Finding the man behind this beautifully bold collection, at once strong and delicate, is rather circuitous...and quite curious.

Parson Gray is the creative brand from David Butler, better known in the sewing world as Amy Butler's husband. Having met him at quilt market, I can tell you he's very proud to be called Mr. Amy Butler. Equal parts folk and modern, Curious Nature is a subtle interpretation of nature's elements with a distinctly masculine eye, and a subtle Japanese hand. I love the juxtaposition of sophisticated organic and geometric motifs. With it's muted bone ivory, oyster gray, and forest greens and browns, the palette evokes a rocky beach under a clear night sky. No wonder our first shipment sold out in mere hours. I'm sure it doesn't hurt that David Butler bears an uncanny resemblence to Daniel Craig. You know - Bond, James Bond.

Like James Bond himself, the collection is equally at home dressed up in a smooth jacket and tie, or paired down and ready to jet in an easy duffle bag.

 

And here is the quintessential americana folk rock spin that David manages to instill in his photos. Yes, he is also the talented photographer behind Amy's Lifestyle Photos. In yet another alter ego, this modern day Renaissance Man is the lead singer and drummer for his band The Black Owls. Perhaps that curious dichotomy has helped him play backup to Amy for so many years, and still be able to shine as a frontman with this debut collection. Being half of a husband and wife business team myself, I just love to see a couple that can work and play together with such ease and creativity. Well done Butlers!

I know many of you have been waiting for this collection to return to our shelves, and I'm so happy to let you know it's back! If you're finding it hard to narrow down a project, here's a super cool and quick project for all of David's fellow music lovers out there. This Media Mate is available as a free pdf pattern!

Or why not try Amy Butler's own Messenger Bag pattern done up in one of these great unisex designs from Curious Nature?!

Or perhaps try your hand at this Bullseye Quilt, available here as a free download! Whichever project you choose, I hope you'll share your pieces in our shop. Here's one already from a customer of ours - thanks for sharing this beautiful pillow Pick Fair!

For more inspiarational photos, visit the Parson Gray Website and Facbook page!

Image courtesy of Art Gallery Fabrics

Here is a gorgeous peek at the upcoming Poetica collection. With fabric names like Serendade, Sonnet, Spirited Verse, and Sweet Melody, Pat Bravo channels her inner poet with catchy alliterative flare, I daresay. Whether it's in verse, song, or ink, I'm struck by how similar various forms of expression really are. As in poetry and fine art, fabric designers have the ability to convey emotion through their work, connecting to an audience in a very personal way. Ironically, for me Poetica recalls to mind this painting that graced the cover of a small notebook I used as a teen to scrawl out my hand at poetry.

Midsummer Eve by Edward Robert Hughes

In turn, this painting celebrates a beloved play from Shakespeare

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine:
There sleeps Titania sometime of the night,
Lull'd in these flowers with dances and delight.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (2.1.255-60)

As though Pat was channeling Titania herself, Poetica captures that same feeling of being lulled to sleep in a blanket of purple flowers. What could be better?! The collection will waltz into our shop this February - sign up in our Coming Soon section to receive notice as soon as this artful beauty arrives!