There’s a quiet magic in Sharon Holland’s work—an effortless blend of artistry and storytelling that never fails to draw us in. A longtime friend and collaborator, Sharon brings a delicate aesthetic and extraordinary eye for photography that have consistently captivated us. Her designs exude a timeless softness and personal grace, perfectly suited to the whimsical charm she so beautifully conveys.
We’re beyond thrilled to welcome Sharon back for a renewed partnership and to introduce Midsummer Stitching, her newest thread collection designed to coordinate with her stunning Midsummer fabric line for Art Gallery Fabrics. Featuring 5 small spools of 100% cotton 40wt and 5 small spools of 100% cotton 12wt, this collection is a colorful celebration of summer’s gentle magic—an ideal pairing for both machine sewing and hand embellishment.
To celebrate this collaboration, we sat down with Sharon to revisit her creative journey, explore the inspirations behind Midsummer, and dive into the thoughtful process of curating a thread collection that captures the spirit of the season. We talked all things thread, color, wildflowers, stitching tips, and what’s next on the horizon. Join us as we reconnect with one of our favorite creatives and share a closer look at her newest work.
Welcome back, Sharon! We’re thrilled to be working with you again. For those who may be new to your work, can you share a bit about your background and how you first found your way into the world of textile and surface design?
My love for printed fabrics are some of my earliest memories and even as an older kid I distinctly remember looking at fabrics and trying to figure out how they made the repeat design and thinking about the colors used and trying to understand how all these decisions must have been made to create this pretty fabric. I was also fascinated with sewing and all needlework and crafts and tried my hand at most crafts growing up. I took Home Ec in highschool (back when that was an offered course) and did just so-so. I wasn’t discouraged though–I just hadn’t found my medium yet!
When I went to college (early 80s) I studied first, Interior Design, then jumped to Graphic Design, and finally graduated in Art & Design which was more fine art based. I actually came out with a well rounded understanding of design. But it wasn’t until my 3 kids were mostly grown and on their way to being independent that I went back to school at age 45 and became certified in Desktop Publishing and Digital Printing from a local community college that I had the modern-day tools/knowledge to teach myself how to create repeat patterns for fabric design.
I submitted my fabric collection portfolio to fabric companies and Paintbrush Studio signed me on as a designer. I had four fabric collections with that company before leaving to work as an Assistant Editor on a new start up magazine. Quilt-it…today, and Sew-it…today were bi-monthly issues that were published for 2-½ years. During my magazine days I learned so much about how to write patterns, take photographs of the projects, and got to work with and learn more about the different fabric companies and the industry. It was extremely hard work but such an amazing work experience!
After the magazine, I decided I wanted to get back to my real love of fabric design but had my sights on only one company. If I couldn’t design for Art Gallery Fabrics then I was not going to design fabrics and move onto some other thing(s). Well, I’m so glad that my goal was realized because as of this writing, I currently have 21 Art Gallery Fabric collections under my belt and three collections in the works for 2026. I’ve found my medium and my niche!
You’ve had such a remarkable journey in this industry—what continues to inspire and propel your creative work today?
Every single time I finish a fabric collection I think, “How can I possibly come up with another idea!” But, I keep my eyes open to trends, I design from the heart and create only what I love and would want to sew with, and I keep a running list of collection ideas on my phone–no matter how simple or involved it may be–it can spark a future idea.
For those moments when you might feel creatively stuck, is there a project or technique that helps to reinvigorate your process? Or perhaps one that you find particularly soothing or meditative?
Sometimes, I even get burned out and that joy and excitement is not there. But, honestly, a good fabric collection or fabric pull can really envigorate one’s motivation to sew and create. I do use my quilt and sewing patterns as a vehicle to showcase my collections. The reason I have so many patterns in my Shop and Freebies page is because the fabrics have inspired so much creativity. I can’t write patterns and sew fast enough–I really enjoy creating a life-style world around each collection and sewing with the fabric.
This is not our first time working together and we’re so thrilled to renew our partnership. What brought you back to Aurifil, and what does this collaboration mean to you?
I’m thrilled to be back collaborating with Aurifil! There’s so much to love about your threads from the huge color selections, the thread quality, the thread types for all one’s sewing needs, to the company itself–it’s the whole package. Oh, and yes, and the package design is so beautiful! Aurifil has all the things I love and what adds to making sewing so enjoyable.
Your new thread collection, Midsummer Stitching, is an absolute dream. How did you go about selecting the colors for this set to coordinate with your Midsummer fabric line for Art Gallery Fabrics?
