Inspired by cute arctic foxes, cheeky snow hares, playful narwhals, graceful snowy owls, frisky seals and handsome polar bears, 'Arctic Adventure' is one of my favourite collections to date! Featuring elements of pearlescence to give it that extra magical sparkle, I learnt a lot whilst designing this collection.
'Arctic Adventure' was never supposed to be designed with pearlescence. Originally I envisaged a glow in the dark range with the northern lights glowing, but after much liaising with the team we decided to try the pearlescence and the results are truly stunning. This was the first time I've used pearlescence in designing and I was blown away by the outcome. There are a lot of extra stages in the design and print process which is why designs with gilding, glow and pearl are a bit more expensive, but they are so worth it. While pearl can be quite difficult to capture on camera, the gorgeous shimmer looks beautiful in real life.
Each fabric design in this collection represents a part of the poem I wrote to encapsulate the range. The range was actually based on a dream I had; I hope you enjoy the journey with me.
Catch hold of the shooting star,
Grip tightly to its tail.
Fly over seas wide and vast,
Stay on the true north trail.
Don’t stumble over mountain peaks,
Or get misguided by the moon.
Don’t get confused by the smaller stars;
Blindly sparkling and strewn.
Fix your eyes upon the brightest star,
The beacon of the night,
Until you reach the land of ice,
Filled with wonders to delight.
A place where magic lights glitter,
And frost glistens on the air.
Colours dance across the sky,
Shifting beams rippling beyond compare.
Fly past the snowy owl,
In graceful flight so swift.
Soaring over wild lands,
As animals move below in the drift.
Hiding under mounds of snow,
See the snow hares play.
Teasing arctic foxes,
then skipping nimbly away.
In frosted sprigs the white bear sits,
worshipping light and star.
Watching as they twinkle,
So vast and very far.
Let the gentle wind take you,
Beyond the frozen sea.
Where seals leap from sight,
and narwhals splash around in glee.
Here is the true north,
A land of myth and ice.
You journeyed here on star dust,
To the dreamers' paradise.
Firstly I'd like to introduce you to 'True North' my hero print for the collection. Here the polar bears sit gazing at the stars as the narwhals and seals frolic next to them and the snowy owl flies above in the sky. This design is my true north, where I imagine the animals of the arctic bound together under the magical aurora borealis. This design is available in 'Cool Aqua,' 'Cool Purple Grey' and 'Midnight Blue.' Elements of pearl can be found on the moon, selected stars and detailing on the glacier holes.
Next I'd like you to meet 'Haring Around.' This is one of my two secondary fabrics and it can be found in 'Light Grey,' 'Arctic' and 'Cool Slate Grey' with selected snow drifts featuring pearlescent. I really wanted to capture the cheeky arctic foxes playing in the snow with the hares and to convey a sense of fun and movement. I chose a linear style to do this and if you look closely you can see the hares burrowing in the snow and popping up from behind drifts trying to get the foxes attention.
My second secondary fabric 'Arctic Lights, Winter Nights' comes in 'Light Grey,' 'Purple' and 'Teal.' Again in a linear style, the moon and stars feature elements of pearlescent. Cute baby bear sits under the sky spell bound while the animals of the arctic gather around as their focus drifts from bear to night sky.
Finally meet my two co-ordinates 'Arctic Aura' and 'Polar Delight.' 'Arctic Aura' is a tossed print featuring graceful snowy owls flying amongst the magical lights and pearlescent stars. This design can be found in 'Light Sea Mist,' 'Cool Purple Grey' and 'Midnight Blue,' featuring pearl elements on the stars.
My last blender 'Polar Delight' is available in 'Light Sea Mist,' 'Arctic' and 'Cool Slate Grey,' pearl elements can be seen on selected eddies and ice sheets. Here narwhals and seals play in the frozen sea frolicking and swimming together in harmony.
Let the gentle wind take you,
Beyond the frozen sea.
Where seals leap from sight,
and narwhals splash around in glee.
I really hope you love 'Arctic Adventure' as much as I do. I’d love to see everyone’s creations. Please tag me in any photos on Facebook and Instagram using #CassandraConnolly or @cass_connolly.
You can find ‘Arctic Adventure’ in all good fabric shops from September 2023. Happy sewing!
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