I'm so excited to announce that my 2023 fabric collection with Riley Blake Designs, Portsmouth, has arrived in stores! I just received a box of precuts and I'm excited to share pictures so you can see what it all looks like together!
I'm SO pleased with how this collection turned out. This is my sixth collection for Riley Blake Designs.
This collection is inspired by the summer in the New England Seacoast where my husband's family lives. You can read about and see more of the inspiration for the Portsmouth collection here.
The color palette for this one is my most subtle so far. I am always a sucker for a classic red, white, and blue color palette because it never goes out of style.
At the same time, I wanted the vibe to be more washed-out and "beachy" - like the look of a beloved quilt that's been weathered from too many picnics or days in the hammock at the beach.
There's a mix of florals and plaids, nautical motif, stripes and American flags, + some charming seacoast vignettes. And of course some ginghams.
Here's a close-up view of some of the prints in the different colorways
I collaborated with my sister, Laura Miller, again to use some of her sketches of summer seacoast life.
Laura also created a gorgeous floral print inspired by hydrangea florals that seem to thrive near the coast.
I can't wait to use this print for a quilt back or sweet little Easter dress.
The Portsmouth Collection is available in shops now!
Portsmouth is arriving in shops now!
Post Edit: This collection is now out of print 😢 but there may still be a few pieces floating around on the interwebs. Here are a few options to try:
- Happy Little Stitch Shop
- Gardenia Fabrics
- Seaside Fabrics
- Boston Quilt Works
- other assorted Etsy Shops
Quilt Projects and Patterns Made with Portsmouth Fabric
I can't wait to make ALL of the things with this fabric. I have 3 new patterns I've released to coincide with the Portsmouth collection including:
Land that I Love, New Castle Beach, and Sugarhouse Star. All three patterns are available in my Pattern Shop in Paper or PDF versions.
The Fly the Flag pattern is also perfect for this collection and available in kits!
I still can't get enough of the summer-y, beach-y vibes these quilts have all together!
Here are links to the other quilts made with Portsmouth:
- Fly the Flag
- New Castle Beach
- Land That I Love
- Fast Four Patch
- Stars and Stripes Pillow and Table Runner Tutorial
I'm also having fun cutting into the fabric. I've already got a few new projects underway!
One of the projects I'm working on is the 2023 Riley Blake Quilt Block Challenge! The free pattern for Block 5, Cheerful Churn Dash, was just released yesterday.
You can find the pattern and block 5 tutorial here.
And here are all of my blocks so far. You can find all of the details on the Quilt Block Challenge + the free patterns that have been released here.
And I'm loving seeing other makers already sharing projects made with Portsmouth including this gorgeous quilt made by Laurel of Snowberry Street.
The pattern for this quilt the Penelope quilt from Andy Knowlton's book Fresh Fat Quarter Quilts.
Laurel also made a gorgeous bag using the Patchwork Duffel pattern from Kaitlyn at Knot and Thread. I think I need to make one of these myself!
Portsmouth is available now - hopefully in your favorite shop, but if not, it's available lots of places online. I can't wait to see what you do with it!
hopflower says
What? I do hope you professional quilt sewers will not hoard it all for ourselves. I was planning on getting some and just got my notice from Fat Quarter Shop that the fabric has come in! Seriously those are some very gorgeous makes; so inspiring, but then, it is a beautiful line.
Jill Kemp says
Hey Amy. What is the name and or sku# of the solid white background fabric you have used in your Portsmouth quilts?
Amy says
Great question! The coordinating white solid is the Confetti Cotton in Cloud. Item number: C120-CLOUD
Jill Kemp says
Thank you for letting me know. I have all ready ordered some of the portsmouth pre-cuts!!! I am excited to see it in person. It's beautiful!!!
Gwyn says
I am excited to get some Portsmouth for my mom!
