Solving Mysteries with
Moda's Nancy Drew Fabric
UPDATE: CONTEST WINNERS ARE:
Suemac & Lea - Nancy Drew fabric charm packs
Michelle - Nancy Drew Coin Purse
Scrapatches - Nancy Drew 1930s Clutch Bag
E-mail me your addresses to ship to - nancydrewsleuth @ aol.com
In this Mystery: Missing Fabric, Fabric Creations, & A Giveaway!
Chapter 1: The Missing But Fabulous Fabric Puzzler...
Grab your magnifying glass and let's get to the bottom of this puzzler! For fans of Nancy Drew from the casual reader to the "obsessed" collector, the new Nancy Drew Get a Clue Fabric by Moda has been a fantastic product. Unfortunately, possibly due to marketing that didn't hit all target audiences and persnickety quilt shop owners (so says the clues among a few quilting experts and enthusiasts), not enough quilt shops carried this line of fabric, so Moda only printed a certain amount ordered and then some. They have no plans for another printing of the fabric nor a new line which is too bad--this was the latest news I heard as of January this year, perhaps things have changed since... I hear it has sold very well at quilt shops and has sold out in some places online--especially the book spine styles. They were very popular and went quick.
Being a Nancy Drew consultant, I always try to explain to companies that license Nancy Drew, that what sells best is classic Nancy Drew - the books that were printed from 1930 to 1979, #'s 1 - 56 from The Secret of the Old Clock to The Thirteenth Pearl. There were three cover illustrators during this period. The Rudy Nappi art and a couple of Bill Gillies covers are still in print as the series is still being reprinted and sold. It would appear that the most coveted art, however, is the Russell H. Tandy art from the 1930s to 1940s which is no longer in print due to covers being revised over the years. So for fans young and old--many of the younger fans love the vintage Tandy too--the Tandy sells more in my Nancy Drew Sleuth Shop--over the more modern classic art. So I always tell people to include a mix of styles to satisfy even the most picky fans. There was no Tandy art in the Moda collection--unless you count the silhouette endpapers which feature the 1930s silhouette designed by Tandy as well as other silhouettes. Since many quilt shop owners tend to be from the generations whose Nancy Drew books would have mostly featured the Russell H. Tandy art--some of which was still in print through the 1960s, I was told by a quilter that quite a few of the shop owners she knows passed on the fabric because it wasn't "their Nancy" or the art was unfamiliar to them. While I can't solve this puzzling conundrum now as to the who's and whys of why some shops ordered and others didn't, I can tell you that of the fabric I was able to order for The Sleuth Shop from Moda, the vintage silhouette endpapers has been the most popular style. It is one of my favorites outside of the book spines. However, I love it all because I grew up reading the Nancy Drew books in the 1970s and 1980s+, so what I grew up with is featured heavily in the fabric--the books at that time had revised covers like the ones shown on the book panel fabrics.
As well as the fabric has sold from the shops that did order it and as little fabric as Moda has left available to order, I was hoping that they might consider a reprint or even a second line - perhaps smaller in size as a test - using more of the vintage 1930s and 1940s art in addition to the 50s to 70s art. I think it would do well and would certainly be nostalgic to quilt shop owners who are familiar with Nancy Drew. I'm not sure of what your experience has been with the fabric, be it online or in your local areas, but I'd love to hear feedback in the comments. Only 1 quilt shop in my Phoenix area appeared to even stock it unless I missed some--but I called dozens of shops, some had no idea what I was talking about. All around it is great fabric and is very nice quality. Moda did a great job on it.
Chapter 2: SLEUTH-tacular Sewing Projects
My Mom is a quilter and loves to sew, so she has been busy working on some Nancy Drew projects. So far she has made pillow cases with nice French seams and has completed the quilt top for a Nancy Drew quilt for me using blues and yellows in the fabric. I love the border she did using one of the styles of book spine fabric--it really makes the quilt look so nicely finished. We are working on the back of the quilt and then she has a quilting friend who will likely quilt it with her longarm quilting machine. Then we'll start work on another one. One of our next projects is going to be a Nancy Drew shower curtain using the silhouette endpapers fabric. You can see the whole quilt top above and here's a close-up:
My Mom used a pattern called Summer Salsa Quilt pattern for the main part of the quilt - you can find that free pattern here. Moda fabrics used include: Book Spines, Endpapers, Blue and Yellow Magnifying Glasses, Blue Dots, Blue Nancy Faces and "Nancy Drew" Logo with Nancy.
Quite a few Nancy Drew collectors and members of my Nancy Drew Sleuths fan group have purchased fabric and have been working on projects too and some have commissioned items by others. I wanted to share some of those images with you below - so many neat and SLEUTH-tacular ideas!
