We've been fans of Brooklyn textile designer Rebecca Atwood's hand-painted and shibori-dyed throw pillows for a while now (see Pattern Language: Textiles from a Native Cape Codder). So naturally we took note when Atwood introduced a fabric-by-the-yard line available to the trade (through Studio Four NYC) and the public (via Atwood's own online store).
The five patterns in the collection are inspired by details in Atwood's sketchbook and her childhood observations growing up on Cape Cod: "The off-season with its deserted beaches, shifting light, and coastal color palette." Using 100-percent Belgian linen from Libeco Linen, the textiles are printed at Griswold Textile Print in Rhode Island—"they're family owned and operated since 1937 and really are experts in what they do," Atwood says. The fabrics are printed with vat dye instead of standard pigment, resulting in a stronger color bond and softer fabric.
Each print is on 54-inch-wide fabric and retails for $145 per yard.
Photographs by Emily Johnston for Rebecca Atwood.
Above: In her Brooklyn studio, Rebecca Atwood stocks about 25 yards of each pattern, and more yardage is available at Studio Four NYC. Atwood offers a Fabric Swatch Set of all five prints for $48.
Above: "I've always been a fan of stripes and have done so many stripe paintings," Atwood says. "The Painted Stripe pattern is printed using two screens so you really get those subtle variations and a hand-painted feel." The print is available in three colorways: Marine & Black (shown), Gray & Tangerine, and Coffee & Blue.
Above: "I'm not a floral person," Atwood admits, "but the Leaves pattern is a shape I find myself drawing often. It's a bit Matisse-inspired." Printed with a watercolor effect, it's shown here in Coffee & Blue.
Above: Waves in Blauvelt Blue evokes shoreline sand patterns at low tide. "It's a no-print print—when you see it on a larger scale, it's no longer just a print but a texture."
Above: The Spots print began as one of Atwood's first experiments painting with dye. As with the Waves fabric, the design comes from the changing tides on Cape Cod, when "the rocks on the beach are positioned above and below the sand after being dispersed by the waves."
Above: The Dashes print comes from Atwood's experiments making repeated marks and observing their variations.
Above: A glimpse of Atwood's sketchbook-to-fabric design process.
Above: Atwood and her mood board in her studio.
Hunting for upholstery fabric and tabletop linens? Sift through all of our Fabrics & Linens posts, and learn about the fabric that Atwood swears by in our spotlight on Libeco Linens. And read the story behind Liberty of London Florals in Gardenista's Shopper's Diary.
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