Anyone who spends any time sewing for men or older boys knows just how hard it can be to find prints that are masculine without being cowboy/robot/transport themed. Unless you stick mainly to plaids, stripes or plains, it can be nigh on impossible to sew a masculine quilt, especially if you want it to be modern and original.
Which is why I'm so excited to see this new collection called Curious Nature, which includes both quilting cottons and home decor weight cottons in muted colours and graphic prints.
The collection is the first released under the name of Parson Gray, which is the new brand created by graphic designer David Butler. And if that name seems to ring a bell, it's because David is the hugely talented husband of the equally talented Amy Butler.
In his own words David says
"The collection is a folk modern interpretation of natural elements. It weaves together a balance of hand-drawn patterns inspired by Japanese indigo and mid-century fine art. The palette is grounded in richly muted nature tones evoking deep forest and dark ocean balanced by bone ivory and oyster grays."
"I am profoundly inspired by watching Amy's artistic process, and being so tied to this creative industry through her for many years, with so many friends, I finally couldn't help myself. I only had to wait for the ideas and inspiration for what I felt I could offer the textile industry that I couldn't already find. That's how Amy started - by creating print collections that she wanted to see in the world. So I've taken my fine art approach to design, my own voice, and applied it to pattern."
Curious Nature will be launching in Houston at the International Quilt Market this month and should be in shops from next month onwards. Of course, I'm not sure when or if it will be available here in the UK, but as it's being launched by Free Spirit, I have high hopes that it will be available to buy over here sometime in the near future.
After so many years of working so closely with Amy, it's not a surprise that David Butler has finally released a fabric collection of his own and nor is it a surprise that it's such a beautiful, thoughtful collection that will appeal to both men and women.
I can't wait to see what both Amy and David come up with next!
