We were introduced to the gorgeous designs of Tamara Kate earlier this year, shortly before the release of her debut Aurifil collection, Frolic. We instantly fell in love with her style and have been coveting her fabrics ever since. Frolic was inspired by a Mexican Fiesta, featuring hand-painted critters cavorting in a whimsical flower garden. The designs are sweet, bright, and playful and we could think of about 100 different things that we’d like to make with them! The collection features 19 Cottons + 9 Knits — so much possibility!
Tamara’s coordinating thread collection is a beautiful and bright display of 50wt threads. Versatile and classic, the threads ensure you’ll have everything you need to make any project that your heart desires. There are even TWO spools of our classic white (#2024) for all of your piecing needs!
THREAD COLLECTION DETAILS
Frolic
100% Aurifil Cotton, 12 Large Spools, 50wt (1422yds/spool)
Colors included:
4020 – 2805 – 6737 – 2865 – 2024 – 2479
2150 – 2277 – 3770 – 2730 – 2780 – 2024
To view this info on our website, click here. For purchasing, please contact your local Aurifil Dealer.
THE INTERVIEW
What first drew you to to the world of sewing and quilting?
I learned to sew at a very young age as I grew up with a mom who made most of our clothes. I would love sitting in her room while she sewed, looking through the patterned fabrics or ribbons or button box she kept in her sewing table. She had a collection of vintage lace from my grandmother and great aunts whose designs enthralled me as a child. She dabbled from time to time in most of the needle arts, so I was exposed to embroidery, quilting, needlepoint, applique, etc. throughout my childhood. I was always a pretty creative kid, so I naturally picked up on her passions. It’s a hereditary thing in our family, as my mom learned from her mom and my children, in their turn have both shown an interest in sewing.
Who or what has been your greatest creative inspiration?
While I could list loads of names of creatives from multiple disciplines, I would say that what gets my juices flowing the most is Mother Nature. My eyes are always alert to little details in my surroundings when outdoors… the shapes of leaves, the particular blends of colors in flowers, the fanciful wings of butterflies & plumage of birds. While my memory is pretty poor for most things, I can recall loads of specific details of my natural environment during childhood in Trinidad, from the multitude of types of fern leaves, to the vibrantly colored birds and flowers, to the beautiful (and dangerous) particular hue of pinky-purple of a portuguese man of war washed up on the beach. So many of those younger memories influence what I design today. Especially insects. For whatever reason, I have a thing with bugs.
How did you first connect with Michael Miller and what do you love most about working with them?
I had been designing fabric on Spoonflower for a year when I entered their annual contest to win a contract with a fabric house. I placed third in the contest, but that was enough to have attention drawn to my work (the power of the internet at play) and I received an email from Kathy Miller the following week asking if I’d like to design for them. Michael Miller Fabrics is a dream company to work with. They are very supportive of their licensed designers, are open to our ideas, both from a creative and a business perspective, and they give us the flexibility to produce collections through them as frequently or infrequently as we are able. There is definitely a feeling of family and connectedness there that I love.
Tell us about Frolic. What inspired the designs?
Frolic was inspired by a Mexican fiesta. I wanted to create a whimsical collection that is sweet, bright, happy and playful. Frolic’s main feature, I think, is its saturated colors. The bluest of blues are paired with clear oranges, pinks and greens and are all balanced with a fair dose of clean white that adds lots of fresh air to the mix. Hand-painted critters cavort in a fantasy flower garden where blossoms replace the spines on the back of a hedgehog, where the air is full of petals and where love abounds. The collection includes 19 cottons (including a double border print) and my first lovely, soft knits, 9 in total.
Do you have a favorite project or projects made with the collection?
This is always a tough question for me. I get attached to most projects I sew pretty easily. If I had to choose, I would say it would be the most colorful Frolic project I created, the Over the Mountain Quilt. While it is a very simple, straightforward sew, I love the dynamic visual element created by the use of color and the simple, yet strong inverted “V” formation in the layout. It also made for some fun fussy cutting, highlighting lots of cute creatures.