Quite a few Nancy Drew collectors and members of my Nancy Drew Sleuths fan group have purchased fabric and have been working on projects too and some have commissioned items by others. I wanted to share some of those images with you below - so many neat and SLEUTH-tacular ideas!
Nancy's Hidden Staircase Bag
Nancy's Book Spine Tote
Nancy's Book Spine Bag
Linda's Red Nancy Pillow Case
Linda's Blue Eps Nancy Pillow Case
Linda's White Eps Nancy Pillow Case
Linda's Nancy Faces Pillow Case
Lea's Carry-on Bag
Lea's Scrub Top
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Robyn's Layer Cake Quilt
Amanda's Hawaiian Style Nancy Faces Shirt
Chapter 3: Nancy's Mysterious Fabric Giveaway
I'll be giving away 4 prizes as a thanks for visiting my Blog and sharing your feedback on what you've see here and the fabric and your love of Nancy Drew! To enter: You get 1 entry into the drawing if you leave a comment - share your feedback on the fabric and what you've been up to with it! You get 5 entries into the drawing if you leave a comment and also share this Blog at your Blog and/or Website - just make a note in your comment of where you shared. Also, be sure to add your name to your comment. PLEASE NOTE: This Blog is on comment moderation due to spammers, so as soon as I see your comments I will approve :) On March 16 following the Nancy Drew Blog Hop, I will draw for the 4 prizes and post the winners here.
The Prizes:
2 Nancy Drew Charm Packs
Front/Back:
Nancy Drew Coin/Camera Style Bag
1930s Nancy Drew Clutch Bag
Chapter 4: The Mystery Behind the Drew Fabric Contest
Starting March 25 to March 29, I am hosting a Nancy Drew Fabric Contest here at the Blog and will be posting entries all week along with other interesting fabric ideas! On March 29, a poll will go up for you to vote on your favorite Nancy Drew fabric projects and we'll give prizes out to the top vote getters. If you have created something fun with the new Nancy Drew Moda fabric, you can send in 1 entry per person. E-mail entries to: sleuths@ndsleuths.com by March 24 to enter. You do not have to create something new just for this contest--anything you've created (has to be created by you) with the Nancy Drew Moda fabric is acceptable.
Chapter 5: Beyond Nancy Drew Fabric - Clues to Nancy Drew
If you want to learn more about Nancy Drew and the history behind the mystery, collecting information and tips and more clues, visit The Nancy Drew Sleuth Website. Learn about the Nancy Drew Sleuths fan group and their annual Nancy Drew conventions here. This year we are in Boston for our 2013 convention, May 28 - June 2.
Thanks to Carol at Just Let Me Quilt and Madame Samm at Sew We Quilt for including me in the Nancy Drew Blog Hop! View the schedule of hops here.
Thanks to Carol at Just Let Me Quilt and Madame Samm at Sew We Quilt for including me in the Nancy Drew Blog Hop! View the schedule of hops here.
Happy Sleuthing!
Jenn:)
47 comments:
I haven't seen any of the fabric in my shops. I'm late to the party too so I'd love to see them do it again. Sometimes it's hard for people to get excited about a fabric until they see it "done up" in a quilt or bag.
I have been excitedly awaiting the start of the blog hop and am already so impressed by all the things people have made. Trying not to be biased here, but I will say that Linda's quilt is the most intricate project I've seen and it's the piece I am the most jealous of! When some of the prints get together it looks a little garish but your mom did a nice job of balancing the colors to eliminate that problem. Looking forward to see what the next 2 days of the blog hop reveal.
Such interesting facts...thanks for sharing and joining in on the fun with your giveaway! None of the fabric stores I go to in NV or UT carried the fabric and they all gave me the confused look when I asked about it.
Thanks for this great info. I was wondering about the fabric and why it was so hard to get, but agree that it didn't feature "my Nancy." I never realized that until you pointed it out. My shop did have a nice selection, so I can't complain about that, but I haven't seen it anywhere else.
I also was disappointed to see the panels were so large. I couldn't quite bring myself to cut into them. I think if they had been about the size of the books, it would have made fantastic eReader covers and been easier to incorporate into projects.
Thanks for the clues!
I love this fabric and like you wish I could find more especially the book spines. I did make an item for the Blog Hop. I do not have a blog but have sent emails to all my friends and family to visit the Blog Hop and to visit the Sleuths. Thanks Jenn for all the Nancy Drew fun.
