One of the highlights of my year has been being selected as a Design Star Finalist by Stash Fabrics. Playing with fabric, putting together combinations and endlessly dreaming about all the “how would this print look with that print” is one of my favorite parts of the design process.
As finalists, we received the prompt of Decades and we were then let loose with the incredible Design Board on the Stash Fabrics website to create a bundle symbolizing our chosen decade.
For me, the choice was clear . . . I knew I wanted to create a bundle that captured the 80s. Maybe it was the recent passing of Tom Petty, one of my rock icons and heroes, maybe it was the stress of Quilt Market & a longing for simpler times, or maybe it was the sheer fun of metal/hair bands and summer days at the Lake of the Ozarks where I grew up, but I knew I had my inspiration.
As I started browsing fabric choices, this print jumped out at me:
It’s Femme Metale in Floralia. First, the name–what could be better than a girly slant on “metal”. Surely, this was meant to be my inspirational fabric. (Cue the Guns ‘n Roses, the AC/DC . . . wait, I’m getting distracted.)
Then, the colors–pink & green–the very colors I always associate with the 80s. Finding the perfect Kelly Green belt to pair with my Pepto-Bismol Pink Izod was a weeks-long crusade. Figuring out exactly how to perfectly pop that collar was a whole other crusade.
With Femme Metale selected, the serious work of finding other pieces to capture the 80s began.
First up, Aloe Vera in Lime. Yes, I grew up in the days of tanning with baby oil on a silver mat to maximize the sun, generally resulting in the need for lots of aloe vera.
How many hours did I spend trying to perfect French braids and corn rows thanks to Bo Derek and her infamous movie scenes? So, Braids had to join my bundle:
Hex Tex captures that highly-prized pink of the Eighties:
And, Lucy in Clear Skies features the perfect green:
With my anchor prints set, I was then on the hunt for additional prints that captured the feel of those carefree years.
Without further ado, may I present my Eighties bundle:
Creating this group has been such fun and I am so honored to be part of the Design Star line-up this year.
Please take some time now to go vote! You can vote once per day from now until November 19. Limit once per day per device.
