Rebecca's original EPP design in progress, 2017. All of the fabrics shown are naturally dyed organic cotton sateen.
This post has been a long time coming. How might I properly celebrate the many talented, lovely artists who believe in and support my business? How do I thank those who've gone the extra mile, posting pictures of their work using my fabrics? Putting three of them directly in today's spotlight is a start, so on with the show!
Rebecca Bell
My first overseas order came through on a Saturday night. The customer patiently emailed back and forth as we figured out how to send the order through my online shop (which isn't set up for overseas shipping). The patient night owl is Rebecca Bell of @greenandbell, and this original English Paper Piece is one of her own designs. I feel she's used my fabrics to their best advantage. Rebecca's sense of color, shape and form all come together in this exquisite composition. I believe she's still considering a background for this piece, so there may be more to look forward to...hint, hint, Rebecca!
Self-taught, Rebecca has been quilting for four years and discovered her love of EPP after making the Spring Carnival pattern by Katy Jones. Rebecca has been hooked on EPP ever since, and now prefers to design her own patterns. She's drawn towards geometric shapes and curves, as well as improv quilting. Please say hello to her on IG @greenandbell, and enjoy much more of her stunning work!
Trista's HST's bring to mind exquisite antique silk quilts. There's just something about naturally dyed organic cotton sateen that gets me every time!
Trista's string block made with organic cotton sateen from a scrap bundle combined with some of her own commercial cottons (black, gray and white).
Trista Dufresne
This young woman holds a special place in my heart, as she was the first person to really make me feel a part of the Instagram quilting community. While "meeting" people on social media is fantastic, actually meeting them in person takes the cake, which is how it felt to meet Trista at the 2016 Vermont Quilt Festival! This incredible young woman has faced life challenges with courage and gumption, and quilting has been her creative outlet for over 20 years. She's also the VT Modern Quilt Guild Program Chair, and a Vermont Quilt Festival Volunteer Chair, plus handles their social media.
These string blocks are the most recent pieces Trista has made using my fabrics. I just love the line quality she achieves, allowing her own hand to come through. She's also pretty daring with a rotary cutter, which I might guess is how those gorgeous Half-Square Triangles came to be! To see what might be next for these blocks, follow @trista_deee. You'll like her authentic, heart-filled Vermont life!
A beauty from Kerry Lemon's sketch book, 2016, incorporating a 5" square of naturally dyed fabric. The dots are made with Kerry's own handmade botanical paint.
Another page from Kerry Lemon's sketch book, 2016, incorporating a 5" square of naturally dyed organic cotton sateen.
Hand stitching. Brilliant, Kerry!
Kerry Lemon
Using my pre-cuts in a most original way, artist Kerry Lemon knocks it out of the park! When she posted these original drawings on fabric and paper, I was speechless. That she thought to use my fabrics in this way filled me with awe and gratitude.
To be so young and accomplished, so sure of her own voice, is truly admirable. This leading lady is a role model with a desire to encourage and applaud artists of all walks. She follows her curious mind where ever it leads, creating stunning public work for generations to enjoy, as well as grand botanical experiments, sumptuous product packaging and larger than life hand painted retail windows, to name a few. Kerry's work is all at once exquisite, lively and enchanting! Visit her website www.kerrylemon.co.uk and follow her IG feed @kerryannelemon. You'll be changed, I promise.
A final word
Since I began my dye business, Instagram has proved to be a most powerful marketing tool, second only to being in-person. To call many of my customers friends is an honor and a joy. Seeing what you're making with my fabrics fills me with a sense of purpose, after all, I lovingly spend days with each and every yard of fabric before they land safely in your hands. Going forward, I'll continue to showcase customers' work - it's all too good not to share! I'm grateful for the ability to meet so many of you, to get to know your stories - where ever you call home - and to participate in our journeys with cloth.
Thank you Kerry, Rebecca and Trista for allowing me to show off your work, and to use your photos. You're all very special to me, and I look forward to seeing what you do next! xo