Thursday, November 21, 2013

Downton Fabric - Something new for you!

Good morning from chilly New Hampshire - and welcome to those of you who are here as part of the Giving Thanks - Quilting Blog Hop Party.  I have so much to be grateful for this year, and participating helps me share that as well as give you a look to what's coming ahead in 2014.

This fall,  Andover Fabrics  introduced a new line of fabrics for quilters which is inspired by the PBS series Downton Abbey. I became a fan of the show during the first season, and noticed that whenever I was with a group of women of any size, Downton became part of the conversation.  Followers of The Patchwork Pearl will remember that in 2011, I sponsored a quilt challenge - proceeds to benefit the local PBS station - based on the Downton show.  My first Downton piece was based on the Titanic...

I've been working from my stash for most of the year in anticipation of the release of the new fabric...and it's almost here! I'm working with one of my local quilt shops to get my hands on the fabric, and to take a big risk for 2014.  I'm pleased to announce that I'll be introducing a Block of the Month program - based on the show - on Jan 6,2014.  For die-hard fans, you'll recognise this as the date that the new season starts on PBS...a sure cure for post holiday blues.

Can I say how much I love the fact that Andover brought in the costume designer from the show as a consultant to the line? That lends a sense of authenticity to the lines - the colors I've seen are actually a lot more muted than I first thought they'd be - and lets your imagination run wild with the possibilities.

I'll be publishing the overall design on the 6th, and introducing the first block at the same time - this is designed as a lap sized quilt for all skill levels.  In order to work out the kinks to the project, I am looking for Pattern Testers - people who are willing to take a look at my first drafts, make the block and give me honest feedback to it. If you are intrigued, or have ever wanted to explore what being a tester is like, please email me at Linda@thepatchworkpearl.com for more information, or post a comment at my Facebook page at

To sign up for my mailing list for more information as it becomes available (and new release information), please click here and add your name to my mailing list.

The Giveaway for the blog hop party is a copy of my newest pattern (designed to be used with the Leaves Galore Templates from Sue Pelland Designs) Hello, Gorgeous! and a yard cut of batik fabric which can be used to start your own wreath.
Hello, Gorgeous! wreath

Pattern and Fabric for the Giveaway. 











To enter the Giveaway, please leave a comment indicating which of the characters in Downton is your favorite and why.


55 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, favorite Downton character...Ack! SO MANY to choose from! I'm going to cheat and give you two, because I love Anna and John Bates. Especially when she calls him Mr. Bates. ;)

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  2. Oh dear....I can't possibly give a name....ummmmm, I've never watched a single episode! I do love the BBC I'm not sure why I've not watched Downton.

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  3. I love Carson - so very proper and wise. Thanks for the fun! It's a pleasure to visit your blog.

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  4. Never watched Downton Abbey but since it has been mentioned so many times recently I think I will give it a try soon :) Thanks for the chance to win!

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  5. Anna Smith because of her love for Mr. Bates. She seems very level headed.

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  6. I would have to say Violet, just because I love Maggie Smith.

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    1. Beth - congrats! You're the winner. Please check your email for a private message from me re: shipping information. Linda

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  7. I have never seen the Downtown abbey. But I love your wreath! This is my first Blog Hop TOO!!

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  8. My favorites are Mr Bates & Anna. Love your wreath pattern. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  9. Thanks so much for the giveaway! I don't want this show. I"ve been so curious why so many people are into it though!

    tgallop@mts.net

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  10. What a great giveaway, thank you. I have heard of Downton Abbey and I do love British shows. I don't know why I don't watch. It starts here January 5th at 8 pm. I'll be sure to tune in.

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  11. Beautiful quilt! I've never watched Downton Abbey so I can't name a favorite character. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  12. I do not know if we get the station for that show as I have heard others on blogs talk about it and have never seen it. I do love that period of history. I need to get husband to see if we can obtain that channel on our TV. Thank you for the opportunity to enter your giveaway.

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  13. cant remember the name ... but I sort of liked the butler ... so British

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  14. I love Matthew's mother. Her straight forward approach to life is one I admire!

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  15. I haven't been able to see it yet. New quilter from Oklahoma, U.S.A. I am here for the party. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

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  16. Mr. Bates is my favorite character - thanks for the giveaway.

