We've been loving seeing all the amazing feedback to Lou's gorgeous new

collection for Dashwood Studio that we've posted on insta lately!

So we thought we'd grab ourselves a cuppa, and have a chat with her about how this

collaboration came about and what her process was designing this collection...

Hi Lou! We are so obsessed with this collection, how did this particular project come about?

The main print in the collection is actually a gift wrap in our Paper & Cloth shop. Dashwood saw the pattern and asked me to create a fabric collection with this as the main design.

Of course, I jumped at the chance and set about creating the coordinating prints.

How did you go about creating the coordinating prints?

With a quilting/fabric collection, it’s important to consider a mix of scales, pace of AOP and different coloured grounds across the set. All working together but doing a different job. There were so many different elements in the main print, that really inspired the rest of the designs; elephants, giraffes, tigers, I knew there had to be a floral in there and butterflies seemed a lovely fit too. I think they work really nicely on the ochre ground.

What was your favourite part of working on this project?

The idea of designing an entire fabric collection has always been up there on my wish list career wise, so it was amazing when the lovely folk of Dashwood got in touch.

I enjoyed the whole design process really, from initial sketches and playing with print ideas, right through to submitting the finished collection, but I must admit, hearing such lovely comments from everyone about the designs now they’re launched and out there in the big wide world is a great feeling! From sewing/haberdashery shops excitedly sharing photos of the collection on Instagram when they arrive in their shops, to talented little sewing bees creating wonderful things with the fabrics.

What sort of things are you hoping will be made from your fabrics?

I’ve already seen some lovely things popping up on Instagram that talented folk have been making with the fabrics. My favourite so far would have to be a skirt by Sarah @lupilotty. She used the different prints in a patchworked style skirt for her 3 year old little girl. She looked so cute in it!

I’ve also seen a gorgeous little dress made using the giraffe fabric by Lorraine @sew.last.year

It’ll be so exciting to see what else will be created from my designs.