British designer Janet Clare has explored shapes and structured designs in her latest collection, Geometry. We are loving the new direction: you’ll still find Janet’s signature indigo and cream colours in the collection, but with a fresh, added pop of green. 

Triangles, circles, angles and grids come together in this versatile collection by Janet Clare. While fans of Janet’s previous collections know she usually favours small sketchy prints, making this collection seem slightly out of her usual realm, Geometry is still classically Janet. The designs, for example, have all been hand painted, with the aid of graph paper. 

“I draw and paint everything by hand,” she notes, “and use tracing paper to work out the repeat. I do not digitise anything!”

These fabrics play nicely with her other collections, too, potentially making for a sophisticated quilt for both fans of classic and modern quilts.

The muted but elegant colours are what we have come to expect from Janet. They add an organic touch to the defined shapes, complete with mottled, textured backgrounds for depth and interest. 

The colours in this 28-print collection are named after mathematicians: Archimedes, Euclid, Pythagoras, Pascal, and Buckminster (Fuller). Delightfully, the shades of blue are also perfectly on trend for the indigo resurgence we are seeing for 2020.

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Design Inspiration and Self Development

Janet Clare has always been creative. Holding a degree in Textiles and Fashion, she held a previous job as a knitwear designer before she became an elementary school teacher. 

She now travels the world to teach sewing, and has a monthly slot on a UK cable TV channel. Janet also designs patchwork patterns and applique designs intended for slow stitching by hand—and she’s written six books so far. She is indeed fully immersed in the world of sewing.

Like many designers interviewed for this blog, Janet says that she’s inspired by nature. “My work says: pay attention to nature, your surroundings and the small, often mundane things and events that make up our daily lives. And I love the quote ‘beauty is within grasp’ because it always is.”

Janet says that she developed her style through practice and sketching, and by paying close attention to the things that catch her eye. 

“You just need to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and whether anyone will like what you do,” she advises. “Trust yourself, and produce only what you like.”

“I have the phrase ‘authenticity is magnetic’ on my apron because I know how true it is.”

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Janet’s trademark apron

Indeed, Janet’s now-trademark apron—which she says she wears to get creative and into a working mindset—is unique and very special, adorned with embroidered mottos, lace, buttons and pins. 

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“I found myself getting distracted by all the chores and housework and not really getting much work done,” she says, explaining the apron’s importance to her. “After much thinking, I realized that if I had a work uniform I would feel and look like I was at work.”

The light colour of the apron and the care that is put into embellishing and personalizing it means that Janet isn’t distracted by messy household chores in order to preserve it. It’s almost a ceremonial garment.

“My Artisan Apron has curved seams, pockets and a cross-over back. It is comfortable to wear—and not that tricky to make either,” she says.

If you love Janet’s apron too, you can pick up the pattern for yourself in her Etsy shop.

Janet Clare’s Geometry collection from Moda Fabrics is available in your favourite precuts and is arriving in Canadian stores soon! We encourage you to touch, feel, and experience the fabric you’ll use for your next creative project at your local quilt store.