THE LAST WORD
Kate Basti was dreaming of spring long before winter was over. To brighten things up, she pulled a bundle of fabrics with sunny vibes – now's the time to enjoy them!
Kate Basti was dreaming of spring long before winter was over. To brighten things up, she pulled a bundle of fabrics with fun, sunny vibes
Ah, springtime. When the Earth seems, once again, renewed with the ushering in of longer days, warmer temperatures and colourful blooms. Sadly, as I write this, it is barely December. Snow is falling steadily outside, and I can’t seem to warm my bones no matter how many quilts I pile on top of me. Suffice to say, I am already anticipating spring’s arrival, though it seems I’ve got a bit of a wait.
In the meantime, I’m planning ahead and pulling a bundle that will evoke those springtime vibes on even the coldest winter day. A cheery colour palette of coral, blush pink and golden yellow practically radiates warmth, so let’s get started!
Following my typical method of curating a bundle, I start by choosing a hero print. Again, this is the star of the show, and the rest of my bundle will be based upon this fabric. When thinking of springtime, there’s one designer that immediately comes to mind: Rifle Paper Co. Anna Bond’s floral masterpieces never cease to amaze me. I’ve been a fan of her work for years, long before she collaborated with Cotton+Steel. Rosa in Peach from her Les Fleurs collection is the perfect hero print for my bundle, and its colour palette is spot on.
Next, I begin pulling golden yellow tones. I quickly decide on Honeycomb in Miele by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabrics for its beautiful hues and charming bee print – perfect for a springtime bundle! I also pull Lacey in Cosmos by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics for its delicate floral design, as well as Sketch in Curry by Timeless Treasures and Hearts in Flax by Dear Stella.
Moving on to the coral, I grab an old favourite, Scallop Dot in Tangerine by Rae Ritchie for Dear Stella (this sweet print comes in nearly every colour and goes with just about everything!). I also decide on New Wave in Peach by Michael Miller Fabrics and Dottie in Gelato and Gold by Cotton+Steel with its wonderful touch of sparkly gold metallic. I include Add It Up in Folk Dress by Cotton+Steel, which technically has more of a burnt orange hue, but in this case, it works nicely with the coral prints.
Last, but not least, I begin pulling some pretty blush pink prints. Snake in Orangeade by Carolyn Friedlander for Robert Kaufman has a wonderfully natural vibe, and its Essex linen substrate offers a welcome bit of texture. I finally round out my colourful bundle with Oval Elements in Peach Dust by Art Gallery Fabrics and Diamond in Pink by My Mind’s Eye for Riley Blake Designs.
Looking at my finished bundle, I’ve indeed captured a little bit of springtime on this bitterly cold day. If I close my eyes and use a little imagination, I can almost picture the grass growing greener and taller and the buds on the trees and in the Earth beginning to bloom. Why, I can almost feel the sunshine on my face, warming my skin. Oh, wait. Never mind. That’s just the portable heater.