My “Threaded Pear Studio” business partner, Stephanie, and I attended Pacific International Quilt Festival  last month, in Northern California.

We can a got chance to hang out with some incredible talents in the quilting industry including Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts—this was her home turf and she had a booth set up promoting her patterns and fabric lines. Both of us have been fans of Fig Tree’s “fresh vintage” style. We caught up with Joanna again when we attended Quilt Market a few weeks ago.

Stephanie is guest writing for Quilter’s Buzz and here is her “designer profile” of Joanna:

“I can honestly say that Pacific International Quilt Festival was an enlightening experience. Not just because of the work I did in our booth (We were demonstrating the Gammill Statler Stitcher long-arm quilting machine for our local Gammill dealer, Cranberry Quiltworks.), but because I had the opportunity to talk with Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts.

Gina and I not only visited her booth a number of times, but she even came to see us and the quilt we designed with her fabric line Cornucopia from Moda.

After PIQF, I e-mailed Joanna some questions I had for her and wanted to share them with you!

Having been involved in different art projects, Joanna found quilting to be the perfect medium for her. She has been quilting for 12 years, starting in pattern design and then fabric design. Joanna’s new line of fabric, due out Spring 2007, is called Folklorique; this is her 6th line with Moda.

Joanna collaborates with Lisa Quan in designing fabrics for Moda and  she is a regular contributor to the Fig Tree pattern line as well.

I’ve seen it, bought my fat quarter pack at Sample Spree at Quilt Market, and am dreaming up some pattern for them. It has the similar flavor as previous lines, but Joanna describes it as “a little bit crisper, with a wonderful French blue in the mix.” In fact, she has designed a pattern using a Folklorique Jelly Roll. You’re going to love it!

Joanna’s second floor of her house is dedicated to Fig Tree Quilts.

“As my husband often complains, not only do I “own” the entire studio space, but I also “use” at least half of the office space even though he runs all the background operations of the company,” Joanna shares. Areas that are cleaned up, quickly get filled with swatches, design inspiration, fabric, etc. --It’s nice to know she’s like the rest of us!

The biggest challenge Joanna faces is balancing her life as designer and mom. She started her career knowing she could work out of her house, allowing a flexible schedule which is especially important now that she has 3 small children.

It is quite a balancing act, and it would not be possible without a team, one of whom is her husband Eric.

“I could never do it without my husband. We totally share childcare responsibilities, work together on the business and juggle 2 flexible careers. It’s interesting on a good day! Eric runs all the production, website, and product fulfillment.

We share interfacing with the customers, managing the printing and day to day operations. We really enjoy the times when we are able to do the trade shows together. Whenever he can, he works the show floor, usually charming many a quilt store owner in the process!” (I can attest to how charming her husband is!)

After talking with Joanna, I found her to be very inspiring and down to earth! Her advice to aspiring quilters (I think that includes Gina and myself) is to never be afraid to go with your intuition; figure out what it is you want or think and don’t be bothered by what others think!

All this encouragement makes me want to go design and sew (and have my husband share in watching the kids!;-))

Besides producing patterns (Joanna designs patterns and she works with several other designers to produce the 53 different designs to date all under the Fig Tree name!) and creating fabric lines for Moda, Fig Tree also publishes “Fresh Vintage”.

According to Joanna, Fresh Vintage is a quarterly 12-page, full color, card stock booklet that embodies the feel and patterns of Fig Tree Quilts. Click here to find out more about ordering patterns or Fresh Vintage.

The price is the same as our regular patterns ($8.50 retail) and the feel of it is almost like a style magazine. Each issue will continue to be available throughout the course of each year and then retired.

In each quarterly issue we will give you wonderful, vintage-inspired Fig Tree Quilts patterns, designer bios, “fresh vintage” style and decorating ideas, simple & homey recipes and so much more. Consider this your ultimate source to help you achieve that warm, soft, vintage look in your own home. We hope that you come with us on this journey to Fresh Vintage style, says Joanna.

Joanna also teaches classes and workshops and offers trunk shows for shops. Check out the list of events on her website.

Keep Fresh! And Stay Vintage with Fig Tree Quilts.

Keep up the good work Joanna and take care of all of those “little figlets” and the “big guy fig” at the home studio.

P. S. The name Fig Tree Quilts comes from her husband’s childhood nickname, “Fig”.


Stay tuned to QuiltersBuzz... my next post will feature Jackie Cate, another designer who publishes with Fig Tree Quilts...you will love her vintage pincushion patterns!

(Photos and graphics thanks to the "Fig People" at Fig Tree Quilts.)