When we first heard that Christopher Thompson of The Tattooed Quilter had created a fabric collection for Riley Blake Designs, we may have done a little happy dance. We’ve been following Christopher for quite some time and have always been enamored with his impeccable style and his uncanny knack for styling the perfect photo. Blue Carolina is everything that we hoped it would be… sweet, stylish, and edgy, washed in shades of blue, with pops of pink and yellow and a crisp clean white to round it all out.
We jumped at the chance to work with Christopher on a curated Aurifil collection. He has been a part of the dedicated Aurifil tribe for as long as we can remember, showing our thread in new and fabulous ways, calling it out as a main player in his signature minis. His collection is the perfect lineup of 50wt threads… all the colors needed to complement his fabrics in a variety of projects, including quilts, apparel, bags, and even EPP. The only question is… what will we make first? <3
Christopher just released his collection lookbook, chock full of fun, modern patterns, functional accessories, and a cameo by his now famous Frenchie, Miss Edie Grey. Check it out here or simply click on the image below.
THREAD COLLECTION DETAILS
Blue Carolina
100% Aurifil Cotton, 12 Large Spools, 50wt (1422yds/spool)
Colors included:
2024 – 2423 – 4660 – 1100 – 2588 – 2535
2710 – 2720 – 2740 – 2745 – 2770 – 2785
To view this info on our website, click here. For purchasing, please contact your local Aurifil Dealer.
THE INTERVIEW
What first drew you to to the world of sewing and quilting?
I grew up in a sewing and quilting family. My great grandmother, grandmother, and great aunts were award winning quilters. To be honest, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t surrounded by a needle, thread, and fabric. I guess you could say, I was born into it. I’m beyond grateful for what these ladies have taught me.
Who or what has been your greatest creative inspiration?
The talented women in my family. I know they’re proud of my accomplishments.
Tell us about Blue Carolina. What inspired the designs?
Blue Carolina is my debut collection for Riley Blake Designs. The palette is composed of delicious, lived-in chambray blues infused with familiar florals and abstracted novelties that create modern designs reminiscent of warmhearted weekends with friends.
When did you first discover Aurifil threads and what do you love most about them?
It was love at first sight! A quilting friend sent me a small spool and I could immediately tell the difference between the quality of Aurifil and anything else I’d ever worked with. After that it was no turning back, and I only like to create with Aurifil. Having a wide range of weight and color is important to me, and supporting a brand that cares deeply about the community is a win-win.
How did you go about selecting colors for your Blue Carolina thread collection and what excites you most about releasing to the world?
To coordinate with my debut fabric collection, I wanted to have the right mix of saturated pinks and indigo blues. This mix of highs and lows perfectly compliment the brightest white and darkest navy, classic colors that are everyday sewing essentials.
THE TATTOOED QUILTER + OLFA
While we know you might be distracted by those scrumptious spools of 50wt thread, or that super snazzy Olfa Splash Cutter, don’t miss the sweet little sneak peek of Christopher’s brand new mini! Intrigued? Keep your eyes on the Olfa blog — Christopher will have a guest post this coming Friday with a brand new tutorial, all sorts of info about his favorite Olfa tools, and more!
MISS EDIE GREY
Speaking of sneak peeks… Christopher has a swift follow-up to Blue Carolina with Miss Edie Grey! Due for release on September first, this sweet tribute to Christopher’s darling little Frenchie features 10 small spools — 5 in 50wt and 5 in 12wt. Stay tuned for more details and some fun project ideas!
GIVEAWAY
To enter-to-win Christopher’s Blue Carolina thread collection, a bundle of Blue Carolina fabrics by Christopher Thompson for Riley Blake AND an Olfa Splash Cutter (one of Christopher’s go-tos!), click here to head to the Rafflecopter entry page, or simply click on the image above. You do not have to complete all the options to be entered but the more options you choose, the more entries you have! Entries will be accepted from now through 11:59pm Eastern Time on Saturday, September 2! Winner will be randomly selected and announced here on Sunday, September 3. Good luck!
UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner, Brandy Fisher! (Winner has been emailed 🙂 )
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER
Website — Instagram — Twitter
Christopher Thompson is a New York City based mini-quilt designer in the fashion industry who puts his own creative spin on style. His perspective is modern while his approach is 100% down-to-earth. When not creating, Christopher can be found walking around the city with his French bulldog, Edie, searching for sweet treats.
