Putting the ARTISAN in Artisan Batiks

What makes a batik an “artisan batik”? Clearly, all batiks are created by talented artists around the world, whether or not we know their names.  With two beautiful designer batik collections in our current Studio 37 line, we asked our designers what it is that gives their creations that “artisan” touch, and uncovered some of their signature characteristics:


Victoria Findlay Wolfe
describes her PARTS DEPT. BATIKS as having an artistic use of negative space in the designs.  “Graphic, fun rock-and-roll style prints…Edgy, yet they play well with others.  Classic dots and Crisp whites.” Her Star Storm pattern and kit (lower left) are available online.

  

   

Kim Eichler-Messmer points out the following in her IMBUE BATIKS, her debut collection for Studio 37.  They are different because of clean, modern color palette inspired by my own hand dyed fabric…

   

Graphic, contrasting patterns that vary in scale from large to small.  The fabric is nice and soft and smooth, very easy to work with in quilts and garments.  They are hand printed and the hand of the maker shows in the imperfections that add character to the cloth.”  You’ll find Kim’s IMBUE quilt patterns, Robie and Sonia online.
  
Also check out Kenna Ogg’s (Madison Cottage Design) rendition of IMBUE – her G. Smith quilt pattern, below, is also available online:

Introducing… IMBUE by Kim Eichler-Messmer

This month we’re excited to welcome Kim Eichler-Messmer to the Studio 37 design team, with her gorgeous debut collection of batiks, entitled IMBUE.

To imbue means to inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality; permeate, infuse, tincture, soak. This is how Kim  likes to think about hand dyed fabrics. “They are infused not only with color and pattern, but with the intentions of the maker as well. These modern batiks were printed and dyed by hand in Indonesia and the designs came from my own hand dyed fabrics. The colors are rich and saturated and the slight imperfections in the print add character, movement, and a glimpse into the process of their creation” she explains.

We love Kim’s creative philosophy, and the richness of her palettes. See all 22 designs online at Studio 37 Fabrics.  Visit Kim online and follow her on Instagram @kimemquilts.  If you’re attending, QuiltCon in Pasadena, CA, February 22-25, 2018, you’ll also have a chance to take her lectures and workshops and meet her in the Studio 37 Booth # 911.