I love Nancy Drew and when my children were young, I found all of the books in the collection, mostly ones that were printed in the 30s and 40s. I enjoyed seeing the photos of projects and I agree that it would be great for Moda to reprint and add some of the illustrations that were made by Tandy. Those are the prints that I'm used to seeing. Thanks for all of the information and for the chance to win. I will be checking back with you to vote on the projects that will be in the contest.
I LOVE this fabric. I don't have any...yet. I think a kendal cover would be fun.
I just checked my local quilt shopes (2) and neither of them carries the fabric. And thinking about it, I haven't seen it on many of the online quilt shops that I frequent. I will have to see if I can find some of the silhouettes and book fabrics.
I have no Nancy Drew fabric but I would love some to make my eldest daughter something out it. She is a big Nancy fan and soon to be a mom for the second time.
I am enjoying the blog hop.
Wow, I love your quilt!
I'll be blogging about your giveaway in tomorrow's post over at Michelle's Romantic Tangle (mychellem.blogspot.com)
I love all the Nancy Drew projects - especially the Hidden Staircase bag!
As I'm in the UK I think I'm unlikely to find any ND fabric but I'll keep looking!
Hi, I got my fabric on the internet just for the blog hop. I'm following the hop looking for more ideas. You can see what ideas I had at selinaquilts.blogspot.com
I was one of todays contributors.
I grew up reading Nancy Drew. I am still a mystery reader. Can't get enough of sleuthing.
I love the border in your quilt! The spines make it look very much like a traditional piano key border. I haven't picked which quilt pattern to make, yet. I do have a bag pattern picked out.
Can you tell us, Jenn, why I've found jelly rolls at one quilt shop, but no where else online? Just a shortage?
Thanx, Sleuth Troi
Thank you all for your great comments so far :) @Lea I love that you like the quilt :) She has a nice eye for color combinations. @Quiltin' Jenny - that's a thought, they could have made the books more book size which would have been even more user friendly. Thank you too everyone for your comments about he fabric and how it did or didn't appear in your areas--it seems it was not carried in a lot of shops. Here are a couple of online shops that were carrying it: http://www.fatquartershop.com and also http://www.equilter.com and http://www.rivercityquilts.com and http://www.35thavesewandvac.com
@Troi, I am not sure about the Jelly Rolls--I am thinking that another company may have put these together because they were not part of the Moda ordering wholesale--they just had the charm packs, layer cakes, and fat quarter bundles to order besides the yardage.
So fun to see all the projects! Your mother's quilt is lovely. The book cover fabric and endpaper fabric I just bought from you is perfect for the project I have in mind--I'm excited to start it; have to see if I can get it done in time for the Nancy Drew Fabric Contest.
I'd have to say that reading the Nancy Drew series was probably how I got hooked into reading! My girlfriends and I all read and shared the books!!
I love Lea's scrub top. I am super jealous and wish I was talented enough to make one for myself. I love the fabrics & bought some as my friend is going to make me a quilt. the bookends are my favorite. I would have enjoyed the opportunity to purchase different "Nancys", but it was cool to get the opportunity to purchase any Nancy drew fabric. Jen
I have been up to nothing with the fabric, as I am not a sewer or a quilter or a crafter. I have just been enjoying seeing everyone else's wonderful creations.
Well, that explains why I'm having trouble finding the faric. Thanks for the info--I'll go searching on the internet (and cross my fingers that I win the charms!!, LOL)
I didn't know there was a Nancy Drew Organization--how fun! I loved reading Nancy Drew as a kid. I read all of the time, often out in my reading tree or up in my bed or out near the garden or barn. She kept me entertained! I made a notebook cover from the charm pack that I bought and gave it to my daughter, Anna, who is getting a master's in library science. She also loves to read. I will be posting your site on my webpage. Happy sleuthing!
Love your blog!! I just found it...via Carol Swift. Love the fabric line and I am taking part in the Nancy Drew blog hop; which is so much fun. Thanks for the giveaway!!!!
So many cute projects!
this is such a fun post. I am so glad you got included in our hop!
I love the ND fabrics, but I always loved reading the books too. There are so many cute projects made from the fabrics.
I have always loved Nancy Drew. I wish there had been more fabric.
I love to see all the creative ways people are using the Nancy Drew fabric. It's an unusual line. My local quilt shop tends to carry a lot of Moda fabric, but somehow totally missed the Nancy Drew fabric and wasn't even familiar with it when I asked about it. (This is not to criticize the shop at all... I'm super excited to have a wonderful quilt shop 2 miles from my home, and the people that work there are awesome!)
I have always been a Nancy Drew fan and do not have any of the fabric but sure would love some !
