Zoe & Drew: knitting

Friday, 3 September 2010

Fabric Friday - Amy Butler

It has been a short week here in the UK as we had a bank holiday on Monday and life is fairly manic as the children in most parts of England have returned to school this week. Of course it is Friday and that means it's time for some fabric eye candy for all of us fabric addicts! For todays Fabric Friday I have choosen to feature Amy Butler. I know that I feaured her new wallpaper collection a couple of weeks ago but I realised I had not written a full profile about this fab designer for Fabric Friday.

Amy Butler has become a global household name, especially with people who desire bold patterns that don't shy away from a pale colour palette. However this did not happen overnight and her success has taken time and alot of energy. Amy Butler started creating small passport sized bags in the late 80's whilst living in Kansas City, which were well received by small boutiques across the country. The boutiques were handpicked by Amy herself and her bags were only sold in boutiques that she had choosen and built up a rapport by making personal introductions to each store.

In 1992 Amy Butler returned to Ohio with her husband, David, renting a 150 year old cabin/house in 190 acres of rural farmland. From this home they started their Art of the Midwest studio with approximately $1200. Amy created surface designs for her friend who became a design rep in New York City, often designing and creating into the night.

After fixing up two houses and being a contributing editor for Country Living magazine, a fact I was unaware of, with thoughts of her little bags that she had made previously, Amy decided to design sewing patterns. And thank goodness she did, I have several Amy Butler patterns, incuding the Anna Tunic above and two books with plans of adding her new book, Style Stitches:12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful Bags, to my collection very soon. I am also going to have to buy the raincoat pattern, as I love coats!

Amy Butler also designs for Rowan Fabrics, having produced several collections, the latest being Love

and a new collection, Soul Blossoms, is due for release in December, including Twilight Peony that is pictured below.

And also incudes the Passion Lily design below

It is visible in this new collection and in previous collections that Amy Butler is inspired by vintage fabrics and she happily admits that she loves flea markets and the hunt for treasure at these markets. Amy Butler's inspiration comes from the rich texture of everyday life and avoids sticking to trends.

Yet Amy Butler does not take all the credit for making her brand so successful. Aswell as her husband she lists many people instrumental in her brands success. And what a brand - fabric, wallpaper, sewing patterns, books, wool and knitting projects, papercraft products, towels, bedding and rugs, amongst others. There really is a bit of Amy Butler design magic for everyone, whether you are a crafter, designer or just want fabulous things for your home.

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Knit one, purl one

Continuing with a focus on crafting skills passed down from our mums, todays craft is knitting. It's a long time since I have knitted anything but was recently inspired in the library. I was looking for books of knits for children for patterns for my mum to knit for my daughters when I came across two great books by Lucinda Guy. The items in these books were truly lovely and some looked easy enough for a novice like me! I have yet to try any of these patterns but I plan to.

Knitting has had a revival, partly due to the number of celebs who have taken up the needles but also I think because it is a skill passed easily from generation to generation. Both my grandmother and my mum taught me how to knit but sadly is not something I have done in a long time. Although I did manage to remember how to cast on the other week when my eldest daughter asked to learn. So maybe it's time to dust off my needles and pop to the wool shop.