The Genesis of a Journey

From the moment we first met Genesis Hall, we knew she was something special. At just 12 years old, she joined the Aurifil Artisan team— our youngest ever— and has continued to amaze us ever since. We’ve watched her grow from a passionate young maker into a talented designer with a thoughtful eye and an inspiring creative voice.

Her work spans a remarkable range— from quilts to apparel to accessories— each project a reflection of her curiosity, craftsmanship, and genuine love for the process. Beyond her artistic accomplishments, Genesis is kind and generous with her time, often sharing her creativity with her siblings and lending her talents to community efforts that celebrate the joy of making and support relief efforts.

Now, with the debut of her very first thread collection, The Genesis of a Journey, designed to coordinate seamlessly with her debut fabric line with Riley Blake Designs, we couldn’t be more thrilled. Featuring six of Aurifil’s 100% Cotton thread weights in a vibrant palette of hues, the collection offers endless possibilities for both new and seasoned makers.

^{** to find the thread set outside of the US, please visit our Thread Concierge HERE.}

We’re so excited to work with Genesis in this new creative context and look forward to following along as her remarkable journey continues to unfold.

---

Let’s start at the beginning! Can you tell us how you first got started with quilting and what drew you into the world of fabric and thread?
My sewing journey first began when I was about 10 years old, after a friend mentioned to me that she was taking sewing lessons. I was immediately intrigued and eager to learn all about it. The curiosity later turned into a passion. Although my family always had quilts at home and my mother always admired textiles, no member of my family knew anything about quilting or sewing. This makes my journey a little more independent and self-driven.

Who or what inspires your creative journey most? Are there specific artists, experiences, or even moments that have shaped your style?
There are so many people, experiences, and moments that have helped shape my style. I had the privilege of growing up as a military child, where I was able to live in different countries and travel all around the world. My family has now settled in North Carolina, but I was born in Italy and have lived in Germany. While living in Europe we traveled to over 21 different countries. This exposure to different cultures and textiles has influenced my design thinking and aesthetic. I admire all kinds of quilt-styles, seeing the beauty in variety, and bringing that openness into my own work.

Traditional is defined by a means of looking at the past, modern is defined by looking to the future. While I value all quilting styles, I think most of my work leans towards modern quilting. I am drawn to vibrant colours, minimalist layouts, but I also embrace symmetry and repetition. I set a personal goal for each project: try something new, whether it’s a new technique, fabric choice, or shape.

My favorite technique is foundation paper-piecing, because it allows for sharp, detailed piecing. I enjoy the challenge of new techniques. My goal is to improve and learn from each project I make. Part of my inspiration comes from growth, from stepping out of comfort zones, rather than simply repeating familiar patterns.

The quilting/sewing community plays a big role in my inspiration. I appreciate the encouragement I receive from older quilters, which motivates me. My recognition as a young quilter, also fuels my creative energy. I am highly motivated by feedback and I use that as inspiration to refine my style.

You joined the Aurifil Artisan team when you were just 12— our youngest ever! What was that experience like, and how did it help you grow as both a maker and a designer?
I was selected to join the Aurifil Artisan Team when I was just 12 years old, making me one of the youngest ever to join the group. My mom actually applied for the ambassador/artisan role without me knowing. My mom thought sharing my creations online might open up creative and entrepreneurial opportunities. It was a great surprise and amazing opportunity when Aurifil selected me.

Being a part of the Aurifil Artisan list gave me visibility within the sewing/quilting-community in a way I likely couldn’t have achieved alone at that age. Through Aurifil, the sewing and quilting community began discovering me. People got to see my work, provide feedback, and I was able to establish my brand earlier than many makers do. As an Artisan, I was featured in Aurifil monthly showcases. These kinds of “artisan challenges” pushed me and other makers to try new techniques, experiment with thread weights, designs, and stretch comfort zones. Being an Artisan meant being a part of a structured, recognized program that encouraged me to try new things and learn from them.

