Designer Tidbits: French General

Spend your Friday dreaming of a getaway in the South of France. Sipping on a ‘verre de vin’ among ‘les belles fleurs’. French General‘s La Belle Fleur is the perfect mix of stunning florals, antique french motifs and light, airy colors. La Belle Fleur will whisk you away to the South of France in no time.

Q: Where did you find your original inspiration for this collection?
A:The inspiration for the La Belle Fleur collection came from a trunk full of fabric I purchased last summer while we were hosting our Chateau Getaway retreat in the South of France. I always look for old, colorful, floral document scraps that I can recreate and turn into designs that can be used in quilting today.

Q: What TV show or movie does your collection fit best in?
A:I would love to see my fabric used in a period film. I don’t think I know of the perfect film yet…but if anyone out there needs fabric for a 19th century, rural French interior…let me know!

Q:Tell me about your sewing machines. What kinds do you have and how many?
A:I have two sewing machines – one is a Pfaff that I bought from a friend who purchased the demo machines from the quilting booth at the Los Angeles County Fair. I love it – it has served me well through my sewing education these past few years. The other machine I have is an old Singer that I inherited from a friend. The Singer can take anything I throw at it and it still loves me back…

Q:From what aspect of your life do you draw creativity?
A:I think most of my creativity comes from a very deep desire to explore art. I have always enjoyed looking at art and then trying to recreate the feeling in another medium. Designing fabric for Moda has been a great release for me – it has allowed me to use all different influences and yet be very focused on a creative goal.

Q:What is your favorite print in the collection?
A:I have two favorite prints in the La Belle Fleur collection – Bon Fa for the beautiful fantasy floral print and Hortensia for the small detailed print.

Q:What is the most challenging part of the design process?
A:The most challenging part of the design process in the quilting industry is the balance of scale, print and color/contrast. Since I did not come from a quilting background, I have had to learn how important these concepts are to quilters. Sometimes I get it right, but often, I find myself saying “I can’t believe I got it wrong again!” I am hoping that with time I am able to find a balance and understand how these three ideas need to be perfectly in sync for a line to be truly beautiful.

Q:What are your favorite and least favorite colors and why?
A:Well, my favorite colors are red and blue. That’s no surprise! My least favorite colors might be orange or yellow or green or purple…anything besides red and blue! I need to stretch out a bit and expand my color horizon a bit…people may get bored of all of the red!!