We’re thrilled to welcome designer Amy Latta (Amy Latta Creations) to the Aurifil family as she makes her Aurifil debut with a thread set inspired by her newest collection with Andover Fabrics, Oh Say Can You Sew. Known for her expressive illustration style, hand-lettering, and thoughtful design work, Amy brings a vibrant creative voice to everything she touches— and we’re delighted to partner with her in this exciting new way.
Oh Say Can You Sew is rich with modern patriotic spirit, featuring bold stripes, scattered stars, poppies, and daisies in a beautifully balanced range of red, white, and blue hues. Timed to coincide with the beginning of our country’s 250th celebration, the collection offers a fresh take— inviting creativity to lead the way.
To complement her fabrics, Amy curated a coordinating Aurifil thread set featuring seven small spools of our 100% Cotton 50wt— her first with Aurifil and everything makers need to dive into their next project. Designed for piecing, quilting, and embellishment, this thread set extends the story of Oh Say Can You Sew, giving makers the tools to bring their own ideas to life in thread and fabric.
Join us as we sit down with Amy to learn more about her creative journey, the inspiration behind Oh Say Can You Sew, and what it’s been like creating her very first Aurifil thread set.
For those who are just discovering your work, can you take us back to the beginning? How did you first find your way into this creative industry?
While I’ve always loved all types of art and crafts, I didn’t begin my career in the creative industry until 2009, when I was a young first-time mom. My first job out of college was actually teaching middle and high school English in the public school system, then after 4 years in the classroom, I became a professional ballroom and Latin dancer, which is a very fun story for another day. Although I loved being a dance instructor, when my son, Noah, was born, I realized that the demanding evening schedule wasn’t ideal for our family, so I stopped working outside the home. When Noah was two years old, we were crafting together all the time, and I stumbled across a craft blog written by an art teacher. It had all kinds of fun ideas, and it inspired me to want to share some of the things that we were doing in a similar way. I started a very simple blog called One Artsy Mama, where I began sharing projects in the hopes of helping other moms connect and create with their kids. A few months later, I was contacted by a sponsor who wanted to provide us with craft supplies in exchange for a blog post. Other partnerships, eventually paid ones, came along and before I knew it, my little hobby had turned into a business. If you had told me at the time that it would lead to book deals and fabric design, I would never have believed you, but one thing led to the next, and here we are!
Who or what were your earliest creative influences, and how did they shape the artist you are today?
Some of my earliest memories center around crafting and creating with my mom, Sherl. She used to make all kinds of things to sell at local craft shows, and as soon as I was old enough to help, I wanted to learn everything. My mom taught me to sew, to make beaded jewelry, and to create easy home decor projects. We spent many happy hours crafting together when I was growing up. As a result, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love expressing my creativity. Because of my mother’s enthusiasm and willingness to try new things, I’ve never been afraid to try any type of crafting, which has led me to have a variety of creative passions from doodling to making quilt patterns. It was the most wonderful full circle moment for me when I learned how to quilt several years ago and was then able to teach that skill to my mom.
Your background is rooted in illustration and hand-lettering— what first drew you to that medium, and what do you love most about working by hand?
If you were to flip through my notebooks from first grade through college, or look at my grocery list, you’d find that I can never resist doodling in an empty spot. In fact, one of my professors once saw a sketch I had done of him in the margins of my notebook and hung it on his office door. Drawing little sketches, making caricatures of people, and playing around with different kinds of handwriting has always been fun for me. So, when the “modern calligraphy”/hand lettering trend came out around 2017, I was immediately hooked. I saw this gorgeous script style popping up everywhere; a combination of thick and thin lines that was kind of like cursive and kind of like calligraphy. I immediately wanted to learn how to do it myself, and as I did, I started sharing about it with my blog readers. There’s something so relaxing for me about putting pen to paper and seeing what happens. I also love the imperfection of working by hand, as crazy as that may sound. In a world where so many things are created by machines, the imperfection is a reminder that something is handmade by an actual person with thoughts, feelings, and inspiration. It feels personal, and somehow more real than something that’s been digitally designed.
How did that illustrative, lettering-focused practice evolve into fabric design? Was there a defining moment when textiles really clicked for you?
For me, fabric design is the perfect marriage of my two biggest creative passions: drawing/lettering and quilting. My introduction to the quilting world came when a large quilt company asked me to partner with them and create video content teaching quilters to create hand lettered quilt labels with permanent fabric markers. In exchange for sharing my lettering skills with them, they taught me the basics of quilting, and I fell in love. As I began searching for the perfect fabrics for my quilt projects, I started to dream of having fabrics that featured my own designs. I envisioned cheerful florals in a whimsical style, lettered phrases, and collections that celebrated different seasons. After meeting the folks from Andover Fabrics at a quilting event, I decided to take the plunge and reach out to them about the possibility of working together. I came up with the concept and images for my first collection, Bloom and Sew, which features florals and spools of thread, and they liked it enough to solidify a partnership. It really is a dream come true for me, not just to be able to use my own fabrics for my personal creations, but to put them out there in the world so that others can use them too!
