Meet Sarah Strader of Sarah Strader Textiles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Strader.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
There is something to be said for creativity. No matter where I am, whether it’s going from client to client, driving in the car, or walking the dog I was compiling patterns in my head all of these glorious patterns. Round robust patterns, striped patterns, graphic patterns. I take photos everywhere I travel, even around my own city. Inspired by color, pattern, and natural occurrences. This inspired me to create my first textiles collection.

After we traveled to India for a wedding, seeing five people on a motorcycle and the beautiful women wearing sari’s and the unparalleled colors are blowing in the wind. Whitinishing people printing fabric on the street was shocking to me. This is the same format I used to print when I was in high school. It appeared so rudimentary. It was a perfect reminder that I could replicate the process that I had so much experience with many years prior.

I took my time creating twelve patterns and then working out the repeats, and doing many math equations to ensure that the patterns I had created would fit across the width of the fabric that I wanted to apply my patterns. I sought out a silk screener, who told me my ideas were too far fetched to be executed. Also, seeking out a major manufacturing company fabric, who was growing in the market place, needless to say I knew if I wanted to execute my vision I was going to need to create my palette and my patterns in my own studio.

Originally, Sarah Strader Design, LLC was founded in as a full- service Interior Design firm specializing in commercial and residential Design. She released her inaugural textiles collection Fall 2011 she discovered her passion for fabric and changed her business to solely follow her passion for textiles. Sarah lives in Downtown Orange County – in the trendsetting Artist District with her amazing husband, family and rescued dachshund “Zayden”.

I would say that I am best known for extraordinary use of color and pattern for the use of interior decoration. My studio workshop specializes in hand block pained textiles available to the trade. Additionally, This studio is the heart and soul of our business, where artists collaborate and create fabrics with a spirit all their own. With everything we do, we strive to meet the highest standards of design craftsmanship. We love the process of creating as much as we do the product we are making. We hope that you love our products as much as we do making them.

Even though I adore bright colors, I also adores the subtly of color layering. Multiple patterns in soft colors create a sophisticated elegance.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not always, however the bumps and bruises along the way have makes me stronger, and the Harder I work the Harder it is to surrender.

I am really lucky to have a tremendous mentor, caring friends, as well as a loving and supportive husband. I have core solid friend outside of the “design world” as well. This for me has been key, I have been blessed with strong female role models within my CrossFit Costa Mesa family as well as one epic coach, he is like yoda, what’s made him an anchor is he truly does not know how profound he is. He and the rest of my CrossFit Costa Mesa family have thought me that limits are meant to be pushed, and goals are intended to be crushed. The effects of this have shown me where I place limits on myself in my business, my relationships, and all areas of my life.

We had a conversation about a week ago, when I was having an incredibly rough week, I asked him… when is the time you realize that you should give up on your dream. His response “NEVER!” I don’t think I could have created a better partner in crime than him.

I was raised being told “if the dream is big enough the facts don’t matter”, and if someone told me that it could “not be done” I have always been on a mission to prove them wrong.

The truth is hard work pays off, it’s not always easy – if it was everyone would be doing it.

Sarah Strader Textiles – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a textiles Designer, Fabric Maker, Hand Blocker and Carver, Painter, and general she Hulk / Wonder Woman. My brain works exceptionally fast that I still hand draw everything – I love drawing and communicating my ideas it is slowly becoming a lost art.

All of our fabrics are hand block printed by artisans in our Orange County Studio. Block printing is the earliest, simplest, and slowest of all printing methods, yet it’s capable of producing fabrics of great subtly and elegance. We are dedicated to traditional craftsmanship and inspired by modern design, color and nature. Our company is known not only for the quality of its collection, but also for our distinctive palette.

Because we print to order, we avoid to the mass production feel. This allows for creating custom outside of our standard color shades. In addition, you can choose from among patterns, 35 grounds and over 54 colors to create a fabric that will work perfectly for your project.

Sarah Strader Textiles and pillows are traded worldwide though our showrooms, road reps and soon to be available in a luxury collective on our newest platform “The Teal Coconut”

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career…. well there have many a few.

The moment I turned down a full fellowship to grad school in NYC and decided to start designing for my business.

Getting Married – and creating a completely custom fabric for our wedding and all of our details were drenched in completely custom prints and colors.

Lunching my first collection in a Bollywood inspired runway show, if you’re going to launch something, and your new to the scene, you gotta make a splash. I have now been known for how I showcase my collections.

Publishing my first book, this year and having an official book signing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sarahstrader.com
• Phone: 714-720-4228
• Email: sarah@sarahstader.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesarahstrader/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesarahstrader/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahstrader

Image Credit:
Sarah and her Dog – Tara Blaska Photography
All other photos taken by Sarah Strader

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