Jemima Roberts

Creative Drayton is proud to feature Jemima Roberts, the talented founder of The Tartan Fox.

Nestled in the heart of the Shropshire countryside, The Tartan Fox is a small textile design business that beautifully captures the essence of rural life. Jemima draws inspiration from her surroundings, bringing the vibrancy of nature to her designs. Her work features a delightful array of countryside and coastal characters, from the elusive fox to the flamboyant pheasant and the bustling hen, brought to life through intricate appliqué.

A Creative Journey

Jemima's journey in textile design began with a degree in Textile Design BA Hons from University College Falmouth. She further honed her skills as a Wardrobe Assistant at Blists Hill Victorian Town Museum, where she specialised in Victorian costume making and dressmaking. It was during this time, ten years ago, that she identified a gap in the market for countryside-inspired home textiles and conceived the idea for The Tartan Fox.

The Evolution of The Tartan Fox

Initially, Jemima's designs predominantly featured tartans. As her business grew, she embraced a more creative approach by incorporating vintage fabrics gifted to her, including collections from personal estates. By blending these dated fabrics with luxurious materials like tweeds and velvets, Jemima created unique, contemporary pieces that marked a significant evolution in her business.

Crafting Unique Cushions

Jemima’s cushion-making process is a meticulous art. She carefully selects fabrics within a chosen colour scheme, hand-cutting each piece and arranging them like a jigsaw puzzle. These pieces are then secured and stitched multiple times, resulting in cohesive and captivating designs. The Tartan Fox offers both ‘off the peg’ cushions, featuring popular designs such as hares and pheasants, and bespoke, commissioned cushions personalised to customers' preferences.

Seasonal and Trend-Inspired Designs

Jemima's designs are often influenced by the changing seasons, with warm jewel-tones for winter and brighter hues for summer. She also draws inspiration from current interior trends, selecting colors that resonate with her customers. Sometimes, the chosen animal dictates the color palette, while other times, it's whatever sparks Jemima's creativity. She expertly combines various textures, patterns, and tones to create designs that are both visually appealing and tactile.

Expanding Horizons

Many have described Jemima’s cushions as works of art. Each piece is unique, and she is excited to expand her offerings to include more stitched artwork, allowing customers to adorn their walls as well as their sofas with her creations.

Discover the charm and creativity of The Tartan Fox, where each piece tells a story of the countryside and the beauty of repurposed fabrics. Jemima's products are available in seven retail outlets across the region, as well as her online Etsy shop.