Your debut fabric collection with Riley Blake Designs and your Aurifil thread set were designed to work together beautifully. Can you share a bit about your vision for The Genesis of a Journey? What story are you telling through your fabrics and threads?
My fabric collection and thread set is deeply rooted in my life experiences. My life is a reflection of a powerful image, a patchwork quilt of experiences and cultures that have shaped a broader perspective in a unique way. An intricately and carefully stitched-together mix of textures, shades and colors, yet, complementing each other beautifully. Born in a country, different from my parents origins and raised across multiple nations, my life has been shaped by diverse cultures, traditions, and landscapes. Here is my life and how my experiences have shaped me. I invite you to travel that journey with me through fabric and thread.

My thread box includes assorted weights and colors selected to coordinate with my fabric palette. The idea is that the threads aren’t just “useful tools,” but they are part of the design story. They allow quilt makers to extend their journey: by stitching with threads that echo the colors, textures, and experiences embedded in the fabric line.

We understand that your childhood was filled with travel and experiencing many places— and that played a big role in shaping this collection. How did those experiences influence your designs?
I had an upbringing as a military child, moving frequently and living in multiple countries. It shaped both the themes and visual language of my debut collection, The Genesis of a Journey. My life is a patchwork of experiences, where each country or state I lived in added another piece to my identity, just like the blocks in a quilt. Each fabric feels like a fragment of memory, stitched together into a cohesive story, visually echoing the experience of growing up between cultures. Every move, every home, every friend I met became a piece of who I am. I wanted this collection to show that, even when life feels scattered, you can stitch the pieces together into something beautiful.

How did it feel to see those memories and moments transformed into fabric for the first time?
Seeing my childhood memories and experiences transformed into fabric for the first time was an unbelievable and almost surreal experience. It was both exciting seeing a visual diary of my life come alive. Seeing my designs printed on actual fabric, tactile, vibrant, and in the quantities that quilters could use, made it feel real in a completely new way. It was like holding pieces of my memories in my hands. Colors and patterns that once existed only in memory or imagination now had physical form, which brought so much joy. There was a strong sense of achievement as well. Designing a full fabric collection at 15 years old was such a rare and remarkable experience.

Your thread set features six different Aurifil weights, from 80wt all the way to Floss— such a fantastic variety! How did you go about choosing the colors and weights? Was there a particular creative goal behind that mix?
I chose colors that mirrored the hues in my fabric collection, The Genesis of a Journey. My goal was to create a thread palette that could complement a wide range of projects. It reflected my own quilting practice: I love mixing thread weights to give my projects a sense of movement and depth, rather than using a single weight for everything. I wanted the set to feel “complete,” so makers could use it across multiple projects without needing to buy extra threads. I wanted a thread set that could do everything, from quiet, delicate quilting to big, expressive stitching. It’s like giving someone a tiny toolkit to tell their own story, just like I have told mine in my fabrics.

Do you already have plans for how you’ll use each weight in upcoming projects? Could you share a few favorite techniques for each or any tips for makers who might be new to experimenting with different thread weights?

80wt (Ultra-fine)
Planned Use: Hand Piecing, invisible stitching, and needle turn appliqué.
Tip: Use thread gloss to prevent thread from tangling.

50wt (Medium/Standard Weight)
Planned Use: Everyday Piecing and quilting, versatile for both machine and hand quilting.
Tip: This weight is forgiving and easy to work with, a great starting point.

40wt
Planned Use: Versatile for quilting, applique, general sewing, machine embroidery, quilting, and accent lines. Visible but not overpowering.
Tip: Pairs well with complementary colors, adds subtle texture and definition, letting fabric shine while enhancing design details.

28wt (Heavy Topstitching)
Planned Use: Bold outlines, accent stitching, machine and hand quilting, decorative topstitching, hand embroidery, and making designs “pop.” Decorative topstitching around quilt blocks or applique shapes. 
Tips: Slow stitching helps maintain consistent spacing and prevent thread breakage.

12wt (Embroidery-style Quilting)
Planned Use: Embroidery quilting, surface embellishment, decorative applique stitches, and statement lines. I love to use this for hand quilting as well as big stitch hand binding. Use this thread for decorative projects where you want the stitches to be prominent.
Tip: Use a large eye needle to make threading easier.

