Arroyo is Erin Dollar of Cotton & Flax‘s debut collection for Robert Kaufman and it was inspired by the colors and patterns of her life in Los Angeles. When she first started working on collection development, she drew upon some old favorite patterns from past Cotton & Flax collections, as well as a few new patterns. There is a huge range of beautiful colors and the fabric is perfect for both quilting and lots of other projects like bags, wallets, and home accessories. The linen/cotton blend is sturdier than quilting cotton but softer than a light upholstery, so truly perfect for all sorts of projects. We are total suckers for RK’s Essex Linen — add Erin‘s screenprinted designs and we’re completely smitten!
We were thrilled to work with Erin on a coordinating thread collection — her signature palette. She chose colors that would compliment Arroyo, but many of the colors will also look familiar from their use in the classic Cotton & Flax products.
THREAD COLLECTION DETAILS
The Erin Dollar Collection
100% Aurifil Cotton, 12 Large Spools, 50wt (1422yds/spool)
Colors included:
2277 – 2420 – 2312 – 5022 – 2910 – 1147
2902 – 2885 – 5008 – 2735 – 2566 – 2630
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?
My mom created the most original and elaborate costumes for me when I was young, and I remember being in awe that she knew how to make something that none of my other friends would have. When I was a teenager, she helped me to learn how to customize my own clothes, and to create small projects from scratch. I owe her so much for patiently teaching me during my short-tempered teenage years!
Who or what has been your greatest creative inspiration?
I’m endlessly inspired by the world of fine art, and I often will turn to my favorite artists for color or pattern inspiration. Installation art is a big one for me — some of the most impactful art pieces I’ve experienced are very immersive, like Yayoi Kusama’s infinity rooms. I’d love to find ways to work on a larger scale like that someday.
How did you first connect with Robert Kaufman and what do you love most about working with them?
I’ve been working with Robert Kaufman since the early days of founding my business, Cotton & Flax. RK sells some of the best linen blend fabrics out there, and so it’s been my pleasure to order from them, and print my original designs onto their lovely linens. When it came time to put together a collection, I already knew that their Essex range would be perfect for overprinting my designs. It was a match made in heaven.
Tell us about Arroyo. What inspired the designs?
Arroyo is a mix of classic designs from my past collections for Cotton & Flax, as well as some new patterns to compliment those designs. All are super modern and minimal in their design — I really try to simplify all my patterns down to their essence, and let the beautiful base fabrics shine through. I was influenced by the colors and patterns of living in Los Angeles, as well as my love of mid-century modern design.
Do you have a favorite project or projects made with the collection?
Ooooh, that’s tough! I have been so delighted to see what folks are creating with Arroyo so far… I do have a soft spot for the beautiful Explorer Totes that Anna Graham created. I hope to make one of my own very soon!
When did you first discover Aurifil threads and what do you love most about them?
Modern Domestic, one of my favorite fabric shops in my hometown of Portland, Oregon, carries a selection of Aurifil threads, and I remember thinking that they looked so delightfully appealing in their rainbow display. When I asked a friend about them, she raved about them, saying that they were much higher quality than other threads she’s used. I’m glad I trusted her review, because she was right!
How did you go about selecting colors for The Erin Dollar Collection and what excites you most about releasing the collection to the world?
I selected a few colors that went well with the Arroyo collection, but also shades that were just classic Cotton & Flax colors — the color of my favorite linen, the pea soup yellow green that I never get tired of. I love imagining the pieces that will be created using this thread, and I can’t wait to see how other sewers will adopt this palette that is so close to my heart.
FUN LINKS
Project Roundup: Made with Arroyo
New Bandanas for Cool Dogs
Erin’s Thread Collection Announcement
GIVEAWAY
To enter-to-win Erin’s thread collection + a bundle of Arroyo fabrics by Erin Dollar / Cotton + Flax for Robert Kaufman, 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 DATE! Winner will be randomly selected and announced here on DATE. Good luck!
ABOUT ERIN
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Erin Dollar is an artist and textile designer, currently living and working in San Diego, California. Her background as a printmaker informs her work for Cotton & Flax, where Erin’s striking hand drawn patterns set her textiles apart as a blending of fine art and fine craft. Erin recently collaborated with Robert Kaufman to create Arroyo, her first collection of patterned fabric.
** Images, biographical text and interview text by Erin Dollar
Great color selection and prints!
I would like to make a shirt/top & an apron! Such pretty colors & patterns! Thank you, Susan
Oh this would be perfect for a quilt for my oldest son!
I love this bundle. I would be making a quilt.
I love to work with cotton linen. My first make would be a bag, then I’d use the rest for small projects for gifts (pouches, stationery kits, needle books). Would be so much fun to play with these beautiful prints.
I see a beautiful runner for my dining room!
The fabrics would make great blenders. I like the color combination
Pillows and totes. Great colors!
These prints would make some really nice pillows for the living room or even the bedroom, the options are endless.
I can`t wait to get my hands on these gorgeous fabrics! I`d make a throw with them first.
I would make a quilt and pillows ❤️ love making pillows
This would make a great quilt!
Love the colors & their gender neutral. I would love to make baby quilts.
Beautiful bundle of fabrics that would create a lovely set of placemats for my dining table!
I would make a lap quilt for Mom.
Love the fabric colors and designs, and the thread set, Would love to win this.
A quilt for my grandson would be great.
I love Essex!! I would make a throw or some bags!! Thank you!
