   I get it.   However, I think this fabric could look cool with or without coloring.   You can color it before making something, color it afterwards, or just not color it at all!

Some of the projects I imagine:  pencil cases, aprons, skirts, dresses, pillows, iPad covers, curtains, duvet covers, tote bags, lunch bags, stuffed animals, hats, framed artworks, and many more.  Stay tuned to the bloggers that will be helping me showcase this!

It will be amazing… I promise.

color-me-11

I made both Ethan and Ainsley coloring pillow cases and they were so floored. ( pillowcase tutorial on Monday!)

They sleep with them every night and I can see them being a treasured item.
color-me-3

color-me-17 color-me-13

color-me-18 color-me-12

color-me-23 color-me-22 color-me-20 color-me-19 color-me-16 color-me-15 color-me-14

 

Check back Monday for the full and EASY pillowcase tutorial.  Even a little kid can make one.  I promise!
color me pillowcase tutorial opening preview

 

Thanks to Michael Miller Fabrics for believing in me and working with me.  I am so thrilled to finally get this party started!

Hayley
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Hayley

Hayley Crouse is a wife, mother and multifaceted designer. Her love of sewing, crafting, cooking and interior design infuses her daily life and naturally spills over into her online presence. She pushes the envelope of her creativity and hopes that others will be inspired to do the same. She currently authors the Welcome to the Mouse House Blog, is the pattern designer behind Mouse House Creations and is a collaborative designer with Willow & Co. Patterns.
Hayley
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87 Responses to Color Me Fabric: A Michael Miller and Mouse House Collaboration

  1. Beth Blank February 20, 2015 at 8:18 am #

    Genius. Congratulations! I’ll have a bolt of each, please! I once sent my sister on a hunt at a certain store to buy coloring book fabric after seeing your coloring book dress a few years ago. This line is going to be great. And my 5 year old still wants to wear the pink and green Georgia dress we got from you.

  2. Nienke de Jong February 20, 2015 at 8:45 am #

    Wow, so this is the secret project! Congrats, it’s fabulous!!

  3. Shelly Morgan February 20, 2015 at 8:45 am #

    Wow! Simply Amazing! You are having on super wonderful year, Congrats on the wild ride. You are a truly beautiful Creator.

  4. carin February 20, 2015 at 9:08 am #

    This is so cool. Congratulations. I cant wait to order this for both my son and daughter.

  5. Erin February 20, 2015 at 9:12 am #

    Oh wow!!! They are all absolutely perfect!! The paisley is by far my fav. Congrats!!!!

  6. Sheena February 20, 2015 at 9:15 am #

    Hayley these are both awesome!! I can not wait to purchase all four of them. Congrats on your dreams coming true!! So happy for you!!

  7. Kayla O. February 20, 2015 at 9:19 am #

    Forget the kids… I wanna get my hands on that and color, lol! Congrats, Haley!!

  8. Mindy February 20, 2015 at 9:20 am #

    Beautiful job done! I have been looking for something like this and what perfect timing! Now if April/May will get here… 🙂

  9. Melissa Q. February 20, 2015 at 9:21 am #

    This is pure spectacular brilliance! How exciting Hayley. The fabric looks amazing. We made pillows like this out of some Ikea fabric in black and white and my boys loved it but your fabric takes it to a whole new level! The designs are great…imagine a whole sheet set! And, oooh Cotton Coutoure is so scrumptious! Yay for you…so awesome but not at all surprising!

  10. British American February 20, 2015 at 9:21 am #

    Wow, this is great! And I especially love the princess paisley since that would still appeal to my 9 year old daughter who is past the princess phase. My sons would love the space fabric too. Hope I can find this when it’s available. 🙂

  11. suzanne February 20, 2015 at 9:22 am #

    you are amazing, and these fabrics are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COngrats on such a wonderful endeavor!!!

  12. Andrea February 20, 2015 at 9:22 am #

    Yay! Such great fabric!!

  13. Robin Hill February 20, 2015 at 9:24 am #

    Congrats, Hayley! You rock, so proud of you.