When did you first discover Aurifil threads and what do you love most about them?
In all honesty, I had never used Aurifil threads before my Frolic collection. All my quilting friends swear by them, but I am almost always sewing to a deadline and need to get projects done in such a short timespan that I usually just run to the closest fabric store and grab a few spools of the appropriate color of whatever polyester thread they have on hand. I really always thought thread was just thread and could not conceive of how a company could do anything to make it better than another. That has all changed. Hands-down, I am a convert. The lustre that Aurifil threads have that I’ve not seen elsewhere is just gorgeous. Even though it is cotton, it looks and feels a bit like silk. I think my favorite quality though is the fact that when I am hand stitching my quilt bindings, the thread does not get twisted and knotted like all that other thread always did. It is truly a lovely product to work with and will always be on my machine from here on in.
How did you go about selecting colors for Frolic and what excites you most about releasing the collection to the world?
Choosing thread colors for Frolic was a no-brainer. I just went with all the rich grounds in the fabric collection, so there are the deepest of blues, through lighter tones to juicy citrus oranges, leafy greens and floral pinks. One variegated softer blue spool adds a little something extra-special and I added 2 spools of white to the collection as there are lots of prints on white grounds in the group and they are an obvious basic that will be quickly used. While the colors are, of course, specific to the Frolic fabric collection, they are also basic colors that will be used frequently by all those who love sewing with full-on color.
What’s next for you?
I am excited to have 2 additional fabric collections for 2017. Words of Wisdom, a small but special collection, largely highlights colors that are used in the Frolic collection, so my thread kit plays double duty. Joy debuted at Fall Quilt Market and will ship to shops in February. This all means I spent most of the year happily sewing away in my studio, something that will continue through the New Year and beyond! You can keep track of my creative happenings on on my blog and on Instagram.
GIVEAWAY
To enter-to-win Tamara’s Frolic thread collection, a bundle of Frolic fabrics by Tamara Kate for Michael Miller, click here to head to the Rafflecopter entry page, or simply click on the image above. You do not have to complete all the options to be entered but the more options you choose, the more entries you have! Entries will be accepted from now through 11:59pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, December 12! Winner will be randomly selected and announced here on Wednesday, December 13. Good luck!
ABOUT TAMARA
Website — Blog — Facebook — Instagram
Tamara is a quilter, surface designer, illustrator and licensed fabric designer, residing in Montreal. Having spent her youth in the Caribbean plays a large part in Tamara’s design aesthetic. She is greatly inspired by nature, color and pattern and plays on a combination of her children’s current fascinations and her own childhood memories to tell stories through design. She creates work that is fresh, joyous and youthful with a touch of whimsy. Tamara enjoys teaching sewing and design projects, large and small, through both online sources and in-person workshops.
Visit www.kayajoydesigns.com to see her work and latest projects.
** Images, biographical text and interview text by Tamara Serrao
Oh, I’d love to make a quilt for a graduating niece with this vibrant fabric!
Springtime colors – I’m ready for a project with HSTs, I think this fabric would be fun to use in that.
I would make a quilt.
i would make a throw and pillow for springtime.
Beautiful! I love the colors, name & designs!
Stunning colours. I would make a bright and cheery quilt. Thanks so much for the giveaway opportunity. Happy holidays!
With these beautiful bright colors, I would have to make some skirts & tops for my two granddaughters. They would love the colors and the animals so very much. What a great job you did on these colors Tamara!
Beautiful fabrics! So cool! I’d make a lap quilt! Enjoy the holidays! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom
These fabrics are so cheery and luscious. I want to get the Words of Wisdom panel and do some embroidery. Then I’d cut them up and put them back together again with the rest of the fabrics in that line. It is absolutely beautiful! ……….. can’t wait!
