Sonoma by Franchelle Contreras

Today on the Jolly Jabber we have a very new guest!  We carried her first quilting fabric line ever about a year ago, South Hampton, and now we currently have her second line, Sonoma!  Since she's still a newbie... besides just the usual line introduction I think it's time we also give her a proper Hello! and see how she came about into our lives... so here she is, the lovely Franchelle Contreras


How I Got Here to The Quilting World

I live in beautiful Northern California; there is so much goodness in where I reside; luscious grape vineyards, rolling hills, beautiful landscapes, old scenic missions, agriculture in abundance from sweet fruits to organic vegetables. Its sweet goodness is truly endless. I adore the area in which we live, because the sun, sea, and nature are so important to me.

I love traveling, taking pictures to create beautiful memories of the areas we visit within each State, which in turn inspires my collections. I really enjoy staying at Victorian Bed and Breakfast Inns, because of the heritage, décor, the personal attention one receives while visiting. I always walk away renewed within and ready to start the next fabric collection.

Currently, I am involved in the Art Licensing industry, working with wholesale product manufacturers, mainly in the children’s market. In 2008, I joined Henry Glass & Co., New York and started working with the Company as a Fabric Designer. For me, designing for the fabric industry has always been at the forefront. Although, I had to learn the industry before I jumped in with both feet. I have exhibited at the Surtex Show in New York for the last 5 years. My goal is to cross-over to exhibit at the International Quilt Market trade shows.

The thing I enjoy most about fabrics is researching how and where the textile industry first originated, how it has evolved from year to year, and where the market is currently headed. I do sew, although to be honest, I do not craft nor design quilts. I am very blessed in that Henry Glass & Co. designs each quilt and sewing patterns for all fabric collections, which allows more time to draw, and draw, and draw some more… Although, I do sew projects with the current fabric collections designed for Henry Glass & Co.





All about Sonoma

The Sonoma collection came about by drawing artwork for each surface pattern and choosing the color palette. Once, the color palette was stored in my head, I started thinking about the wine country and all the beauty within the area. Harriet, my Art Director for Henry Glass, started to brainstorm on the name for the collection. Finally, Harriet presented the name “Sonoma”, which fits perfectly for the fabric collection, because of the color palette, the designs within each surface pattern, and the area in which we live. If anyone has stayed in a Bed and Breakfast Inn around the Sonoma area, most of the Inns decorate with luscious vintage rose patterns for the décor of the home, which makes “Sonoma” the perfect name for the fabric collection.

So, in a nutshell, the inspiration for the Sonoma collection would be the beautiful wineries, luscious grape vineyards, Bed and Breakfast Inns, rolling hills, nature, flowers, flowing grass in the wind, and butterflies. The beautiful area all rolled into one beautiful collection of fabrics.

My vision for Sonoma is very clear. It’s not about me; it’s about the Quilt Shop owners and the Consumers. I want everyone to enjoy each collection that is designed by me and personally for them. I love to see how Consumers use the fabric and learn what their goals are for each fabric collection. Hopefully, Sonoma will be used for home décor and girly girl toddler clothing.





Right now, I am working on a new line of sewing patterns to go along with each fabric collection. To have sewing patterns would be another dream come true.  I’m also working on my third fabric collection, which will be a line of trendy surface patterns that can be used for a variety of projects; quilts, home décor, and children’s clothing.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be a Guest Designer on the Fat Quarter Shop’s Jolly Jabber.

- Franchelle Contreras

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