I spent hours picking out the perfect coordinating colors for my Midsummer Stitching thread set. I wanted to handpick the perfect 10 accent colors for hand stitching and machine sewing. I envisioned this pretty thread box in a sewing basket for travel or just sitting on your own porch, pleasantly stitching projects on a summer’s day. Colors were plucked right from the AGF Midsummer fabrics and color matched to the Aurifil Swatch Book.
The fabrics are incredibly timely, hitting right at the onset of our Summer here in the Northern Hemisphere. Can you tell us more about the inspiration for this line and share your thoughts about the variety of prints showcased?
Fabric collections are designed 6-12 months in advance of shipping to shops. It was in June or July last year that I was working on this collection. I knew I wanted a very floral-inspired collection and that it would ship in June of the following year. I live right next to a prairie park that happened to be in full bloom with a riot of colors and wildflowers. I took my sketchbook and took a walk, drawing flowers and looking at what colors were in bloom at that time. I wanted to capture the look and feeling of a summer day.
We love that this collection includes both 40wt and 12wt threads. Why was it important for you to include both weights in one set?
Most of the time I sew with a cone of 50 weight Aurfil thread for patchwork piecing but for detailed sewing like top stitching or hand quilting/sewing, I like to have an array of colors to choose from to coordinate with my fabric. This small spool set is a nice way to have those colors. The reason why I chose the 40wt was it could be used in conjunction with the common 50wt thread as an accent top stitch and 50wt bobbin for those times when you want to see the topstitches. The 12wt threads are darker shades and are also used for decorative hand stitching like embroidery, cross stitch, binding, and quilting.
Can you share how you typically like to use each of those weights in your own sewing practice? Do you have any go-to techniques or tips for makers who might be new to working with 12wt or 40wt?
How to use the different thread weights can be a little confusing sometimes so I made it handy for all of us with beginners and added a top thread and bobbin thread guide to the Midsummer Stitching packaging back.
We’re still thinking about the incredible zippy thread case you made to hold your Midsummer Stitching collection! Can you tell us a bit about that project, and might we see a tutorial or pattern release soon?
At the time I made the Vinyl Zipper Pouch pattern by Sotak Handmade the packaging for the Midsummer Stitching thread set was not ready yet and I was going to be meeting up with Aurifil and the H+H Americas trade show to show off the thread set. I needed something to put the threads in and found this great pattern from Sotak Handmade that could not only show off all the threads through a see-through vinyl window, but I could make it in the Midsummer fabric print that was going to be also used on the actual packaging for the thread set. I used Svetlana’s pattern but customized the size of the pouch to fit the 10 small spools lined up in a row for easy access. I love this pouch and it’s so easy to tuck it into a purse for on-the-go sewing!
Beyond this beautiful collection, what else is on the horizon for you creatively? Any upcoming fabric releases, patterns, or collaborations we should keep an eye out for?
June was a very busy month with the Aurifil Midsummer Stitching thread set shipping to shops, the Art Gallery Fabrics Midsummer collection shipping, and three new patterns: Overlap Closure Pillowcase, Vincent quilt, and a new quilt kit for AGF called, Sew Together quilt that ships to shops in August.
The Midsummer Look Book is scheduled to be published on July 18th. This virtual life-syle magazine will showcase my new Midsummer fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics and be filled with sewing inspiration for the home and family.
October 1st, I will host the third annual Gifting Handmade event on my blog and on Instagram @sharonhollanddesigns where my Tester Team and I showcase a new handmade gift idea each day for 2 weeks. It’s an inspiration overload for creating handmade gifts plus chances to win fabulous giveaway prizes!
There’s always things in the works for Sharon Holland Designs and many wonderful collaborations, patterns, and fabric collections are in the works for 2026. Soon, I’ll be designing for 2027!
Where can fans and followers connect with you in 2025? Are you teaching, attending shows, or participating in any special events?
The best places to find me are on my website: www.sharonhollanddesigns.com and on Instagram @sharonhollanddesigns
Finally, as a seasoned designer, do you have any advice for new makers who are just beginning their journey into fabric, thread, and design?
Whether you’re just sewing for yourself and family or getting into the biz, my best advice is to sew and create what you love. Take good photographs of your work & process work to document your creative journey and share your skills and excitement with others–find your niche and community and you’ll always be inspired.
HUGE thanks to Sharon for sharing her insights and inspirations with us! We are endlessly grateful!