We’ve long admired the boundless creativity of Sarah Fielke. From her beloved quilt patterns and bestselling books to her bold fabric lines and curated Aurifil thread collections, Sarah has built a career defined by innovation, artistry, and an unshakable passion for quilting.
This year, Sarah and her husband Damian took on a brand-new adventure, officially launching That’s Accurate—a fresh, reimagined company specializing in precision-made templates, EPP papers, sandpaper boards, and more.
Born from the unexpected closing of Sarah’s longtime template supplier, the new venture is both a continuation of her quilting journey and an exciting new chapter. We’re delighted to sit down with Sarah to learn more about this leap, the inspiration behind the brand, and what quilters can expect from That’s Accurate’s industry debut at Quilt NSW this week.
Sarah, you’ve worn so many creative hats over the years—author, fabric designer, teacher, thread curator, pattern writer, and tool innovator. From the outside, moving into high-quality template production seems like a natural next step. How did the opportunity to purchase this company first come about, and what inspired you and Damian to take the leap?
The purchase of the company kind of fell into our laps actually! It was NOT something we planned. I had been working with the people who owned the business prior for over ten years – they have always made my templates and sandpaper boards etc for my business. They contacted all their clients to say they were closing the business to pursue other things, and my first reaction was panic – what was I going to do?? Over the weekend Damian and I thought about it and wondered if they would consider selling it… they were actually hoping we might want to buy it and it all just came together, from nowhere to Damo starting an entirely new career, in a weekend.
Taking over an entire business is no small feat. What were the emotions like in those first conversations—was it excitement, nerves, or a little of both?
Damo has been hugely excited from day one. I on the other hand not so much! I have never wanted my business to get to the point where it was our main source of income really. Damo has always had a job in marketing, and the thought that our whole income might depend on wether or not people might like my next BOM quilt was (and is!) just terrifying to me! He on the other hand has always had complete faith in my abilities…. So maybe the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
How has the transition from “just an idea” to “a full-fledged business launch” shifted your perspective on your work in the quilting industry?
As we have worked through the process of purchasing the business, retaining the clients who already worked with Imprezzio previously, looking for new ones, coming up with new product ideas and new marketing ideas and new ways of working, I am feeling more confident in what we can do. And I’m so excited to show everyone what we have been working on, and to unfold the things we are planning in the future. It’s thrilling to take a product from spark of an idea to a physical tool someone will use in their sewing kit! And thrilling to think of those products in quilt shops around the world. Everything we are developing for That’s Accurate will be available wholesale as well as retail, so we are really looking forward to working with new quilting businesses as well as new retail customers.
What do you want your templates, EPP papers, and mylar shapes to be, most importantly, above all else?
ACCURATE. We played with a lot of different ways to be tongue in cheek and still say that exact thing.
How are the templates produced? What materials do you use, and what makes them stand apart from what quilters may have used in the past?
We purchased a laser cutting machine that was the main asset from the previous business. All the templates, tools, papers, mylar shapes and sandpaper boards are cut and engraved using that machine. The templates are all acrylic, which means you can use a rotary cutter with them, just like with your usual patchwork ruler.
So everyone wants their templates to be accurate, but I also want mine to be CUTE and FUN, and I know I’m not the only one. We want the brand to be playful and colourful, and stand out from the crowd in a quilt store. The packaging and branding is a bit retro, a bit groovy. It won’t look like any other brand of template or EPP paper that I’ve ever seen. Some of the new products we’re releasing to start with aren’t like anything else I’ve seen on the market! Obviously we will be making some of the template staples— hexagons, 1/4″ rulers, point turners— but we have tried to reimagine those products too, even if it’s just to make them out of glitter acrylic, or make them a funkier shape, or add something a little different to make them more functional.
What products are included in your launch line, and are there coordinating patterns that pair with them?
We have some really fun tools for the launch! At the moment they don’t come with patterns because they’re for use in any kind of project really. I do have some specific tools and shapes launching later this year and early next that will come with patterns, and we are planning a series of YouTube tutorials for November, with tips and tricks on how to use all the new things in your own sewing!
Launching for the Sydney Quilt Show, both in person and online will be:
- Mini thread Cutters in two designs— a heart and a sun
- 9” rulers with peeper shapes that are designed for fussy cutting hexagons, pentagons, and diamonds, as well as circles, ovals, hearts, and leaves for appliqué.