There is a baby quilt I would love to make out of it. I have had the pattern for a while and the fabrics would be perfect.
Beautiful bright and vibrant colours would make a wonderful lap quilt. I’m already dreaming of a pattern that would fit these best.
Like the brightness of this line. I think I’d make some aprons.
I love the fabrics in Tamara’s new line. I would make a quilt for my daughter. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’d teach my granddaughter how to make a quilt with these fabrics. I love the colors!
Definitely a spring throw pillow! What bright, crisp colors – beautiful!
I would make a happy quilt for my grandson.
Would love to make a beautiful, bright quilt with Frolic fabric and threads x
Beautiful colors! I’d love to use it to make a quilt for a friend. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win
Love these colors and the charming animals. I would make a quilt for my new granddaughter and matching pillowcase for her “big”sister.
With all of these beautiful bright fabrics that make me smile, plus feel happy, I would make a Dresden Quilt for my first project and then for my second project I would make myself a special tote pattern that I bought over a year ago and still have not used; this fabric would be perfect. Plus, I would hope that there was enough left to make my special Great Grand Niece a lovely summer dress. I really do love this fabric and would love to win a bundle of it! I have never had the opportunity to try your thread, but would be so thrilled to win this also and know what everyone is always commenting such great statements about it! Have a fantastic day!
This fabric collection sings “happy” to me! It is perfect for a quilt, pillow covers, curtains; you name it!!!
an awesome quilt for my darling granddaughter…..what a fun fabric collection
Such beautiful colors–fabric and thread!
I would make a beautiful quilt with it!
I love the fibrant fabric! It’s perfect for a gorgeous quilt!
i’d add white fabrics to these Beauties and make 2 or 3, maybe, Baby Charity Quilts! Thank You so much!!!
I would make a quilt for one of my siblings.
Love the colors. I am always drawn to bright, vivid colors.
I’d have to fussy cut those little critters and feature them in a quilted pillow…love the colors!
Gorgeous and fun
fabric! I would use
to make some type
of bags.
Carla from Utah
I would make a baby quilt. Love the fabrics.
I would make some cute pillow covers for my sister.
Pouches for the girls in the family.
Love the fabric — would make a wall hanging for my sewing room. I really would
like something new and fresh there and these fabrics would be perfect.
Frolic would make an adorable baby quilt for a future grand-daughter of mine! I love those colors!
I have an idea for a deconstructed Irish Chain quilt…white background with those vibrant colours, feathers or fillers in between. Can see it in my mind. Gorgeous colours!
I would love to make a quilt or a spring top with these fabrics.
Wonderful fabrics. I would make a baby quilt.
Thanks for the chance to win! @gingerkwilt is me. If I won, I would love to make a quilt which showcases fussy cut portions of several of the fabrics. It’s such happy fabric, and I love a Mexican fiesta!
Definitely a quilt for my 6 year old granddaughter!
I would have to make a quilt and pillow. I love the animals on this fabric. Thank you for the giveaway.
I have three baby quilts that need to be made, these would be perfect. Gorgeous fabrics. Thanks for the giveaway. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com
Don’t laugh: a shower curtain!!!
The beautiful colours of Frolic would be perfect to use for a log cabin wall hanging for my bedroom.
I would make a quilt for my granddaughter who loves bright colors.
A lap sized quilt, with a matching pillow.
These fabrics would be perfect for making a cheerful quilt and pillow for my sister.
I would make a summer quilt to put on the porch. Fun colors!
I would love to fussy cut those little critters in an quilt!
Your line just opens up so many possibilities – love it.
I would make dresses for my youngest granddaughter!! Thank you!!
I would like to use the larger print fabrics and a collage quilt. Thanks for the chance to win.
Beautiful fabrics. I would like to make a summer bag plus some zippered pouches. Wouldn’t those be cute. survivor972002@midco.net
Beautiful! 💟 I have some bright happy baby quilts to make for my niece’s !
