PRINTING GURU - No 3

Emma Bridgewater is currently everywhere, well in my mind she is anyway.  I am reading her new book Toast & Marmalade downstairs and an earlier book written about her by Steve Jenkins in my bedroom - not only that, but she was in almost every Sunday supplement last weekend and then when I was up at Chelsea Harbour there was her new wallpaper and fabric collection being promoted by Sanderson…..I hadn't really been especially interested in her before, but now she is my latest guru and I feel that the method of spongeware is so close to block printing that she fits nicely into my category of 'Gurus'.

I LOVE her new range of fabrics and papers - I wonder why she never did it before - it makes sense and works remarkably well.  Here are some images of the new collection, all based around the English dresser and classic English home.

Classically English, comfortable colours with a  touch of fun - just what I aim for….so she has now become an inspiration and next time we visit the in-laws I will certainly make a trip to her factory in Stoke on Trent. 

Spotting her collection at Sanderson fell in timely with my own visit to a showroom there.  I rather timidly took my fabrics in hope that the lady would be desperate to stock them.  She was kind, full of advice and flattering about my fabrics, but not throwing offers of 'I must have this'….I left feeling rather sheepish and down in the dumps about it all, but passing Sanderson lifted my spirits and immediately I felt renewed and inspired again.  This sponge ware approach is similar to printing with a block and with the finish often being in one colour I feel that Emma is kindly lending the way to making this style fashionable just at the time I am starting to show the world what I have done.  So lets hope there is a subconscious placing of style into peoples mind and that they soon come clammering at my door for hand printed designs that are classically English, comfortable colours with a touch of fun…. !?!?