- Stacks of shapes in glitter acrylic for the opposite of the rulers – they are for tracing around the outside of the shape, and are also able to be used with a small rotary cutter.
- Sets of Mylar circles and ovals that come with the acrylic peeper templates for helping to fussy cut your shapes before pressing over the Mylar.
- A rotating thread turntable to hold all your beautiful spools of Aurifil next to you while you stitch!
- Thread drops in two different sizes, that come in a rainbow of pastel colours for embroidery threads.
Beyond your own patterns, you’ve mentioned opportunities for other designers and shops to collaborate. Can you share more about that side of the business?
We currently work with lots of Australian and international designers to make the template sets, papers, Mylar shapes, and sandpaper boards for their businesses. We are able to custom cut sets and help design shapes and packs for any craft designer or store who is interested! Plus we are wholesaling our own That’s Accurate product to stores internationally.
What roles do you and Damian each play in the day-to-day of the company, and how has this new venture been as a family project?
I am still mainly focussed on my usual Sarah Fielke design and sewing work. I will be creating content for That’s Accurate. We have a lot of YouTube tutorials planned + quilt patterns and starter kits amongst other things will roll out in the coming months. I will design all those sorts of things, and a lot of the tools as well, and Damian will actualise the product and produce it. He’s also taken over all the packing and shipping of orders for sarahfielke.com which has been a steep learning curve, but we are on track now. The US tariff situation threw us a bit of a curve ball but we have it all worked out now.
How can quilters and shops access That’s Accurate templates right now?
Quilters can go to www.thatsaccurate.com.au right now and check it all out! Shops and designers can apply for a wholesale account either there or at www.sarahfielke.com, see the product we have on offer for both businesses and give us a yell if they have questions about creating product for their own businesses.
The Quilt NSW Sydney Quilt Show is this week! How are you feeling as you prepare to officially debut the company there?
We are so excited to have the product in the wild! Obviously very nervous to see how its all received and hear people’s comments, but I love everything we are releasing and I’m confident other quilters will too. Damo is going to have a bit of a baptism of fire – he’s never worked on a stand at a show before, I think he’s underestimating quite how busy and crazy it can be!
What can attendees expect to see at your booth, and will there be opportunities for quilters to try the templates in action?
All the new product will be on display, and I will be doing tutorials and demonstrations throughout all three days— attendees can check my Instagram or Facebook pages for the times each morning. Everyone will be able to get up close and personal with all the new stuff, and also see all my Sarah Fielke product as well.
You’ve always been intentional about pairing the right tools with your patterns, fabric, and threads. How do That’s Accurate templates tie into your own creative process?
In designing these products, I’ve been trying to think about things that I would see at a show or in a shop, not as a designer but as a quilter, a shopper, and think – ooooh cool, I want that! We’re trying to not make things just because we can – things that all template cutters might stock because they are expected. I’ve been thinking about all the different types of sewists and how they operate, and design around those different expectations. I don’t just quilt, I knit, embroider, make bags and clothes, and I do cross stitch and tapestry. I’ve been thinking about all the things I use and how I use them, and how I can reimagine or add to those things. I wake up in the night thinking about it. I don’t want us to produce anything that I wouldn’t personally think was a great and useful and beautiful product.
You currently have three active Aurifil collections: Everyday Appliqué (80wt), Big Stitch Hand Quilting (12wt), and Big Woods (80wt). How do you see the templates working hand-in-hand with these threads in your projects?
I’m a passionate advocate for Aurifil Cotton 80wt most especially, and so many of our tools and sets are made especially for hand stitchers. I use 80wt thread for everything from needle turn appliqué to EPP, to sewing down my bindings! But really our tools are great for any kind of craft that involves stitching – and thread!
Looking back, you’ve built such a rich, multi-faceted career in quilting. What excites you most about this new chapter, and what do you hope quilters around the world will take away from That’s Accurate?
Because That’s Accurate has just dropped in our laps, the adjustment angle has been a steep one! However, as we have come to see all the possibilities that the business offers, we are more and more excited about not only being able to produce our own templates, but also to produce new and innovative products for stitchers, and work with other designers and stores to enrich their businesses. The more I turn ideas over in my head and see Damian turn them into a reality in the warehouse, the more excited I am about what we can do.
Huge thanks to Sarah and Damian for giving us a peek into this fabulous new company— we are SO excited and hope you’ll take a moment to explore.