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carolyn friedlander

carolyn friedlander

fabric and pattern designer

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Fabric collection #4: carkai.

September 25, 2015 by carolyn friedlander 36 Comments

Introducing carkai…

carkai fabric . carolyn friedlander

carkai fabric . carolyn friedlander

carkai fabric . carolyn friedlander

Bones are beautiful. At least I think so anyway, and that’s where this story started.

When I submitted the line, I simply titled the submission “collection #4” because, well, this is my 4th collection (which is totally nuts!), and I kind of wanted the artwork to speak for itself. While the shapes and lines emerged from a specific source of inspiration, to me they became something else while I was drawing them. I loved this and wanted that same opportunity to be open to the viewer as well.

When I was in Los Angeles back in January, it was a treat to be able to review this collection in person with everyone at Robert Kaufman. It was still “collection #4” at that time, and my favorite part was hearing everyone’s reactions and interpretations of the drawings. (On a side note, this really isn’t very different than birthing fabric, patterns and books, because whoever picks any of them up makes use of them in their own way–which is a wonderful and exciting thing to see and be a part of.)

But collections need names, and in actuality this one has had one for the few years that it’s been in my mind. Carkai is a totally made up word–it’s a bit playful–it speaks to my (sometimes) dumb sense of humor–and it just seemed to fit. My hope is that when you look and (hopefully) enjoy the line, you’ll be able to draw your own connections to it. While these drawings started in one place for me, I hope they can connect to you and become your own in how you use them.

carkai fabric . carolyn friedlander

carkai fabric . carolyn friedlander

On a more technical side, there’s a lot at play in this line which has made it such a joy to work with over the last few weeks while I’ve been sewing away. There’s a big (sorry for the pun!) play on scale–something that I felt was right with this collection, and something that you’ll be seeing and hearing more about as I start to share new projects.

carkai fabric . carolyn friedlander

There’s also an enticing play on color–which honestly, how could there ever not be a play on color, right? I love color–I know that you love color, and I can’t imagine not using color to uniquely convey the story of a collection. I’ll be sharing more specifically about the colors of the range as well when the projects start rolling around, but for now, I think I can say that there’s some pretty-ness here, there are some favorites here, and there is plenty of life expressed through the palette.

carkai fabric . carolyn friedlander

It’s been super fun, and I can’t say how much I appreciate all of your support. I’m eager to share more with you in the coming weeks, and then to see what you do…

Let’s sew.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janet @ Simply Pieced says

    September 25, 2015 at 7:39 am

    This looks amazing! Can’t wait to start creating!

    Reply
    • Myra says

      January 5, 2016 at 10:19 pm

      Looks like Carolyn Friedlander may just be the next Tula Pink. Lovely fabric.

      Reply
  2. Molly says

    September 25, 2015 at 8:00 am

    It’s gorgeous. The mix of colors is awesome and so different from the norm. Congrats!

    Reply
  3. Tiffany says

    September 25, 2015 at 8:15 am

    I say it every time, but I think this really is my favorite collection. Truly, truly stunning, and the story behind it is lovely. Also? Carkai is totally a word in my vocabulary too!

    Reply
  4. erin says

    September 25, 2015 at 8:15 am

    Oh, Carolyn, it is beautiful! I find myself being drawn in, especially to some of the prints in colors I don’t normally gravitate towards. I find that curious and interesting and can’t wait to have a chance to play with them!

    Reply
  5. clothalbatross says

    September 25, 2015 at 8:22 am

    I’m so in love with this collection! I can’t wait to get my hands on it and make something <3

    Reply
  6. Sheila says

    September 25, 2015 at 8:26 am

    What a gorgeous collection. I love the way you mix colour and texture in your prints to create something truly unique. I can’t wait to get my hands on some!

    Reply
  7. Gina says

    September 25, 2015 at 9:05 am

    Stunning, as always! I love that all your lines build off each other and work together. The colors! Well done. You are a great talent!

    Reply
  8. shecanquilt says

    September 25, 2015 at 9:08 am

    I love it, your collections all speak to me and this one does too. I can’t wait to have some to sew with.

