We are so thrilled to be one of the stops on Angela Pingel’s Curious Dream Blog Hop! It’s been so fun to see all of the posts so far. From pillows to mini quilts to zippy pouches… there are already so many fabulous projects! Make sure to check out all of the stops along the way. Each day offers a brand new chance to win a FQ bundle! We’ve got lots of great stuff for you today — info about Angela’s new thread collections, an interview with Angela to uncover some of the inspiration behind Curious Dream, and a tutorial! That’s right… a super sweet, super simple, Toddler Tote Tutorial. So settle in and have fun!
CURIOUS DREAM
Jump down the rabbit hole with Angela Pingel‘s debut collection, Curious Dream. Inspired by the whimsy of Alice’s adventures through Wonderland and the Looking Glass, this collection calls to the dreamer in all of us. The subtle theme is perfect for any true lover of the fantastical world, but is also perfect for staples to your stash. You will find yourself smiling over the soft rainbow of colors and the details of the design. Angela’s accompanying Aurifil Thread Collection is a sweet lineup of large spools in both 50wt and 12wt — perfect for all your project needs!
[click here or on the image above to check out the lookbook!]
THREAD COLLECTION
Curious Dream
12 Large Spools, 50wt (1422yds/spool)
2024 – 2615 – 2610 – 2805 – 5005 – 2783 – 2420 – 6729 – 2105 (50wt)
2105 – 2024 – 2860 (12wt)
To view this info on our website, click on any of the images above. For purchasing, please contact your local Aurifil Dealer.
THE INTERVIEW
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you first got started in the world of sewing and quilting?
I was born and raised in South Bend, IN (Go Irish!) and I’m a midwest girl who loves to create. I’ve been sewing for as long as I can remember and I started with garment sewing. My mom did a bit of sewing for me and knew enough to teach me how to read a basic pattern. I took that information and ran with it. I’m completely self taught…so in some ways I feel like I have sooo much to learn. But I’ve dabbled in pretty much everything.
I was introduced to quilting in particular in high school and made my very first project (a twin size quilt) from an Eleanor Burns book. It was for my college dorm bed. And I still have that quilt today. I’ve been quilting away ever since! I have degrees in mathematics and interior design, so it seems that fabric and quilt design were always in my future even though I didn’t know it.
Did you always know that you’d be in a creative field, or did you take other career stops along the way?
LOL! No! I knew that I would always be creative but I assumed that it would be a hobby like it is for most people. It’s a lovely hobby to be creative and create with pressure actually. I thought long and hard about turning it into a career because it can be easy to lose the joy you once had under the demands of the field. But my path seems to have been leading me here in spite of myself. I actually always thought that I would be in academics. I LOVE school and learning as well. In fact I was going to pursue a masters in library science but ended up getting a second degree in Interior Design instead. But first I taught Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Precalculus and Chemistry.
Do you remember the process of creating your first quilt and how you felt once it was finished?
Oh Yes! Remember, I’m totally self taught, so I needed a book that taught me how to use a rotary cutter! I’m dating myself, but there were certainly no online tutorials or you tube videos for me to watch. It was all about reading and paying attention to details. I still remember that I miscut or mis–sewed a bunch of the pieces and had to unpick them and redo them. I was working a desk job over the summer and was able to use my down time to become friends with my seam ripper. I had to buy new sashing for the quilt too because I had miscut that as well. Oh good times. lol But I loved that quilt and was SO proud of myself for making the entire quilt from start to finish. I did stitch in the ditch quilting and am proud to say that the quilt is still in amazing condition.
What is your favorite thing to make? Do you prefer quilting over creating smaller projects like home accessories or handbags, or vice versa?
I’ve learned the hard way that making bags is not my favorite thing to do. I certainly CAN make them and can even design them quite well. But I finally gave myself permission to say that they are just not my favorite thing to make. As for quilts vs small projects, I am convinced that for me personally I need to have a healthy balance of the two. In an ideal world, I would have just two projects going at a time and one would be a larger quilt and the other would always be a smaller project. I love the joy of accomplishing something monumental like a quilt, but it can be necessary for my moral to have smaller projects finished more frequently. Plus that way you can dabble with more fabrics! Always a plus!