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  17. Sorry, I haven't watched that series. Love the fabric =)

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  18. Anna and Mr. Bates by a landslide, what a pair to love. What a great giveaway to love. Thanks, Jackie

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  19. Haven't started watching yet but I am doing a quilt challenge at my LQS using the Downton Abbey fabrics - I picked the 'Edith' colorway for my quilt. I need to sit down & start watching the show to get inspired! Thanks for the Giveaway!

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  20. Ooh, I'm so excited for it to start up again. I love Anna and Mr. Bates because they're some of the only really good ones in the whole show!

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  21. I like Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess - her character is wonderful!

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  22. I haven't watched this series, but have heard our friends rave about it - even the husband! - so it must be worth watching. Just need to figure out which channel it's on.

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  23. I love Mary. I think she will develope her character while the serie is going on. I also like Anna

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  24. The Dowager Countess. She's irascable, but she has such a wry wit and, deep down, such a depth of compassion. pbstrand@msn.com

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  25. It's hard to say. we've gotten fairly well acquainted with all of them, haven't we? I'd have to say, though, it would be Mr. Bates. So stalwart and long-suffering. And Anna, of course. The hero and the heroine. Please come by and visit Prairie Cottage Corner. We'll have a warm cup of something and talk Downton plots and blocks!

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  26. I've never seen Downton Abbey because I'm usually busy having fun in my sewing room!

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  27. I like Anna, it was such a good show to watch every sunday night.
    Thanks for the giveaway

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  28. The Dowager Countess and those clothes she wears.

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  29. Anna and the Dowager Countess love the dresses on her

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  30. I've heard of the show, but I haven't watched it. I don't watch very much TV. Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  31. I've never watched Downtown Abbey so I can't comment on a favorite. Thank you so much for the giveaway.

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  32. I have never watched Downton Abbey (egads!!) ...and I don't know why!?
    I loved Upstairs, Downstairs...and I love BBC. I think I need to give it a go!
    Thanks for the lovely giveaway!
    :o)
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  33. What a great giveaway and I have those rulers!! I have to admit I have never watch Downtown Abbey.....

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  34. Not a huge DA fan, but loved all the hype at Quilt Market this fall. I might have to like Anna, because that is my daugher's name too.

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  35. I enjoy the relationship between the sisters and admiring their clothing too... hard to pick a favorite as I love the whole ensemble. I'll say Mary.

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  36. I haven't watched the series. If I do watch tv, I can't quilt! I like your wreath.

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  37. Anna is my favorite character and I liked Sybil a lot too.

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  38. I haven't watch the TV series before. I love to enter your wonderful giveaway. Thanks!!

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  39. I've never seen Downtown Abbey. I am now hooked up with Netflix and I might try and watch the series this winter. Thanks for a great giveaway.

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  40. I think I'm the only person on the planet that hasn't seen Downton Abbey yet. We're thinking of adding streaming video next year so maybe I can catch up then.

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  41. Sybil... Or the dowager countess. They are both so quick witted!

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  42. I don't watch Downton Abby. I like to pause on PBS when I am flipping through the channels and look at the set for a moment before I'm off again. It is fun listening to one lady at work. She is sooo into it. I'm surprised she isn't x-ing off the days yet. ll_Gee at hotmail dot com

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  43. I think Mary is a very interesting character.

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  44. I hadn't heard of Downtown Abby until your post/blog. Thanks for participating in the blog hop , love your wreath!

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  45. I like the dowager countess. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  46. The Dowager Countess because I love her spunky attitude
    dana.cargill@gmail.com

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  47. I don't watch it :( I need to find when it comes on. Thanks for the chance to win. I'd probably like the lady that was in Sister Act as the head nun. I love her.

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  48. I hear so much about that show but haven't watched it. I really need to!

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  49. Thanks so much for sharing. i have heard so much about Downtown Abbey, but so far have not yet managed to see an episode. maybe soon...

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  50. Does it count if I've never watched Downton? What can I say -- I don't watch much TV as it is. But, thanks for a great giveway, even if I can't participate! =(

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  51. I like the Dowager Countess; she's feisty!

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