I always get a little nervous writing this, but I am super excited to announce that my tenth fabric collection ‘Joys of Spring,’ for Lewis and Irene will be available in shops from the end of January 2025. This collection felt almost effortless to create. For a very long time I had the title 'Joys of Spring' written down in a notebook. I love the phrase and all of the cheerful connotations which 'spring' to mind. From the moment I thought of the title, I knew the exact colour palette and imagery that I wanted to use. For me one of the most joyful things about spring is the flowers awakening and coming into bloom. This is a season which really does fill me with happiness and inspiration, so choosing the flowers and motifs which I felt represented spring best came easily. I wanted to draw flowers which are heavily associated with spring, so I chose to include daffodils, celandine, anemone, lady's smock, camellias and crocus' in my designs.
As a young child I adored Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. One of my favourite scenes from the books is when Alice talks to the flowers. The imagery of this has stayed with me into adulthood and I find the idea that flowers can have personalities really fun. In my poem I wanted to showcase each individual flower's personality and what better way of showing their personalities than through how they're dressing for the upcoming Spring ball which is a metaphor for the arrival of spring.
The breeze is warm, the sun is high,
to winter we have said goodbye.
Between longer days and sudden showers,
it’s time to waken all the flowers.
Who is going to answer the call?
An invite to the Springtide Ball.
The daffodil responds first, in this event she is well versed.
Patiently watching this silent contest.
Who indeed will look the best?
Slowly she adjusts her crown,
a fitting adornment to match her gown.
Wearing cloaks of yellow and green,
Celandine reaches up to primp and preen.
Glancing at pretty Anemone,
lacing her skirts from memory.
As shy and dainty Lady’s Smock,
dons her delicate petal frock.
Camellias yawn and stretch in delight,
ruffling petticoats purposefully to catch the light.
Crocus skips flirting from her way,
his petals bedecked and on display.
The music starts, the birds sing,
an enchanting tune, the songs of Spring.
Flower’s twirl to the sun’s beat,
a happy melody set on repeat.
Windswept leaves break the trance,
a slight pause in the eternal dance.
Reaching out so very high,
almost plucking the glow right from the sky.
A favour to hold, a tangible thing,
to have and keep the joys of Spring.
I really enjoyed designing this collection from start to finish. All of the colours featured throughout the collection are taken from the colours of the flowers themselves, creating a beautiful spring palette of yellows, greens, oranges, pinks and white. Yellow and orange feel especially joyful to me and I spent a lot of time obsessing over the correct shades from photographs of daffodils I had taken. I really hope this collection leaves you feeling as happy and joyful as it has me whilst I was creating it.
You can find ‘Joys of Spring’ in all good fabric shops from January 2025. For a sneak preview of the full collection just click HERE.
Comments