These are gorgeous, I would love to make some sofa cushions with these.
I would make a lap quilt to start. The colors and prints will blend with just about everything.
Would love to make pillows with this collection.
I would make a lap quilt.
Lovely fabric for a quilt!
Love, love, love those colors! I would make a nice lap quilt!
Beautiful fabric and thread, I can make a greatt quilt with this. And you should send me this for Christmas
I’d enjoy the feel of this fabric first. I have used some Essex linen on a pillow, but would like to try this first on a bag.
These would be perfect for a matching set of stitched sewing organizers from Aneela Hooey’s book! Great post!
I would use this collection in a quilt.
A bag and organizers would be great!
I would love to feel this fabric. I need some new placemats and table runner, and maybe dresses for my great-nieces.
I love to make another triangle quilt using this beautiful fabric. Thanks, grinnie1961 at gmail dot com
I’d love to use these wonderful linen/cotton blend fabrics for a quilt for my niece! Any left over pieces I’d use for small totes.
These are gorgeous collections. I would update my LR with pillows, accented with colorful quilting!
I would make some large quilted throw pillows for our living room. This fabric really speaks to me. It’s our colors and our type of prints. We love earthy tones and modern prints. I tend to quilt modern though I like to throwback to traditional blocks often but I gravitate towards these colors every single time I meander through fabric shops. Well done!
I would make a tablerunner.
I would make a lovely quilt.
I am not a skilled quilter but and I have just started reading & watching shows about Modern Quilting. I would love to try and making a modern quilt out of Erin’s colors. Thanks for the contest!
I would like to make a quilt for one of my college-bound grandchildren.
Love that star block at Project Roundup. Wouldn’t a whole quilt of those in the various colors and designs be fun!
I’d love to make a bag from this fabulous fabric – I’d also make some awesome pillows !! thanks
I see pillows for the couch with these prints.
I would like to make some pillows.
I would like to make an grandmother’s flower garden quilt!
The collection is so clean and fine that I think it would make great kitchen tea towels. I think a few pillows and/or zipper bags would really show off the fabrics also.
I would love to make a bag, some pillows!
I would make a log cabin tablecloth for my dining room table.
I would make some messenger bags.
I would make pillows with this delightful fabric. Thanks for the chance to win!
I would like to make an assortment of handbags, wallets, and totes. Or maybe some kitchen accessories. So many options!
I was just saying this morning that I need a new totebag!!!
Love your new collection and thread.
I would like to make myself a quilt with this collection. I love the colors.
Beautiful!!
I would make a lap quilt. angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom
I think this line would make a great flying goose Quilt
A fun, modern quilt with flying geese would be awesome to make! I love the minimalist designs.
Beautiful fabric, I see a quilt or two.
I’d make a quilt, for sure!
I would love to make some purses and wallets with this collection. Thanks!
I would love to make a lap quilt for my sofa with these.
I love the graphics of the fabric line! I would make pillows or bags!
I’m really drawn to these colors…and I don’t know why! Beautiful designs. I know I’d make a quilt or two, perhaps something with triangles.
I would love to make a table runner and placemat set with these!
This bundle would be perfect to make a quilt for my brothers new house! The picture where you have all your collections folded together, just makes me smile! 💟 👍 💟 Wish I was pulling them off my shelf and cutting into them! Wonderful look all together!
This fabric line would look great in my next quilt
Would have to make a wall hanging to display these splendidly, colorful designed fabrics and threads.
I see a couple of patchwork totes bags to be made with this collection in my future.
tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I’d make a really cool modern quilt!
One of my favorite kids from the neighborhood is getting married in May. I would love to make her a quilt for a wedding gift.
I would love to make a table topper with the fabric.
I have been loving those Noodlehead totes too. I’d probably get the book and the necessary yardage to make one in my favorite print. The bundle would make some adorable zip pouches.
these fabrics would be great for home goods–placemats, pillows, etc
I think these could make a beautiful modern applique quilt, like the ones Carolyn Freidlander makes in her creativebug class.
I would make a beautiful quilt with this fabric.
I love this fabric and thread! I would love to make a bag with this collection!
I would make pillows for my couch. I recently moved to southern California and I love these colors.
Lovely collection. I would love to make a quilt with this set.
I would love to use this to make some pouches.
I need a new tote, with matching zip bags.
I’d love to make a caravan tote and matching zipper bag. Would also love a new wallet. Using Noodlehead patterns.
Thanks for the chance at this awesome fabric and the incredible Aurifil thread. Starting using it last year and won’t go back to subquality thread.
I just love this collection and there are so many things I’d want to make. To start, I think I’d make a quilt. I already have a pattern picked out for it.
I would make a quilt for my couch.
I would make a lap quilt to brighten up my basement room.
I would love to make a New York Beauty quilt
These colors are so soft and gentle. I’d make a bed quilt with a flannel backing.
Home decor( tuffet, plant holders, pillows, runners) I’d love to stitch up with Arroyo and Erin’s Aurifil coordinating threads. OMG i’m loving the Indigo’s and Tomato shades together already…well all of it actually. Congratulations Erin and thank your for sharing your story and inspiring me along the way.
What a beautiful collection. I think the fabrics would make lovely pillows, totes, and table toppers. Those thread choices glimmer. Lovely.
I have not yet made my mind. I have the time to think about it till I win it. Thank you
Would love to make a quilt for my daughters new home.
I would make a smashing modern quilt!