Designer Tidbits: Arrolynn Weiderhold

It may be raining, but these jungle animals do not mind! Their charming rain gear is keeping them dry. Head out into the rainy rainforest with Rainforest Fun, a new fabric collection from Arrolynn Weiderhold! The prints are fun, the panel is playful, and there is even a Rainforest Quilt Kit for you to make! Keep reading for a closer look at Rainforest Fun in this interview with Arrolynn Weiderhold!

Q: Where did you find your original inspiration for this collection?
A:When I first moved to D.C., I couldn’t get over how it seemed to rain all day long! I noticed that everyone wore cute raincoats and rain boots. It was raining the day I started working on the jungle collection and I just thought it would be adorable to have little characters in boots!

Q: What would be Rainforest Fun‘s theme song?
A:What a fun question! I think it would be “Here comes the Sun” by the Beatles. It’s one of my favorite songs and always cheers me up, and I hope the fabric cheers others up as well.

Q: Tell us about your background. What lead to you designing fabric for the quilting industry?
A:I got my degree in illustration from Ringling College of Art & Design. I originally wanted to concentrate on children’s books, until a friend introduced me to pattern design. I fell in love with patterns! After about a year of developing a new portfolio and re-thinking my style I joined Pink Light Studio for representation. I’m so honored to be alongside such talented artists. Since joining Pink Light I have had so many amazing opportunities to do what I love!

Q:From what aspect of your life do you draw creativity?
A:Anything around me. My husband is an Interior Designer and we love to hunt for great designs together .We go antiquing and collect children’s books, greeting cards, and fabrics. I also love to go sketching around town in my free time. Even though my work is pretty stylized I try to keep drawing and painting traditionally as well

Q:What is your design process?
A:I always start with pencil in my sketchbook and many times I’ll go to a cafe or park. This is my favorite part! Then, depending on the subject I need to do a bit of research or inspiration hunting. I look at greeting cards I’ve collected, children’s books, magazines, and of course the internet. Once I’m happy with the sketches I scan, bring them into illustrator, and start vectoring the characters. I’m hoping to experiment with painted patterns in the future.

Q: What is your favorite print in the collection?
A:The one with the animals holding umbrellas and wearing rain boots (in blue and white), it just makes me smile!

Q:What are your favorite and least favorite colors and why?
A:My favorite color is gray. It can be so beautiful when paired with bright colors. I also love corals and bright reds, I like to add them into cheeks and noses to make faces pop. My least favorite color is orange. It’s such a hard color to coordinate with others, also it doesn’t rhyme with anything.