For You Friday: Darlene Zimmerman free "Happy Homemaker" patterns from Robert Kaufman fabrics

My Mom told me about this super-cute collection of free patterns* by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman fabrics, and I thought I'd share it with you here because they are called "Happy Homemaker" and are designed by a fabric designer whom I really appreciate.

The “Hi Honey, I’m Home” Apron, Table Runner, and Placemats are designed, assembled, and quilted by Darlene Zimmerman, a fabric designer who creates a lot of her designs based on historic fabric designs.


* The patterns, fabric, et cetera have no connection to me or TheHappyHomemaker.org, and I am not an authorized agent of Robert Kaufman Fabrics or Darlene Zimmerman to distribute the patterns. I just like them and thought that you might too.

House No. 7: Textile House

House No. 7: Textile House

vector fabric pattern

5 in. x 5 in.

007/365; 01/07/11

Textile arts, like weaving, spinning, sewing, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, tatting, and quilting, are a foundation of homemaking. Home crafts, typically done by women, have traditionally been the lower rungs of the arts. Isn't it interesting how things done at home are often the least valued?

It's a big thing to consider, and it includes factors like the Industrial Revolution, gender roles, working inside and outside the home. Really, I just wanted to make a fabric pattern. But with any visual representation, the image and the medium come with a lot of baggage.

I think that is what I love most about art and design. We pick up images and tools and media and try to reshape references that are intrinsically woven within the fabric of our culture.

Well, that, and I really like to make stuff.