Designer Tidbits: Denyse Schmidt


The Fat Quarter Shop is excited to welcome Denyse Schmidt to the Jolly Jabber. Denyse’s very popular fabric collection Flea Market Fancy has been re-released for Free Spirit Fabrics.





Q: What was the first seed that grew into the Flea Market Fancy collection?
A: My designs are inspired by old quilts like the ones I reinterpreted for my new book, Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspiration, and the fabulous fabrics in the antique and vintage quilts I collect. One of my first Couture quilts, Drunk Love in a Log Cabin, inspired the color palette for Flea Market Fancy.




Q: If your collection had a soundtrack what would be on the list?
A: Old Time, Hillbilly & Roots Blues music would be my soundtrack. People are always surprised to discover that I used to play a fiddle, banjo-ukulele, and several other instruments that I wish I had more time for today.

Q: What single print/SKU in the collection is your favorite?
A: The Posie print in brown is my favorite. I designed it after having a difficult time finding warm brown prints that were not too frou-frou.




Q: What is your favorite project you have made using this collection?
A: This Western Shirt for my good friend Richard:





Q: If this collection had a scent to it, what would it be?
A: Apple Butter Cake – yum!

Q: Can you give us a sneak-peek of your next fabric collection?
A: My next collection, Chicopee, is inspired by my school years in Central Massachusetts and extraordinary amounts of television (my favorites were The Brady Bunch, Mary Tyler Moore, The Partridge Family, and re-runs of The Monkees). Evocative of 1970’s Americana, Chicopee features a bright and warm palette, Push-Pop orange and raspberry with Relish green and turquoise, that is both of-the-moment and nostalgic. Chicopee has me longing for back-to-school sewing.




Q: If you had a mascot, what animal would it be?
A: A squirrel, since my mascot would need to be fast, agile and curious.

Q: Who is your favorite celebrity?
A: Dame Maggie Smith




Q: If we were making a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?
A: Meryl Streep




Q: Who is your favorite designer not including yourself?
A: Josef Frank


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