Fabric Designer Interview with Arrolynn Weiderhold of RJR Fabrics featuring Rainforest Fun Fabric Collection and Quilt Kit
It may be raining, but these jungle animals do not mind! Their charming rain gear is keeping them dry. Head out into the rainy rainforest with Rainforest Fun, a new fabric collection from Arrolynn Weiderhold! The prints are fun, the panel is playful, and there is even a Rainforest Quilt Kit for you to make! Keep reading for a closer look at Rainforest Fun in this interview with Arrolynn Weiderhold!
Q:
Where did you find your original inspiration for this collection?
A:
When I first moved to D.C., I couldn’t get over how it seemed to rain all day long! I noticed that everyone wore cute raincoats and rain boots. It was raining the day I started working on the jungle collection and I just thought it would be adorable to have little characters in boots!
Q:
What would be Rainforest Fun's theme song?
A:
What a fun question! I think it would be “Here comes the Sun” by the Beatles. It’s one of my favorite songs and always cheers me up, and I hope the fabric cheers others up as well.
Q:
Tell us about your background. What lead to you designing fabric for the quilting industry?
A:
I got my degree in illustration from Ringling College of Art & Design. I originally wanted to concentrate on children’s books, until a friend introduced me to pattern design. I fell in love with patterns! After about a year of developing a new portfolio and re-thinking my style I joined Pink Light Studio for representation. I’m so honored to be alongside such talented artists. Since joining Pink Light I have had so many amazing opportunities to do what I love!
Q:
From what aspect of your life do you draw creativity?
A:
Anything around me. My husband is an Interior Designer and we love to hunt for great designs together .We go antiquing and collect children’s books, greeting cards, and fabrics. I also love to go sketching around town in my free time. Even though my work is pretty stylized I try to keep drawing and painting traditionally as well
Q:
What is your design process?
A:
I always start with pencil in my sketchbook and many times I’ll go to a cafe or park. This is my favorite part! Then, depending on the subject I need to do a bit of research or inspiration hunting. I look at greeting cards I’ve collected, children’s books, magazines, and of course the internet. Once I’m happy with the sketches I scan, bring them into illustrator, and start vectoring the characters. I’m hoping to experiment with painted patterns in the future.
Q:
What is your favorite print in the collection?
A:
The one with the animals holding umbrellas and wearing rain boots (in blue and white), it just makes me smile!
Q:
What are your favorite and least favorite colors and why?
A:
My favorite color is gray. It can be so beautiful when paired with bright colors. I also love corals and bright reds, I like to add them into cheeks and noses to make faces pop. My least favorite color is orange. It’s such a hard color to coordinate with others, also it doesn’t rhyme with anything.
Labels: Baby Quilt, Designer Interview, Designer Tidbits, Quilt Kits, Wilmington Prints
