Friends, Constanze @tree.textiles is back! This time she’s rounded up the fabric-related TV shows that you should be watching, streaming and DVRing. It’s a fun-filled list, and as always, Constanze delivers with pizzazz and humor! Prepare to be inspired!

The Fabric-Related TV That You Should Be Watching

by Constanze @tree.textiles

Of course, reading is great, quilting is amazing, but you know what’s pretty divine as well? Putting your feet up at the end of a long day or week, snack bowl or favorite hot beverage in hand, and turning on some good ol’ TV. And while you are at it, why not stream something fabric related? It’s like intravenous inspiration: here you are placing bets on who is going to win the trophy / patch / hottie, next you are freezing the frame to run and get your sketchbook, because THAT HAS TO BE MADE INTO A QUILT!

Here is a little round-up of shows available to stream and fabric-dream:

Abstract, available on Netflix:

If you like well organized primary colors, white space, beautiful typeface and a glimpse behind the creative geniuses of our time, may I introduce you to two seasons of chasing the illusive spark of design. How does an architect, costume designer, photographer, etc. etc. capture their vision and translate it to their medium? I hope your hot beverage won’t spill, because you will be running to take notes or rediscover the joy of doodling. The episodes on Graphic Design, Interior Design, Costume Design and, yes, Typeface Design I found particularly relevant to quilting.

Craft in America, available on PBS:

It’s just so good. It’s no wonder it’s in its 11th season and has a whole episode dedicated to quilts, featuring none other than, may I call her that, granddame Victoria Findlay Wolfe, the inspiring quilt innovator Michael Cummings, and other capital G Greats. But don’t count out the not quite so literal episodes for being fountains of inspiration and craft wisdom. Season 4 Episode 1 Threads has very closely related topics that will make you want to build a shrine to Faith Ringgold for cementing quilts’ place in museums, while Season 9 Episode 1 reminded me of the social power craft can have and how the quilting community has been embracing this power this year. Social Justice Sewing Academy, anyone?

7 Days Out, available on Netflix:

Do you like quiltalongs, but you never post the prompt until the last day? Do you love gifting quilts, but have stitched down binding in the car on the way to the recipient? If your creativity thrives when up against the clock, I think you will enjoy this show about the week before and behind the scenes of some of the world’s largest events. I would especially recommend Kentucky Derby (The hats!) and Chanel Couture Show (The flower pavilion! The delicate lace and silkiest silk!) to any fabric lover.

Making It, available on Hulu:

I mean duh, right? A show that starts with an exterior shot of a barn with the most fabulous barn quilt on it, and had contestants creatively interpret the concept of a quilt, has to be good. Throw in Leslie Knope, uh, Amy Pohler and Nick Offerman in craft pun contests, and you know you will binge those two seasons and answer the casting call faster than you can say “Fab-ric-ulous!”. While you are at it, check out the Making It instagram feed for quarantine craft prompts.

Interior Design Masters, available on Netflix:

Originally I had wanted to put the Great Interior Design Challenge on this list, because I have literally been going back to that show for ideas for little crafty projects around the house for years, but alas, it seems to have been taken off. Interior Design Masters is less totally British whimsically crafty and more down to business, but maybe that’s just a sign of the times. It still is a great source of inspiration for color combinations and appreciating texture and material. (If you liked this, check out Grand Designs next)

Blown Away, available on Netflix:

If you are on the competition reality show bandwagon, this one is killer, because the medium couldn’t be further away from textiles: Heat! Fire! Great big hammers and other tools that look like medieval torture devices! And you will still get a kick out of how familiar some scenarios feel: projects getting out of hand, oopsies needing to be patched up, a grandiose idea suddenly feeling trite. And all the prompts would work for quilting too… yes, that is a challenge! (To keep watching, check out: The Big Flower Fight).

The Bold Type, available on Hulu:

If you like @broadclothstudio‘s hilarious quilting personality quizzes, you’ll enjoy playing Which character am I on this show. This new “shades of being female and fabulous” (in New York) series follows in the footsteps of Sex and the City and Girls, but in 2020s appropriate fashion adds more cultural awareness. Similar to my feelings about Craft in America I was reminded of the social projects our wonderful quilting community have embraced. It also doesn’t hurt that the outfits and interiors of everyone are to. die. for. I want to cut them all apart and turn them into the glitziest quilt you have ever seen.

P.S.: I got a few messages after the last post on recommendations for non-fiction about fabric. Hands down my choice would be J J Pizzuto’s Fabric Science. If you feel like splurging, there is a swatch book to go with it, and I keep it handy at all times. It will definitely make you challenge your texture game!

Thank you, Constnze! We can’t wait to Netflix and chill with these awesome shows! For more from Constanze, follow her on IG and check out her other posts for FeelGood Fibers: Sewing Fiction: 5 Book Recommendations for Fabric Lovers and 7 Tips for Making Memory Quilts.