Program #204 — Kaari Meng and the French General
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Running time: 00:52:43 Size: 50.7 MB
Last Thursday morning, I had the good fortune to be able to meet up with Kaari Meng at her French General store in Los Angeles.
Kaari was so gracious — even when in my nervousness, I kept mis-pronouncing her name (embarrassing!!). She holds a Craft Meet-up day on the last Thursday of the month. For more info on that, go here: French General Meet-up
I was overwhelmed with the creative spirit that I found in the store and that Kaari shared with us in this interview. I have corresponding photos that I hope you’ll enjoy. We’ll travel around the shop, counter-clockwise.
Here is the book nook, filled with Kaari’s wonderful publications. In the bottom right corner, you will see the French newspapers that are filled with embroidered alphabet and suggestions for embroidering under garments, children’s clothing and items for the home. Printed from the 1930’s – the late 1970’s — a real treasure.
The Bead wall — so many containers of colors, types and sizes of beads — just oozing with desire to be used to create something wonderful and unique.
Here are the red fabrics that Kaari spoke about, where the reds would “take” in different ways depending on the mordant that was used in the dying process. The deep red on top was when they found the “magic” mordant, and the others were dyed prior to that time. How soft the other two reds are — and the one on the bottom is almost pink.
p.s. Red is my favorite color.
One of Kaari’s collages with a sampling of French General vintage offerings.
An Amazon review of “Home Sewn” says:
Antique armoire holds sheets and textiles. The quilt just under the top folded quilts was another inspiration for Kaari’s fabric collections. Lucky us, to be the recipients of Kaari’s talent — We can buy her fabric to use for quilts, clothing and home decor!
Speaking of which:
Here is just one of the displays of Moda fabrics that you can buy from Kaari. She even has a few of the Rouenneries fabrics, which are hard to find now.
Here is the sample wall that Kaari was talking about when she said that she likes to take little scraps and turn them into beautiful art.
Vintage mannequin with silk flowers
One cubby on the “chapeau” wall where you can make your own beautiful hat with ribbons and other fabulous finds. My friend, Sue and I wondered what lucky lady from the past got to wear that magnifique crown … Isn’t it a beauty?!
Speaking of Sue, she chose to make a necklace for her daughter when we stayed for the Craft Meet-up. Such a fun time, meeting other crafters – including Sylvia, a quilter who is also a Mayor!
Kaari offers little jewelry kits of bracelets and necklaces in a tin, with everything you need to create the piece. She also has an Un, Deux, Trois Club where you can join and receive the kit of the month. Ingenious!
Ok, are you totally inspired now, or what?!
Here’s some more to help you if you’re not sufficiently blown away yet…
Don’t forget to go out to Kaari’s website, French General and visit her blog, The Warp and The Weft for an opportunity to win this faboo Fat Quarter pack of Fa La La La La fabric. And check out this little jewel of a photo:
The Fat Quarter pack on the right has this sample fabric at the top of the pack. The fabric at the bottom left of the photo is from Kaari’s Moda line, and the fabric at the top, in a slightly smaller scale, is the original French antique textile that inspired the fabric collection.
I’ll pick the winner on Friday, June 3rd so leave a comment about what inspired you about Kaari and the French General. Good luck!
Yeah, pretty incredible, right? I really hope you enjoy the podcast with Kaari, and that when you’re in the L.A. area on a Monday (don’t forget, she’s only open on Monday unless she is having a special event!), you’ll stop by the French General, or catch Kaari at the Creative Connection in September!
oh, and in the meantime… Happy Quilting!
©2011 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved
Gorgeous! I love the new fabric line. And my daughter would go absolutely crazy with the beads and stuff. It’s a good thing I don’t live in California or I would be a lot poorer. Maybe just one kit… what could it hurt???
Oh my, how beautiful and what a wonderful giveaway! I just used some of the French General charm squares to make a pillow and love how it turned out. I had been hoarding the charm pack for quite a bit waiting for just the right project. I love how the fabric is colorful and vintage looking at the same time.
I just finished listening to the podcast with Kaari Meng (French General)…what a great show!
Kaari’s use of color is absolutely wonderful – good news that Rouenneries is being re-released soon (crossing my fingers!!!). If only Rural Jardin would make another debut, I’d be a VERY, VERY happy camper…another stunning line.
The woad workshop at French General sounds very intriguing….I’ve never used plants for fabric dyeing, only Procion chemicals. So to spend the day investigating woad, sounds wonderful!
Thanks for the info!
Cynthia — Kaari may have some of the Rural Jardin at the shop. Send an email to notions@frenchgeneral.com and ask! The Woad Workshop does indeed sound fun. I’m thinking about it!
I find everything in French General inspiring. In fact I signed up for the woad workshop and then found out she had to change the date and I can’t make it this time. Waahhhhh! Oh well, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I can make the next one. And if I ever win the lottery I’m going to go to the Chateau with Kaari. That would be too much fun.