How did you first connect with Windham Fabrics and what do you love most about working with them?
I connected with Windham fabrics at Quilt Market and intiroduced myself to them via the standard channels of approaching a company. I actually did this with a bunch of companies and did what I like to call speed dating at that market. I had meetings with the creative directors for the companies and showed them my portfolio. I had a long list of interview questions that I had for each company because not only did I want to design fabric, but I wanted to do it with the company that would be the best fit for me. I immediately felt a connection with Windham because of their small yet big presence. They have a plethora of talent among their designers but treat us all like we are equally important. I loved their openness to my concepts and designs and really appreciate the freedom I have to design what I am interested in. Communication has been great which is an essential part of working with a company for me. Actually there is really nothing I can say that I dislike about them! So I think we are a great fit.
Curious Dream is your debut collection with Windham. Can you tell us a bit more about the line and what inspired its creation?
It’s been a dream of mine to design fabric for a long time, but I was anxious about breaking into this new aspect of the quilting world. I knew that I needed a design based off of something that I adored to give me the confidence to push through. So Alice in Wonderland came to me. At the time I thought that it was completely original to do this concept, but the stars aligned so that many people thought this was a good idea as well. lol So now you can find a number of glorious lines about Alice. But what I love about true design is that even with the same inspiration, we all ended up with vastly different lines from each other. My personal goal in design is to marry whimsy with practicality. In fact it’s almost my personal motto for life. I really wanted to explore the character of Alice in such a way that the line felt whimsical but not novelty. It’s a tough balance. Using a children’s story with existing illustrations can be difficult to break free from and create another unique version. For me, it was important to go back to the text and read the book with a highlighter; taking note of anything that caught my design eye. I was interested in the FEEL of the book rather than recreating any exact moment.
The lookbook for Curious Dream is absolutely fabulous. What was it like to pull all of the props together for that photoshoot? Did you actually make that amazing moss chair?
Oh thank you so much! I really appreciate that. The look book was a labor of love. I knew that I was tackling more props than I probably needed to, but creating wonderland is not something you get to do every day. I wanted the back drop to support the idea of the story but in no way overshadow the fabric and its story. Thankfully I had a wonderful photographer and I wasn’t the one trying to both run the shoot and be in charge of all the props and outfits and be a model AND then also take the photographs.
And that moss chair!! Yes!! I did make it. I actually have a tutorial for how to make one yourself on my website. Because sometimes you just need a moss chair 😉
Your daughter plays the role of Alice in the lookbook — was it fun to create projects with her in mind for this collection?
Isn’t she just the cutest?! It was so very fun to design the projects with her in mind. I even took her with me to find the chair I used for the moss chair because I wanted to make sure that she looked a bit dwarfed in it. And then designing the Alice look for her was one of the most fun fabric combos I got to do. Because once again, how often do you get to design an Alice costume…and with your own fabrics no less?! Oh and she insisted on having some real liquid in that tea party scene. She’s a very method model. lol
When did you first discover Aurifil threads and what do you love most about them? Do you have a favorite color/weight?
I’ve been using Aurifil for years now!! They generously supplied the thread for my book, A Quilter’s Mixology, and numerous other projects I’ve been a part of. I think what I love most about them is that they are available in so many different weights. There is literally a thread for all of your needs. I probably use the 40 or 50 weight the most often but the 12 weight is awesome for thick quilting lines. And I am anxious to try the new 80 weight! I think that would be amazing for EPP. And who wouldn’t love the floss on wooden spools? Those get me every time!
How did you go about selecting threads for your latest Aurifil collection?
Again, I wanted practicality and whimsy. So I matched threads to my collection colors of course, but I wanted more than just that. I made sure that I included the kind of colors that are truly USEFUL. So there are plenty of neutrals, blues and corals…all colors that pretty hot right now in general. So whether you are using them for my collection or with other fabrics you own, they are universally on point. Also, I wanted to make sure that there were some different weight threads in the box. If you will be buying an entire box of thread, I want you to get the most bang for your buck. (There’s my practical side kicking in). So I included another weight other than a piecing weight. I included the 3 spools of 12 weight thread in colors that will pop for the opportunity to do some special heavy weight machine quilting. I actually have a blog post about quilting with that as well!
