It’s hard to believe that we are more than halfway through 2020 and The School of Making’s Year of Color. Such a year, we could never have fathomed—and, in so many ways, still cannot. Contemplation, making, and gathering inspiration for the future have become a go-to coping mechanism for me—which has been expressed through adding to my design library and searching for time between making masks, designing a new collection, and navigating safety protocols for our store and team to pour through these books.

I was reminded of Marilynne Robinson’s beloved book Gilead last week when listening to Ezra Klein’s conversation with Bryan Stevenson. John Ames, the hero of Gilead, writes this to his young son about the money he might have put aside for his family before his death:

“…for all those hours I was up here working away in the study, and for the books that used to come in the mail for me—not so many, really, but more than I could afford. That’s where some of the money went that I could have put aside.” 

Such is life in inspiration and imagination these days. I hope my children and grandchildren will celebrate me and not bemoan the fact that they are left to go through my multitude of books and fabrics and papers one day. This is the thread of my life from day-to-day: piles of books, papers, and, of course, fabric.

Our newest Abstract patterned fabric in Peacock from The School of Making arrived at the studio and is in-stock this week and ready to add to my pile(s)—while supplies last. We also have new selection of limited-edition organic lightweight cotton jersey fabrics available in Black, Navy, Baby Blue, Lilac, and Natural and our signature medium-weight cotton jersey in Lilac. I’ve put together a “playlist” of sorts of books, garments, fabric colors, and notions that I find inspiring and in combination with these fabrics. Our 100% Organic Cotton Jersey can be used with a wide variety of techniques: from Reverse Appliqué to Negative Reverse Appliqué and beyond. Of course, I’ve always believed that inspiration is only limited by my willingness to explore.

Be well in your adventures,
xoNatalie

#yearofcolor #summerofcolor #theschoolofmaking #TSOM20in20

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Explore Make It Summer: DIY Sewing Kits + Inspiration from The School of Making here.

Do-it-yourself sewing kits for the Summer Corset and the Summer Swing Skirt, as well as range of other DIY Sewing Kits, are available in colors from tonal to bold for a limited time.

Abstract Peacock Limited-Edition Printed Cotton Jersey, Lilac 100% Organic Medium-weight Cotton Jersey, and 100% Organic Lightweight Cotton Jersey in select colors are also available for a limited time for dreaming, scheming, and creating a year of color.

Share your projects with us on Instagram by using the hashtags #theschoolofmaking and #TSOM20in20 for a chance to have your work featured.

Make It Summer Reading (+ Inspiration) List:

Agnes Martin, edited by Frances Morris and Tiffany Bell

Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future by Tracey Bashkoff

The Quilts of Gee’s Bend by William Arnett, Alvia Wardlaw, Jane Livingston, John Beardsley

Heath Ceramics: The Complexity of Simplicity by Amos Klausner

The Art of Embroidery: Inspirational Stitches, Textures, and Surfaces by Françoise Tellier-Loumagne and Sheila Paine

The Saltwater Table: Recipes from the Coastal South by Whitney Otawka

Frida’s Fiestas: Recipes and Reminiscences of Life with Frida Kahlo by Marie-Pierre Colle and Guadalupe Rivera 

On Color by David Scott Kastan and Stephen Farthing

Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes from London’s Ottolenghi by Yotam Ottolenghi

Sonia Delaunay: The Life of an Artist by Stanley Baron

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

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