Sue
OK Annie…who doesn’t want to go to France with Caary at the end of June! Sounds she has a charmed life…crafting, collecting and traveling.
One of my fave podcasts of yours. Went right to her website…couldn’t decide what I liked best…the beads, the fabric, the findings…
I’m dreaming of fields of sunflowers! (and really enjoying all the podcasts you’re putting up…keep ’em coming)
A long time fan,
Kristin
Hi Annie
Loved this interview. Isn’t it wonderful that that more we learn as quilters and creative people there is always so much more to learn and enjoy? Wow! I am new to the French General, but do recognize the fabric. And what a concept- if you can call it that. She has turned her life passions into an inviting successful business not just for herself but other too. And the lavender cherry video…
I will be doing some virtual time on her site. Thanks
Just checked out the French General website and blog. Have loved their fabric (especially THAT RED!), but didn’t realize that they were into so many other inspiring things! Will have to spend more time exploring! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Oh, my goodness, I’m glad Kaari is in California. I’d LOVE to take the WODE class in September in Nor Cal. I love love love french fabric. I have a collection of fabric from France, I started collecting when I was in Paris on vacation in Sept 2011. Kaari’s trips to Toulouse sound great! I even have a friend that has a quilting business in Toulouse.
What a treasure you found for us, Annie. Thank you! Great podcast!!!
Color, color, color! I make quilts as gifts most often, and French General’s tones fit almost every household!
Great interview and thanks.
What an exciting podcast, I can only imagine going on the summer retreat to France, Oh would this be a dream. I love the jewlery and her fabric. She has opened my thoughts to using cream and red together for quilts. Thank goodness for podcast, and websites to view as I am across the country from CA.
Thanks Annie for wonderful podcast.
Jan
I loved hearing about discovering the old hat factory. Visiting France with “insiders” would be a dream trip!
My gosh, I love Kaari’s focus on turquoise and her botanical charm club bracelet! I was impressed by some things that are not in her store – the fact that she’s still married after starting a business in her barn, having children and running a business, and opening her store only one day a week. I would think there would be a lot of pressure to be open more often, but obviously she’s running her business her way. I’ll be in her area in September, but not sure if we’ll have the time to go to visit her store. Thanks for sharing her story, Annie!
Hi Annie, I love your podcast and try not to miss any.
I am big fan of French General since they have started selling their fabric .
I love their colors especially gray.
I am japanese who lives in U.S for 18 years, and I believe French General should sell their books and fabrics in Japan.
Japanese like everything French.
They would love French General too!
Wow! Great podcast, with each new topic another revelation! The whole idea of gleaning old craft items from France and selling them here is amazing! The natural woad dyeing workshops sound fabulous. Kaari is incredibly creative, and her website is beautiful. Her fabrics are lovely, and I am glad to hear she is reproducing some of them. The linen-cotton fabrics look intriguing! I will keep my eyes open for them in my LQS. And I will forward her info to my sister who lives in LA – this looks right up her alley! I think she would love to craft some of that jewelry.
I am in love with her french fabrics but the photo of the sunflower field just put me over the top. YUMM!!
I beleive the soft fabric color pallet is what inspires me. I love love love Kaari’s color sense.
Thank you Annie for giving us such wonderful podcast. I listen to them over and over again.
I’ll be listening to this podcast again–I am so intrigued with Kaari’s aesthetic. I know absolutely nothing about french fabric, but I adore the reds and that woad blue…that’s my favorite. This is what I love about your podcasts, Annie. I listened to this on my way to work this morning, and you opened my eyes to a whole new fabric fascination! Thank you!
Glad to be of assistance, April!
Loved the show. I have never heard of Woad before, and find it intriging. I find Kaari’s website full…so much to choose from. Perhaps a bracelet kit would be just the thing. I have been a quilter, but like the idea of branching out to other crafts, especially diy jewelry!
It was really interesting to learn about Kaari’s shop (wish I had known about it when I lived in Torrance!). I’ve been quilting for almost 30 years, but I’ve never heard of woad and the beautiful blue it produces. Wish I could be at one of her wonderful French chateau retreats, too!
Great interview! Makes me want to go to France and frolic in sunflower fields of fabric! The dying workshop sounds very cool, someone should do that in the northeast area so I could go. The whole vintage look is very appealing as well.
I had no idea this store/website existed. I live in Los Angeles, so the next Monday I have off – FIELD TRIP! What a good podcast Annie. The woad workshop and the ribbons and lace and beads! – Oh my.
I have a confession. I had looked at French General fabric from time to time, and wondered why it didn’t look military! It never occurred to me the idea was of a General Store!
I enjoyed your interview and my look around her website. Kaari has a great talent for finding interesting and beautiful items.
Kaari’s jewelery kits are very beautiful and vintage looking. The next time I drive down to see my son in San Diego, I will have to schedule it so I will “pass through” LA on a Monday…oh darn!