At Aurifil, we’re always thrilled to celebrate the artistry and vision of our incredible collaborators, and today is no exception! We are overjoyed to introduce Denim & Daisies, a breathtaking thread set curated by the one and only Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree & Co.
Joanna has long been a master of color, a curator of timeless style, and a designer whose work exudes warmth, charm, and effortless beauty. Her signature palette of fresh, nostalgic hues has captivated quilters and makers for years, and we are honored to partner with her once again.
Denim & Daisies features seven small spools of Aurifil’s 100% Cotton 50wt thread in a stunning range of blues and oranges—a perfect match to her Denim & Daisies fabric line with Moda and an essential addition for denim-inspired sewing. Whether you’re stitching heirloom quilts, crafting home decor, or adding the perfect finishing touch to your favorite handmade garment, this collection was designed to elevate your creativity.
We’ve long admired Joanna’s talent, her impeccable eye for color, and the magic she brings to the quilting and sewing world. Her passion shines through in every design, and we’re delighted to continue this collaboration. Read on to learn more about Joanna’s journey, her sources of inspiration, and how Denim & Daisies came to life!
Hi Joanna! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. For our readers who may be meeting you for the first time, can you tell us a little about how you first got into quilting? What inspired your journey?
My journey was always art focused but I kind of fell into quilting if that makes sense. I grew up seeing myself as an artist, or at least as someone who did art, from an early age. I painted, made ceramics, moved into graphic design and illustration in college. It was just always something that I did without thinking. When I started to fall in love with vintage quilts, there was something about them that drew me in and I was mesmerized. It didn’t take long before I felt like I needed to try my hand at quilting and so I bought a book and taught myself. Let’s just say that first quilt was not pretty, but it was mine.
What are some of your earliest memories of sewing or working with fabric?
We always had a sewing machine in the house but it was just for utilitarian reasons. We weren’t very well off so everything was mended and fixed at home. I do remember playing with a large jar of buttons when I was little but not much personal sewing.
Was there a particular moment that made you realize quilting would be a lifelong passion?
It was honestly the moment I made my first quilt. The second I made one, I immediately started making another and then another. There was something about having a palette in the fabric that I could then recreate into a design… it just really spoke to me in a way that no other art form ever had.
How has your style evolved over the years, and what continues to inspire you today?
I definitely started darker and more “country”. These days my palettes are lighter and brighter but still rooted in vintage color palettes as I interpret them. Gosh, inspiration is pretty much everywhere. Flowers, tiles, pottery, wrapping paper, fashion and of course flea markets! I try to stay away from being “inspired” by what is popular and I always try to stay true to what is truly calling to me.
Designing fabric is an art of its own. What excites you most about creating new fabric collections?
Designing fabric is a way I get to communicate a certain feeling in fabric. I always tell people when I lecture that color is one of the most underrated ways to communicate. As humans, we respond to different colors and color palettes without even knowing. Putting together a “color story” that communicates a feeling of warmth -or- of harvest -or- of spring and newness -or- of tradition… that is what drives my fabric design choices.
How do you typically approach the design process for fabrics? Do you start with a specific color palette, pattern, or theme?
Color ALWAYS comes first for me. Then everything else follows.
Do you have a favorite part of the design process—whether it’s the initial sketches, choosing colors, or seeing the final fabric in hand?
Choosing the palette is always my inspiration and likely my favorite part. Honestly, choosing the final pieces that are going to “make it into the collection” gives me palpitations. I want to pick them all but I know that I can’t :-).
Your new collection Denim & Daisies has a wonderful balance of classic and fresh designs. What was the inspiration behind this collection?
I don’t normally work with a lot of blue. But I LIVE in denim jeans, literally every day, so I thought it was time to create something that represented that soft lived in denim feel. Denim & Daisies is meant to evoke a warm, soft, lived-in feel and I think I achieved that. My three adult kids are all big fans of this group, so that is a success in and of itself!
Is there a particular piece or print from Denim & Daisies that you’re especially proud of or that holds special meaning for you?
I designed a printed patchwork with the collection that was patterned after a favorite old tattered quilt in my collection. I worked hard to make sure that the prints and tones looked old and “well loved”. I am very proud of how that patchwork came out and I have loved seeing people use it for quilts, bags, jackets and pants!
Your complementary thread set with Aurifil features 7 small spools of our 100% cotton 50wt thread. What draws you to this particular thread weight for your projects?
For me, it is the most versatile. I quilt with it, sew with it, bind with it, mend with it. It is my favorite!
How does the Aurifil thread enhance your quilting or piecing? Why has it been your go-to throughout your career?
When I discovered Aurifil years and years ago, it was definitely more of a luxury item for me since I was used to using more basic thread at that time. It is now the only thread I use. Honestly. I love it for its weight, its versatility, lack of fuzz in my machine, and color choice.
How do you see Denim & Daisies fitting into the broader quilting community? What do you hope quilters take away from this collection?
I feel like it is a collection for both sides of the quilting spectrum, traditional and more modern. We all love our denim!
What advice would you give to aspiring quilters or those just starting to explore designing their own fabric collections?
I think the most important thing is to figure out what you are trying to communicate and truly finding your own voice. Figure out what you would like to contribute to the wider body that isn’t already there and then base everything on that thought.
Finally, what’s one piece of wisdom you’ve gathered over the years in quilting that you’d like to share with your followers?
Quilting is at heart a folk art. It is definitely art but it is also utilitarian in that quilts are primarily created to be used. Don’t worry about perfection and precision. Sure, we want to be proud of our technical work, but at its heart, quilting is something that most of us do for joy and passion. As mostly women, we are also really hard on ourselves in general when it comes to things that we have made. Resist the urge to apologize for yourself and point out your mistakes [this is something I see over and over again as I teach workshops and lecture]. See yourself as a creative being who is creating… and enjoy the process!
Huge thanks to Joanna for playing along with us for this interview! Be sure to visit her website for patterns, fabric bundles and more and her blog for all sorts of creative inspiration!
I love the white cotton quilts and the summery clean look. Well done! Linda
Where do you teach? I would love to take a class with you! Your work is beautiful!
Thank you for your advice and words of wisdom and being gentle with ourselves and not looking for perfection. I tend to be too hard on myself. What you wrote about enjoying the process and being creative is important to remember. I also need to be more forgiving of myself. I love my crocheting and sewing end products, but I have to let go of anything that’s not perfect and enjoy it for what it is. We’re all learning and growing and that process is to be enjoyed. Thank you! Linda