The Fat Quarter Shop is excited to welcome Kate Spain to the Jolly Jabber. Kate’s latest fabric collection is Flurry from Moda Fabrics.
Q: What was the first seed that grew into the Flurry collection?
A: Well, I started out knowing i was going to design another holiday line, but didn't really have a particular idea in mind. So to get the wheels spinning, I just started drawing lots and lots of snowflakes! When I started to work on making a repeat pattern with the drawings, I wanted to keep it light and airy...like flurries. Ding!
The name came pretty early on. Then I thought about some of the warm comforts of winter, and remembered a favorite sweater I had as a little girl. It had two cute reindeer facing each other on the front and the sleeves were a mix of chevrons, stylized snowflakes and stripes. I loved that sweater! This memory lead me to look at old 'Fair Isle' knitting patterns, and several of the designs were inspired from traditional nordic sweater motifs. There are also seasonal images like ribbons, berries, mittens, holly and ornaments. In fact, one print called "Wonderland" includes all of these images and more!
Q: What are 3 Words/ Images you would choose to describe this collection?
A: WORDS
1. Toasty
2. Novel
3. Merry Mishmash
A: IMAGES
1.
2.
3.
(and i really want these sneakers!)
Q: What single print/SKU in the collection is your favorite (can only pick one!)?
A: The print called "Telemark"/27081-15 would have to be my favorite. I designed it to work like a stripe but to evoke that classic and familiar sweater I mentioned. Plus, i don't know how to knit, so it was a fun challenge to draw in a knitty kind of way..
Q: What is your dream project using this collection?
A: After seeing "Infinite Variety" the amazing quilt show in New York this year, i would love to make a red and white holiday quilt (with maybe a tiny pop of green). But i also want to make a quilt that mimics the sweater concept with stripes, pinwheels and zigzags. I think that would be so fun! I also designed a quilt called "All Wrapped Up" that became the project sheet for this group and I'm thrilled that FQS will be offering as a kit. I hope to make that as well!
Kate's Silly Secrets:
1. What is your guilty pleasure food?
Pure, unadulterated dark chocolate. I buy the "Pound Plus" bars at Trader Joe's and snap off a bite-sized chunk at a time.
2. Work and life essentials aside, what is the activity you spend the most time doing?
Gardening, or in the winter, reading gardening magazines, watching gardening t.v. shows and dreaming of spring when we can garden again!
3. Do you have any pets and what are their name(s)?
After being pet-less for a year, we're missing some furry love in our lives — so we'll be getting two kittens from a friend this summer! Names to be determined, but suggestions are welcome!
4. Your biggest pet peeve?
Misplacing things like car keys, wallet, cell phone, sunglasses and having to spend time hunting high and low to find them!
5. What is your favorite fabric print ever (excluding your own)?
La Plata by Josef Frank. Though it was produced in 1945, I think it stands the test of time and could easily fit in to a contemporary setting. It always amazes me how relevant his work is.
Thanks for reading and i can't wait to see what people make with Flurry!
Happy Sewing!
Kate
Labels: Designer Tidbits, Moda Fabric