TODDLER TOTE TUTORIAL
1. Cut: two 9” x 11” rectangles each of outer fabric, lining fabric and fusible fleece, two 20” x 3” strips of strap fabric, two 19” x 1-1/5” strips of fusible fleece, one 4” x 5” rectangle each of white fabric and EZ-STeam II and one 3″ x 3” square each of appliqué fabric and EZ-Steam II.
2. Fuse the 9” x 11” rectangles of Fusible Fleece to the wrong sides of the outer fabric rectangles. Set aside.
3. Remove the plain paper backing of the 4″ x 5″ EZ-Steam II rectangle and press the sticky side to the wrong side of the white fabric. Press with a hot dry iron. Let cool. Cut along all 4 edges with pinking shears. Set aside.
4. Trace child’s initial onto the gridded side of 3″ x 3″ EZ-Steam II square. Make sure the letter is traced in reverse.
5. Remove the plain paper backing from the EZ-Steam II and finger press sticky side to the wrong side of the applique fabric. Press with a hot dry iron. Let cool. Cut letter out.
6. Remove gridded paper backing from the white rectangle, center within the top 2/3 of one outer fabric rectangle and finger press to secure.
7. Remove gridded paper backing from the letter and center within the white fabric rectangle. Fuse.
8. Top stitch around letter and rectangle to secure and embellish as desired.
9. Mark and cut out a 1” notch on the bottom left & right hand corners or outer and lining rectangles.
10. Place outer rectangles right sides together and pin along both sides and bottom. Stitch using a ¼” seam allowance along both sides and bottom.
11. Open up the left corner notch and press together, aligning raw edges and seam. Pin and sew. Repeat with the right corner notch.
12. Repeat steps 10 & 11 with the lining rectangles, making sure to leave a 3” gap along the bottom seam for turning.
13. Turn outer bag right side out.
14. To make the straps, center the Fusible Fleece strips on the wrong sides of the strap fabric strips and fuse. Fold short ends in over the edge of the Fusible Fleece and press. Fold strips in half lengthwise and press. Open and fold long edges in to meet the center crease. Press. Re-fold center crease and topstitch around all four sides.
15. Place outer bag inside lining, with right sides together and match seams. Pin on either side of seams to secure.
16. Tuck one strap in between exterior and lining, with raw edges aligned, so that the outside edges of the straps are 1” in from the side seams of the bag. Repeat with second strap.
17. Pin around the entire opening and sew, reinforcing seams over all 4 strap ends.
18. Turn bag right side out through the gap. Stitch gap closed and push lining into bag.
19. Straighten lining and pin top seam to prevent shifting. Topstitch.
THE GIVEAWAY
The Curious Dream Giveaway is closed. Congratulations to our winner Dorie Esquivel!
THE SCHEDULE
Monday, December 12th — Windham Fabrics
Tuesday , December 13th — Kelly Bowser, Kelby Sews
Wednesday, December 14th — Brooke Sellmann, Silly Mama Quilts
Thursday, December 15th — Wendy Sheppard, Ivory Spring
Friday, December 16th — Rebecca Bryan, Bryan House Quilts
Saturday, December 17th — Chris Dodsley, Made by ChrissieD
Sunday December 18th — Aurifil (YOU ARE HERE!)
Monday, December 19th — Jennie, Clover & Violet
Tuesday, December 20th — Stephanie Kendron, Modern Sewciety
Wednesday, December 21st — Joanne, The Fat Quarter Gypsy
Thursday, December 22nd — Heidi Staples, Fabric Mutt
Friday, December 23rd — Round up post at Windham Fabrics
ABOUT ANGELA
Website — Facebook — Instagram — Pinterest
Angela is a 30’s something wife and mom, winding her way between family life and fabric. She’s been sewing for as long as she can remember, and even did various super cool things such as making her prom dress, a quilt for her college dorm room and her flower girl dresses. Well, those things *might* be cool now, but they definitely weren’t then.
