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!!)

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.

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!

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.

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.