Designer Tidbits: Recollection by Katarina Roccella

Hi everyone! Katarina Roccella of Like Flowers and Butterflies is joining us all the way from Serbia today to talk about her new Recollection collection for Art Gallery Fabrics! She’s a long-time fan of Fat Quarter Shop and one of Art Gallery’s newest designers. Read on to learn more about her amazing collection and inspiration. 

First of all, I want to THANK the entire Fat Quarter Shop team for giving me this chance to showcase my collection. Fat Quarter Shop was the first online shop for me, when I started my fabric obsession 10 years ago.

Q: Tell us about the Recollection collection. What were you inspired by?
Katarina: Recollection is my second fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics. With this line, I tried to evoke the old, fundamental textile techniques from rug weaving, tapestry, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and ikat – motifs that were passed through the centuries, from generation to generation, recollected, becoming a legacy or heritage that makes up history and a history of modern craft work.

I have always been attracted to doilies, lace, and other vintage memorabilia. Also, doilies hold a special place in Serbian tradition and culture. I was also inspired by kilims, which are the gorgeous shapes and patterns of Pirot, the southern part of Serbia. Kilims are very geometric in form, and in combination with floral lacy motifs and shapes, create the perfect harmony for my “Recollection” line.  Culturally and historically, kilims are also used in very intricate needlepoint tapestries with beautiful roses. These have also inspired me to design some of the prints.

Q: What is your favorite print from the collection?
Katarina: Every single print in the collection has an important place in my heart and they are grouped together to challenge and inspire people to create various projects. From small items like toys and accessories to clothing, home decor, and quilts. The print “Flower Engrams” was certainly the most time consuming print to create since it had so many colorway variations before making the final decision. It’s also the print that excited me the most while creating it, so maybe that’s my favorite one!  

Q: What projects do you hope to see made with Recollection?
Katarina: I am looking forward to see any project made with my collection. There are two colorways that offer vast possibilities and also amazing AGF blenders and solids that match and complement the line perfectly. Please share your Recollection projects on my Recollection Fabrics Flickr page. I would love to see what you make! 

Q: What’s next for Katarina Roccella?
Katarina: My third line for AGF called “Skopelos” will be available in April 2015. It was named and inspired by my family’s favorite vacation spot, the Greek island, Skopelos. I am also working on developing some patterns that accompany my fabric lines.