Angela is the author of the book A Quilter’s Mixology, on quilting using variations of the Drunkard’s Path Block. She has filmed a DVD on sewing curves available through Quilting Arts and also has a class on Craftsy using precuts to make disappearing blocks. She has been published in numerous magazines and books including 99 Modern Blocks, Sweet Celebrations, 101 Patchwork Projects, Modern Patchwork, Quilt Scene, Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects, Quiltmaker’s 100 blocks, and more.
[collection images and bio courtesy of Angela Pingel]
Gorgeous collection. Thanks so much for sharing
I would use the beautiful “Curious Dream” collection in a quilt–maybe a churn dash or flying geese.
I’d make an apron!
Love your Toddler Tote-so sweet! These fabrics are divine! Other than a quilt, maybe an apron & matching kitchen essentials (hot pads,kitchen towels, etc.) Thank you, Susan
Beautiful fabric and love the tote! This fabric would make a gorgeous flying geese quilt!
Beautiful fabrics! I think it would make a lovely baby quilt, something that would work equally well as she grows up.
Love the soft yet clear colors and patterns.
Thank you for the chance to win such a pretty collection. For the moment, the fabric would be in my stash. I can see making a log cabin quilt and a tote or fabric boxes for the sewing room.
Really like this collection! I can see these in a butterfly quilt for which I have the pattern.
I love fabric with words and letters! I would make a wall hanging for my sewing space!
I would like to make a quilt with these beautiful fabrics.
I love the fabric and the thread, all of the pictures are beautiful
I’d like to make a cheerful quilt
Loved Angela’s story. Her fabric and thread choices are fabulous.
Oh the possibilities! This is quite a conundrum. . . I think I would share with the toddler totes for two little girls I know, then an apron for me, and some mini quilts and runners… lovely collection! Beautiful thread choices!
The tote is daring. I’d make some for my granddaughters.
i would make a sweet baby quilt and pillow.
Curious Dream is such an awesome collection and I would have such fun creating with it! I’d make a set of placemats and matching napkins with the fabric for my dining room table. If there was enough fabric leftover, a beautiful table runner would be made too!
I would love to make a throw quilt with this fabric and thread.
Love the toddler totes, and a larger quilt. Reminds you of summer, on this cold frosty day. Beautiful collection.
I would love to make a quilt for my granddaughter with this wonderful fabric and thread!
Thank you so much for the very interesting interview. I think I’d make a quilt with the fabrics, perhaps choosing a drunkard’s path from Angela’s book.
Beautiful fabrics and threads. Thanks for the great giveaway. One of my granddaughters will be graduating from high school this year and this fabric would make a wonderful quilt for her graduation present.
I have a granddaughter who would love a quilt made from those wonderful fabrics. Thanks for the bag tutorial.
I would love to make her book nerd quilt. Oh my it looks great! Thank you for the giveaway.
I’d make some new project bags for my 2017 knitting projects!
I would love to make a cuddle up on the couch quilt with these fabrics!
Lol, on the latest giveaway I said I wanted To make a tote for my little 2 year old granddaughter because she is OBSESSED with carrying her OWN things HERSELF in her very own bag like a big girl when she comes to grandmas house every day as I babysit her everyday for her parents. So, you gave me an adorable tote above, THANK YOU 🙂 So, I would use this fabric to make her that tote! She is a very independent minded little girl. I fear I might have instilled that into her more than I meant to, haha. Oopsie.
I love the line, some really beautiful. I think I am going to make the tote for my 2 year old niece. Thank you for the tutorial and the chance to win.
would love to make a quilt and some pillows
I think I would like to make some of these cute totes!
Curious Dream is so precious and I’d have to wear it….Boho blouses, summer skirts & lounge pants.
Of course I’d have to stitch up that toddler tote…too cute, and practical!
I so love the fabric and thread colors! Thanks so much for your inspiration and support. tljeo at yahoo dot com
They are lovely! Thank you.
I would make a lap quilt!
I love these designs! What would I make?! Anything and everything … from a large quilt to a mini to a bag to …. whatever my heart desires! It’s a great line!!! If not my favorite than darn close to it!! Love the colors, patterns, etc.!!
Thank you for the opportunity to win these fabulous items. I would definitely make a quilt !
I would like to make a lap quilt for my granddaughter.
Pillow covers would be fun to make with these.