  14. Maria February 20, 2015 at 9:34 am #

    Congratulations! It is a great achievement and you should be very proud of your work, it is very beautiful and a fantastic idea.

  15. VickiT February 20, 2015 at 9:37 am #

    VERY cool! I am sure this will be a huge seller for you. I know I’ll want to make things for my Grandchildren already. They’ll have such fun coloring with anything made from these fabrics.

  16. Deb. February 20, 2015 at 9:40 am #

    Doing the happy dance for you, with you! These fabrics are so fun, I gotta get me some!

  17. Gail February 20, 2015 at 9:44 am #

    Wow ,what a wonderful idea. Can’t wait for this to come out. My kids are going to love this.

  18. Jaime R February 20, 2015 at 9:54 am #

    Wow! That’s awesome! My kids and I, are going to love this. Congratulations on your very own fabric line, and making your dreams come true.

  19. Nicole Laws February 20, 2015 at 10:01 am #

    I love this . I think it will be a big hit . I will take a bolt of each as well 😉 . I already have some projects in mind 🙂 . Congratulations !!!!

  20. jeanine February 20, 2015 at 10:06 am #

    so awesome!!!! LOVE the fabric! those little fairies you drew are gorgeous!!!

  21. Beryl Brown February 20, 2015 at 10:09 am #

    Where is the colour me fabric available to purchase and how much. What a fantastic idea

  22. Jenny February 20, 2015 at 10:55 am #

    Yay! Congratulations, Hayley! I’m so excited to see finally see the pictures! You must be so proud. 🙂 They look amazing! I think I know what to make my niece for her birthday this May. 😉

  23. Courtney Davis February 20, 2015 at 11:08 am #

    So awesome! Congrats on a job well done!

  24. Sara Speight February 20, 2015 at 11:28 am #

    Colour in bags have been big in our house so colour in fabric will be a huge hit! What great idea!

  25. Crystal February 20, 2015 at 11:57 am #

    So SO awesome! Congrats, Hayley!!!!!

  26. Audrey February 20, 2015 at 1:56 pm #

    You have designed the perfect fabric for kids! So proud of you, and can’t wait until it’s available!

  27. Ginger February 20, 2015 at 1:57 pm #

    These look sooooo fun!!! Ethan and Ainsley look like they had a great time coloring their pillowcases!

  28. Jenny February 20, 2015 at 2:58 pm #

    Hayley Congratulations on your fabric line!! How fun for kids all over the world! I’m so happy for you!!
    Jenny
    Seamingly Smitten

  29. Cera Dudas February 20, 2015 at 4:02 pm #

    These fabrics were almost awesome, so close. Instead you chose to peg in children with traditional gender stereotypes…. in 2015. Would it have been so difficult to include a knight and maybe a dragon in the royal theme? And all the space one would have needed was a girl astronaut too. Instead this fabric perpetuates the sterotype that girls are not interested in space (because that would require math skills) and instead should only focus on being hyper stylized princesses to be saved. And boys should only like ray guns, no enjoy fantasy. I really do think this was a great idea in theory, but the execution falls short.

    I am sure this was not your intent , but everything children are exposed to, including so much gender bias in everything made for children, it is past time for designers to step up and be aware of the consequences of their work. I would love to buy a similar fabric, that has been corrected and the negative images correcred.

    • Chris February 20, 2015 at 9:59 pm #

      Are you freaking kidding me?! Get a grip!

    • Nicole February 22, 2015 at 7:56 pm #

      As a parent I don’t rely on society to break stereotypes . . . that’s my job as a parent. Growing up I played with Barbies, which in turn drove monster trucks in the sandbox. I agree with the past comment, GET A GRIP. This is an amazing product and as women we should be celebrating with other women and validating each others creativity.

    • Debbie February 22, 2015 at 9:07 pm #

      Perhaps you can design YOUR own line and make it how YOU like it.

  30. Camille February 20, 2015 at 4:05 pm #

    Super cute and exciting! In addition to these (I’m already creating your next line!), I would love to see more gender neutral or inclusive prints…girls can be astronauts, too!