Floss (Embroidery/Hand Work)
Planned Use: Hand embroidery, tiny accents, and personal signatures on quilts.
Tip: Separate strands to adjust thickness. Secure ends carefully to prevent unraveling.

You’ve been working across so many creative areas— fabric, thread, ribbons, and more! What do you enjoy most about being on the design side of the industry?
Being on the design side of the industry has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I love transforming my memories and experiences into tangible products, whether its fabric, thread, or ribbons. Seeing my ideas move from sketches to actual materials that other makers can use is deeply fulfilling. I enjoy exploring how different products interact with fabrics, creating a full creative ecosystem.

How do you balance this exciting creative career with other parts of your life— school, sports, playing banjo, family time? Do you find ways to connect those worlds?
My life is impressively full, yet I have found ways to balance my creative career with school, hobbies,and family. School is one of my highest priorities, and I keep a structured schedule to ensure homework and classes are completed. This is something that is very important to me and as of now I am ranked number 1 in my class. I am secretary in the student council at my school and I also participate in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).

Music, including banjo and piano, is a creative outlet aside from quilting that I very much enjoy. I connect the two creative worlds by listening to music while I sew.

I view sports and creative work as complementary: the discipline and persistence required in sports translate to patience in quilting and design. I highly enjoy the sports I play and I think they go hand in hand with quilting. Individual sports are my favorite because I am able to grow and play that sport over my lifetime, just like quilting. I have played golf for my high school for the past 2 years, and this year I joined in on the swim team.

Family support is central; I often sew and experiment with designs at home, sharing my progress with family members. I often sew and quilt with one of my little siblings sitting in my lap, or even teaching my mom how to sew her first quilt. My family is very supportive of my quilting and they all love seeing my recent projects come alive.

I don’t think of school, music, or family as separate from my quilting, they all feed into it. Every part of life gives me ideas and energy for my designs.

What first drew you to Aurifil threads, and what makes them your go-to for your projects today?
Something I love about Aurifil threads is both quality and creative versatility. As a young quilter experimenting with fabrics and designs, I discovered Aurifil’s wide range of weights and consistent quality, which immediately stood out. I appreciated that the threads were smooth, strong, and colorfast. Aurifil threads allow me and others to experiment across techniques and textures. They work reliably on both machine and hand stitching. Aurifil threads let me play with color, texture, and weight without limits. They are the perfect companion for every part of my creative process.

What are you most excited to see as your collection makes its way into the world and into the hands of makers?
The most exciting part of seeing my collection reach quilters and makers is witnessing how others bring my designs to life in their own creative ways. I can’t wait to watch other makers interpret my designs, combining them with their own stories, color choices, and techniques. The most thrilling part is not seeing my fabrics on shelves, it’s seeing them transformed by someone else’s hands, becoming a part of their story. That’s when my designs truly come alive.

Looking ahead, what’s next for you? Will we see you at QuiltCon or other shows in the coming year?
I will be attending QuiltCon 2026 in Raleigh! I have been attending QuiltCon for the past 4 years and I cannot wait to attend again in the coming year.

You have an interview scheduled with the International Quilt Museum on Wednesday, November 19th. Where can readers go to view that interview? 
Yes, I will be interviewing as part of the International Quilt Museums Textile Talks series, scheduled for Wednesday, November 29th at 2 pm EST. You can register and view the talk via the museum’s website here.

For other young makers who might dream of designing fabric or collaborating with a brand someday, what advice would you give them?
Always take on a challenge and always be eager to learn new things. Don’t wait until you feel “perfect: to start. Try new techniques even if you are still learning. Ask for critique and use feedback to grow.

Let’s end with a few quick questions— the Lightning Round!
Go-to snack while sewing? Sweet Tart Ropes, or Cheeze-its.
Favorite color (today)? Pink
One word that describes your creative style? Bold
Dream project you’d love to tackle someday? Foundation Paper Piecing Portrait
Song that’s always on your creative playlist? Coming in Hot by Andy Mineo, Lecrae

---

HUGE thanks to Genesis for chatting with us! We are so excited about this partnership!