Lotsa blues in our Love That Fabric! picks this merry, merry month of May. Spring never really seems sprung until May to me, when we actually start to see blue sky in the Pacific Northwest. Baby birds enter flight school and flowers begin to bloom like they mean it. Everything is fresh and clean... and blue. Our picks for May...

Berkeley

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This pretty new collection is by Alice Kennedy for Timeless Treasures. It comes in two colorways: Bubblegum in pinks and purples with a touch of citron, and Peacock – blues with citron and olive.

The peacock blues have a breath-of-fresh-air boldness that would make a stunning pile of pillows on the bed or sofa (here's a cheery & easy-to-make Nature Brights Kitchen.

View the full collection here.

Beyond the Sea

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This is the second collection for Cloud9 Fabrics. The Cloud9 team is committed to using 100% certified organic cotton and solvent-free inks and dyes for printing. Designer Michelle Engel Bencsko has captured the essence of the seashore with her soft retro palette and casual designs.

There are seven prints and three solids in the collection. A smaller collection than many, but it doesn't feel limited since they mix beautifully anyway you like; and having the coordinating solids is so helpful. This collection is perfect for a light and cheery nursery (curtains), or really any home accessory project. I'm thinking about making a beach tote using Pod, Coral Weed and Sand Dollar (all shown above). Now, I have craving for saltwater taffy and a barefoot walk in the sand.

View the full collection here.

Playday

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By SEI for Robert Kaufman Fabrics. Classified as a children's novelty fabric, it would be so cute for a kiddo's room – especially the elephant and multi-animal prints. There is also a nice selection of small prints with a whimsical retro feel, which would be darling on small accessories. The chirpy birds, retro rectangles and spring leaves would be a sweet mix for a travel pouch.

See the full collection here.

Art Journal

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By Bari J. Ackerman for Windham Fabrics; each print seems like a framable work of art. I love that little bird on a limb. I mean, I REALLY love that bird. She's such a sweet downy spring bird. Bari's designs are uniquely hers and just do not look like anything else I've seen. In addition to the prints shown above she has freehand lettering blended with florals (and tiny birds!) and some fun dots and stripes.

You can do anything with this line from home décor and accessories to clothing. Bari has her own line of bags and accessories, and this collection would make darling clutches or shoulder bags. FYI, I'm going to do something with that bird; and my personal stash includes a bunch of treasured cuts from her first collection, Full Bloom.

See the full collection here.

Bari's blog.

AND, Bari's special made-for-Sew4Home projects:

 

• Art Journal Pinwheel Play Mat: Guest Tutorial by Bari J. Ackerman
• Art Journal Super-Stylin' Appliquéd Burp Cloth: Guest Tutorial by Bari J.

 

Finding Fabric

If you see a particular fabric online that you like, you can check your favorite fabric source to find out if they have it in stock or can get it for you. You can also try Googling the fabric name along with the designer's name or the design house, for example: "Art Journal" Windham. Prints from older collections can sometimes be found on Etsy or eBay . If you love a fabric, get it while you can. Because like fashionable apparel, popular fabrics come and go; at some point even the most amazing fabrics are no longer in stores or online.