Center City

So many fabric lines out at the moment, sometimes it feels like some prints are everywhere.  Jay Mc Carroll's  Center City is a little different.  It isn't going to have UK distribution so it won't be widely available in the UK. Annie at Village Haberdashery has been pulling a few strings to make sure she has it, and she may end up as the only UK store to stock it.  know she was a big fan of his last line 'Habitat' and this one is a bit special.   Take a look at Jay McCarroll's video, it  gives a great idea of the concepts behind the collection, like a moving mood board...

This collection works on a number of levels for me.  The bricks are calling for paper piecing houses- such an obvious use but I can't let the opportunity pass by.  The bolder more abstract prints scream clothing, tunic dresses, Tova tops- you know the sort of thing.  I don't mind a bit of quilting weight cotton in clothing, used with the right style it can provide the right sort of structure, especially in dresses and the prints are too good to miss out on dressmaking opportunities.  Annie made a great dress with a print from his last collection.

Thankyou to Annie for letting me use her photo!

I can also imagine these prints in pillow and cushions.  The colours are punchy and the fabrics go together without being too matchy matchy.  Annie has some of the prints listed here and is just unpacking the rest so they will all be up very very soon.  She also has a great value bundle available with  a selection of Center City prints and some Free Spirit solids to co-ordinate.

You can meet the lovely Annie in person-I met her at Fat Quarterly Retreat in the summer and she is lovely, easy to chat to and very smiley- at The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace 12th-14th October.  Judging by the pictures this show looks massive!  You can find her on stall J22.  You can see all the exhibitors and find a show leaflet here.  She will have a selection of  fabric and yarn goodies with her, including the newest, just arrived collections and some London Modern Quilt Guild members helping out too.  

I wish I was there!