Do you remember the TP [toilet paper] shortage/hoarding of 2020? Have you seen the Nature's Calling fabric collection from Northcott Fabrics? If you want some of these fabrics, you better get off the pot and go to your local quilt shop now! ... lest you get caught with your pants down.
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| Pillowcases using the toilet paper print from the Nature's Calling collection from Northcott. |
Nature's Calling fabric collection
The Nature's Calling fabric collection is making people laugh... or smile, anyway. Last year, when I was previewing the collection with my clients, I heard aaaaalll the stories... as shop owners and their associates reminisced their memories and experiences with outhouses.
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| Prints from the "Nature's Calling" collection. The full collection is comprised of 8 different prints (some not shown above). |
There were stories and comments such as:
- "My grandparents had one of these."
- "I remember when we/they got indoor plumbing."
- having to "go" in the middle of the night... or when it was cold outside.
- if the wind was blowing the wrong direction.
- the 2-holer!
- After a time, outhouses had to be relocated because the hole was "full." People could tell the previous locations of these structures by the flowering bushes planted in their place.
- And there's the ever-popular book, "40 Yards Away" by Willie MakeIt and Betty Wont.
Making my toilet paper pillowcases
I decided to "commemorate the occasion" by making pillowcases for L. These are the extra long, king-size pillowcases. I use the burrito pillowcase construction method and with this toilet paper print being non-directional, it's a fabric-efficient project and an easy sew.
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| Toilet paper pillowcases using a print from Nature's Calling fabric collection. |
The pillowcase cuff dilemma
While at my LQS [local quilt shop], making the choice of fabric for the body of the pillowcases was simple—like poop through a goose—the toilet paper print! But the cuff fabric? Hmmmm...
I didn't go full-tilt with the outhouse theme, so opted for a Canvas blender [Northcott Fabrics]. Canvas has a beautiful color range, a subtle pattern, and is a gender-neutral design. But what color would be appropriate for toilet paper pillowcases??
- brown? (eeewww!)
- yellow? (ugh, not)
- red? (gosh, no!)
- green? (uuuuhhh...)
- how 'bout blue?
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| Selvedges from Nature's Calling and Canvas indigo. |
Commemorating the 2020 TP shortage
So, if you're looking for a easy project, one that is useful and functional, a humorous gift, or something to make you smile, run to your local quilt shop and scoop up (or stock up!) on fabrics from Nature's Calling. There are 8 different prints in the collection, coordinating blenders, and patterns for additional projects, too. Visit your local quilt or fabric shop.
