A look at the fabrics, brands, and materials that show up again and again in my projects.
I lean toward traditional piecing with a modern twist — that means plenty of Kona Cottons, low-volume prints, and reproduction fabrics. You'll spot favorites from Robert Kaufman, Moda, and Art Gallery Fabrics woven throughout my quilts.
When I sit down to design a new quilt, fabric is always where the adventure begins. My studio shelves are a constant rotation of Kona cottons in every shade imaginable, low-volume prints that whisper rather than shout, and reproduction fabrics that carry a sense of history into modern piecing. I love the way a solid can anchor a busy print, or how a soft neutral can give the eye a place to rest. Choosing fabric is part of the creative process itself — it sets the mood, the palette, and the story each quilt will tell long before the first block is ever sewn.
Over the years, I've found myself returning again and again to a handful of trusted fabric families. Robert Kaufman cottons are a staple in my stash for their dependable quality and endless color range, while Moda's curated collections make coordinating a full quilt effortless. Art Gallery Fabrics brings a painterly, nature-inspired sensibility that pairs beautifully with my love of traditional blocks. Mixing these brands together — a solid here, a low-volume there, a bold print as the accent — is where the modern twist comes alive. It's not about following rules; it's about finding combinations that make the fabric sing.
Shopping for fabric is part of the fun, and I'm always on the lookout for new sources and hidden gems. Whether it's a fat quarter bundle from a favorite online shop, a lucky find at a local quilt shoppe, or a carefully curated bundle from a designer collection, the hunt is half the joy. I enjoy sharing these discoveries here on the blog, along with the occasional tutorial on how I put my fabric choices to work. If you're ever wondering where a particular print came from or how to stretch a favorite collection across an entire quilt, this is the place to check back often.
Kona Cottons from Robert Kaufman are a staple in my stash. Their rich, consistent solids give modern quilts a clean backdrop and let pieced blocks shine. I reach for them constantly — whether for backgrounds, sashing, or bold color-blocking.
Robert Kaufman
Low-volume prints — soft neutrals with subtle pattern — are one of my trademarks. Paired with reproduction fabrics that echo vintage textile designs, they bring warmth and depth to modern traditional quilts. Moda's collections often deliver exactly that feel.
Moda
Art Gallery Fabrics have appeared in several of my collaborations, including the Sharon Holland blog tour for Utility-Style Quilts For Everyday Living. Their smooth hand and vibrant designer prints make them a joy to cut and piece.
Art Gallery Fabrics
Fabric choice and thread choice go hand in hand. I pair my favorite cottons with Aurifil thread for piecing and binding — the same thread I showcase in the Aurifil Artisan Monthly Challenge. The right thread weight and color can make or break a seam.
Aurifil