I'm so excited that my latest fabric collection, Gretel, is hitting stores November 2018! You may have seen a few posts where I've teased Gretel. I'm so excited to share the full collection as well as a brand new coordinating quilt pattern, Fraulein.
Gretel is distributed by Riley Blake Designs. As of 2019 it is out of print, but some of it is still available online in my shop as well as Patches and Scraps and a variety of Etsy sellers.
I am so smitten with the color palette of this one. I kept my standby primary reds, yellows, and blues, but I've softened them a little and added some sentimental pink.
I also love the number of low-volume prints that are included in this collection. I think it really helps to soften and round out the collection.
And, this collection is designed specifically to coordinate with other Riley Blake basics including my favorite woven ginghams in red, yellow, and navy as well as the Swiss Dots in Denim, and Red and Navy on cream. The Kisses print in Denim also coordinates. I used Riley Blake's Confetti Cotton solid in Cloud for my coordinating white as it's a little more creamy, off-white.
Fraulein Precuts-Friendly Quilt Pattern
I'm also releasing a new pattern along with the Gretel collection called Fraulein. I specifically designed the prints in this collection to be perfect for classic patchwork, so I wanted a traditional quilt, but with a fresh feel. This quilt is inspired by traditional granny-square blocks, but with a twist (and no bias edges in the blocks!)
I love how the Baptist Fan quilting adds to the vintage vibe. The quilting was done by Melissa of Sew Shabby Quilting.
This is also a great quilt for a fun, scrappy patchwork feel. The pattern is precuts friendly - works for both 10" x 10" precut squares OR 2 ½" precut strips (aka Rolie Polies or Jelly Rolls).
You can find Fraulein available now in my Diary of a Quilter Pattern Shop in both downloadable PDF and hard copy formats. The Throw-size version finishes at 68" x 82". There are also instructions for Crib, Queen, and King size options. And I've marked it down 25% for it's debut week!
More Projects made with Gretel Fabric
I'm also working on a new version of my Gingham Girls Stars pattern using Gretel and coordinates. (Guess how much I love that gingham in there?!) I've also marked down the Gingham Girls Stars pattern, also available in PDF or Hard Copy versions.
I've shared a little bit of the background story behind Gretel previously. It's another collection inspired by childhood memories. My mom was a collector of German-inspired folk art that was so popular in the late 1970's. She'd lived in Europe on a study abroad program in the early 70's and brought back coordinating dirndl dresses for her nieces, which my sister and I wore a few years later.
Not only that, but my mother was a devout fan of the Sound of Music and we were raised on that music/movie. (I think I can quote the whole movie while watching it.)
Little did I know at the time that I would grow up to marry a cute boy who was born in Germany while his father was stationed there with the US military. Germany continues to be a place we love to visit.
It's been fun to take all of that sentimental nostalgia for Alpine/German/Austrian inspiration and put it together in a collection to create with now. I was so excited when Erika offered to make a dirndl for my booth at Quilt Market last spring! She used the Burda 9509 pattern for this one.
I also couldn't resist making a simple patchwork quilt with these prints. I'll be sharing a tutorial for this simple bias patchwork crib quilt in a few weeks.
For the backing I used the main print from the collection (which is also available in yellow and blue) and the blue stripe for the binding.
I designed this main print with fussy cutting in mind. I plan to make a whole bunch of these covered buttons as magnets for gifts this Christmas. 
Gretel also has some other fun coordinating accessories including these woven, sew-in labels (they come in sets of 12),
and matching washi tape!
I'm so excited to finally have fabric here to play with! I have many more projects to share in the coming weeks and can't wait to see what other people do with it! Including you! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook with #GretelFabric so that I can see! Maybe you'll be inspired to sew up a dirndl of your own...
Gretel is getting scarce, but is still available from a handful of shops including: Patches and Scraps as well as a variety of Etsy sellers.
Happy sewing!
