Designer Tidbits: Doohikey Designs

Find the perfect mix of old and new with Ashbury Heights by Doohikey Designs for Riley Blake Designs. Blending a retro with modern, Ashbury Heights is the perfect collection to satisfy both cravings. Vintage telephones with modern chevron prints, all wrapped up in a palette of soft yellows, eggplant and orange. Keep reading to hear more about Ashbury Heights!
Q: Where did you find your original inspiration for Ashbury Heights?
A: I wanted to gear towards a very modern, upscale yet vintage feel with Ashbury Heights. So looking at old phones, mixing in with modern phones is where my collection began.

Q: What was your “aha” moment in designing this collection?
A: I found an image on Etsy that helped me pull the color ways together and helped inspire the feel for the line. Once I got the main flower and telephone print, it just all came together pretty quickly.

Q: Tell me about your sewing machine(s). What kinds do you have and how many?
A: I have a Pfaff 2046 that I love, but I'm looking at upgrading to a Bernina. I do have a serger from the Bernina family. I'd love to get a vintage Singer to take when I go to retreats, but for now my Pfaff helps me do what I need. It's a quilter edition and I have to say, I'm starting to play more with the different kinds of stitches it does. It's pretty amazing.


Q: What is your favorite part of the fabric industry?
A: I love to go to quilt market and intermingle with other designers and quilt shop owners. My favorite part is seeing what others create with my designs. It usually takes about 6 months for the fabric to come out after it is designed and finalized between strike offs. So, it's like having a baby grow from a seed to something magical when others take your designs and expand through quilts, clothing, and home décor.


Q: From what aspect of your life do you draw creativity?
A: My personal life, childhood, and others around me. Each of my designs has something symbolic in each line that is very personal to me that I always don’t share, because it's hard to express verbally sometimes. My designs are inspired and are taken to heart when I create them and I feel very lucky that I'm able to share them through the fabric medium.


Q: What is your design process?
A: I do a lot of different design processes. Sometimes I sketch, scan then vectorize. Or I just start to draw right in Illustrator. I then start to play with different color ways until I find the perfect one... or two…or three. I love to sketch and doodle when something hits me, or I write out the concept in words until I can play in Illustrator. Every line has been different and I guess that's what makes me an artist.

Q: What is your favorite print in the collection?
A: I have to say I love all of them, but I do love the telephones. Available in purple, white and yellow.


Q: What is the most challenging part of the design process?
A: Sometimes just deciding on the right color way or eliminating the prints that you want to keep but just don't fit the collection.


Q: What are your favorite and least favorite colors and why?
A: My favorite is the navy and orange, gray and aqua. They just sing to me more, where the purple comes off a bit bright to me.

Labels: ,