Animal Party Too by Amy Schimler { Fat Quarter Shop Fridays Sponsored Post }

I hope everyone is having a great Friday. Spring is certainly in the air around these parts. The birds have slowly been returning and a few Robins have been reported in the back yard. I'm really looking forward to all the natural colors resurfacing. The bright yellow daffodils and purple crocus are already peeking through the ground.

And speaking of bright colors ...

Amy Schimler is here today to talk with me about her new line with Robert Kaufman Fabrics called Animal Party Too! This fun collection is due to hit stores in April 2011 and a portion of the sales will benefit Quilts For Kids.


Thanks for being here today Amy! Please tell us about your designs:

RWQ: How long have you been designing fabric? What is your design background?

I returned to college in Boston to study painting and fiber arts and wound up taking a course in pattern design at RISD in Providence RI. I was immediately hooked. This was many years ago and after many starts and stops I picked it back up about twelve years ago. I worked in house at Carters and then found a studio to rep my work. My first fabric collection with Robert Kaufman came out in the fall of ‘07.

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

Inspiration comes from many places – nature, people watching, vintage children’s books, flea markets. Color inspires me, many times a design starts with a color collection.

RWQ: Is there anything you want to tell my readers about your inspiration for Animal Party Too (ie: your color choice inspiration, a trip that may have inspired the line, etc.)? Do you have a favorite print in the collection?

Because Animal Party Too will benefit Quilts for Kids the design process was a little bit different than how I usually approach a collection. First and foremost the prints needed to be kid friendly and needed to appeal to boys and girls. My original colors changed a bit to fit the needs of the organization and to coordinate with other fabrics for the kid’s quilts . My favorite print in the collection is the floral – I don’t have a lot of floral print fabrics in my collections and I am pleased with the happy mood of this print.

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

I have had numerous collections with Robert Kaufman – On A Whim, On A Whim 2, The Cow Says Moo, Confections, All My Heart, Creatures and Critters, Animal Party, and a new collection coming in October called “Fly Away”.

RWQ: Are you a quilter? How would you describe your quilting "style"? If you’re not a quilter are there any forms of crafting or general creativity you enjoy?

I have actually designed quilts and am a quilter “in my head” but I fear I lack the discipline and patience to physically assemble the quilts. I wish that wasn’t so. I work as an illustrator as well as designing fabrics so it may just be that I am too busy to have the time it requires. Never say never, there may be quilts in my future. I started sewing in middle school and used to sew all of my outfits. I don’t sew as much now, again I think it is more of a time issue. I love printmaking and painting when I have the time. I also illustrate children’s books and have a new book coming out this month called “Splish Splash” with Little Simon.

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?

I try to think of the mood of the collection. I agree it can be really challenging. So far the names just seem to pop up. It is also a collaboration with Robert Kaufman, as they do have a lot of experience naming their collections.

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

I have a blog where I post information about my fabrics and links to stores that carry my collections as well as information about the other illustration work I do:

http://redfishcircle.blogspot.com


Thanks for being here today Amy! And thanks for bringing along some fabric bundles to share with my readers!


4 lucky winners will each win a bundle of Animal Party Too!

To enter for your chance to win any of the giveaway prizes, leave a comment on this post. Only one entry per person, please. All duplicate entries will be deleted.

I will draw the winners using the Random Number Generator on Friday, March 25, 2011!


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