Designer Tidbits: Joanna Figueroa


The Fat Quarter Shop is excited to welcome the darling Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts to the Jolly Jabber. Joanna’s latest fabric collection is California Girl from Moda Fabrics.




Q: What was the first seed that grew into the California Girl collection?
A: California Girl is my version of a summer afternoon at the beach. It makes me think of old-fashioned bathing suits, striped umbrellas, kids playing in the sand, floppy sunhats and summer dresses in the breeze. It’s one of those images that is firmly planted in my head... maybe it’s from a movie. Pretty sure it’s not from my life but I would have loved to live in that 50’s beach era, wouldn’t you?!




Q: If your collection had a soundtrack what would be on the list?
A: Definitely any of the Beach Boys songs! Surfer Girl, Good Vibrations or California Girls comes to mind. As someone who grew up in Southern California, I love all of those songs and they take me back to Saturdays at the beach and the pier!

Q: What single print/SKU in the collection is your favorite?
A: I have a running joke with myself that my personal favorite SKU will never be one of the most popular for everybody else. It usually pans out to be true but not always. My favorite print in this group is the little grey blueberry.




Q: What is your favorite project you have made using this collection?
A: Favorite project suggestion: This line has been so much fun to work with from back when we debuted at Market last Fall, and again this Spring as we have been getting ready for its release. I’m having a hard time picking a favorite project.

The mice [3 Blind Mice] were so much fun to make and are really popular for us right now! They’re a great project to do with your kids or grandkids but also just a great project to make for your sewing room. Better yet... Make 3 and go with our whole “3 Blind Mice” thing!




In terms of quilts, my favorite by far this time around is the Star Blooms pattern in either size! Something about those giant oversized simple blocks just speaks to me right now! Thinking of doing it in a 2-color combination if we have time in the upcoming months!




Q: If this collection had a scent to it, what would it be?
A: That tropical, coconut scented suntan oil. You know the one that you smell & it just makes you think of summer?




Q: Can you give us a sneak-peek of your next fabric collection?
A: So far the only sneak peak is here. But I promise I’ll be showing more in the coming months

Q: If you had a mascot, what animal would it be?
A: It wouldn't be an animal I don’t think. It would have to be a fig. Maybe a dancing fig! In fact, I think I already have that mascot :-). His name is Eric and he is my husband! I sure hope he doesn’t read this anytime soon. Actually he doesn’t do much dancing at all so I guess he would make a boring mascot. So scratch that, it would have to be one of my sons! The middle one has the personality for it, so I guess we will give him the job if the situation were ever to arise!

Q: Who is your favorite celebrity?
A: I am a little bit infatuated with Adele right now. I listen to her 21 album nonstop in the studio and we belt out her songs in the car on the way to wherever we are going. All three kids know most of the lyrics by heart and my youngest daughter lives and breathes her music at the moment. Let’s just say that it is a lot of Adele all the time around here right now!




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