Hello!
I'm Kate Spain — artist, designer, and the person behind every pattern, print, and product you'll find here. I design from my home studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where my garden is one of my greatest collaborators - along with my cat, Chula.
I'm a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and have worked in design and product development for over 25 years — from children's books at Simon & Schuster to Hello Kitty merchandise to the nature-inspired work I make today. That winding path eventually led me to start my own business in 2008, and Pete — my husband and business partner — joined the adventure not long after. What started as one person with a sketchbook has grown into something we've joyfully built together.
Design Beginnings
My designs are inspired by my surroundings — and most often by my own garden. Landscapes and places offer an infinite array of shapes, colors and textures, so I keep my camera at the ready to document what catches my eye. Those images become a personal visual library that I translate through drawing, painting, and woodblock carving and printing — a process that gives my patterns their distinctive texture and depth. No stock imagery, no generic prints. Every kd spain design grows from the ground up — from garden to sketchbook to your home.
I believe our homes and lives are deeply enriched by our connection to nature. That idea keeps me striving to capture the vitality of the outdoors and to let that energy radiate in everything I create.
What you'll find here
At kd spain you'll find my downloadable PDF quilt patterns, including seasonal favorites like Felicity, alongside my artwork on t-shirts, mugs, tumblers, ornaments, zip pouches, garden flags, notebooks, stickers and more. Most products are printed to order just for you.
Some designs carry a story beyond the artwork. Sunflowers in My Heart began in 2022 as a fundraiser t-shirt that raised $5,000 for World Central Kitchen's Ukraine relief efforts. It's become our best-selling tee and grew into a Moda Fabrics collection.
Where else you may know my work
Over the years, my nature-inspired designs have appeared on fabric, bedding, pillows, rugs, stationery, gift wrap, kitchen textiles, calendars, tableware and many other home and lifestyle products. Quilters may know my fabric collections for Moda Fabrics. You may also know my collaborations with Crate & Barrel and my limited-edition artwork for Bigelow Tea, and my licensed designs have been carried by Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and The Container Store. I also created eye heart hand® rugs and floriori™ phone cases.
Small Business, Big Heart
We're a small Connecticut business, and every order matters to us. If there's anything we can help you with, or anything you'd like to share, please contact us any time.
Thanks for visiting!
Kate
Kate Spain, LLC, since 2008
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Kate Spain, living and working in Bridgeport, CT, is an independent artist and designer, unaffiliated with Kate Spade New York. Her work and her brands (kd spain®, floriori™, eye heart hand®, and Law of the Paw®) stand entirely on their own, are rooted in nature, and are still growing.