True North by Kate & Birdie Paper

Exclusive collection True North, by Kate & Birdie for Moda 

We are so excited to finally be able to share our exclusive collection True North, by Kate & Birdie for Moda with all of you. We asked Gloria Wall, the founder of Kate & Birdie Paper Co. to talk about her inspiration for this beautiful collection.

I am so pleased and proud to be a part of this exclusive Canadian collection! I didn’t have to look far for inspiration for this line; it flowed naturally as I thought of Canada the way I see it. I grew up in the Canadian Shield and on the prairies, and have called Winnipeg my home for 20 years.

I wanted this collection to reflect the warmth I feel when I think about our country. I had a simple approach; I paired my love for exploring our national and provincial parks – our incredible Canadian outdoors, with my love for textures and textiles. Buffalo checks and plaids in rich tones, cable knits and warm wooly knit sweaters (in just about every season) feel like Canadian staples. A rich and comforting palette of deep reds, warm charcoal greys, and soft wooly creams and whites felt perfect. The tones felt equally suited to each of our seasons – especially our long winters and our summers that are often spent outdoors. I thought of our landscape from west to east, connecting our mountain ranges, our vast and beautiful lakes of the Canadian Shield, and our iconic lighthouses of the east. I have always loved a good road trip and have driven as far east as Halifax and as far west as Vancouver (there is still so much more to see!).

I imagined these fabrics in our homes, campsites and cottages, worked with by hand and lovingly sewn into comforting quilts, blankets or bedding. I imagined them both as detailed heirloom quilts sitting fireside, and as hardworking, warm blankets at soccer games, picnics and campgrounds. I am thrilled when I see how my fabrics are interpreted and re-imagined by others. Will they become car blankets that are towed along to each park and summer road trip? (We have one of those.)

Or will they become the grandkids’ bedding at the lake, saved just for overnighters? I can’t wait to find out.