Spilling the beans!

I just got done doing a live interview with Pat Sloan for Fave Crafts Radio where I let loose a big secret I've been hanging on to for a few months! (if you missed it you can listen to the recording!)

My Big News is (drumroll please.......)

I've signed on with Robert Kaufman Fabrics to license my print designs on organic cotton as part of their GreenStyle collection! I am over the moon about this and I've been dying to share the news.

random flower photo that has nothing to do with this post

If you know me, you know that it has been a multi-year goal of mine to get my print designs onto organic fabric and out into the world! My first line for Robert Kaufman will be released in July 2011 and in stores in Fall 2011! Yippee! And since that is still a little while off, you're not going to get any sneak peeks just yet. But hopefully soon.

The Backstory:
About 3 years ago when I was writing my second book, Sewing Green, I had the vision of having my own fabric designs produced. I was doing research on sustainable and organic fabrics for the book and became determined that any prints of mine had to be on organic fabric. When Sewing Green came out in 2009, I pitched myself and my artwork to a few fabric companies with the hopes that their passion for organics matched mine. Well...let's just say they weren't quite ready yet. So, I pulled a Little Red Hen and "did it myself" with digital printing. You might remember when I launched my first self produced collection, Family Cottage. The collection (and subsequent ones) have been very well received, much to my happiness. Because I've chosen to print small quantities, digitally on demand, I have been unable to offer them wholesale. But that was my choice and I was willing to wait for the tide to turn. Then, last spring when I attended the International Quilt Market to pitch my new sewing pattern line, I hit pay-dirt! The Robert Kaufman Fabric company launched their first Green Style organic cotton print collection by Nancy Mims of Mod Green Pod. After checking it out (so soft!) and doing some research (GOTS certified!) I began to plan the pitch that, last fall, landed me a licensing contract!

What does that mean? It means that Robert Kaufman Fabrics will be producing my collection, selling it wholesale and distributing it to stores worldwide! Yippee! Beautiful organic fabric for everyone! :)

since I can't show fabrics, how 'bout some more flowers?

The Back-Backstory:
My love of print design began years ago in college and on into my corporate design career. For a few years I was the lead designer for the Girls apparel at the Carter's childrenswear and then later for Lands' End. The artists and I worked together to design original prints for my clothing designs. I was even able to go to the mills for my own strikes offs (print approvals) and see the production process first hand. Although I enjoyed and learned from those experiences, I wanted to find my own design voice. In 2005, I left the corporate world and continued to design prints that sold to the apparel industry through a studio in New York. Doing so was one step closer to "doing my own thing" and it did satisfy me for a while! But selling my work through a middleman felt a little anonymous. I knew that I would eventually want to license my work so that it had my name attached to it. And now that time has come!

last flower pic...a blog post's gotta have pics!

It all kind of goes back to my 5 year blogiversary post from earlier this week. Part of me is in disbelief and thanking my lucky stars for this opportunity and another part of me is is like, "Phew! I finally did it! I knew I could!". And you know what else I feel?

So, what's next? Bring it on! :)