I love the distinctive looks of your projects. I’d love to win and make a quilt from your fabrics. And we do love our Aurifil threads, don’t we. Your selection of colors are perfect. Thanks.
I would like to add a solid or two and make a lap quilt with the beautiful fabrics. Piecing and quilting with Aurifil thread would make it perfect!
I’d love to make a library tote for my sister from this fabric.
I would like to make an Alice in Wonderland quilt!
I’d make a lap quilt and tote bag with this lovely fabric!
Thank you for the chance to win such a pretty collection. I’d like to make a new bed quilt and matching pillow shams! THANK YOU!
Who can decide! I’d have to fondle if for a while first!
Wow …had not thought of that for the corners on a tote!
Gotta give it a try
I’d like to make a bag!
Since my name is Alice, I am a AiW nut and collector of all things Alice. This line is fantastic and I libe the thread box contains both 50 and 12! I’d like to make a larger quilt but also some fun sewing project bags. Great post!
Love this Bundle!!! GORGEOUS!!! And the pictures are all sooo Special & Bbeautiful!! Sweeeet model!! :)I would definitely make a Quilt! But I want a Tote for ME!!! Plus few zippy pouches for it, & this would be my new go-everywhere-with -me Project Bag!! 😀 I see several things ahead, to make for the Grangirlie too!! (I neeeeed lots of these prints!! giggle…)
Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too 🙂
MERRY CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS!!!
The fabrics are lovely and would make a beautiful quilt or wall hanging for my sewing room.
This gal needs a new tote bag, or my niece gets a new quilt! (Guess who will get a new quilt).
Fabric and thread are fabulous. A quilt with these colors would look fantastic in my family room.
The fabrics are so wonderful! I would make a dress for my Grandniece Evelyn!
i would make a tote using the tutorial shown in this article.
I think these fabrics would make a sweet porch quilt!
I have two grand daughters, would be fun to make them matching quilts!
Great fabrics !
i think i ‘ll made a big bag !
I loved the interview! I am self-taught too and aspire to one day be even half as talented! This is now one of my most favorite Alice-themed collections and I would love to win it! Thanks for the opportunity!
Oops, forgot to comment on what I would make: I really would love to make a lap quilt for my grandmother who has been a lifelong bibliophile or a quilt for my daughter, since I have yet to do so and it’s on the to-do list!
I’d make something for my sweet great niece!
It is always so nice to get a history on the fabric lines. Your tutorials are also great! Thank you for the giveaway.
I would use the fabric to make a quilt.
I would use it in a quilt for one of my four granddaughters.
I would create a series of throw pillows to add a touch of whimsy to my living room!
I love it and the pictures of your little “alice”! Thanks
Caltexgal@aol.com
Beautiful daughter, fabric and thread. Would love to use the last two to make a quilt. Thank you.
Beautiful fabrics! I’d love to make a quilt, pillow cases, apron, and tote bags!
Pat T.
I would love to make a beautiful quilt with these fabrics.
I would make matching dresses for my daughter-in-law & my almost 2 yrs old granddaughter & a blanket for our almost due granddaughter.
I have little grands too and those dresses are delish!
I would make a baby quilt.
I would use “Curious Dream” in a bed quilt. I love to make bed quilts. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
I just love the colors of this collection and think it would be fun to make a few throw pillows with it.
Love the designs and colors. I’d make a quilt.
Such cute fabrics, and to put them on such an adorable little girl….oh my heart!!! I’m not much into making clothes anymore, so if I had this fabric in my stash, it would definitely go into a quilt!!! The colors in this group are some of my favorites, so it wouldn’t be difficult to come up with a pattern to use them. Thanks for the chance to win!
I like making quilts the best and these fabrics could turn into some beauties! Thanks for the chance to win.
I would like to make a bag with this fabric.
Curious Dream is such a beautiful collection. I’d love to make a star quilt for myself.
I’d like to make an apron.
I would make a little wardrobe for a newborn!
I would love to make these covered notebooks!
Your post is loaded with beautiful and inspiring ideas!!! If I were the lucky recipient. I would definitely make a quilt!! Fingers crossed xx
Thank you for the pattern… very pretty fabric… nice thread choices too
Gorgeous to be sure, I would love sewing each fabric. Thanks for give away.
