Vicky Yorke Designs

My second collection for Camelot launched in April. ‘ Village Life ’ was inspired completely by the village where I live in Worcestershire, UK and as with all of my collections began with illustrations drawn in pen and ink of motifs that represent semi-rural life and the community here. These designs always make me smile because when I look at them I think of home: vibrant blooms and plucky chickens from the village allotment outside the window of my home studio;  ducks and pig prints from the farm at the bottom of the road; a big statement typography print references the post office, the village store, the church, the bridle path, the canal, even our annual beer festival and more – basically it covers everything that makes this village a community and why I love living here so much. But the biggest reference to where I live is our iconic clock which stands in the village centre and was erected to celebrate the millennium – it’s a very important l

OK – time to be brave! The sewing machine is out! As this collection contains two Union Jack inspired prints, I have decided to make a reversible 1940’s style headscarf, a fashion that is very much back right now! I have adapted this project from one I found on whatthecraft.com   – You can check it out for full instructions, or follow my simplified instructions here:   1) Cut two pieces of contrasting fabric 38.5” X 4”, which includes ¼” seam allowance. I have used my ‘ Flag in blue ’ fabric for one piece and ‘ Crown in white ’ fabric for the other.  2) Place the two pieces right sides together and fold in half lining up the short edges. Mark the centre of the short edges with a pin. Mark 5” down on each side and create an arc shape - cut out as shown. 3) / 4) Pin the fabric all the way around, but on one long edge mark a gap of 2” which you do not pin and will not be sewn yet. 5) Sew around the edge, but remember to leave the 2” gap in the middle on

I am beyond excited that my fabric samples of ‘ From London With Love ’ have arrived and they are looking fantastic! The colours are perfectly reproduced from my original designs and the fabric is beautiful quality!  The collection is  OUT NOW!  and I can’t wait to make something! (What I lack in skill I will make up for with enthusiasm!)  A really special feature of this collection is the panel featuring my 6 London drawings in large scale.  I wasn’t sure how to show it off to best effect, so in the end I hung it on the washing line! – It looks wonderful! You can use the panels to make super-easy statement London pillows or even some fabric wall art celebrating the UK capital city.  Although I do own a sewing machine I am very sorry to say I rarely use it, so I thought I would ease myself in to doing projects with a no-sew version… I found this great bin making kit online , which is very similar to lampshade making kits. 

This weekend I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to guest post on the Camelot Fabrics Instagram account. It was so much fun to share my experiences of life as a designer and to get feedback from the sewing and quilting community who will be using my designs for their fabulous creations! I loved it!  But in case you aren't on Instagram I thought I would add some of the posts below so that you can still follow along and get to know me better!  Hi! I’m Vicky Yorke and I’m a surface pattern designer and illustrator living in semi-rural Worcestershire, UK. I’m lucky enough to license my collections with Camelot Fabrics and I’m super-excited to be taking over the Camelot Instagram feed for the next few days so that you can get to know me better and learn more about my life as a designer! Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments section under my posts. You can also read about me in more detail on the  Camelot Fabrics blog.  I work in two ways as