Author Archives: Melanie (Melly) Testa

Floribunda! RJR and some Multicolor Print Sets

I am happy to announce the debut of Floribunda! by RJR Fabrics. A textile line geared to quilters, sprinkled with blowsy roses, tendriled vines, leaves and rich, deep colors. The line was created using techniques illustrated and explained within the pages of Playful Fabric Printing. The line will ship to stores in late March 2018.Continue reading “Floribunda! RJR and some Multicolor Print Sets”

HST: My block of choice. Still.

I have created a quilt top using the Peacock Paisley prints I recently made with the help of my intern, Aishwarya (I miss her so, it was such a great experience). I printed a couple of yards of semisolids to go with them and sat down to consider what block I might use. I evenContinue reading “HST: My block of choice. Still.”

Solids and Semisolids

Having recently created a great portfolio based motifs with an Indian theme, I found myself in need of a single color all over print. These prints help support and draw out the multicolor prints, they allow the eye a resting place within a quilt block. And needless to say,  if you want to make aContinue reading “Solids and Semisolids”

Women’s Health

Recently, I participated in an article in Women's Health magazine called How my Body Changed… And How it Changed Me. This is the September issue, whose theme is Strong, Sexy and Naked. For this article, the magazine interviewed three women in total, myself, Sarah Lee Strobel, an amputee and a Lindsay Washburn who has Crohn'sContinue reading “Women’s Health”

Modern Quilts Unlimited, Designer Spotlight and Ziggy Star Dots pattern!

Wow. I am in awe of this entire experience. I have never been featured in a quilt magazine, never had a pattern of my creation featured in a magazine and now, I can say both have occurred in the same magazine. Modern Quilts Unlimited did a fantastic job. I hope you have a subscription to thisContinue reading “Modern Quilts Unlimited, Designer Spotlight and Ziggy Star Dots pattern!”

TOR: Toxic Masculinity Must End

This is my entry into Threads of Resistance. I have named it, Toxic Masculinity Must End. It is printed using Procion MX dye on cotton broadcloth and silk organza. There are additional collaged elements like Meadowlark fabrics and tulle. I used the StencilGirl scroll stencil in its creation in addition to multicolor print sets . Continue reading “TOR: Toxic Masculinity Must End”

Coloring a Print

The Playful Fabric Print-Along has been a boon and a learning experience for me. Today I share my work, here on my blog and also in our Facebook community page, Playful Fabric Printing.  I encourage you to join our community page to see what we have been up to! The Coupon Codes are to beContinue reading “Coloring a Print”

Printing-Along Progress and the benefits in printing a Strike Off

I am creatively bamboozled by the Printed Village challenge at the same time as Carol Soderlund and I are hosting a Playful Fabric Print-Along. The two goals have collided. Really, I couldn’t be happier! Working in this manner is exactly how I was taught to design when I attended F.I.T. Stylists would gather a presentation of ideas and weContinue reading “Printing-Along Progress and the benefits in printing a Strike Off”

Finding a purpose and applying my skills

I recently came across Printed Village, (did you know about it? And if so, why have you been holding back on me?) And? Of course, I have decided to partipate in one of their challenges. This site offers ‘story boards’ and deadlines for a surface design artists to create work on a theme, with prizes.Continue reading “Finding a purpose and applying my skills”