** Images, biographical text and interview text by Christopher Thompson
I would definitely make a Quilt!! LOVE Blues & this fabric is GORGEOUS!!! ( would make some tops & a dress or two as well!) Thank you for chance to win some!! 😀
I would make a quilt! Love Blues and I love this fabric and thread assortment. Great giveaway. Thank you!!!
A quilt for sure–love the blues!
A quilt!!! I’m a blue fanatic and can’t get enough Aurifil!!!
Thank you.
I would make a quilt for my son because his name is also Christopher Thompson!
Navy with pink is one of my favorite colors together. I’d make a quilt, too. It’s a beautiful collection. Thanks.
Such beautiful fabrics would make a lovely tablerunner.
I’m planning a blue and yellow quilt for my front porch swing- these would be perfect!
I love these colors. I would make some things that could be displayed and used – table runner, bed pillow, and table toppers.
I’d love to try the hexagon pillows.
I would make a quilt.
Not into blue. But soooooo love this line of fabric. Want to try the frenchie. Quilt.
Love the thread colors and the fabric collection is very inspiring! Miss Edie is adorable!
I would make a blue and white quilt. The fabric is gorgeous!
I would make a new lap quilt for my family room. This collection is fantastic!
I would make a quilt!!! Love the blues in this collection.
I am making (fabric gathering right now) a blue and white quilt, and these bllues would be perfect to incorporate into this quilt. Gorgeous fabric!
What a beautiful collection- I can’t wait to get this and make a quilt with it!
I would love to make either a quilt or some table runners for my studio. My favorite color is blue so WHY i don’t have, nor do i ever have a stitch of blue fabric is beyond me. I keep buying green…tons of green. Somebody is going to have some green quilts in my family 🙂 I want blue though. I need some pretty blues in my life. I put a post it on my laptop that says no green fabric. I hope it helps me. Lol.
I would make a quilt for sure. Beautiful fabric.
Although I am primarily a quilter, I would love to make myself a nice tunic top from on of the blue prints and as always sew it with Aurifil thread. Thanks for a great giveaway.
These are my two favourite colours … it’s no secret that I love blue, but I’m also trying to bring more pink into my life! I’d definitely make a Quilt from these beautiful fabrics!!
Love this collection of fabric and threads and definitely would make a quilt.
The Frenchie mini quilt! I must make it.
Love these blues! I would make a baby quilt for my new grand-nephew! Perfect! Thank you, Susan
I would love to make a quilt out of these fabrics! Although I’m torn between an appliqued or pieced pattern
I always say I’m going to make a quilt. But I think a tote would look really nice with this fabric. And a pillow. And a quilt. I love the gradation of blues in the thread collection. It is so yummy.
I would definitely make a quilt with all that gorgeous blue and the thread collection colors are exactly what I would pick for my imaginary signature thread box lol !
There’s so much that I’d like to make with Blue Carolina. The fabrics are beautiful! I can imagine a quilt, summer dresses…
would make a lovely summer table runner, and some pillows
Such cute fabric! I would make a quilt. Thanks for the fun giveaway!
I would make a quilt using pineapple blocks.
I’ve been collecting blues for a quilt. Love the addition of bright pinks in this collection
Definitely a quilt to snugle under
I would make a quilt for my new niece arriving in October!! I love this fabric line-from all the colors to the beautiful prints-& have been looking forward to its release!! 💙💗
I will make a quilt, probably a queen size, Blue is my favorite color. I will have No problems finding the right pattern!
Thanks for the great giveaway-time for me to win!
cork at pa.rr.com
I’d like to make some placemats.
I am in love with Christopher’s pillows. Copying one of them would be the first thing I would make with his line.
could I just pet it for a while before I decide?
Love the fabrics – I’d make a quilt for my friend – been thinking about making her a blue/white quilt. Thanks.
I think I would make a quilt for my son who is moving into his own flat next month. It won’t be the first ‘leaving’ quilt I have made him because he is one of the ‘boomerang’ generation.
I would use Christopher’s fabric to make an appliqué table runner so I can look at the beautiful colors all day long.
