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Alethea Ballard

Artist, Teacher, Author of Maverick Quilts

Urban Burp – The Most Extraordinary Fabric Store

September 26, 2011 by maverickquilts 4 Comments

What, you ask dear readers, is an urban burp?

Is it like a regular burp only more metropolitan? Is is a burp you only have in a big city?

NO! It is when you go to this amazing fabric store in San Francisco and you see a vintage fabric that startles you like a friendly ghost of the past. It might be a floral print that Granny had for her kitchen curtains, it might be a 70’s fabric from a skirt that you had, or it might be a fabric that you had in your bedroom growing up in the little house in the big woods. When you see it at the store you exclaim something along the lines of, “Holy cow; that’s the couch fabric from my weird Uncle Melvin’s cabin in the Ozarks.” That’s the burp – that zing of emotion you feel when you have that blast from the past.

See George Washington shake hands
See George Washington shake hands

My burp came on my first visit to the store two years ago, when I spied George Washington peeking out of a large print that I recognized from a maverick 1960’s quilt that I bought at an antique store. It is a strange Dresden Plate pattern made out of decorator fabrics attached with large stitches on to a bubble-gum-pink field. It is tied with several colors of acrylic yarn that has stiffened over the years.

Funky Dresden Plate Quilt, c. 1960's
Funky Dresden Plate Quilt, c. 1960's

You might be wondering how I recognized this image from such a small piece of fabric in an old quilt that I didn’t even make. All I can say is, That Is The Power Of The Burp!

You are going to have to go – it is truly an amazing experience!

Urban Burp owner, Electra Skilandat
Urban Burp owner, Electra Skilandat

Urban Burp is the creation of Electra Skilandat, who offers fabrics from Arts & Crafts movement to Mid Century Modern and beyond. She has been collecting vintage fabrics since she was a teenager, and is now willing to share them with us lucky buyers at her store in SF’s cool North Beach.

Electra can tell you about each fabric in the store and she knows more about fabric than anyone I have ever met – times ten! She has an encyclopedic knowledge of fabrics, designers, and fabric companies.

And she is very kind and helpful.

Wall of bolts from bygone eras
Wall of bolts from bygone eras

The walls are lined with bolts which have been saved for decades or even generations. This creates a strange feeling as you move through the store or hold a piece of fabric in your hands. You have thoughts like: This fabric is older than I am. This is possibly the last piece of this fabric on the whole entire earth. The creator of this fabric painted this image fifty years ago.

You'll find fabrics and colors to dream on...
You'll find fabrics and colors to dream on...

One of the most delicious thing about being in Urban Burp is the colors. They really don’t make fabric like this any more.

I can just feel you quilters out there getting excited and nervous at the same time. You are wondering what you could make out of these fabrics. You don’t want to wreck it. You don’t want to waste it.  I say, “Cow Poop.”

And I say, “Go forth and make a Maverick Quilt, silly.”

Buy it – Cut it – Use it!  Just Strap on Your Spurs, and Get Started.

So long as you love the fabric and make something to look at, you are honoring and preserving the fabric. You  honor the work the designers did all those years ago. And you are honoring Electra for keeping it safe for us until now. This is one of the pieces that I bought. It is about 20 inches square and cost me only $12.00. It is heavy fabric like upholstery fabric or bark cloth. I washed it and it didn’t bleed or run and I am featuring it in the center of a quilt.

Here is what I have added so far (below). Stay tuned for more.

Vintage Magnolia quit - first steps
Vintage Magnolia quit - first steps

Here is a photo gallery of other fabrics that I found (bought!) at Urban Burp.

Wonderful red and green plants
Wonderful red and green plants
Wonderful red and green plants - detail
Wonderful red and green plants - detail
Wonderful cotton fabric
Wonderful cotton fabric
Waxed Batik from Africa (modern)
Waxed Batik from Africa (modern)
Zodiac panel - 1960's
Zodiac panel - 1960's
Large-scale decorator fabric - incredible colors!
Large-scale decorator fabric - incredible colors!
Unbelievable Rayon fabric - got it in two colors!
Unbelievable Rayon fabric - got it in two colors!

