[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Meet Polk, my newest fabric collection.
Polk is an 8-piece collection printed on Robert Kaufman’s Essex Yarn Dyed Homespun–a substrate that I’ve loved ever since they first released it. Homespun, like their regular Essex, is a cotton/linen blend, but what I really like about it is the woven grid created by how the light and dark yarns are woven to create it. It’s really lovely!
It’s also a super useful fabric. Like regular Essex, Homespun is a dream to work with–for quilts, clothes, accessories. It can stand up to a massive number of tasks and desired sewing projects. The utility coupled with the rich texture and look made it a no brainer that I wanted to pitch some design ideas for a collection using it.
Polk is just that. The designs themselves take some of the ideas from Gleaned a step further. I found that I wasn’t quite done playing with those shapes, plus I like the idea of there being a continuation since one of my favorite things to do with linen collections is to mix them with printed cotton collections–it’s so much fun and the results can be beautiful.
Another neat thing about this collection is that I was able to create some new base colors for the Homespun range. Previously, they offered some great neutrals, and so it was no question that I wanted to add an exciting orange (thanks Orangeade!), a vibrant blue (Paris Blue) and a beautiful brown (Roasted Pecan). These three additions, mixed with some of the great existing neutral shades make up the base fabrics for this collection.
The artwork on top is printed in an array of colors to complement and add interest to the base color. The deep blue print has a really interesting effect that comes across kind of like a starry night sky. While I keep looking at that one in new ways depending on the project, all of them have a little something different to offer as well. It’s been fun figuring out projects and fabric combinations to explore those different things.
Of course, I have some new projects coming down the pipeline…and I’m ready to share a couple peeks of 2 of them here, plus an old favorite revisited.
First up is Davie, a new house project with a fun twist on how to use your fabrics. It’s fat-quarter friendly, and I was especially drawn to creating a design where you can get progressive with your fabric choices and the way they transition. Plus, houses are really fun.
Next up is Lusk–the first of a new group of mini quilt patterns. I cannot get enough of making minis.
Each one take shapes and motifs from some of my previous patterns or new ones, and reimagined them in new ways, at new sizes and in new relationships on a smaller scale. Minis can be the perfect way to explore ideas, they make great gifts and they are also some of my favorite things to dress up a wall.
Third is a Park quilt in Polk. (And kind of a tongue twister!)
This one actually started out as a new set of pillow shams (like what is shown on the pattern cover), but before too long, I found myself with too many block pairings that I wanted to try, and so a larger quilt was born!
(By the way, my Park pattern is newly available in PDF form on my site. You can grab a copy here.)
And then I was also eager to sew up some other things too. (Of course!) Like I mentioned, this collection is well suited for all types of projects–not just quilts.
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I’ll be sharing more about all of the projects above in upcoming posts, but for now some of the patterns/tutorials include (from top left): West Water Tunic by Squam, Portside Dopp Kit by Grainline, Petal Pouch by Noodlehead, Pencil Pouch Tutorial by Noodlehead, Adeline Dress by Style Arc.
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Douglas says
I’m excited to get my hands on this collection; well done as always 🙂
Douglas says
Wait a minute…”P” did we skip a few in the alphabet?!
carolyn friedlander says
Ha! Sometimes I allow myself to deviate in the spring…:) I’m so glad you like it, thank you!
Gail raynard says
Love how you keep extending your ideas to transition to new ones, like the subtlest if acanges in each season
carolyn friedlander says
Thank you, Gail!
Jessica says
Eeep! So excited about these. I’ve been obsessed with the Homespun since it came out. So pumped to see these pairings come together! Love the new patterns, too.
carolyn friedlander says
Thanks so much! I can’t wait to see what all you do with it. 🙂
Linda says
Carolyn – just when I think it can’t get any better. Absolutely fabulous. And I agree – those crew pin cushions are so fun and they serve as little color/texture experiments. And that house quilt – abstract fun shapes that form houses. Can’t wait to get started.
carolyn friedlander says
Thanks, Linda!
Linda says
PS On first glance I thought pouches were slippers with zippers and I thought maybe you had perhaps stretched things a bit far. Still chuckling…
mindyg23 says
Can’t wait to make some mini-quilts! The fabrics, of course, are lovely as always! Congratulations!
carolyn friedlander says
Thank you! I’m glad you’re excited about the minis!
Sherry Keller says
Super excited to see these in person, Carolyn. Can’t wait to wear some of those gorgeous prints!
carolyn friedlander says
Thanks so much, Sherry! I’m looking forward to seeing what you make.
Wendy Wild says
I was crossing my fingers your next collection would be linens again! Polk is gorgeous and I can’t wait to mix it up with Gleaned
carolyn friedlander says
Aw, that’s great Wendy! I’m so glad it’s all matching up! 🙂
Linda Fleming says
Beautiful fabrics. Love the range of projects. Polk park is my favorite!
carolyn friedlander says
Thanks so much, Linda!
Marcia says
I have loved the Homespun too ever since I first saw it. Just made two Shirt No.1s out of it and was contemplating another from Euclid…now I’m looking forward to using Polk too! Also, the dark blue Polk is exactly what I’ve been looking for to try my first little Pilvi jacket, and I def have to have that Adeline dress in the toasted pecan! I’m new to garment sewing, thanks for being a major inspiration in that department, as well as in quilting and design.
carolyn friedlander says
Thanks so much, Marcia! Those projects sound great! And I’m also curious about the Shirt no. 1s, so it’s nice to hear that you’ve had success it with. I’ll need to try it!
Karis Hess says
So thrilled to have your designs on the Homespun substrate and can’t wait to have them all in the shop!! Beautiful, as always, Carolyn!
carolyn friedlander says
Thanks so much, Karis! I can’t wait to see what you all make. 🙂
Trish says
Egads I need all of these… now!!!
carolyn friedlander says
Thanks, Trish! I’m so glad you like them!
Millie McGlothin says
Does this homespun ravel like the homespun I’m use to??
carolyn friedlander says
Hi Millie! Great question. Are you familiar with the Robert Kaufman Homespun? It’s a yarn-dyed woven fabric in their Essex linen/cotton line. That is what Polk is printed on. While I don’t personally find it to be excessively prone to raveling, the nature of it being a yarn-dyed fabric rather than a screen-printed fabric does make it slightly different. As a general rule, you can always pre-wash your fabric to make it fray less, and make sure that what you’re buying is coming from a good manufacturer. Hope that helps!