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Fabric designers have either visited the Far East recently or are dreaming about a trip to the Orient. New fabric lines from many companies showcase Eastern images such as dragons, koi, lotus blossoms, bamboo, kimonos, paper lanterns, and pagodas. Look for these opulent fabrics at your favorite quilt shop.

Quilters are often as passionate about their flower gardens as they are about their fabrics. A new trend in quilt fabric combines both passions. Large floral prints boasting flowers atleast 6" in diameter are popping up in quilt shops around the country. Hurry to your local quilt store and pick up a bouquet of your favorite flowers.

Three cheers for the red, white, and blue! Patriotic prints are popular from sea to shining sea, and summer is a perfect time to pick up some stars and stripes for your fabric stash.

The lacy teardrop pattern known as paisley is Persian in origin, and has been used since the sixteenth century. This motif is sometimes called a Persian pickle by American quiltmakers. Paisley designs have had several revivals during the twentieth century, and are currently popular again. Look for fabrics such as the ones shown below at your favorite quilt shop.

Those of you who started quilting in the mid-1970s probably remember the micro-dot, a staple at a time when 100% cotton fabrics were few. The dot is back, with variations galore—single dots, double dots, scattered dots, lined-up dots, ring dots, jumbo dots, and more. Here are a few of the latest examples of this perky, positive fabric type.

Soft floral fabrics—combined with mismatched chairs, slipcovered sofas, flea market furniture, and vintage lace—are essential to the popular decorating style known as "cottage chic." Casual but elegant, traditional yet fresh, simple and at the same time ornate, these fabrics make gorgeous, easy-to-live-with quilts. Look for them at your favorite quilt shop.