What feels most exciting or surprising about seeing your artwork translated onto fabric and used in quilts and sewn projects
There’s something really magical about seeing my art transformed into the texture and repeated surface pattern of fabric. I design it as an 8×8 square, then the team at Andover sends me small printed paper samples, which are always exciting to see, but when the actual fabric samples arrive, they always take my breath away. By far, though, the most exciting part is seeing projects that have been made by other people using my fabrics. Every maker has his or her own unique style, and it’s incredibly fun to see how each person combines the fabrics and uses them to create a beautiful finished project. Whether it’s a bag, a pillow, a table runner, or a full quilt, each time I see project photos, it’s such a thrill. I love the fact that the designs I create are just the first step in a whole process that then inspires others to make something they love.
When you approach fabric design, what are your goals? What do you hope makers feel, express, or experience when they sew with your collections?
When I design fabric, my goal is to come up with a collection that feels fresh and unique – something cheerful that inspires makers to pick it up off the shelf and create. I try to think about what types of fabrics I’ve looked for and not been able to find, so that my fabric meets a need. I also keep makers of all skill levels in mind. That’s why my first collection contains a panel filled with easy projects, and one of my upcoming lines will have a “cheater print.” I want make it accessible for everyone to use my fabrics and feel successful.
Oh Say Can You Sew is rich with symbolism and heart. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this collection and what it represents for you personally?
Since 2025 is America’s 250th birthday, I thought it was fitting to create a patriotic-themed collection. I personally love to decorate my home for every season, using handmade pillows, runners, quilts, and more to add a festive touch. This collection will allow me, and everyone else who enjoys doing the same, to bring a touch of Americana into our homes for this special “Semiquincentennial” celebration.
The prints feature stripes, stars, poppies, and hand-lettered phrases— can you share what each of these motifs signifies and how they came together to tell a unified story?
Choosing the motifs for this collection was the easiest part of designing it, because they came to mind immediately. The stars and stripes, of course, are a nod to the American flag, just in a slightly non-traditional way. I purposely drew whimsical stars with some points longer than others, and stripes that are slightly rough along the edges, because I’m not trying to replicate the flag, just honor it. I knew I wanted to incorporate lettering into the mix, and it was the perfect chance to showcase well-known patriotic phrases and song lyrics. Finally, the poppies have a special role, as they honor the brave men and women who have served in our country’s armed forces. This symbol has long been used to signify veterans, and specifically those who sacrificed their lives while fighting for our freedom. In addition to celebrating America with this collection, I wanted to celebrate those who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
How did you work through the red, white, and blue palette to keep it feeling modern, balanced, and meaningful rather than traditional or expected?
Sometimes, patriotic color schemes can feel limited with just the traditional red, white and blue, so I wanted to expand it a little and give creators more options to play with while still keeping the Americana vibe. Instead of sticking to the expected shade of blue, I also incorporated a light, sky blue and a darker navy, which really opens things up and gives the palette some depth. For the reds, I brought in a lighter shade in the poppy buds and a darker shade for the outlines to round things out. In addition, while none of the fabrics themselves are green, I used green leaves in some of the prints to break up the typical red, white, and blue palette with a bit of unexpected color.
Are there particular prints or color combinations in the collection that feel especially personal to you?
While I love all of the prints in the collection, I’d have to say that my favorite is Home of the Brave. It’s the original pattern I created to build the rest of the collection around, and it’s my love note to the brave men and women of our armed forces. It features large poppies, smaller poppy buds, and stars, as well as daisies. Daisies are my mom’s favorite flower, and I try to incorporate daisies into my collections when I can as a special little gift to her.
Why was it important to you to create a coordinating Aurifil thread set alongside this fabric collection, rather than letting the fabrics stand alone?
When I first started quilting, I used white thread for every part of my projects. From piecing to quilting and binding, I stuck with the basics, knowing white would coordinate with everything and that I wouldn’t have to change the thread in my machine. However, the more projects I’ve made, the more I’ve found that having coordinating thread really takes a project to the next level. It is well worth the time and effort to rethread the machine, and it gives my projects a much more professional appearance. I wanted to offer that same opportunity to others who will be sewing with “Oh Say Can You Sew,” to have a carefully curated collection of coordinating thread to help make their creations even more fabulous. I also have a lot of beginners who follow my patterns, and I knew that creating a specific collection they can purchase would make the process that much easier. Now, they don’t have to try to match thread on their own, they can just grab the collection and know that the fabrics and the threads are ready to work together perfectly!
