The elephants are on parade here on Hawthorne Ave! We've just gotten in the Tip Top collection, both in medium weight and canvas weight cottons. This Japanese Import design is as elusive as the creatures themselves, and we're thrilled to have found them at quilt market.
Coincidentally, for my daughter Annie's bedtime story selection, she recently chose one of her favorites The Saggy Baggy Elephant. Many will recognize it as the classic Little Golden Book tale of a young elephant named Sookie who becomes self-conscious of his wrinkles after hearing a comment from a tactless parrot.
It's funny how elephants themselves have become ubiquitous in our childhood, popping up everywhere from stories and movies, to bedding and clothing in a nursery. The elephant silhouette somehow evokes a quiet innocence, as would a baby, so I suppose it's quite fitting. These gentle giants are exotic to us here in the Western World, certainly a big part of their appeal. However, I think it's our similarities that brings them even closer to our hearts. Just as we see with Sookie, or Dumbo if that's your cup of tea, elephants are one of the very few creatures that are self-aware. That consciousness humanizes them for us. They are also fiercely loyal and close in their community of families.
It's fun to think about how much meaning a simple image can carry. These pretty pachyderms are from Laurie Wisbrun's brand new Urban Circus collection, headed our way this week. I'm seeing pj pants for my toddlers!
So who is your favorite elephant, fabled or fabricated. Sookie or Dumbo? Babar or Horton perhaps? Or in the fabric world, 2D Zoo or Tip Top, Zoo Babies or Playday?