Pretty fabric! I would make a quilt.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Pretty fabrics . Perfect for grandchildren’s clothing.
A bright lap quilt to cheer up my friend who is going through cancer treatments….
Such bright cheery fabrics! They’d make a great quilt for my niece.
I would make a lap quilt for my mother. She would love these wonderful colors!
My great-nieces would love quilts and dresses in this. Such a pretty grouping.
I would make some fantastic looking bags.
Such lovely bright colors!
I love the bright colors in the Frolic prints & thread! I would make a lap quilt with that bundle!
What beautiful colors and a very sweet theme! I would make a baby quilt.
The colors just zing! In both the fabric and the thread. I would (try to) make the quilt she designed with the inverted V design.
I love Tamara’s beautiful colors. So inspiring. I would love to attempt the Over the Mountain Quilt.
Love the brightness of the pink and green. Would give me a chance to push our of my comfort color zone
I would use the beautiful fabrics to make a colorful throw quilt to brighten up my living room!
I love these happy colors! Would love to make a child`s twin bed quilt with them!
The colors are so bright and cheerful. I would make a light summer quilt with the fabric. Thanks!
This is the prettiest freshest cloth! I am in complete adoration!!
Currently, I’m fascinated with Bargello quilts. I would love to see how this fabric line plays out in one.
I’m a huge fan of both Tamara and Aurifil! I first discovered her fabric when I walked into my local quilt shop with my son and he gravitated instantly to her fabric and insisted I buy some of each fabric! I would sure love to win some Frolic and my go-to thread, Aurifil, to make another project for my son! He loves bright colors, especially pink and orange, and I know he’d love this line, too!
I loved reading the interview thanks! I’ve been following Tamara Kate’s Designs for a while and the frolic collection is gorgeous!!! I’d love to try Aurifil thread, I’ve never seen it in any of my local stores but I know first hand what difference quality thread makes.
Such beautiful fabrics and thread colors. I would use them to make a gorgeous quilt.
I have seen your thread collection, he colours are gorgeous!!!
I bought a random fat quarter of one fabric from this line, didn’t know there were so many other beautiful fabrics that go with it. I will have to go shopping… and Aurifil thread was on sale so I bought a few to start my color collection, and the frolick collection would have been the perfect set to buy, all the colors I love!!
These are great colors. I would sew my favorite thing: a large quilt. I think I would have to search for some larger yardage pieces. Thank you for this opportunity to win!
Wow! I love these colors and the whimsical prints, I need these colors in my kitchen! These would brighten up my favorite room as I redo it! Awesome collection!
Such a beautiful fabric and thread collection. I’m always making quilted projects and I can see a girl’s quilt with this fabric. Thanks for the great interview.
Beautiful & such Happy fabrics!! I would make a Quilt for the Grangirlie!! Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too! 🙂
Merry Christmas Blessings!!
Such wonderful bright fabric. I love it. I see a quilt or two.
I’d make a child size quilt for our charity quilt program
Amazing colors in this fabric. I would make a throw size quilt to lay over the back of my sofa. I would enjoy seeing it many times a day.
I would make a colorful quilt with this beautiful vivid fabric.
I love all of the florals which are lacking in my stash. I would make a quilt just for me.
tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Spring cushion covers for the conservatory
I have some of Frolic and am in the process of making a quilt. But Tamara’s beautiful, saturated colors (she’s been my favorite designer for years) inspire so many ideas for me. I would love to get more Frolic to make some dresses for my granddaughters!
Such cute fabric and I love the way she adds embroidery to her fabric I would do that.
I would make a quilt for my great granddaughter.
I’d like to make a summer wallhanging for my mother’s room in her assisted living facility.
These colors are so vibrant and beautiful!
Beautiful threads and the fabrics are just so bright and cheerful! This would make a lovely lap quilt!
I would love to make some adorable little girls’ dresses or skirts with this beautiful thread and fabric!