How do you see the 7-spool Cotton 50wt thread set extending or enhancing the story of Oh Say Can You Sew?
As I referenced earlier, part of the heart behind this collection is honoring American soldiers. Although my job isn’t to tell anyone what to make with my fabrics and this thread collection, it is my hope that at least a few makers will decide to use them together to create Quilts of Valor. Quilts of Valor are handmade quilts that have been created and donated by volunteers, then awarded to U.S. service members and veterans who have been touched by war, providing them with comfort and healing. The initiative, started in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, honors their service and sacrifice through these quilts, which are often presented in special ceremonies. The quilts must be made in patriotic colors and be within a certain size range, ideally around 60”x 80”. Quilters can complete and donate an entire finished quilt, or can send a pieced quilt top along with backing to volunteers of the “LongArmy,” to be quilted free of charge. I believe that handmade quilts can make a meaningful impact and would consider it an honor for my fabrics, along with the coordinating thread, to be used in such a special way. For more information about this program, check out qovf.org.
How do you personally use Cotton 50wt threads with your fabrics— for piecing, quilting, or embellishment— and why does that weight work so well for your style?
I use Cotton 50wt thread for all of the above! It’s such a versatile weight, because it works really well for every stage of quilting. For piecing, I love that it helps me get really crisp and flat seams, which makes a big difference in how the finished project looks. Then, it’s strong enough for quilting through multiple layers, including batting, and creating a design with a beautiful, smooth texture.
How do you hope makers will use the fabrics and threads together when creating their own projects?
Of course, I envision quilters using complementary thread to do their quilting, whether by hand, on their machine, or on a longarm. Stitching the binding with these colored threads will also make the finish almost invisible. Another thing I love to do is applique. I’ve made two embellished denim jackets using this collection, as well as a pillow that features a dresden plate, and using matching colors for stitching around the edges of the applique is a must!
This is your first time working with Aurifil— what stood out to you when you began sewing with our threads?
Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I grew up doing basic sewing and using a very basic multi-purpose thread from the craft store. I couldn’t imagine how one thread would differ that much from another, but I was wrong. Immediately, I felt like my machine felt and sounded different than it normally did… almost like it was singing! That probably sounds silly, but it’s true. I couldn’t believe how smooth the texture was, and I noticed a significant difference in quality. This thread didn’t break easily like my previous thread did, and it has far less lint, keeping my machine much cleaner.
In what ways did working with Aurifil Cotton 50wt feel different from threads you’ve used in the past?
Aurifil thread is smoother, silkier, and stronger than my previous thread. I also love how easy it is to find the end and get started – no pulling and tugging at a tiny little end that’s tucked into an impossible slit. The way it unwinds from the top of the spool works perfectly with my machine’s spool pin. Finally, it is virtually lint-free!
What do you love most about 50wt cotton, and do you have any tips or encouragement for makers who may be new to it?
My favorite thing about 50wt cotton is its versatility. I can use the same thread for every stage of my quilting projects and get high quality results. Whether I’m piecing, quilting, or binding, this thread is strong enough and smooth enough to give me a professional looking finish. I would encourage anyone to try it and see for themselves what a difference it makes in the quality of their projects.
Where can our community find you this year— events, shows, or online spaces where they can connect with your work?
This year will be a really exciting one for me professionally, and I have some things in the works that aren’t even ready to be announced yet. However, I can share that in late January, I will be part of a Quilting Cruise with Stitchin’ Heaven, where I’ll be selling and signing my book, Quilting for Everyone. In early May, I’ll be in Chicago for the h+h show, where I’ll have a display of my newest upcoming fabric collections. As always, I’ll be at the Missouri Star Quilt Company Birthday Bash in September, sharing projects and celebrating! Then, in October, I am teaching at my first “Sew Fashionable” Quilting Retreat at the Hamilton Retreat Center in Hamilton, MO. We’ll be creating a variety of wearable projects, and you can get more information and sign up to participate here: https://www.hotel-hamilton.com/product-page/sew-fashionable-retreat-w-amy-latta
What’s next for you creatively, and what are you most excited to explore moving forward in fabric and design?
In terms of fabric, I have the Harvest Home collection shipping to stores in April of 2026, and my newest line will be debuting soon in the next Andover catalog. I hope to continue challenging myself to create meaningful collections that inspire makers to create projects for all seasons and occasions. I am also hoping to learn, then teach, more new quilting techniques and to have the opportunity to do more trunk shows and hands-on workshops at quilt stores across the country. My favorite thing is connecting one-on-one with fellow creators and I hope to do much more of that in the coming year.