With my limited funds I was only able to buy what I needed for my project. I love to get more and try out your mother's quilt it is simply great. I have given you a shout out on by blog post 3/8. And I have enjoyed reading the history of the fabric and Nancy herself. Great info you have. Come visit me and see what I have made on 3/12 The Slow Quilter (Felicia Few).
Thank you all for the comments and I'm glad you've enjoyed my Mom's quilt, I'll pass along the regards to her :) I appreciate the info too on how you've either found or not beein able to find the fabric--wish it had been picked up in more shops! Thanks to everyone for passing along the Blog and sharing. @JustQuiltIt - yes, we have been around for 13 years now having fun sleuthing adventures :) This year is our 13th convention in Boston and we always have a great time following in Nancy's footsteps! @FeliciaFew - Thank you and I look forward to seeing your project, thanks for sharing the Blog :) Will be checking yours out shortly!
Jenn:)
Love all the ND projects you shared, especially the large quilt! Fun fabric. My DD was a ND fan and would love something made from this collection.
I shared at http://salliessampler.blogspot.com/2013/03/are-you-following-nancy-drew.html.
Sallie
I love Nancy Drew and am so happy I stumbled on this blog hop. I've not seen the fabric before now but I hope I can find some. I'm loving your blog, with all the Nancy info. I'll have to come back and read the back posts too. You have some great projects with the fabric, especially your Mom's quilt.
I love your quilt! Blue and yellow are favorites of mine. The "book" border is wonderful!
I bought one charm pack online for the blog hop at Sew We Quilt, as my fabric budget is very limited at this time. I really enjoyed working with the primary colors and the bright graphics in this fabric line and would love to have more to sew.
I have added your blog button to my sidebar and have linked to your blog here ... http://scrapatches.blogspot.com/2013/03/more-nancy-drew-fabric-fun.html
I am also now a follower so I can follow the thread trail back ... thanks for sharing ... :) Pat
How funny! I have not seen the fabric, but I would love to scout some out!
I have never seen any Nancy Drew fabric before, this is great!!
I especially like th ebook bags, Soo appropriate!
Very impressed with blog hop. I purchased tote and pillowcase from the Drewtique. The tote I carry to all my booksales. The pillowcase has me dreaming of River Heights!
When I first saw the fabric I wasn't interested but now seeing what people are making with it, it makes me want to have some, I also think a delay in it's shipment has made shop owners perhaps not get it.
Thanks for the chance to win ;) I LOVE your mother's quilt!!! So pretty!
I love your mother's quilt! It is so pretty! I haven't been able to get my hands on any Nancy fabric to play with. :)
I'm so in love with this fabric! I wish I could make a awesome purse/tote with it. I have scoured shops in my area for it to no avail! I'm really in love with all the designs people have come up with!
Maren
I LOVE the quilt that your mother made!! I live in area with no fabric shops so I didn't get a chance to see this collection until the blog hop. If I was win those yummy charms I would make a lap quilt to use it as I read my mystery books. At 40+ yrs, I still enjoy reading the ND books and have introduced them to my son. Thank you for the chance to win one of your great prizes.
Sincerely,
Tricia-your newest follower
Hi Jenn-Your quilt is fantabulous! Here in the SF Bay Area, the number of quilt shops has dropped significantly and the remaining ones look at me like "deer in headlights" when I asked about the ND fabrics. I grew up reading ND because is was one of the few books for children during the 50's and we'd swap with our friends, but I honestly don't know what happened to mine. The series really got me interested in reading and mysteries, but I must confess, I'm still not much of a reader-more a "do-er." There were so many more good books available when my girls were growing up, that ND just wasn't around. I'm pleased that it's being brought back so that young girls can read and enjoy them. The projects you posted are wonderful and I'm still hoping to get my hands on some ND fabric. Thanks for sharing.
Cool website/blog. I haven't used this fabric as it is too hard to find and would be very expensive to ship it from the US. I have been following the blog and I am loving all the projects especially the ones that incorporate books. I think it is a great range of fabrics and it is a shame that more wasn't printed.
Your mother did a wonderful job with the quilt! The other items are all great as well. I did buy one of the packs to keep as a collectors item, as well as some of the endpapers and book spines to make throw pillows. I'm also planning to use the magnifying glass fabric to make curtains.
I love both the Tandy and Nappi images; the Tandy covers have the vintage glamor appeal, but I was not aware of them until I started collecting. I would love it if Moda continued the line, especially if the book cover panels were a smaller size. It's hard to find a project that allows for a block that size.
Rebecca
Our contest winners are: Suemac, Lea (getting the charm packs) Michelle getting the coin purse, and Scrapatches getting the clutch bag.
Thanks to all who commented and particpated!
Jenn:)
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