Surf's up with Jamie Wood! We are heading out into the ocean to catch some waves with Little Surfer Boy by Jamie Wood for Clothworks Fabrics! Little Surfer Boy is perfect for Summer projects, so pick up some fabric and hang ten!
Q:
Where did you find your original inspiration for this Little Surfer Boy?
A:
My first born son had a little swim set with trunks and a water shirt that had a similar color palette and it sparked the idea to design a collection for summer and surfing.
Q:
What was your “aha” moment in designing this collection?
A:
The collection came together pretty quickly. I had the colors worked out before any designs were created. The colors steered the designs. This is usually the case with my collections. I will see a group of colors that make me think, ‘Oh! That would make a great looking collection!’
Q:
What TV show or movie does your collection fit best in?
A:
The only one that comes to mind is Hawaii 5-0 because of the setting but we don’t even watch that one so I hope I am not way off!
Q:
Tell me about your sewing machines. What kinds do you have and how many?
A:
I have a Brother LB 6800 Embroidery and Sewing machine. This is my third machine since taking up the craft of sewing. I started out with a $59.00 economy machine. This is the machine I learned on. That was only 5 or so years ago. That machine froze up on me one day right in the middle of a big project. The needle just went down and stayed there. I could not get it to budge. So I ran out and purchased a replacement machine. I upgraded to the $159.00 model that time ;) That one is still working but I wanted to learn embroidery so the machine I now use joined the fun.
Q:
What is your favorite part of the fabric industry?
A:
It really is like one big extended family. I remember when I was first starting out and pitching my designs hoping to break in to the industry. I followed designer blogs, Twitter feeds, Facebook posts, and I was so drawn in to the friendly, welcoming nature everyone shared. The fabric designers that I have had the pleasure of meeting have been every bit as warm and genuine as they appear in the online world.
Q:
From what aspect of your life do you draw creativity?
A:
Parenthood. More specifically, parenting two little guys, ages 7 and 4. They provide all the inspiration I need. Sometimes I just sit and listen to them playing. Their imaginations are wild and free.
Q:
What is your design process?
A:
I design many different ways but it always ends up on the computer. Sometimes I sketch ideas when they come to me. Sometimes I sit down in front of my computer and let the ideas form. I like to use graphic blocks of color in my work. I do not use much shading or shadows. I like to think of my designs as simple, shapes of color.
Q:
What is your favorite print in the collection?
A:
The turtles are the favorite at our house. (available in light aqua, dark aqua and orange.)
Q:
What is the most challenging part of the design process?
A:
Finding the time to design is the most challenging. I work full-time in and career in an IT career outside of being a wife, mother and designer. I also work alongside my two sisters to run our online gift shop, Script Gift Company. My design time is in limited supply but when I do sit down to work on a collection, it usually comes together fairly easily.
Q:
What are your favorite and least favorite colors and why?
A:
My favorite colors are purple and turquoise. Not the greenish turquoise but more the robin’s egg blue turquoise. I try to use it in my designs every chance I get. Purple has been my favorite color since childhood. I liked it because it seemed like the outsider among the main colors. I think I chose it for that reason alone. I wanted to give it the respect it deserved. Ha!
My least favorite color is probably yellow. I throw it in here and there for pops of color but I am not drawn to it as a main color story. Although last year I saw a lot of grey and yellow designs that I liked. I think it is one of those colors that you don’t really think of initially but when you see it used the right way, you love it.
Labels: Clothworks Textiles, Designer Tidbits