Now – I don’t want you to think that red, orange and green are the only colors in the store – that’s just me these days!

I was delighted to be able to take my dear friend Ashley to this wonderful store – she was on her first trip to California (from North Carolina) and I drove her directly to Urban Burp, without passing go or collecting $200. (Well – we did drive down Lombard Street on the way. Really!)

A very happy customer!
A very happy customer!

I did let Ashley buy fabrics in any color she liked! We had a wonderful time.

I know you will all want to go there, now. Here are two sources for more information about the store:

Check out Urban Burp’s Website. Be sure to look at the services offered. Electra offers her expertise in using fabrics and will work with your furniture for the perfect new look for a beloved piece.

You might also want to read this interesting review of the store at an exciting blog for fabric fans, True Up.

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Questions and Comments

  1. ashley says

    September 27, 2011 at 6:31 am

    Thanks for the bloggy love!!! Ah, Urban Burp…miss it already!

    Reply
  2. Lala says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:53 am

    Boy, that looks like fun!! Thanx for sharing.

    Reply
  3. cyndy rymer says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:30 pm

    I want to go on a road trip with you. How can you surpass the name of Urban Burp? Hip to be cool

    Reply
  4. Electra says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    I read this and it made my eyes mist heavily!! The importance of enjoying these fabrics now is exactly how I feel. You and they are alive now! Enjoy them; make them part of your sanctuary to support and make you happy. Warmest regards

    Reply

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maverickquilts

Artist/Teacher✂️Textile Collages💠Unexpected quilts🔅Online quilting classes!
Watch me sew! Sew with me! Aletheaballard.com

Instagram post 2195415411176988913_194116183 Cat Quilt is quilted!
My nephew Danny created and quilted this fabulous cat quilt!
He chose all the fabrics and appliqués himself. 
And he’s getting really good on the longarm. 
I recommend exuberant appliqué with kids.
Pro tip:
If they are little do the fusing and cutting in advance. Let them choose from two or three backgrounds. 
They love to collage. Then you press. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
It’s a great activity for the holidays, snow days, rainy days, and visits with auntie/uncle or granny/gpa. #sewwithkids #sewingwithkids #sewingwithchildren #collage #exuberantapplique #cat #cats #catquilt #luckyauntie #superauntie #onlinequiltingclasses @hoffmanfabrics @fronddesignstudios #picachu⚡️ @alexanderhenryfabrics @woodengatequilts @wehadtwins
Instagram post 2193940972971089201_194116183 Oh Joy!
More exuberant wreath fun!
Seriously, there’s cake, right?!?✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️
#onlinequiltclass #cats #cat #wreath #christmascat #joy #cake #onlinequiltingclasses #onlinequiltingteacher ##exuberantapplique #midcenturychristmas #midcenturymodern #collage #collageartist @harts_fabric
Instagram post 2193240701764722156_194116183 Gack! This fabric!!!
My LQS sent me these pictures. 
If you really need some Today call Woodengate Quilts this afternoon. (925) 837–8458
How absolutely cool is Alexander Henry Fabrics putting my postcards in their fabric deliveries?!? Thank you, Alexander Henry! You guys rock.
This makes my day!
And thank you Katie and Debi  at WGQ for being my biggest cheerleaders!!!
@alexanderhenryfabrics @woodengatequilts @kdkap @dabucc2 #tatoo #tattoofabric #sailorjerrytattoo #tattoo #hulagirl #hulagirltattoo #hulagirls #rhianna #fabric #fabricaddict
Instagram post 2190960646099317836_194116183 The season is kicking off at a cheerful pace! 🍾🍸🍹
How funny is this Tipsy Ladies wreath I made?!?
🤪😋😝🤣😂😆🤓🤪🥳
I found all of this mid-century-style fabric down in Santa Cruz at Hart’s fabrics three years ago!
💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫
I just had to do something super silly with it!
💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋
Did you know that I share all my appliqué secrets in an online class?
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Check out the link in my bio, and you can make exuberant things like this, too!
😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜
Make sure you put the good fusible and special scissors I carry in your shopping cart! They make all the difference in the world! ✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️
#onlinequiltclass #onlinequiltingclasses #onlinequiltingteacher #exuberantapplique #midcenturychristmas #midcenturymodern #tipsy #collage #collageartist @harts_fabric
Instagram post 2189668930876790389_194116183 Cardinals taking shape.