Lea Anne Brummett
Every line of fabric of your fabric gets sweeter. I've been hoarding your other two lines, I might as well add this one to the mix!
happyquiltingmelissa
Amy, you are amazing!!! Love the inspiration behind this line and the gorgeous prints and colors!!! Just perfection!! And Fraulein is such a beautiful quilt design. Love the modern traditional feel.
Raylene
Love this line! I am finishing up your Meet The Makers with Gingham Girls & Sunnyside Ave!! I love the clear colors and the patterns are so cute! Am glad to hear FQS will be carrying!! Can't wait!!!
Allison
ALL the heart eyes for this collection and your quilt! Beautiful!!!
Jocelyn
Cute pattern and fabric.
lizrehrauerRehrauer
I love fabric, but every one of your lines has always been my current favorite. This one is no exception. I’ve already downloaded Freulein.
Karen
I was going to ask Santa for this fabric, but I don't think I can wait!
Congratulations on another beautiful collection.
Christine Sherman
So beautiful!
Karen Seitz
I love it all! Can't wait to get some for fussy cutting like you have done.
Susan Smith
Love this line, Amy! Can you share a tutorial for your button magnets? They are super cute!
Amy
Yes! I'll share one later this month!
Karin
Amy, I wonder whether this speaks to me because I am German. Maybe something from childhood. Lovely collection. I particularly like the white fabric with the large multi-coloured ‘spots’ on it. Could see a sweet little baby quilt in that one.
Little Quiltsong
Beautiful fabric line - the colours and prints are all just so lovely!
Daisy Dianne Bromlow
LOVE LOVE LOVE your fabric !!!
Judy Chastain
Your new Gretel fabric line is wonderful, and actually, all your fabric lines are. The colors are fresh and you've incorporated vintage with modern. I love them all.
Judy Chastain
Amy, I love the new fabric line, and all your fabrics for the bright, fresh colors. You combine nostalgia with modern, and that's a talent.
Judy Chastain
I don't understand why I keep getting the message "duplicate message detected" and "it looks like you've already said that." Here goes the 3rd try!
Amy, I love the new fabric line, and all your fabrics for the bright, fresh colors. You combine nostalgia with modern, and that's a talent.
Janet Taber
Since I used most of my Amy Smart fabric making Land That I Love, I've just jumped over to Cherry Creek and ordered some of this darling new line for my stash! Thank you, Amy, for being so creative and for loving the colors I love!
Rosemaryflower
this is adorable fabric. I love the projects too.
Riley Blake has the nicest designers
farmhousequiltsblog
Love, love this fabric line! I grew up in the Netherlands and visited Germany often...must be why ;). Love the quilt pattern too!
Vicki Gray
Love your new line!! It's so adorable!!!
Astrid
Amy, I love this nostalgic feel of your new fabric line. It really does look like oldtime Germany (being German myself). Congrats also on the merchandise products (tape and labels)!
Rosemaryflower
this is precious. The fabric is perfect for the quilt. This reminds me of when I was a kid living in Germany
Moriah Quilts
Love the theme, story, and continuity of this collection. You knocked it out of the park again!
Amy
Aww, thank you!!
Bridgette
This collection has it all❤️
Amy
Thank you! xo
Mary Brock
The only problem here is the stacks are so colorful and lovely I think I would have to use them as decor in my sewing room. The quilts are beautiful. Hey, I know I should buy 2 stacks one for a quilt and one for my shelf...problem solved...
Amy
Great solution!! 😉
Cheryl B.
I just love it! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Mary
Absolutely charming!
Beth
Is the patchwork pattern in the pattern book Frauline ?
Amy
Yes - the pattern for the quilt itself is called Fraulein.
Janet Bales
Please help me to find your fabrics from all places mentioned. No luck. Help
Amy
HI Janet!
Unfortunately this collection is out of print and no longer available in stores. BUt the good news is I still have some of it! Email me at [email protected] and let me know what you need. I think I can help you!
Melissa
I just started quilting at age 52 and I'm having tons of fun finding fabrics I like. My one wish would be able to acquire the gretel fabric line somehow. It is absolutely adorable.