Speakers & Workshops Irwin Bear, P&B Textiles
Join us November 10, 2008 for guest speaker Irwin Bear, who will speak on "How Fabric is Created."
P&B Fabrics began designing and selling its own fabrics in 1980, and hired its first full-time fabric designer, Jennifer Sampou, in 1989. The company now has several designers, who work on their own collections as well as working with guest artists to create a stunning array of fabrics to please any and all quilters.
Current guest artists working with P&B include Alex Anderson, Harriet Hargrave, Gail Wilson, Nancy Odom, Piece O' Cake Designs, Barbara Brandeburg, Yvonne Porcella, Rachel Pellman, Susie M. Robbins, Pat Sloan, Karen Montgomery, Kim Churbuck, Nancy Barrett, Karen Brow, Mary Covey, Martha Young, Linda Sullivan (Linderella's) , Linda Hohag (Brandywine Designs), Wendy Morris and Sue Spargo.
When P&B Textiles started to design quilting fabrics in 1980, there were about a dozen suppliers of quilt fabric, and now there are over 90. There was also a very limited range of prints and colors, which is the polar opposite of what you can find today.
Besides quilt shops, P&B also sells to manufacturers, making bedding, children's clothing, medical scrubs, decorative ribbons and other manufactured goods. The company's specialty, however, is fabrics for the quilter.
Mr. Bear says his company has grown up alongside the quilting world itself. "I've seen an immature industry develop over the last 20 years into a fully mature commerce, which is good. We started out with limited amounts of designs and fabrics available, not as many shops, and not as much sophistication. I've never seen as many different prints produced as in the last ten years. I've also seen a movement from traditional quilts and designs to very expressive art."
One of Mr. Bear's goals is make sure that people preserve the roots of quilting. "In order to perpetuate the industry," he says, "we have to support the quilt museums and historians of quilting. Museums teach and expose people to quilt art. It's essential to help other people understand the importance and significance of this American art form. We don't want to forget where we started, or how far we've come."
For more information on P&B Textiles, visit P&B Textiles.
Workshop
There will be no workshop this month.