Calypso Swing by Mark Cesarik for Free Spirit { Designer Spotlight Sponsored Post }

Happy Friday everyone! I'm so excited to introduce today's guest. Mark Cesarik and his lovely fiance Cara are stopping by to talk about Mark's new fabric from Free Spirit, Calypso Swing! Let's all give a big welcome to our second ever MALE designer featured on RWQ! Woot!

Released in January, 2011, and available now in shops online and in LQS' nation-wide, Calypso Swing is a bold statement full of intricate patterns off set with bursts of color.


Here's a little info about Mark's fabric from the Free Spirit website: Calypso Swing is a collection that I had a great deal of fun designing; I think that is well reflected not only in the designs themselves but also in the collections name. Each design creates it's own motion and its own mood. I thought it only appropriate then that it be best represented in the context of music and dance. Violets, pinks, grey and black provide a playful sensibility and enable the viewer to get a sense of direction and purpose.

RWQ: Please tell us a little bit about yourself. How long have you been designing fabric? What is your design background?

I've been designing fabric for about 4 years - Cara and I started Sew Bettie in 2007 after she asked me to design a fabric for a pattern she was making. 4 years later I have my first collection with Free Spirit in stores. My background is in fine art and design. I studied painting and design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and my passion for art begins with oil painting.

RWQ: Where do you draw your inspiration from when designing in general?

Everywhere, I suppose. I am constantly sketching in one of my many sketchbooks and use them as references for almost all of my designs.


RWQ: Is there anything you want to tell my readers about your inspiration for Calypso Swing? Do you have a favorite print in the collection?

My favorite design is this one:


I think it represents to the fullest extent what I was trying to accomplish in the collection - there is so much movement and celebration in this. It's like a party.

RWQ: Is this your first design to be licensed on fabric? If no, can you briefly tell us about your other lines?

This is indeed my first full cohesive collection yes, Obviosuly I have designed fabrics under Sew Bettie and I've done some other licensing work for other companies. But yes this is my first full collection under my own name.


RWQ: Are you a quilter? As a male in the quilting industry, what do you look for when selecting fabric?

I am not a quilter, although I am starting to appreciate the art more and more, my wife Cara is the person who introduced me to the industry overall. But I have to say that I absolutely LOVE just looking at fabric. I'm a fan of all types of design - so I suppose that is enough to really keep me interested in fabric.


RWQ: One of the hardest parts of designing for me is coming up with the names for my patterns. How do you pick the names for your fabrics?

GREAT question - I often let the design dictate the name. I don't generally have an idea of what a full collection of individual design is going to be in the context of the others until the collection has really come along. And while I do believe the names I have given my individual fabrics and collection do reflect the designs very well. I do have to admit there is a certain level of randomness when it comes to the names.


RWQ: How can my readers find more information about your company?

My website is markces.com, and I have my fan blog run by my lovely wife Cara, markcesarik.blogspot.com, and of course you can find info about me on the westminster/freespirit site as well.


Thanks so much for being here today Mark!

Mark and Cara have donated a bundle of four fat quarters to give away right here.

To win, leave a comment on this post. Only one entry per person, please. All duplicate entries will be deleted. I will draw one winner using the Random Number Generator on Friday, February 25, 2011!

Happy quilting,

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