Designer Tidbits: Verna Mosquera

The Fat Quarter Shop is excited to welcome Verna Mosquera to the Jolly Jabber. Verna’s latest fabric collection is October Skies from Free Spirit Fabrics.

Q: What was the first seed that grew into the October Skies collection?
A: The inspiration for the line was the autumn season, especially October in Northern California, and all that I find beautiful about it. The leaves begin to turn and the acorns drop from the trees. As I walk my kids to school I watch as the fallen pieces turn this wonderful shade of warm brown. The whole season is such a source of color inspiration.

Q: If your collection had a soundtrack what would be on the list?
A: Don't Color the Skies Blue by The October 
     Roses by Poets of the Fall 
     Northern Skies by Dido 
     Window in the Skies by U2 
     Tonight, Tonight by The Smashing Pumpkins

Q: What single print/SKU in the collection is your favorite?

A: I love this question because there is always one that is your utmost favorite. For me it is VM062. I am a true romantic so a large full blown rose print will always make my heart sing. The straw colorway just captured those October California sunsets I love so much!

Q: What is your favorite project you have made using this collection?
A: It just has to be Hidden Forest, the Fox block. My assistant and dear friend Pam Stipic and I just giggled when the quilt made its debut. He kept catching people's eyes. There are so many wonderful animals in the design, but he got the most votes as everyone's favorite animal, hands down. The design will always be a reminder that I should do what I am inspired to do regardless of what people might think.

Q: What is your favorite part of working in the fabric industry?
A: Oh there are so many things that are wonderful. It is a constant ever changing world of color and design. It is tactile and makes me want to constantly create and sew. I love being surrounded by the most amazing artists who truly understand the need to be creative on a daily basis, just like I do.

Q: Can you give us a sneak-peek of your next fabric collection?
A: I don't have any photos just yet, but I can tell you that it has wonderful fresh colors and is full of romantic prints. The name has a bit of a vintage southern appeal. The rest I'll keep under my hat for now!


Q: What is your absolute favorite thing in your house?
A: I love and collect vintage items! I've tried to teach my two sons, Milo and Nico, to appreciate them and use caution, especially around this beautiful ballerina-pink, vintage, French pitcher I had. I told the boys they were dead meat (in a very sweet motherly voice, of course) if anything ever happened to it. So one night as I went to bed and turned out the light, my eyes had not adjusted to the light and I walked into the shelf and it came crashing down into little bitty pieces! I had to laugh as life has a way of teaching you things!

Q: Which project stands out in your memory as your all-time favorite?
A: Each design is a personal journey, but there are two that stand out. The first is Vintage Valentine as it was so challenging to do yet had such an impact on my career. The other is probably going to surprise people--it's EEEEK and so totally out of character. This was the first design that struck a cord with my boys; this one really drew them in. So much so that they shared ideas and anxiously awaited each block to see how it would turn out. I truly feel it was a collaboration of sorts and that is ultra special to me.

Q: Where do you do your best thinking? Can we see a photo of your studio?
A: Funny, I always do my best thinking in the shower. Thank goodness I take many of them, at least two a day, always long, sometimes up to half an hour. Just hard to jot the ideas down. I have been known to write and draw in the steam.

Q: What is your favorite snack food? Can we see a photo of your fridge or pantry?
A: I am addicted to the petite vanilla scones at Starbuck's. On a good day they accompany my iced nonfat latte. Hmmm, or maybe that is a bad day??? Probably would be a good idea to cut back on those very soon!

Q: What is your one guilty pleasure in life?
A: Oh my, reality TV watching! It is pretty bad. I have to say I watch more of it than I should but luckily I am almost always appliqueing while I do. My quilt group and I love to banter back and forth about it every week. We each have our favorite shows and crack up about them every time we get together. Current favorite, the Housewives series. I know, I know! It is a twisted sort of escape from my reality.