The finalists for our Fabric Design Contest have submitted their secondary designs, so while we get them ready to be judged, we thought we would share the designs with you and a little bit about the designer...
Meet Virginia Odien, designer of "Laundry Day"
From the moment Virginia realized she could do something herself; she did it. She's taught herself to draw, watercolor, crochet, knit, and even bead but credits her seamstress mom for sitting her in front of a sewing machine and teaching her to sew.
Virginia spent years in the theater teaching, creating costumes, acting on stage and directing. She married Bill, had two children,Liam and Zoë; and went to work in the corporate world. She found herself desperately needing a creative outlet. She bought a graphics program and taught herself to draw/paint directly on the computer instead of paper.
Three years ago she decided to make the designs she could not find in stores. She honed her skills to design specifically for textiles and hasn't looked back since. Her designs are quirky, fun, happy textiles that encourage quilters and crafters to color outside of the box and grin while doing it.
In her spare time she relaxes by dreaming of textiles, sewing, beading, painting, and well, anything else that isn't spelled H O U S E W O R K.
Oct 11, 2011 at 12:23 PM So cool! I love these designs
Oct 10, 2011 at 6:44 PM Wow, this collection came together perfectly! There is a perfect mix of novelty and traditional that would appeal to everyone and be great on anything! This is definitely my favorite! Great work, Virginia!
Oct 8, 2011 at 7:02 PM bwhahaha, Hi Susan! Do you know that I just realized the lighter yellow I used is just about the color of your hallway? Whatever happens in this contest we should have a sewing date; maybe make some laundry bags! btw, the birdies can be in your laundry room in the winter to cheer it up and armadillos during the summer because we know they like the desert heat! xo
Oct 8, 2011 at 11:44 AM Do I need to change my armadillo laundry room curtains to that way cool birdie on the line with laundry??? You know I will:) I love the colors and the whimsy. Hey! What about laundry bags with some of the fabric? I think Terry might be ready for that!
Oct 5, 2011 at 5:19 PM Thanks everyone! I do hope there are many uses for my designs. For all rooms, all types of quilts and even clothing. Traditional and novelty. My idea was to have a bit of spring/summer showing...especially during the cold winter months when we all long for spring and summer.
Oct 5, 2011 at 7:45 AM love these fabrics, especially the one with the bird on the clothes line. So sweet.
Oct 4, 2011 at 9:20 PM Oh that is so beautiful and free and artful! I just love it! Birds are always a hit with me : )
Oct 4, 2011 at 3:25 PM I love it. I can already see how I can use some of the fabric and it will not be just for the laundry room. But the laundry fabric sure would dress up my baskets in that room.
Oct 4, 2011 at 12:17 PM Super cute! I especially love the one with all the clothes scattered about, and the vine used for hanging the laundry :-)
Oct 4, 2011 at 5:38 AM Lovely, lovely collection! Fun and fresh and breezy, these fabrics would be perfect so many different projects, I'd love to get my hands on some!! :)
Oct 3, 2011 at 6:32 PM Wow! This is a wonderful collection. It really feels like a lovely breezy day, perfect for hanging the laundry out; or doing something completely fun instead. I can really see using these fabrics for any number of projects. Quilting of course and decorating; but I can also see using several of the designs to make lovely summer dresses.
Oct 3, 2011 at 4:18 PM Really lovely designs. I love cute laundry, just not doing the laundry! Best of luck.
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:38 PM What a fresh and colorful collection. Not only for quilts but I could see this as window treatments for the laundry room or eve the bedroom. Love it!
Oct 3, 2011 at 2:21 PM Wonderful coordinates to an awesome, quirky and wholly original focal piece. I love the addition of the darker, "edgier" laundry!
Oct 3, 2011 at 12:42 PM wow, what a stunning collection. These designs are very beautiful ~ the blue print one makes me smile so much!
Oct 3, 2011 at 12:12 PM Fantastic collection, Virginia! I am also a big fan and am so excited to see the whole thing come together for you. This is bright, fun, creative and gorgeous. Great colors!
Oct 3, 2011 at 11:56 AM I love this collection. Fun, high-spirited, whimsical and happy...all the things I'd like actual piles of laundry to illicit, alas they don't. Love the stitching effect, cheerful colors and the overall breezy feel to everything. I look forward to seeing more of your work, Virginia! Well done.
Oct 3, 2011 at 11:51 AM What a thrilling thing to see my designs here. Thank you Connecting Threads, thanks to all the voters and thanks to all the designers that participated. I appreciate each of your comments; I'm so happy to have made it this far (and I really do hope to make it farther). It's made for a great Monday morning! I know the others have come up with some fantastic collections so the next 2 weeks are going to be filled with nail-biting! :-)
Oct 3, 2011 at 11:49 AM The color palette is really beautiful. Love that mellow shade of yellow. Simply lovely.
Oct 3, 2011 at 10:37 AM Love the colours, the birds, the whimsy.
Oct 3, 2011 at 10:03 AM What a fun fabric line. Could make me almost like doing laundry! LOL Great colors and designs.
Oct 3, 2011 at 9:54 AM This collection is sooo sooo fantastic Virginia!!! Cohesive indeed, soo joyful and creative.
I can imagine so many things done with it :) lovely!
Oct 3, 2011 at 9:24 AM I love this collection! It's very cohesive, fresh and breezy. I'm a big fan of your work Virginia.