In this post about the FunQuilts partnership of Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr we find out what is new and plans for the future. And of course, those plans include quiltmaking–with a new book in the works, designing fabric and helping others.

So here is more from guest writers, Bill and Weeks:

What’s New and Plans for the Future

“Mendhi”, (rhymes with “Wendy”) our new line of fabric (shown below) for FreeSpirit Fabrics, will in stores in a few months. The line was inspired by the Indian tradition of the same name in which the body is painted in complex patterns using a henna paste.

We love the organic patterns associated with “Mendhi” and knew they would translate beautifully to fabric for quilts. We colored our designs richly and people have told us that they remind them of designs by Liberty, William Morris and Peter Max.

We can’t wait to see how people use them. Because of the fabric design and production cycle, we pretty much start designing the next line as soon as the current line is launched. So, come January , we’ll be working on the line for fall 2007.

Weekend Project Book

We’re also working on a weekend project book with designs for quilts, bags and home accessories. Weeks’s writings on the “Whip Up” blog, have been very helpful in understanding that people who respond to our designs for quilts and fabrics also respond to our designs for other projects.

We’ve found that people who make quilts often want to make shorter projects for gifts or just to try something new. There are also people who are intimidated by making a whole quilt but would find a weekend project a good way to gain confidence before tackling a whole quilt. In addition, we have a not-so-secret agenda of wanting kids of all ages to have the experience of making things for themselves and their friends.

Interest in Projects Creates the Need For E-Commerce Website

If the interest in our work with Many Hands over the past few months is any indication, we’ll be developing more designs and an e-commerce site on our website to handle all of the orders.

Sewing Projects and Charities

Perhaps the project that would be most surprising to those who don’t know us is some work we are planning that would involve coordinating sewing projects as therapeutic and rehabilitative activities for inmates in prisons.

We’re going to London in October and plan to visit a highly successful program there that teaches needlework to inmates. There’s another wonderful program in Ohio through which female inmates make things for local charities as fundraisers.

Given all of the demands on our time, it may take a while to organize a program, but if there’s any way we could use our skills to help people lead more productive lives, that to us would be time well-spent.

Thanks Bill and Weeks for the inspiring work you do.

 If you would like to get a "taste" of some the "FunQuilts"..check out the note cards which feature some great comtemporary quilts...12 cards for about $12.


See the next post about the process of quilting at
 FunQuilts.

(Photos and graphics from "FunQuilts")