Introducing Wonderlust by Paula Nadelstern

When you see these kaleidoscopes, you'll know immediately whose fabric we're sharing today! That's right, Paula Nadelstern's new collection, Wonderlust, is now available in stores. Get ready to drool as you scroll through images of the kaleidoscope panels, the coordinates, and quilts made using the Wonderlust prints. 

Panels in three different colorways:

Each panel includes six larger kaleidoscopes and eight smaller ones, perfect for fussy cutting. 

The coordinates:

Three different kaleidosocope-inspired prints, plus the gorgeous, flowy Marbella print in 10 different colors! 

Where did the Wonderlust name come from? 

When it comes to fabric, I’ve got a serious case of wonderlust: I marvel at beautiful, extraordinarily patterned textiles, the kind that makes me wonder what I can do with it. I’m in my happy place when I’m nudging seemingly mutually exclusive designs into agreement, finding the junction where patterns dovetail. Being a maker has always been an irresistible precept because I crave the addictive, satisfying payoff when a vague idea becomes a solid product that can be shared with fellow makers.

Where do you find inspiration for all of your fantastic prints? 

In many different places, but here's a great example of inspiration. In February 2016, I visited Muscot, Oman with Sue Nickels and Nancy Prince before we taught in Dubai. When I saw this beautiful yellow spire against a perfect turquoise sky, I decided I'd use those colors to inform my next collection. 

Here's the Blue/Multi Tapestry print, inspired by the photo.

Can you tell us about some of the prints? 

There are four patterns in three color ways: Multi, Blue Multi and Olive Multi.  Three are bilaterally symmetrical patterns with mirror images. Tapestry is a variation of an older pattern called Tile from NUANCE, my 2009 collection. I’m finding it deeply satisfying to tweak artwork from previous collections. 

The Tile print from the Nuance collection (2009)

The updated print in 2018--Tpapestry

Electric Slide is a cleverly plotted dot print guaranteed to slide the eye smoothly in any direction you want. Try it in sashing and borders.

Good Vibrations is a compelling pattern of organized dashes which always create animated pulsating texture.  Cut symmetrically or randomly. TIP: It makes great binding.

The Super Kaleiders panel prints have a background story. They are reproductions of three of the twelve 20” square kaleidoscopic I made for my exhibition KALEIDOSCOPE QUILTS: The Art of Paula Nadelstern at the Museum of American Folk Art, NYC, spring and summer 2009. The twelve blocks were framed and mounted in a single installation titled KALEIDOSCOPIC XXXIV: The Never-Ending Kaleidoscope.

The ten Marbella colorways are allovers that read-like-solids, filled with tones and shades creating nuanced and textural surfaces instead of flat empty spaces. The Black fills my specific definition of an excellent black: a tone on tone with a perceptible but not overwhelming pattern and the Navy and Purple are gorgeous. 

By now you may be asking yourself, what can I make with Wonderlust? We've got answers! We'll be sharing a virtual trunk show of quilts made by Paula and some of her friends later this week, and we'll also be hosting a blog hop showing project ideas using these fantastic fabrics Tuesday through Friday. Come back and visit us!

Click here to see the entire Wonderlust collection.

Click here to visit Paula's website.