#bird #birds #birdquilt #exuberantapplique #watchmesew #fabric #textile #textileart #textileartist #lonirossifabric
Instagram post 2189066931642583870_194116183 Back home means back to work means back to my birds. 
Tonight it’s a nuthatch. 
Fitting for my current level of sanity. 😝
#bird #birds #birdquilt #exuberantapplique #watchmesew #fabric #textile #textileart #textileartist
Load More... Follow on Instagram

maverickquilts

Artist/Teacher✂️Textile Collages💠Unexpected quilts🔅Online quilting classes!
Watch me sew! Sew with me! Aletheaballard.com

Instagram post 2195415411176988913_194116183 Cat Quilt is quilted!
My nephew Danny created and quilted this fabulous cat quilt!
He chose all the fabrics and appliqués himself. 
And he’s getting really good on the longarm. 
I recommend exuberant appliqué with kids.
Pro tip:
If they are little do the fusing and cutting in advance. Let them choose from two or three backgrounds. 
They love to collage. Then you press. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
It’s a great activity for the holidays, snow days, rainy days, and visits with auntie/uncle or granny/gpa. #sewwithkids #sewingwithkids #sewingwithchildren #collage #exuberantapplique #cat #cats #catquilt #luckyauntie #superauntie #onlinequiltingclasses @hoffmanfabrics @fronddesignstudios #picachu⚡️ @alexanderhenryfabrics @woodengatequilts @wehadtwins
Instagram post 2193940972971089201_194116183 Oh Joy!
More exuberant wreath fun!
Seriously, there’s cake, right?!?✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️
#onlinequiltclass #cats #cat #wreath #christmascat #joy #cake #onlinequiltingclasses #onlinequiltingteacher ##exuberantapplique #midcenturychristmas #midcenturymodern #collage #collageartist @harts_fabric
Instagram post 2193240701764722156_194116183 Gack! This fabric!!!
My LQS sent me these pictures. 
If you really need some Today call Woodengate Quilts this afternoon. (925) 837–8458
How absolutely cool is Alexander Henry Fabrics putting my postcards in their fabric deliveries?!? Thank you, Alexander Henry! You guys rock.
This makes my day!
And thank you Katie and Debi  at WGQ for being my biggest cheerleaders!!!
@alexanderhenryfabrics @woodengatequilts @kdkap @dabucc2 #tatoo #tattoofabric #sailorjerrytattoo #tattoo #hulagirl #hulagirltattoo #hulagirls #rhianna #fabric #fabricaddict
Instagram post 2190960646099317836_194116183 The season is kicking off at a cheerful pace! 🍾🍸🍹
How funny is this Tipsy Ladies wreath I made?!?
🤪😋😝🤣😂😆🤓🤪🥳
I found all of this mid-century-style fabric down in Santa Cruz at Hart’s fabrics three years ago!
💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫
I just had to do something super silly with it!
💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋
Did you know that I share all my appliqué secrets in an online class?
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Check out the link in my bio, and you can make exuberant things like this, too!
😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜
Make sure you put the good fusible and special scissors I carry in your shopping cart! They make all the difference in the world! ✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️
#onlinequiltclass #onlinequiltingclasses #onlinequiltingteacher #exuberantapplique #midcenturychristmas #midcenturymodern #tipsy #collage #collageartist @harts_fabric
Load More... Follow on Instagram

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