Kris Lammers: Behind the Scenes of Dessert First

Designer Kris Lammers has been creating whimsical and inspiring fabric collections for Maywood Studio for many years. In this interview, she shares her creative process, favorite tools, and how she finds inspiration in everyday life.

Congratulations on Dessert First! You have been designing for Maywood Studio for a long time. Do you know what number collection this is?

Yes, it has been a long time. I’ve lost count, maybe around 30.

Do you draw from your imagination or from objects or photos you have collected?

It has always been a combination of both. Sometimes I see an object or a picture in a magazine or even on a TV show and imagine a collection from that. I keep a little notebook to jot down ideas or sketch patterns I see.

Photos are very helpful to me, whether from my camera roll, Pinterest, or books. I like to draw objects realistically, so even if I imagine a collection, I usually refer to photos since I do not have a photographic memory.

What is your creative process for creating illustrations for fabric collections?

I start by looking through my notebook and deciding on a theme. Then I make a list of every possible thing that could work with that theme. There is a lot of editing because the list can get quite long. Even if I draw everything, the Maywood design team does additional editing. Not everything I submit ends up on fabric, but that is part of the process.

Once I have a final list, I search for reference photos and often print them. Many things can be drawn from memory, but for specific objects, I like to refer to pictures.

What are your favorite drawing materials to use?

I am old-school. I have tried tablets and other digital tools, but I always return to paper and pencil.

When my pencil drawing is finished, I draw over it with fine-point Pigma markers and erase the pencil. Then I color with Copic alcohol ink markers. I often go back in with colored pencils for shading and detail.

How do you spend your time when you are not working on illustrations?

I spend a lot of time treasure hunting, collecting, and making. I look for items that can be upcycled into new pieces. For example, I turned an old white chenille bedspread into scruffy snowball pillows. A furry throw blanket and some reclaimed wool became funky black sheep. I am part of a local co-op market for vintage and handmade goods. That outlet is essential, or I might become a hoarder.

I also enjoy spending time with my husband, my two grown daughters, several grandchildren, and a great-grandson. They are all such a joy.

Your new collection Dessert First has so many delicious treats illustrated. Do you have a favorite dessert recipe to share?

My very first job at age 15 was as an “elf” at Santa’s Village in Scotts Valley, California, complete with green shorts and tights. Which is even funnier since I am six feet tall! The bakery there made the best gingerbread boys ever. I recently found a recipe for gingerbread bar cookies that taste just like them. They are soft and chewy, but no rolling and cutting is necessary.

Gingerbread Bar Cookies

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter, very soft
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses on medium speed until creamy. Add the egg and mix completely.
3. Add flour, spices, baking soda, and salt and mix until well combined.
4. Spread dough in prepared pan and press out to the edges.
5. Bake for 15–20 minutes.

Kris generously shared this recipe inspired by her first job at Santa’s Village. You can download and print the recipe to try at home. Gingerbread Bar Cookies