February 16, 2016

Latitude Batiks

Keeping a secret like this is so hard, but at last, i'm happy
to introduce Latitude Batiks.
In creating my first line of batiks with Moda Fabrics and their artisans on the island of Java, i was reminded of hand-spinning the world globe in my grade school library. I'd close my eyes and spin the globe then stop it with my index finger. Wherever it landed, i'd zoom off to colorful, exotic places i could only begin to imagine. Those horizontal lines of latitude around the belly of the world were the guides i'd follow to find my way back to home. I've always loved maps for the dreams and journeys they inspire. And in collaborating on this fabric collection, some of all that came to life.
Section of a 17th century map of Java and Surrounding Areas
I had a feeling you'd scroll down to the fabric photos (am i right?), but wanted to share how interested i was to learn that Java is home to about 150 million people, or about half the number of us in the United States, and it's just a bit bigger than Pennsylvania. Surakarta (also known as Solo) in central Java is where the Latitude batiks were made by hand. Surakarta is not only a major center for dyed batik fabric, but also the historic royal capital of Java. There is a batik museum there. On October 2, 2009, UNESCO designated the art of batik-making on Java as a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity." Since then, October 2nd has become National Batik Day in Indonesia. I hope to get there some day to thank the team who did such great work in making these for me, Moda, and, I hope, for you!

Having never designed batiks before – other than as part of a summer camp project – i thought a good place to start would be "at home" with familiar prints and colors so i could see what happens to the designs and colors throughout the process. Because of this, Latitude includes some favorite prints from my previous Moda collections including Fandango, Terrain, Sunnyside, and Paradiso, along with some new ones, that i interpreted and simplified for batik. The artisans in Java took it from there and brought their incredible talents and skill to our collaboration. I specially selected the palette to include colors that will coordinate with almost all of my collections, including the most recent ones, Canyon and Aria.

 I have also never tried to use batiks in my quilting before. Have you? It's probably because i felt somewhat intimidated by not having a sense of how they can work together. So i figured i'd better get busy and dip a toe in. I picked out a range of blues and intended to make only a small block of 1.5" squares, but ended up quadrupling it and making this block because i wanted to see the full effect of the gradient created by the color placement. Now i can see a whole quilt – but these pieces are way too small! Maybe this will become a pillow... or...?
I'd love to see what you make with Latitude! Please hashtag #LatitudeBatiks when you post on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. I look forward to seeing the special places that you take these fabrics to, to color your world.


P.S.: Latitude will also coordinate with a future line that I'll be telling you about in May ;)



41 comments:

  1. Your fabric is to die for and this time these batiks are blowing me away!!! Gosh, soooo GORJUS❤❤❤! I look forward to making a quilt - love that block!!!

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  2. Your fabric is to die for and this time these batiks are blowing me away!!! Gosh, soooo GORJUS❤❤❤! I look forward to making a quilt - love that block!!!

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  3. They're gorgeous Kate. The colors you use and the intricate designs on your fabric lines have always reminded me of batiks, these fit the fabric family perfectly :)

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  4. Oh my just lovely!! I really like the vibrant colors, some past favorite prints and will be out just in time for my birthday present to me! :) YaY!

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  5. How exciting! The whole process sounds like a very grand adventure! The colors are wonderfully Kate :)

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  6. Those are gorgeous!!! I can't wait!

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  7. I cannot wait till these are available. I think I may use some with my Cuzco and Good Fortune charm packs to make a quilt. I wish I was going to market, June is so long to wait. 😂😂😂 These are lovely Kate you never disappoint.

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  8. OMG these will be a great birthday gift for me when these hit the shelves!!!!!!!!!!

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  9. That is exciting! I love batiks-probably my favourite type of fabric to work with. I'll be watching for your collection. Oh And yes I read it all and didn't just look at at the pretty pictures :)

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  10. Oh, wow!!! Your batiks are amazingly beautiful! Can't wait to get my hands on some!

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  11. These are SO beautiful! I've never tried batiks before, I've been sewing for just over a year, but I'm sure this is going to be my first attempt!

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  12. These are gorgeous! I enjoyed reading about your thoughts about these fabrics.

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  13. I had a big stash of baktiks a few years back but then I gave them away ... perhaps I start to collect them again.

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  14. OMG! They're BEAUTIFUL!!! I love the batiks you've designed, the range of colors is fantastic. I can't wait to get my hands on these. ;-> Toni Anne

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  15. I love working with batiks if I can find the better colors - not the darks. I am totally in love with this collection - will have to start saving now so I can buy a lot of this. and a Second set also.....wow, will really have to start saving now!

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  16. This line is as beautiful as your others. Can't wait to find some!!

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  17. Stunning! I personally love batiks and have for quite awhile. They always feel fresh.

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  18. The only thing I can think of that is better than Kate Spain fabrics is Kate Spain batiks!!!! Woohoo! Can't wait to get my hands on these!

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  19. OMG. I love batiks and you are by far my favourite designer so this is perfect for me. I am going to buy a whole line fat quarter bundle for the first time ever!
    Now to finish projects to justify buying more fabric

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  20. Aaarrrrrg! I have to wait til August for these beautiful, scrumptious fabrics!!?! GUess I'd better go sign up at FQS for a notification.

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  21. Annabel - Bel LoquacityFebruary 16, 2016 at 9:09 PM

    Kate! These are beautiful and unexpected! I love the mystery of batiks too, since I've never used them, and I'm keen to follow your lead on these. How could I not, when you've started with blues... and loved the history and lesson behind where these were made. Well done my friend!

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  22. Just got in an argument with my husband about how many people live in Java he didn't believe me/you, hehe, such a fun fact and love this new line!

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  23. *GASP! They are GORGEOUS!!!
    Just got a bundle of Aria and looks like I will blow my next months fabric allowance on Latitude! {Who am I kidding? I am so far ahead in my allowance I am using November's already anyway hahaa!}
    Can't wait to get my hands on these! Will have to find a preorder somewhere :) <3

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  24. Batiks + Kate Spain's designs = fabric heaven!

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  25. Congratulations on another winning line of fabrics....how divine.can't wait!

    Happy Sewing

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  26. Absolutley breathtaking! I will buy them! I have been faithfully buying your every line since Terrain (my favorite). And to coordinate these with your past, present, and future! Amazing! I can hardly wait!

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  27. Love batiks, even gravitate to them over prints. To me, they read as an enhanced solid in many cases. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this gorgeous collection.

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  28. How exciting! Thanks for the geography and history lesson too. :-)

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  29. So luscious.Sure this line will be a winner.

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  30. These are just gorgeous and of course I'm going to have to have some of it. I've never been a big fan of batiks before but I definitely want these.

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  31. Oh my eyes!!! Kate Spain + batik = 2 of my quilting favorites have married!!! Happy Day! I am so looking forward to seeing other quilters' finished quilt babies produced by this sacred union. I can hardly stand to know this exists without having a fat quarter bundle to pet.

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  32. nellieduclos@yahoo.comFebruary 21, 2016 at 12:49 PM

    I LOVE batiks. I've used them in several quilts I've made in the past. Would love to make a clamshell quilt using batiks.
    Rosemary

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  33. Marriage made in Heaven, Batiks and Kate Spain. Gorgeous. I love that you've branched into batiks. I love to use them and they really go with so many of your collections. Can't wait to get my hand on some.

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  34. LOVE these! Are there 40 different designs and colour combinations? Crikey! How am I going to choose?!!

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  35. Cannot wait to add some of your batiks to my stash of your fabrics. I was already to cut into my Canyon layer cakes, now I'm thinking I should wait and add some batiks...

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