fabric designers | Missouri Star Blog

June 13, 2019June 15, 2019

Hummingbirds & Sunflowers: The Inspiration Behind Valori Wells’ Latest Fabric Collection, Murmur 🌻

Valori Wells’ new collection is used in Jenny’s latest tutorial, the Roadmap Quilt. This collection is perfect for the spring/summer seasons and just absolutely beautiful. With so many stunning collections under her belt, we got curious about the inspiration behind Valori’s lastest designs.

Here’s what she had to say about getting her start in fabric design and working her way to her latest collection, Murmur.

“Murmur is my 41st collection of fabric, I have been designing for twenty-one years. My first collection released in 1998 and the fabric was inspired by my black and white photography. Over the years, I have grown as an artist and a fabric designer. I truly didn’t have a clue when I started just out of college with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Photography. I have worked in a variety of different styles and techniques and about four years ago, I decided to mix it up… The first block printed collection was called Marks, designed with my mom, Jean Wells. I haven’t turned back since. I love creating blocks and panels of layered color and design, then interpreting the work into fabric design.”

“Murmur started with the hummingbirds that visit my garden every year. I stand on my chair patiently with my camera, capturing all their glory. By the end of the summer, I tend to have a bazillion images and definitely something magical. Among the hummingbirds, my kids and I plant over 300 sunflowers in our backyard and in pots on the deck. My camera ends up being filled with happy flowers and magical little birds!…”

“When I set out to carve my blocks, I found myself just creating without any fear or demands. I never know what I am going to get. I carve and print and print some more until things start appearing and coming together.”

“… My colors are inspired by nature, mixed with Pantone Home and Fashion colors, and my obsession with indigo and turquoise.”

Sincerely,
Xoxo
Valori

You can learn more about Valori Wells HERE

February 19, 2015February 19, 2015

ModBLOCK Contributor: Meet Amy Ellis

Today we are introducing yet another fabulous contributor to our ModBLOCK Magazine! We were so thrilled to be able to work with Moda fabric designer and author, Amy Ellis! She’s the greatest! Enjoy this little Q&A we did with her!

Meet Amy Ellis

Amy’s projects in ModBLOCK are ‘River Log Cabin’ featuring her new fabric line, ‘Modern Neutrals‘, ‘Rainbow Dreams’ and ‘Star Dust’

What is your sewing/quilting/crafting/art background?

I learned to sew garments as a girl, and loved all things fabric, even in college when I didn’t have time or the means to sew, I would wander through fabric shops just to pet the pretty fabrics. I then taught myself to quilt when my kids were young, and I needed some creative therapy in my life. Almost seven years ago now, I started a blog (AmysCreativeSide.com) and was inspired to make quilts that I had been designing in my sketch book.

How did you get started in this business?
I got started writing books, by taking the first step and submitted a proposal. It’s been a whirlwind of creative messes and busyness ever since!

Tell us about your collection(s) and /or pattern style.
I love clean and clear colors, with geometric shapes and pattern in my fabric. My quilt patterns are unique and modern, while still being a little traditional in the construction methods, and settings.

What are you inspired by?
I love to take everything in, but most often I’m inspired by home decor trends. Graphic wall papers, rugs, even tile work, and throw pillows have made it to my inspiration boards!

How would you describe your style?
Modern in that I like to design original quilt blocks, but still traditional in that the techniques I use are the tried and true methods that quilters have been using for years.

What are some of your greatest challenges in your design process?
I love to share what I’m working on, as I work on it, and when I have tons of secret sewing, it’s a big no, no to share it. Not sharing a pile of book quilts for almost a year is a huge challenge!

Do you have an online presence on social media?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyscreativeside
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/parkcitygirl/
Instagram: @amyscreativeside

Are there any releases or upcoming events you have coming up that you’d like us to know about?
Think Big : Quilts, Runners, and Pillows from 18” Blocks (Dec, 2014)

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Hardanger – my grandma loves this needlecraft, and I think it could be an exciting texture addition to my quilts. (Pretty random though, huh?)