    • Hayley February 21, 2015 at 12:26 am #

      The astronaut was actual designed to be gender neutral…. there is nothing “boy” about it…. have your girly enjoy! just like mine does!

  31. breanne February 20, 2015 at 4:10 pm #

    congratulations! we are looking forward to stocking these at Mama made and beautiful!!

  32. delia February 20, 2015 at 7:12 pm #

    This is so amazing Hayley! I’ve already pinned it. I can’t wait to see it pop up all over the sewing blog-o-sphere. I am ecstatic for you!

  33. Penya, An apprentice housewife February 20, 2015 at 9:35 pm #

    Congrats! These fabrics are awesome. They are must have item for is.

  34. Leonie February 20, 2015 at 10:29 pm #

    Seriously looking forward to getting hold of some!

  35. Karen February 21, 2015 at 6:54 am #

    oh my goodness!!! They are spectacular!!! I have a feeling I’ll be coloring these along with my daughter!! I can’t wait!!!

  36. Kylie February 21, 2015 at 7:27 am #

    I have 4 girls who will go nuts for this fabric. Looking forward to it coming out. Michael Miller fabrics are fabulous. Congratulations.

  37. Brenda S February 21, 2015 at 12:35 pm #

    I cannot stop coming back to keep looking at this. So in love.

  38. Pamela Coughlin February 21, 2015 at 3:50 pm #

    Can’t wait for this fabric to come out! Know some grandkids that will love it!

  39. Lisa in Port Hope February 21, 2015 at 8:19 pm #

    So awesome! I will be watching for these! Wouldn’t the space fabric be perfect for an i-spy boy quilt too?

  40. Diane Stephen February 22, 2015 at 9:48 am #

    Haley…this is so amazing…don’t let a few negative people get you down. Wanted to ask about washing instructions after being colored…cold water and tumble dry, I’m assuming?

  41. shantel February 23, 2015 at 10:51 am #

    Hayley that fabric is amazing! I can’t wait to try it. Good job for following your dreams and making an idea come to life!

  42. Janelle D February 25, 2015 at 10:38 am #

    OHMIGOSH!!!!! I must have some! I can see school break activities for my 6 kids (okay, and maybe for myself too), and birthday gifts for all the hard-to-buy-for tween friends of my kids. Pillow cases and a pack of fabric markers! And a skirt for my girls and shorts for my boys! ahhhh!

  43. Tanya handley March 9, 2015 at 11:10 pm #

    That fabric is awesome. A few months back I used some fabric that had cows pigs and owls on it as it had a black outline on white fabric.great for kids to colour themselves and it was a hit.
    This fabric is what I’ve been looking for for awhile now I can’t wait till it’s out.

  44. Jan Graziano April 6, 2015 at 11:25 pm #

    I am part of a group of ladies that (as part of our charity) color and quilt ornaments for a Christmas tree, and color and quilt blocks in to quilts for a children’s hospital. It is very difficult finding suitable patterns or designs in childrens’ coloring books (or on the web) that will work. Do hope you will design more in the “Color Me” line.

    Thanks for designing this fabric – looking forward to getting yardage. On what we do, we use freezer paper backing to stabilize and Derwent Watercolor Pencils to color. We set the colors with clear Alo Vera gel or Sherry Rogers Harrison’s Ink Fusion or Paint Fusion. sewfarsogood.com. Then we heat set, and wash the quilt blocks to make sure that the color doesn’t run. (It doesn’t)

    • Hayley May 3, 2015 at 1:05 pm #

      You’re welcome, Jan. I can’t say, yet, if I’ll be designing more for the Color Me Line, . . . maybe. (wink wink)

  45. Kelly April 10, 2015 at 2:58 am #

    I have got to have this fabric… When is it available in the UK please? X

    • Hayley May 3, 2015 at 12:45 pm #

      I’m so glad you like the Color Me Fabric line, Kelly. There are several shops in the UK that will be selling it, but I will try to get an accurate list. You can also order internationally online.

  46. Barb Loberger April 12, 2015 at 9:17 am #

    Love this fabric. I haven’t been able to find a store near me that carries it. Is there an online way to purchase it? Thanks, Barb

    • Jan Graziano April 15, 2015 at 4:47 pm #

      I ordered mine from the Fat Quarter Shop. Suppose to be delivered today.