Curious Dream would look fantastic made into totes and purses. Thanks!
I’d love a new quilt made from this line.
I would like to sew a quilt with this collection. Can do some fussy cutting and piecing. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net
I am not sure but since my oldest grown daughter is an Alice fan I would make something for her first!
I have a brand new niece and I think she would love a cuddly quilt made with those fabrics…thanks for sharing a great giveaway!
I would like to make a sofa quilt and some kitchen decor with this fabric line.
I have to admit if I was lucky enough to win curious dream bundle I will be making something for myself a nice lap quilt or a wallet or tote something that I would see everyday.I love the Curious dream fabric. Thank-you
I would love to make my reading specialist sister a quilt out of this Alice fabric!
My grandgirl needs a new quilt to cuddle with. Love these colors.
I’d make an Alice in Wonderland Sampler quilt.
I have 2 great-nieces, who would love to have dresses and quilts from this. Sweet!
Lovely collection. I’d make a baby quilt.
This bundle is perfectly suited for making just about anything. I’d make a pair of quilts for my two young granddaughters for sure.
At each stop on the tour I come up with another idea that I’m sure is the perfect one. tonight I think I would make a quilt and when I quilted it I would use Aurifil to quilt words, dreamy, Alice-inspired words.
I love your bag but I would make a quilt. Now what pattern, I don’t know but I would give it some serious thought.
Oooooo, I could really use a pretty apron… but I have a granddaughter on the way, so it would probably a dress or a quilt for her!
I would love to make a quilt out of this and showcase the larger Alice print. That one is sooo cute. And I have the perfect person to give it to, my new granddaughter.
I fell in love with these fabrics as soon as I saw them last week….with 3 young grandchildren making the tote will be a given. Thank you for the instructions….
I’d like to make a modern quilted vest with this lovely fabric:)
I would love a quilt for my little girl from this line, you know a quilt I could shamelessly steal from her when she’s not home!
Most likely I would use them in a quilt.
I would love to make a tote or two!
I would love to make the lovely adult dress shown on the site today.
This collection is wonderful! It’s so soft looking-it makes me want to cuddle under a throw made from it.
I have grandchildren that need new pillow cases. This would be a great help. Happy Holidays
I’d make a quilt for a special little girl! Thanks for the beautiful giveaway!
What a lovely collection, I would love to make pillowcases (to begin).
these would make some lovely aprons or dresses for two of my great nieces
Because the colors are so soft, I would like to use them in a baby quilt.
Love the colors of all them. Would like to make a quilt for a great granddaughter. I know she lovesthe colors
This fabric collection is adorable, which is my youngest granddaughters new favorite word! I would love to make her one of the Toddler Totes, which she would immediately fill with her “adorable” stuffed animal friends! Lol! Thank you for an excellent fabric choice for our sewing imagination to dream with and new creations to make!
I would make a quilt for my 4 week old daughter x
Love the moss chair! This is such a fun collection! Would love to make a mini quilt for my niece!
I would love to make my two granddaughters matching dresses and the toddler bags.
I would have to make something for my three granddaughters with these wonderful fabrics. I recently saw a very cute doll pattern, this fabric line would work fantastically for dresses !!
Would love to make something with these prints. Beautiful!
I would have to make a quilt out of these beautiful fabrics. Kerry-ryan(at)att(dot)net
What beautiful clothes this line would make for some little girls. Love it!!
Thanks for the tutorial. This is a great new fabric line and the Aurifil thread collection is awesome. Thanks for Auriful’s quality, I am now a thread snob. :0)
I still remember the amazing doll quilt Angela made for a doll quilt swap on Flick’r years ago- it was a delightful little girl dreaming up wonderful dreams!
I’d love to make the half triangle quilt I saw on one of the hops. The color gradient was interesting and unique.
Thank you for the chance to win Love to win this line!
I am dying to make the Book Nerd Quilt, the minute I saw it I knew I would make that for myself! Thanks for an awesome giveaway!
I love the covered books in the photo – I think they would be a great project.
I would love to make a big quilt with this gorgeous collection and matching thread to boot! Thanks for sharing the adorable tote tutorial!
I’d love to make some zipper pouches and a quilt.