    Reply
  9. Daniela D says

    September 25, 2015 at 9:20 am

    What an amazing and beautifully designed collection. The color palette is curated perfectly as well. Gorgeous, just gorgeous!

    Reply
  10. Emily says

    September 25, 2015 at 9:29 am

    I adore all of your collections and it is like Christmas to have a new one! So very gorgeous!!! I just cannot wait! When will it start hitting stores?

    Reply
  11. meagangracie says

    September 25, 2015 at 10:26 am

    I gasped when I saw it – so beautiful, and the color combinations are especially beautiful on the 2-color prints.

    Reply
  12. j.g. says

    September 25, 2015 at 11:26 am

    It’s better than I could have imagined. Truly stunning work here. I can’t wait to get my hands on it!

    Reply
  13. Karen @runsewfun says

    September 25, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the story. I love new words! Oh, and look…purple!

    Reply
  14. betyipiernaty says

    September 25, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    All I can say is that I can’t wait to have it…Colors are fantastic! Love it!

    Reply
  15. brigitdermott says

    September 25, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    So beautiful! It’s nice to see your signature colors and some new ones. Can’t wait to see it in person!

    Reply
  16. Linda Doyle says

    September 25, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    When will it be available? Cant wait.

    Reply
  17. Mandy says

    September 25, 2015 at 6:18 pm

    So many interesting, beautiful prints, and those colours!!! More useful things for all of us to enjoy. Thank you and congratulations Carolyn

    Reply
  18. Rossie says

    September 26, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    So beautiful. I’m going to need a bolt of that purple with red print.

    Reply
    • Cheryl Arkison says

      September 28, 2015 at 8:40 am

      I think that is my favourite too. Although, the cobalt blue…

      Reply
  19. Rene' Creates says

    September 27, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    Congratulations Carolyn on your fourth line! The prints and colors have so much depth. Can’t wait to see and hear more about the fabric.

    Reply
  20. Debbie says

    September 27, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    2 things:
    It’s beautiful – similar but different from what we know, in all the best ways.
    The end of December feels VERY far away.

    Reply
  21. Colin Wright says

    September 27, 2015 at 11:36 pm

    Hi, How many pieces in total is the range?
    Looks great.

    Reply
  22. jcrafter says

    September 28, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    Love the new line. I can’t wait to see it in person!

    Reply
  23. tracy b says

    September 28, 2015 at 3:26 pm

    It looks lovely- I can’t wait to “meet” Carkai in person! Congrats!

    Reply
  24. Juliet @ The Tartankiwi says

    September 28, 2015 at 6:08 pm

    I became so so excited when I saw this line. In career number one I was an archaeologist specialised in prehistory and bone remains and I see so much archaeological inspiration in these prints. I can’t wait to see the full extent of the large scale prints and to be able to pull together the different facets of my life in fabric form. Thank you for always producing such inspiring fabrics!

    Reply
  25. Michelle@factotum-of-arts says

    October 2, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    Love this so much. Have so many ideas and can’t wait to get my hands on it!!! Congrats on the new line

    Reply
  26. Tammy says

    October 4, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    Oh, I cannot wait!!!!

    Reply
  27. Ida Lawson says

    October 6, 2015 at 8:42 am

    I want….no, I NEED this collection! I can hardly wait for it to hit the stores!!!

    Reply
  28. Silvia Sutters says

    October 21, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    I can’t wait to get this line. Love, love, love!

    Reply
  29. Kari Vojtechovsky says

    October 24, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    It’s gorgeous! I love the idea it references bones. Of course, your colors are so perfect and wonderful to work with. Since you are comfortable with bones, have you ever been to Kutna Hora in Czech Republic or seen photos of the kostnice there? I’ve been there and it is so unimaginable to me that someone created all that with bones. It’s beautiful and morbid and shocking all at the same time.

    Reply
  30. Leah says

    January 31, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    awesome colors!!! they work so well together!

    Reply
  31. Catherine Betts says

    March 5, 2020 at 8:01 am

    It would be lovely if you could bring back the carkai line. Miss it

    Reply
    • carolyn friedlander says

      March 5, 2020 at 10:56 am

      I’m glad you like it, Catherine! 🙂

      Reply

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