I would make a throw for my sister and brother-in-law.
I would love to make a mini quilt, making our own Miss Paige, instead. She is a Sheltie – it would be fabulous. I love the blues and the pops of pink – gorgeous. It might end up as a quilt for my daughter. Just love the colours….love Aurifil..love sewing…
Great designs, I would love to make something for my great-nieces.
I would make as many #bluerkblocks for @craftycop as possible to be used to put together quilts for fallen officers.
I would love to make a sling bag with these great fabrics!
A NEW BED QUILT FOR MY DAUGHTER! THANK YOU FOR A VERY NICE GIVEAWAY!
I love all the beautiful blues. These would make a perfect quilt for my daughter, as she is a blue lover.
Beautiful colors!
A Blue & Pink Applique quilt of my little doggy.
My grand daughter requested a mostly blue quilt. This is the perfect fabric!!
Sweet fabric line. Love the Frenchie portrait!
My grand nephew was born this weekend so he would be getting a quilt
I love the navy blue with flowers print – I could see that in a blouse for me
I would love to make a quilt for my husband who is about to make his first quilt block this week!!
I will make one of Sew Kind of Wonderful’s patterns in a lap size quilt for my mom. She loves these shades of blue!
These colors-just my cup of tea. I would make a table runner!
The colours are gorgeous! I’d make a table topper quilt for my dining room table.
I would love to make a quilt for my niece with Carolina Blue.
Would make a lap sized quilt. Love the shades of blue.
i would make a lap quilt and pillow cover.
most likely s sofa size quilt I could use in my guest room; would go great as a contrast to the sea salt blues. Thanks!
I think a new tote bag for fall sounds great!
Love the zip pouches and pillows. And since I love blue, this would be perfect.
I would make a quilt. I have been seeing a few blue and white only quilts lately. I would make one of those.
This beautiful fabric screams to be made into a quilt for my sister. Love the tones of those beautiful blues And the pinks just add to the charm.
Lovely fabric. If I had precuts I would make a tote, if I had yardage I would do some garment sewing.
I would love a quilt. Thanks for Sharing
I would like to make a knitting bag with applique
I would make a mini quilt and throw pillows for my bedroom using this collection !
Such beautiful fabric and threads! Just lovely! I’d make a bag and lap quilt if I had this fabric! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom
I would love to make a bag out of Blue Carolina. Something I can use all the time and something with a lot of topstitching to show off that wonderful, matching thread.
I would definitely make a quilt! Love all these prints!
I would make a beautiful blue pinwheel quilt! Oh, it would be so gorgeous!
I love the blues and pinks together! I would make my daughter a quilt with these beautiful fabrics!
It says quilt to me!
I’d make a quilt for my sister, these are her favorite colors.
I would make new pillows for the family room.
Oh how I love this new fabric! Simply beautiful! I’d love to make a quilt for my bed with this fabric.
I would make a log cabin quilt for my bed. I love the colors!
I love that hexie pillow! I’d make something like that with this beautiful fabric! Thanks for the chance!
My niece is moving this week, and she would love a quilt made from this pretty, cheerful line.
Beautiful collection Christopher!
I see a bag for my granddaughter made with denim and the fabric on top.
This would make a lovely quilt for our move to Florida happening as I speak. Pretty blues make me think of the ocean. I’ve never lived near an ocean before!
A quilt!
I love the classi ange of colors – I’d love to make a pink, blue and white classic quilt!
Whoops – it should have read:
I love the classic range of colors – I’d love to make a pink, blue and white quilt!
I would make a bed quilt got my son’s girlfriend.
Great collection , I think I’ll make a quilt .
Gorgeous looking collection
and I would make some tote
type bags!
Carla from Utah
So many projects – Fleur the Frenchie, zippered pouches or purses, and quilts!
I would like to make a bag, using the Frenchie dog block I’ve seen for my daughter x
I’d make a quilt; it’s my thing.Then I’d put the thread under a cake dish like Chris so nobody would suspect I ate the cake.
I would make a quilt with those beautiful saturated blues and sweet whites and prints.
I’ve been collecting blues and yellows for some time now, with a quilt in mind. That’s what I would make with the addition of these sweet prints.
