He's the reason I started quilting. No joke. My mom tried for years to get me interested in her favorite pastime. Two decades ago, while visiting from out of state, I took her on a quilt shop tour in my new AZ hometown, knowing she would enjoy adding to her ever-growing fabric collection. As she shopped, I sat down with my toddler on my lap and opened a quilt book that caught my eye in an unusual way. I was well versed in the tradition of quilting and had an appreciation for the art but this book held quilts like I had never seen before. They spoke to me and my color-loving heart. I wanted to MAKE THEM ALL. For example, this one:

Noticing the author's unique name (without totally knowing how to pronounce it), I bought my first three Kaffe Fassett books that day. I poured over them and began the search to find what else this textile artist might have in store. I quickly discovered how prolific Kaffe's art truly is. From painting to patchwork, knitting to needlepoint, mosaics to museum shows, Kaffe's mastery of saturated color and engaging designs won my heart and so did his story.

To tell the tale of all that Kaffe has accomplished -- there's just not room in our brief email to do justice -- and so I implore you to start here for a taste of the magic that is Kaffe Fassett. As you get to know the man behind the masterpieces, you'll find a whole group of talented artists. Brandon Mably, Philip Jacobs, Liza Prior Lucy and others with a similar take on color in their own signature styles, work closely with Kaffe to create a collective kaleidoscope of glorious design (if you'e a fan, you'll see what I did there). In 2007, my fascination, nay, obsession delivered me to a class from Kaffe and Brandon. What an honor to have their guidance in my own patchwork creation. I see color differently since that experience and I continue to indulge my passion for all things Kaffe with new books and yes, of course, fabrics from the collective. In fact, that's what has me going on and on about Mr. Fassett today. NEW FABRIC and a gorgeous new quilt kit that just hit the shop...

Marianne Michaels is a big fan as well. She chose to work with Jen Kingwell's Chain of Fools pattern to showcase a gorgeous range of Kaffe Collective prints saturated in analogous, cool greens and blues and we have kits in store and online. Marianne spiced up the backing of her quilt by adding some flying geese between sections of Kaffe prints. Did you know we carry 108" wide backing fabric by Kaffe Fassett? It has a luxurious sateen hand and the best part -- no seaming necessary!