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Writing a book in two months was a huge challenge! Thankfully I had some friends that were willing to help with piecing, and everything was delivered on time.

Do you have a signature color? If not, what would it be?
Any shade of grey, I love the depth and dimension in the various shades together.

What is your favorite fabric line of all time?
Wonderland by Momo with the new Avant Garden being a close second.

Is there an experience or accomplishment you are most proud of?
Submitting that first proposal, was a really big risk personally! It was so hard to take my ideas and hand them over, and wait for the verdict, but it paid off, and I’m proud of the accomplishments that have accumulated since then too!

Thank you so much, Amy! Don’t miss the other Q&A’s on the ModBLOCK contributors! 🙂

February 12, 2015February 13, 2015

ModBLOCK Contributor: Meet Alexia Abegg

We are so happy and excited to announce the release of this special edition of BLOCK Magazine. ModBLOCK is just a modern twist on the awesome publication we have already created. Ten gorgeous, modern patterns with detailed instructions, beautiful photography and of course, no ads. We hope you love it!

For this special edition, we’ve collaborated with some amazingly talented people, so we want to introduce you to them! We have loved working with all of them!

We asked each contributor a series of questions, so you could get to know them and their style a little bit better. Check back soon because we’ll be featuring each one!

Meet Alexia Abegg.

Alexia’s project in ModBlock is ‘Noted’

What is your sewing/quilting/crafting/art background?

My mother taught me how to sew and quilt when I was young but my love for quilting really blossomed when I worked at the City Quilter in New York. I studied fashion and fine art in school and worked in production in my twenties, all of which has helped in my current work as a fabric and pattern designer.

How did you get started in this business?

I developed a few sewing patterns while working at the City Quilter and when my husband and I moved back to Nashville I opened a small sewing studio and taught classes. I also worked with Anna Maria Horner and she brought me along to my first quilt market in 2010. That cemented my desire to be a part of this amazing community of makers. My mom, Michelle Abegg, along with my husband Rob Bancroft, also a fabric designer, and I started Green Bee design & patterns together.

Tell us about your collection(s) and /or pattern style.

Most of my fabric designs begin as watercolor paintings so they have a bit of an irregular, hand drawn quality to them. My latest collection with Cotton + Steel was inspired by my childhood trips to the American southwest with my family. My dad would make up games for my sisters and I, we would collect plants and seeds and press them, and everyday we painted in our watercolor journals.

What are you inspired by?

Everything! I love learning, and trying new things, and a change of scenery or visiting a new city always inspires me.

How would you describe your style?

My style is a bit of a lot of things…mid-century vintage, grandma’s linen closet, daily sketchbook paintings, whimsical, and colorful.

What are some of your greatest challenges in your design process?

The best work happens when I’m really inspired. So I guess it’s just a constant push to stay inspired. Reading, seeing movies and traveling all get me going, so I try to do one of those things when I’m feeling spent.

Do you have an online presence on social media?

Facebook: Green Bee Design & Patterns

Pinterest: alexiastitches

Instagram: @alexiastitches

www.greenbeepatterns.com

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

I would love to learn to fly airplanes, my grandfather was a pilot and I’ve always been intrigued!

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

Start a small business.

Who are your creative inspirations, heroes?

Mary Blair, Tammis Keefe, Andy Warhol.

Do you have a signature color? If not, what would it be?

Turquoise

What is your favorite quilting tool you use all the time?

I love my Hera marker, it’s great for making marks on fabric that don’t have to be washed to remove them!

Are there any releases or upcoming information that you’d like to share with us?

We are launching three new patterns in January, the Modern Baby Set, xoxo quilt, and the On Holiday Bag and Mesa. My new line with Cotton + Steel will be out early 15′ as well.

Thanks, Alexia! Check back often as we introduce the other contributors for ModBlock!