I would make a quilt for myself with this collection,just gorgeous,
I think these fabrics would be perfect for an EPP project!
I would love to make a baby quilt.
I would make love to make a quilt out of those beautiful fabrics and thread.
I would make a quilt for one of siblings
Those beautiful fabrics would compliment my blue and white dishes, so I’d make a table runner!
Love those blues and the splash of pink. I know the coordinating Aurifil thread is luscious– wish I could find more Aurifil around here!
Blue is my favorite color, so I would do some selfish sewing and make myself a new quilt to cuddle under during the winter. Thanks!
I would love to make a quilt.
Loving the shades of blue! I’m collecting blues right now with the idea of creating a quilt for 2018 quilt festival Blue and White challenge. So definitely a quilt!
What beautiful blues!! Great collection!!
I think I would make a lap quilt…survivor972002@midco.net
First, that hexi pillow, then a quilt. Such happy colors!
Those fabrics would look great as pillow covers for my family room!
The dog is so cute. The fabric and thread are wonderful.
Oh I’m totally in love with your debut fabric collection! There’s a long list of things I would love to make with it, starting with a doggie bandana, a paper pieced doggie mini quilt, a bag, a quilt….on & on the list goes! Congrats on such a fabulous fabric collection!!
No question — a quilt!
I would love to make anything with this fabric! Blues are favorite colors and mixed with pink…..fabulous! Thanks so much for the chance to win 🙂
It is gorgeous fabric, maybe a quilt! Definitely a pouch love the dogs! It is beautiful! Thanks for a giveaway
I love these fabrics! I would like to make a hexie pillow out of these fabrics.
The thread colours are beautiful! Blues!!❤️❤️❤️
My niece has been hinting for a new quilt. She would LOVE the rich blues.
I’ll make a mini quilt for in our hallway or a nice pile on our couch. Love these colors!
These fabrics would be wonderful for quilts and bags!
Love this so much! I would love to make the hexi pillow!
I would make a wall hanging, because those crisp, fresh colors would brighten any room.
I would like to make a baby quilt.
My niece needs a new quilt for her bedroom at my house.
I love, love, love this collection! I would make an orange peel quilt. It would be gorgeous.
A pretty blue quilt!
I would make a beautiful quilt! Really love the colors and prints!
Beautiful fabric and thread! I would definitely be making a quilt 😍
Thank you for such a great give-a-way 😍
Right now I’m thinking table topper and a blouse. Blue is a favorite color in this household and the little pink flowers really make it cute.
As I am wanting to bring some color into my blah! den, I want to make a quilted throw for my couch and new accent pillows. My dad has requested a floor pillow also. This fabric line would be just the thing!! Love it.
I am in a very blue phase in my quilting, so I really, really love these prints…would love to make a quilt out of this line!
Have been meaning to make a blue and white based quilt for some time – these fabrics are lovely!!!!
I love these colors and would go for a quilt celebrating NC.
My sister in law loves blue and I have yet to make her a quilt. This could be the fabric line to get me in gear.
tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I would make a gorgeous quilt!
love your fabrics… can’t wait to get at least a layer cake or 2
to make a quilt!!!
I would make a cozy quilt to use on those long, cold, damp fall through early spring days here in the Pacific Northwest. I love your fabric collection…it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for! I also love Aurifil thread…it’s the only thread I use in my quilts. Thank you for this opportunity.
I love the blues! A quilt would be in the makings for sure! And possibly an apron, you can never have too many aprons
A quilt of course! Possibly for a baby. And you added a nice group of lights, so frequently just a token group of lights are in collections! Beautiful blend of contrasts! And those pink threads! 💟
I’d like to make a bag or a wall hanging with Blue Carolina. sjvonfumetti at yahoo dot com
I’d like to do something with applique 28–way the hexi pillow, or an orange peel design… stunning colors! I live in indigo, and when it’s mixed with pinks–even better!
What a gorgeous collection. There’s a quilt pattern in Block Magazine I’d love to make with this collection.
Wow, I love the colours & patterns in Blue Carolina! I would make a lap sized, wall display quilt probably in a large diamond shaped block design, so that the fabric could be displayed in all its beauty!!!
I would use it to do the quilting on a baby boy quilt.