Designer Tidbits: Lily Ashbury

Stroll down the street in style with High Street by Lily Ashbury for Moda Fabrics. This fashionable collection celebrates all things bold and bright! Big florals in colors that capture the essence of Summer are just what you need to round out the season. Stephanie of Lily Ashbury is here to tell us all about High Street, so keep reading for a closer look and a GIVEAWAY!

Q: Where did you find your original inspiration for High Street?
A: I often walk to my studio on sunny mornings. Along the way I wander through a popular shopping district full of lovely boutiques and cafes. This collection was inspired by all of the colorful and fashionable window displays along the way. 

 

Q: What was your “aha” moment in designing this collection?
A: For me it's all about color. I can create a design that works well in black and white but if the color version doesn't work then it won't make the cut. My “aha moment” is always when I manage to get a color way working. At that point I like to take a break and quit working for the rest of the day. I have learned that if I over analyze color I tend to start second guessing my choices. 

 

Q: What would be your collection's theme song?
A: Funny you should ask that. I love to assign music genres to my work. It really gets me in the mood to create! For High Street it has to be "Downtown" by Petula Clark.

Q: Tell me about your sewing machine. What kind do you have?
A: I have a Janome 2030 QDC that I bought on sale a few months back. I love it! 

 

Q: What is your favorite part of the fabric industry?
A: I am a relative newcomer to this industry. I spent many years as an illustrator for advertising agencies and corporate clients. So I would have to say my favorite thing about this industry is that I am still learning. It's a wonderful thing to reinvent yourself creatively it keep things fresh and interesting. 

Q: From what aspect of your life do you draw creativity?
A: I draw inspiration from many places but I think my iPad Googling obsession has become the front runner. It's so cool in this day and age to be able to research anything with such immediacy. I remember having to go to the library to access visual inspiration. I often wonder how I managed back then. 

Q: What is your design process?
A: I usually do my sketching in the evening, sometimes with a glass of wine in hand. I then scan my sketches and work on them in Photoshop or Illustrator. I use a Cintiq which is a large computer monitor that you draw directly on with a stylus. I love it because it feels so much more natural than using a mouse. 

 

Q: What is your favorite print in the collection?
A: For my favorite print in my High Street collection I'd have to say it's a tossup between Brigitte in Clementine and Chloe in Tonal Grey.

Q: What is the most challenging part of the design process?
A: I would have to say color is the most challenging part for me. I have a natural desire to place complementary colors side by side because this creates so much visual punch. However, I have learned this can create printing issues on fabric so I have had to learn to work around this.

Q: What are your favorite and least favorite colors and why?
A: My favorite color for quite awhile has been vermillion (bright orangey red). In terms of colors I don't like, that is tough, color is just so wonderful! However if I had to choose I would go with dusty rose. I'm not a huge fan of 80's music either so maybe it's guilty by association.

Now that you have gotten a closer look at High Street, we bet you are itching to sew something with it! Lucky for you, we are giving away a prize pack to one lucky reader! Comment below letting us know what you would make with High Street for a chance to win a Layer Cake and High Street Quilt Pattern by Lily Ashbury.

UPDATE! Our winner has been chosen! Congratulations to Susan, who said "What a delightful interview. I'd love to win, a zig zag quilt in the orange, plum, pinks is in my future." You have been emailed! Thanks for playing, everyone!