Barbra sievers says
How can I order this set of materials they are so pretty. How much dose it cost.thank you so much
Amy says
Hi Barbara! Thanks so much for your interest. 🙂 These fabrics are in stock at a lot of different online fabric shops. At the bottom of the post there is a list of shops. Just click on the shop names and it will take you directly to where these fabrics can be purchased.
LBJ says
Curious. Portsmouth NH or RI?
Amy says
Great question! My in-laws are from the NH Portsmouth, so that's the one I'm most familiar with. But definitely going for the Nautical vibe of all of New England. 🙂
Dianne Douglas says
Amy this fabric is beautiful......can't wait to purchase and begin a new project!!!
Julie says
Cheerful Churndash is a great name, such a happy looking block, especially in Portsmouth.
Ellen says
I saw it in my LQS yesterday! They were cutting kits for the Fly the Flag pattern, and people were loving it and reserving kits.
Amy says
Really?! That is the best! Makes me so happy to hear!
lindakqovgmailcom says
Oh! This is a must have! I hope my local shop has it coming in. I'm going to give her a call first thing Monday!
Barb says
Love this fabric line Amy! look forward to making a project with this
Sally says
This line is so light and airy, like a seabreeze. I love it.
Marianne says
So summery and beachy and reminds me of summers spent in Maine during high school!
Susan Fitzpatrick says
Hi Amy ,
I'm living in Dublin , Ireland . I was wondering if there any Irish , British or European stockists please of your fabulous Portsmouth Collection ?
Thank you,
Susan
Amy says
Hi Susan! I will ask at Riley Blake and find out!
Anne Nunes says
I would like to try the the Lori Holt 2023 Block challenge using your Portsmouth collection. Ever since I saw that collection on your post I fell in love with it. I would like to do the blocks as you have but am unsure how much fabric to purchase. Want to purchase enough before it is no longer available. Can you please advise me what would be a good amount to purchase allowing for extra of course. Which shops would be best to try first? Thank you in advance for you help.
Amy says
Hi Anne! I'm not familiar with the Lori Holt block challenge. If you can send me a link to the challenge and her fabric requirements, I'll take a look at them. I have a bunch of shops listed in this post that are stocking Portsmouth. Any of them are great. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Amy, I just received the Portsmouth jelly roll in the mail today and was wondering if you had suggestions on what I can make Ruth it. I’m still new to quilting but not sewing. It’s my first time using a jelly roll so I’m excited. I’m located in Ct and got to explore some of Portsmouth during the pandemic on my way to Portland, it’s so beautiful as is all of the east coast starting in Ct. Thanks Amy.
Karen
Amy says
HI Karen! I'm so glad to hear that you like it the Portsmouth collection. Means even more coming from New Englanders! Here are a few patterns that I have that are written for Jelly Rolls: Fraulein, Bushel & a Peck both in my shop: https://diaryofaquiltershop.com/
I also recently saw this book by Susan Ache with a basket quilt that seems perfect for this collection: http://shrsl.com/407xj
Another idea: search Pinterest for Jelly Roll quilts. I'm sure dozens of great ones will come up!
Sylvia jensen says
Hey Amy, do you have a list of solid colors that go with this collection
Amy says
Yes! Great question: the coordinating Riley Blake Confetti Cottons are Cloud (off white), Dream (light blue), and Oxford Blue (navy). Unfortunately the reds don't have a perfect match but Jazzberry is the closest compliment.
Sylvia Jensen says
Love the collection. I live in the UK but bought a fat quarter bundle from the Fat Quarter Shop when I was in the States last month. 🥰
Mary Kay Bishop says
These fabrics are so pretty! The prints definitely capture the New England Seacoast feel!
Ginger Tingey says
Will you be putting out any more of the Portsmouth fabric line? I am having a hard time finding it. Just wondering.....
Amy says
Unfortunately no. That's up to the company Riley Blake Designs and they tend to not repeat past fabric lines. :/
Emily Amedeo says
I know this post is old but I am new to sewing and I don't think anywhere sells the 10 inch stackers in this pattern anymore!
Amy Smart says
Yes, sadly this collection is out of print. 😔