THE LAST WORD

This month, rainbow-obsessed, colour-loving Kate Basti has stepped out of her comfort zone to curate a tranquil bundle that celebrates the beauty of winter

This month, rainbow obsessed, colour-loving Kate Basti has stepped out of her comfort zone to curate a tranquil bundle that celebrates the beauty of winter

As a child, I loved winter. I couldn’t get enough of it. I’d play for hours in the snow, sledding down our dangerously steep hills and building snow forts until my mother begged me to come inside and warm up.

As an adult, I dread winter, but there’s one aspect, perhaps winter’s only saving grace, that I can appreciate now that I’m older: the beauty. Is there anything more magical than walking outside late at night, in the moonlight, after the snow has fallen? The earth is quiet, and the fresh snow alights the world with its seemingly glittering glow. It is the absolute definition of tranquillity, and it is, perhaps, Mother Nature’s finest moment.

This month, I want to capture that beauty and tranquillity in a fabric bundle. I’ll admit a neutral palette isn’t my usual cup of tea – I’m a rainbow-obsessed, colour-loving quilter! But as an artist, it’s important to step outside of the comfort zone on occasion, so here we go!

Normally, I would choose a hero print from which to build my bundle, but this time around, I don’t want (or need) one print to speak louder than the rest. I want a cohesive, earthy palette with a few prints that take a cue from nature. So I begin building my bundle by colour and start with snowy whites and low-volumes. First, I pull Night Sky in White by Rae Ritchie for Dear Stella, a starry print that’s equally reminiscent of falling snow. Another obvious choice is Sprinkle in Stardust by Cotton+Steel. Next, I stumble upon a fantastic print called Nzinga in Marzipan by BasicGrey for Moda, and I’m thrilled with its resemblance to chopped wood.

Moving on to winter greys, I immediately think of Tracks in Grey by Andie Hanna for Robert Kaufman with its tiny bird footprints. Cat Scratch in Grey by Gingiber for Moda has a wonderful shattered ice vibe, and Braids in Silver by Kim Andersson for Windham Fabrics reminds me of delicate tendrils of frost. Rounding out the greys, I choose an old favourite, Caterpillar Dots in Grey by Rifle Paper Co. for Cotton+Steel. To provide a bit of contrast, I pull a few black prints. Kitten Lines in Black and Spinning Wheel in Black, both by Gingiber for Moda, are great additions, and lastly, I choose Carolina Gingham " in Black by Robert Kaufman, because gingham is always a good idea.

Finally, I bring in a few earthy browns and greens, perfectly reminiscent of tall, lanky evergreens. Essex Yarn-Dyed Linens in Espresso and Nutmeg by Robert Kaufman provide a bit of yummy texture, and Snowfall in Taupe by Kate and Birdie for Moda adds a subtle snowy touch, as its name alludes. Kaleidoscope in Pine by Alison Glass for Andover Fabrics and Check Yo’self in Pine Fresh by Tula Pink for FreeSpirit Fabrics both provide the perfect shade of green.

And there we have it: a subtle nod to the beauty of winter without ever having to step out into the frozen world. Just the way I like it.