A Few Fun Facts About Kathy Doughty

We asked Kathy to share a few interesting facts about herself! She is a real Jack of all trades! Read more about one of newest designers.

- My last job before I owned a quilt shop was managing professional skateboarders…a natural cross over.

- I worked for SWATCH Watch when it was a start up company in the 1980’s.  The experience was critical for developing my perspective of changing traditional ideas to be colourful and lifestyle oriented.  My quilts are based on traditional designs but are made with the colors and techniques of today.

-I have taught in Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada and all over the USA at some of the best events

- I am  a yoga junkie

- I am the author of five books and I have two classes on Creative Bug

- Meeting Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably 10 years ago change how I see the world. Since then I have learned to be observant of the world around me gathering ideas for color combinations and patterns. 

- I work in my shop 5 days a week and do my design work in the evenings or on the weekend listening to the radio while I work.

-My fabric lines are meant to be connectors in shops.  They fit in with more traditional lines and gently merge them into the contemporary designers.  The colors are based on the different types of customers I have learned to identify in my shop which are pretty, contemporary or traditional.  We are human and have a need to seek what we know.  I hope that the colors I choose help people to move between the different styles with easy choices. 

-The designs are meant to be able to be fussy cut or used big

- Combining fabrics is all about making lines. We need to understand how to create line when light, medium and dark doesn’t work and this is often the case with contemporary fabrics.  It is hard to tell if it is light or dark when there are a lot of colors.  I am always looking to create interest…matching is not a word I use.

- Folk Art Revolution is my fourth fabric line. I designed it to be quilter friendly.  First I first start drawing ideas with a pencil on paper.  I research the concept and consider color palettes.  Then I start imagining how the fabric can be used in quilts.  To do this I look at the traditional structures of quilts as well as how a more modern aesthetic might work with the designs.  Quilts often have a feature design so for this range I have created a cast of characters inspired by folk art.  When piecing blocks we need a dense print to create lines or to define spaces.  I like big prints for medallions or large spacing blocks. All over florals are always popular so there has to be one of those!  I often find a decorative stripe handy for sashing, borders, or just for fun.  Of course we need a spot or dotty print and something with strong color to add some spice.  With these critical elements in mind I start playing with the elements to make the final designs.

- The line is called Folk Art Revolution but in theory it was inspired by the vast numbers of refugees moving around the world.  As an immigrant myself I spend a lot of time considering the impact of uprooting people…what its like to find yourself in a new land with new customs and traditions.   I found myself wondering about the people that came to America seeking freedom and how lucky they were to find a land that could be settled…where they could make a life.  On a serious note, I think it is important to think about that and give people a chance.