  47. lisa April 15, 2015 at 7:49 am #

    I make dolls and how awesome would this fabric be for a color me doll. Perfect gift for boy or girl with a pkg of fabric markers to tho with it! I’m so excited and hoping it will be in a store near me!!!!!

  48. Tiffany April 22, 2015 at 10:29 am #

    Congratulations! this gives me hopes that my dreams can come true too…I have soooo many though…I should narrow them down 🙂

    • Hayley April 26, 2015 at 10:46 am #

      Thank you so much Tiffany!

  49. Cucicucicoo: Ecological Living September 6, 2015 at 3:47 am #

    Whoa, that is so cool! I’ve found other “colorable” fabrics, but none on nice smooth cotton fabric. Congratulations! Such an amazing experience! 🙂 Lisa

  50. meanlean28 October 6, 2015 at 10:55 pm #

    where would I purchase this?

  51. Kelly October 23, 2015 at 7:05 am #

    Hi, are there any guidelines on which pens to use for colouring in please? Should they be permanent markers. thanks

    • Hayley October 30, 2015 at 8:34 pm #

      Hi Kelly. Many craft stores carry fabric markers designed specifically for coloring or writing on fabric. You can also order them online.

  52. Gail November 25, 2015 at 11:32 pm #

    Should the Color Me fabric be pre-washed before coloring ?

    • Hayley December 11, 2015 at 12:25 pm #

      If you prewash, I don’t recommend using fabric softner.

  53. Betty December 13, 2015 at 5:18 pm #

    I found your fabric at a local quilt shop and bought 1/2 yard for each of three grandchildren…… planning on making a pillow case by adding more fabric…….. I decided to make each a quilt… put the panel in the middle with an 18 inch border. Thank you for your inspiration.

  54. Robin January 5, 2016 at 1:22 pm #

    Do you think you could you use the Crayola Fabric Crayons to color your fabric if I ironed freezer paper to the back for some stability??

    • Hayley January 18, 2016 at 10:33 am #

      yes definitely!

  55. Valentina March 19, 2016 at 9:11 pm #

    Привет! Я живу в России. И у нас такой ткани я не видела. Она чудесная. У детей и взрослых есть возможность создавать красоту своими руками и пользоваться этой красотой. Спасибо за шедевр!!!

  56. Connie March 23, 2016 at 5:17 am #

    Hi are the colour me fabrics out yet.i woul love some and where can i buy them?

  57. Jenny July 2, 2016 at 3:33 pm #

    I’m putting your “to the moon” fabric up in my sixth grade science classroom and using it as a reward everyday for students. So for each period I’ll pick a student who was doing a good job and they can color something on the bulletin board. The board is 4′ by 9′ so it’s huge. Advice… What kind of fabric pens will not bleed through? I want to be prepared on day 1 for students to choose and color! 🙂

    • Hayley July 7, 2016 at 5:37 pm #

      that is awesome! I would use either tulip fabric markers or sharpies!

  58. Rachel July 5, 2016 at 3:53 pm #

    Hi, If you use crayola washable markers on this fabric would the color wash out so you could color it over and over again? or is it a one time color situation? I think this is an absolutely amazing idea!! My daughter, who i have always encouraged not to be gender specific, is obsessed with princesses and everything your daughter loves and put into the fabric. No matter what we encourage with our children sometimes they do want they want to do – like a love for pink in mine (pink being a color i am not a fan of haha). Congrats!!

    • Hayley July 7, 2016 at 5:36 pm #

      Yes I know a few people that have done that and they told me it worked!

  59. Diann hepler April 15, 2018 at 7:59 pm #

    I absolutely love this fabric. I’ve finished the “what a hoot”the woodland scenes; paisley butterflies; thee fish and paisley. Waiting anxiously for new patterns. Hope there will be some soon.

  60. jan stralka January 3, 2019 at 8:43 pm #

    do you have black & white fabric that can be colored with a Paris theme?

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

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