Itsy Bitsy Sneak Peek....
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 04:36PM I get a lot of questions about why I don't design prints for boys. Its not so much that I make a decision not to, it's just that I find drawing artwork for them a bit tougher. And I always seem to want to use the hottest, sharpest pinks, which doesn't make it any easier. I am so pleased to report that there is at least one print in my upcoming line for Kokka that will work for a baby boy's nursery (maybe two, if the pink piggies aren't too off-putting). And I'll admit it, it happened sort of accidentally.
I set out to design a print around the Nursery Rhyme "Itsy Bitsy Spider", which was one of my babies first favorites. I wanted the composition to have that same "up and down" feel that the song does, and I wanted my spider to be chubby (yet itsy bitsy) and mostly eyeballs, so that he wouldn't freak anybody out. I've been obsessed with the combinations of citron and yellow against taupe and gray, which, turns out, is a prety perfect little boy color story. The results are below. Give it to me straight, would you put this print in your baby boy's room?
This print is the first of several that I have developed recently that began with solving the puzzle of composition and repeat rather than with an illustration or character. The surprising lesson here, for me, was that this is a great way to build a print that feels more graphic and geometrical, and as a result, more fit for boys. I'm curious to know what you all think....
And if you want to learn more about my method of fabric design, we still have two spots left in the second Photoshop for Fabric Design workshop in New York in April. You need not be an expert in Photoshop to take this workshop, we use only the simplest tools within the application and everyone will work on their own designs at their own pace.
Now back to those chubby, soggy spiders....
Reader Comments (43)
I'd love to make some pillow cases or duvet cover for my son out of this, I think he'd love it. Also, the link for the Fabric Design Class doesn't work - maybe it's full already, anyway just so you know.
Can't wait to see the whole line together, it seems like it's going to be so cool!
I LOVE it! I have 5 boys - 1 is a baby right now - I'd for sure use it. I love the colors - the shapes - and that little guy is very cute :)
I love these spiders! I don't have a son but I'm sure my little girl would still love them!
Yes! I love grey with yellow. And I would totally put this in a boy's or girl's room.
As a person who sells fabric (including yours), I have 2 opinions regarding your post. First, I think a majority of fabric buyers are smitten with color. I personally think that it would appeal to more people if there was a little more spark of color like a simple rainbow or something. Second, I wouldn't underestimate the fact that folks really like your little scenes (illustration or character as you called it). People love featuring those little scenics. It's kind of like your trademark. I hope you don't put a kibosh on them completely, although I think there is a need for this kind of print as well. Love all that you do and look forward to seeing these in person this summer.
My boys loved the itsy bitsy spider, when they were little. Oh, how I wish there had been choices like yours back then. It was pretty much primary colors, and this fabric design is sooooooooooooo cute. I would definitely use it if I could.
My "baby boy" has two toddler girls and I would use it for them. I would use it for my baby boy too, if I had one :-)
It's funny that you say that you've been asked why you don't do more prints for boys because I used a bunch of your prints to decorate onesies for my baby boy. Mainly the dogs, camper vans, goldfish, and Disney prints. But I guess those are some of the older ones.
I like the flow and geometric nature of this print, but I'm not a gray/yellow person.
Love the color and the spiders in the rain! The sun images bring to mind cracked eggs, so I don't know if I could get that out of my head and be able to use the fabric.
Just finding out that I am expecting...I want this fabric now, boy or girl I think it is fabulous, cant wait to see the whole line. Your fabrics are what got me back into sewing!
my Charlie is about to be 6 months. I would make him pants, shirts, fabric blocks, quilts.....with this chubby little spider. LOVE THIS!
I LOVE the colors of this print but it is totally too busy for me. Just sensory overload.......and that is only MY thoughts ;-) Otherwise I have no problems with putting it in a boys room.
Hi Heather,
i am a big fan, and while i like this, I'm not wild about it... that said, I also think it's not just for boys....
but it would be more for babes & toddlers
i think it's quite different from your usual layout - much more bold graphic - so perhaps that's it
- I just need to get used to it and work out how it would be used - plus my kids are 8 & 6 - i think they're too big for
itsy bitsy..... ;o(
i have one of each who share a room and have many clothes which have passed down from boy to girl
my girl is into princesses and my boy lego & star wars - but they both love animals
there are many of your prints which would work for both of them - clothing / home dec - partly why i love them
they're not saccharine disney pink or superheros / trucks/ trains etc
thank you so much for sharing - and please take my comment as a "yea!" - you're so brave to ask a big question like that!
I have two sons and I think the modern graphic quality of this design would work perfectly well for a boy nursery. My oldest loves orange. I think he sees it as a boy color. I'm sure some stylish creative moms will be happy to see it. I like that it's not too bright or busy. After all, we want babies to sleep in there! And sleep lots.
I LOVE unconventional color combinations for boys. There's enough blues and greens out there for those who enjoy that already! I'd definitely incorporate this fabric into something for my little guy. I really hope there's a quilting cotton collection in the works along the lines of Mendocino or Lightening Bugs ;) I miss them! Haven't found a fabric that felt so amazing since!!
My son is 4 1/2. I will ask him if he would be interested. He is very opinionated and just opted to paint his room orange. (It is the new color in the living room and has been his favorite color all his life - besides pink.) It is a strong possibility for curtains, but it would have strong competition from Busytown. If it were my choice, I would choose the Itsy Bitsy Spider.
I love your spiders and the colors. I would certainly use it for my new grandson, due this June. I have all grandsons so I am always looking for fabric for things for them.
I love the pattern you used for that design. Choice of characters and color was also great.