I had a chance to hang out with Amy Butler for a bit at Market…I viewed (and bought) her newest line with Rowan called “Lotus” --And I Love it.

Amy got a haircut too--that is smashing!

I did a little bit of self-promotion “show and tell” and showed her a quilt I designed using her “Belle” line. She loved it. And so did a few people in the aisle as I gave the quilt a “Vanna-type” throw and unveiling into Amy’s booth. I was a bit dramatic, I will admit, but the quilt got noticed!

A few passerby-ers loved it and so did some of the “big-wigs” (They were neither big nor were wearing wigs, but they were important people!) at Westminster/Rowan (their booth was strategically located next to Amy’s). We exchanged business cards and a “door may be opened a bit wider” for our design studio, Threaded Pear Studio. How fun is that!

(If you want a copy of our pattern, called “Charming Log Cabin”…drop me an email at quiltersbuzz@gmail.com and I will send you one for $9 including postage--U.S.--I will have to figure out the foreign order thing. This is a “quickie” pattern—one you can piece in just a few hours…honest.)

Amy and I also discussed a few things  about the quilting industry which included blogging, designing, fabric making, the direction the industry is heading, etc.
(See, it was not all about me!)

Recently, there have been a few discussions online about how and where designers get their inspiration and ideas for the lines they create. So here is an opportunity to get information about how it all works --right from the horse’s mouth—or at least we will find out how Amy does it!

And here is Amy:

Hello Everybody!

I hope my note finds you well. I just wanted to share some information with all of you in response to a thoughtful comment by a fellow blogger on www.QuiltersBuzz.com. The anonymous blogger asks: “I wish she would tell us about her inspiration" in reference to my fabric designs and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do just that.

This person is referencing a vintage table cloth of the same print I recently worked with in my Belle collection. Yes, it's not uncommon to find a documentary swatch of fabric in two places. I combine vintage designs that are purchased through documentary swatch houses, so they make sure the design is in the public domain and copyright free.

It has to do with the age of the design. The various fabric houses purchase their designs at different markets, so it's easy to see overlap with usage in multiple companies, and still be able to find another original vintage swatch. A few years ago I bought a piece at a fabric show and noticed a Ralph Lauren designer buying the same piece; I decided not to use it just in case.

Using vintage documents is a very common practice in the fashion, home decor and quilting fabric industry. You may be familiar with several of the quilting companies that create pure “reproduction fabrics” meaning they use the exact antique fabric and many times the same coloration. In the cases of my designs where I use vintage documents, I make significant changes from the original inspiration.

I use a combination of heavily-manipulated and changed documentary designs, some just the way they are (usually re-colored, resized), and many of my designs are completely original art. I re-color, resize, and basically combine and collage my collections using the best of the past and present. I want them to feel 'familiar yet surprising' and so there's that outside chance one of my prints, or part of a print it could appear on your grandma's kitchen wall.

I started out years ago hand-painting all of my own designs, but found the look of combining those with vintage was a great blend. I'm sure the blog author wasn't aware of this arm of the design industry, or how common it is to find overlap.

Also, I may be stating the obvious, but I am designing my fabrics for large companies who indeed would not allow me to use copyright protected work, so it wouldn't add up on any level to do so.

I'm happy to answer anyone's questions or further inquiries about my artwork. So please don't be shy about writing me, I love sharing what I do!

I hope my note is helpful and I'm so thrilled that people are passionate enough to make comments as it's an indication that they care about their creative endeavors and their creative community. I only encourage each of you to consider the energy, motivation, and truth behind all comments.

Please write me any time, I'd love to hear from you!
amy@amybutlerdesign.com

All My Best,
Amy