Finally, I can share with you something that I’ve been thinking about and working on for more than the past year.
I’m so happy to share with you my Instead collection.
Instead started as an alternative way of thinking for me.
A fabric collection has many places where it can start. It can start with the design or a sense of shapes and patterns. It can also start with an overall concept of ideas to explore, OR in the case of Instead it all started with a sense of color that took hold and inspired me to take action.
Sometime before the Wainwright QAL last year, I became really interested in dark and moody color palettes. Light and bright is great, but I realized that I’d never really done a project where my range reached to the deep and dark ends of the spectrum. An obsession with the idea continued to grow after realizing my own need for the fabric to take me there.
Enter the dark seeds of this collection. I wanted to explore the depths of a rich, dark color palette, and I wanted to find a new mood.
Instead is a 15 piece collection on quilting cotton. It has been such a treat for me to be able to create designs for several different substrates (linen, yarn dyed, knit jersey, etc), but with Instead I’ve been excited to get back to the quilting cotton. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about patchwork! (That said, now that the release and a few quilts are behind me, I’ve been dreaming up a few garments and other things to make with this collection…)
The collection is designed to work well with other things–especially all of my previous collections (I’m eager to start mixing it in!), but it’s also designed to work well on its own – like in the case of the new version of my Sunrise pattern.
This has been one of my favorite patterns over time–it’s great for beginners, and it can take on so many different looks depending on the fabric. Like the collection, this version gives an alternative voice to the project.
The collection can also be mixed in different ways and with others, like in my new Arlo quilt. (I have been so excited about this project–more on Arlo soon!)
Arlo was made from the entire Instead collection, plus a special set of coordinating solids that I put together.
I always love putting together a set of coordinates, because it lets you think about how the collection can start speaking to other things. In this case, I liked the idea of adding loads of texture with a variety of linens. I don’t usually look to coordinates to repeat something that already exists, but instead I’m looking for ways to complement and expand the opportunities of all of it.
So there we have it–my newest collection, Instead. I hope it can inspire you just as much as it has inspired me.
Love it! The dark and moody palettes suit me, and I look forward to seeing it mixed with your other fabrics.
Thank you! I’m eager to see how you mix it all up! 🙂
This might be my favorite fabric collection that you have produced! The depth of the colors is fantastic!
Thank you so much, Mindy! 🙂
Instead is right up my alley. I want to use it in log cabin blocks to pull my medium to dark ‘international’ scraps together.
I’m so glad to hear that, Anita! Can’t wait to see what you make!
Beautiful! I will look for them!
Great! I’m so glad you like them!
Everything you do seems to sing! These are so great! Arlo is really really lovely!
Thank you!
Love this! I am a huge fan of dark colors especially for garments. I was hoping these would be on linen. What garments do you find work well in quilters cotton?
Thanks so much, Deborah! That’s a great question and could be a good idea for a blog post…I’ll put more thought into it! Off the top of my head the Kalle Shirt/dress pattern by Closet Case is wonderful in quilting cotton. It gives it a really nice structure. I like a sleeveless Alder top (shortened from the dress length) by Grainline in quilting cotton, and I have a pair of Reef PJ shorts by Megan Nielsen that I love in quilting cotton too. I’ve never made the Odgen Cami (by True Bias), but it might be a nice option too. I know people use quilting cotton for the Scout tee by Grainline as well. I hope that’s something to start with, but I’ll keep thinking!
Thanks, Carolyn! I’ll look at those!
Love your stuff and this hits it out of the park!
Thanks so much, Betsey!
You’re so talented Carolyn. It’s just beautiful – Congratulations!
Thank you, Suzanne!
Thank you for another great collection. I have almost finished my Wainwright with Gleaned. For this winter Arlo will be another wonderful exciting project.
I’m so glad you like them, Elly! That sounds like a solid plan!