Quick Quilts #96 - Spotlight on Ro Gregg
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- Spotlight on Designer
Ro Gregg
Beyond the Roses
For Ro Gregg, designing the Hip Hop Hearts collection was a fun challenge—a long way from her traditional style of romantic roses. The patterns, aimed at younger girls, feature a running heart motif on a tie-dye-like background, heart blocks, small coordinating geometrics, and a patchwork print. “(With the hearts) it does have a little romantic twist to it, so it sort of hooks back to what I usually like,” she admits.
Though not her signature style, Ro enjoyed her experience developing these heart prints with teens and young girls in mind. “It was a lot of fun; I love to work with the different bold prints and pleasing pastels,” she says. Noting a trend toward brighter and younger-styled fabrics in fabric shops, Ro feels that Hip Hop Hearts fits right in. “It makes a statement. New quilters are looking for that retro, flower power-type feeling, and this line has a bit of that feeling,” Ro says. She envisions the designs being used for backpacks and cell phone covers in addition to quilts and pillows.
A Background of Roses
A fabric designer for more than two decades (she’s been designing for Northcott Fabric since 2000), Ro has literally designed thousands of patterns, most of them traditional. “I design with the home in mind. My fabrics have a romantic cottage, shabby chic look—a feeling of leaving a legacy,” she says. This concept of legacy makes sense: Many of her ideas come from antique china patterns and vintage floral fabrics she collects. These include heirlooms handed down from her grandma and great aunt, who were both quilters.
As a rose lover, her inspiration also stems from the realism of actual flowers. “I’ve always been inspired by nature. I grew up around my grandfather and great uncle’s rose gardens,” she explains. While beautiful roses will always remain a large part of Ro’s fabric world, she’s also committed to creating lines that will continue to inspire the next generation of quilters. Watch for another collection of brighter colors and bolder motifs with her name on it!
Tags: Ro Gregg, Spotlight on Designer
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