I'm so excited to welcome you to my latest fabric collection called "Strawberry Picking."
From picking strawberries, making jam, to enjoying them on a picnic, this fabric range is inspired by the fun summer activity of picking (and eating) juicy strawberries straight from the vine! This collection captures the essence of sunny days spent outdoors with hand drawn illustrations. With its soft and eco-friendly organic cotton, this fabric is perfect for creating a range of charming items. Imagine sewing up whimsical sundresses, lovely headbands, adorable children's rompers, or even cheerful kitchenware like tablecloths and aprons.
Strawberries - strawberries of different shapes and sizes tossed on a very pale yellow gingham.
Homemade with love - a variety of jam jar labels on a muted red and pink gingham background.
Strawberry fields - strawberry leave, flowers and fruit tossed on a textured yellow background.
Jam jars - Strawberry plants, jam jars and toast with picnic hats on a pale blue background.
Picnic basket - a trellis design made from strawberry vines surrounding smaller scenes of picnic baskets and strawberry plants on a cream background.
After a strawberry picking day out with family and friends, I was keen to get drawing and create this range. I loved seeing the different stages of strawberry plants and the transformation from pretty white flowers to ripe fruit. I wanted to use muted tones of red, pink and green to create a collection with a more vintage and nostalgic feel.
Sewing inspiration
I was very lucky to have some amazing sewers from Debbie Shore's design team to help make samples from my fabrics -
This table runner was designed and made by Melissa.
Although there aren't any specific tutorials for this, Melissa has given details on how she made it:
The heart started as two circles (5 1/4 in diameter) on bondaweb on two different fabrics, cut into quarters. Seven of the quarters are then positioned on a 12 1/2in (unfinished) background square to form the heart, alternating fabric and placement position. The eighth quarter circle is then positioned to form the lower point of the heart. I zigzagged between the quarter circles and around the edge, added the leaves to make it look like a strawberry (to coordinate with the fabrics). I added a 2in (unfinished) sashing and borders and a 1/2in flange before binding. Quilting was two rows of echo quilting around the strawberries.
Jackie made a summer bucket hat and glasses case using the 'strawberry fields' print. She also made a gorgeous notebook cover using 'Handmade with love'. The cute little crocheted strawberries and flowers are from 'Crocheted Wreaths and Garlands' by Kate Eastwood.
Gini made this adorable baby romper using 'strawberries'. The coordinating plain fabric is from the organic solids by Make + Believe fabrics in the colour 'seafoam'.
The sewing pattern is the New Look 6903.
Ann made a little girls dress in 'Jam Jars' and 'Picnic Basket' with a coordinating organic plain in the colour 'coral'.
The sewing pattern used is a vintage New Look pattern 6338. I love the gingham ribbon along the collar that really finishes off the dress!
Lesley has made a child's apron using the 'strawberries' fabric with a plain coral and seafoam. She didn’t use a paper pattern but got the inspiration from loads of similar aprons on Pinterest. She did look at a video on Tamara’s Joy sewing channel on YouTube though and just made it fit her fabric. The trim is a broderie anglaise frill from debbieshoresewing.com and it really compliments the fabric design and gives it a vintage feel!
Sheena made a Miss Messenger bag from Debbie Shore's Half Yard Bags and Purses Book. The outer fabric is 'strawberry fields' with a coral lining and a white faux leather base and handle. A beautiful and summery bag with an innovative design that folds over at the top.
Janice made a bottle carrier and a patchwork bag using 'jam jars' with a plain seafoam blue.
She also got the idea for the drinks bottle from Pinterest. No pattern, just sizing of fabric required. A handy carrier for long walks and picnics! The little patchwork pouch is one from “Natasha Makes” using grid interfacing to create accurate squares.
This is a pull-on jumpsuit with an optional flounce detailing around the top and loose cut body with wide legs. The shoulder straps are adjustable and tied at the back. There’s also the choice of an option to add a waist belt for a more fitted look. The top of the jumpsuit is elasticated making it easy to slip on with no need for any buttons or zips.
The skill level for this jumpsuit is beginner. There are clear instructions to follow making the sewing process straight forward and no tricky fastenings are needed.
I made this jumpsuit in the largest size 6-7y which fits Vienna perfectly! She is turned 6 in August and is approx. 118cm tall for reference.
The Aurifil Strawberry Picking Thread Box Collection
I was very fortunate to be able to create a premium thread box collection with Aurifil Threads alongside the fabric range. I chose 7 different colours that match perfectly with the Strawberry Picking fabrics and each spool is 200m and 50wt. Aurifil is known in the sewing industry as a top thread brand using strong but thin cotton. 50wt is the most popular and versatile thread count making it perfect for topstitching as well as quilting, applique, embroidery stitches and so much more!
The organic cotton collection is in stores now and online. I'll leave a link here to the products on debbieshoresewing.com
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy this collection as much as I've enjoyed creating it!
Kym x