Personal Background

Julia, as we dive into your story, could you provide a snapshot of who you are and take us on the journey that led you to where you are today?

My name is Julia Wachs and I moved to Madrid, Spain this summer from Seattle, Washington. I was an aerospace engineer for over 10 years but have been focused on getting settled in Spain and quilting since March 2025. In Madrid, I plan to do quilting full time!

 

Quilting Journey

When and how did you start quilting? What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?

I got my start in quilting in 2014 after finding that I needed a tactile hobby after sitting behind a computer all day at my first job out of college. My first quilt was simple squares, but my second quilt was a self-designed queen sized quilt with a houndstooth pattern. I love how creatively inspired I am when designing a new quilt pattern.

 

Pattern Designing

What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns? How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?

I started designing my own quilt patterns in earnest during the height of the pandemic as a creative escape. I like to use a pencil and paper for sketching my ideas before transitioning to various computer programs to iterate on them. 

 

Style and Aesthetics

How would you define your pattern style? Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?

The majority of my quilt patterns have either foundation paper piecing or applique, with my row of the month patterns including both. My current style is bold, geometric, and botanical patterns that evoke a distinctive design feeling. I am drawn to saturated solids that enhance the geometric aspects of my quilt designs.

 

Color

How does color play a role in your pattern designing? Do you have a favorite color? Are there certain color combinations you find particularly appealing?

Color absolutely plays a giant role in my pattern designing. I like to play with value and to create interesting effects using different shades of colors. I always seem to incorporate a teal and a yellow into my quilts. 

 

Business Activities

Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business?

(Membership, notions, courses, etc)

My block of the month programs are integral to my business and I absolutely love designing them. In the near future, I plan to offer more courses and live classes!

 

Online Presence

Where can people find your work online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces). How do you use online platforms to connect with your audience and fellow quilters?

www.juliawachs.com, Instagram @juliawachs.designs, YouTube @JuliaWachsDesigns, Bluesky @juliawachsdesigns, TikTok @juliawachs.designs

 

Upcoming Projects

Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you’re working on? Any exciting collaborations or events?

I am currently designing a new FPP pattern for early 2026, plus a new sampler and a new 2027 BOM! I love collaborating with other designers and am hoping to organize one in the near future.

 

Additionally, I will be releasing an FPP 101 course in early 2026. I am also in the process of scripting a FPP Design course that will teach quilters how to design their own FPP quilts using different types of software applications.

 

QuiltInk Experience

How has QuiltInk contributed to your quilt pattern design business? Could you share your experience with the platform and how it has influenced your creative process and connected you with fellow quilters?

QuiltInk has allowed me to provide my customers with a convenient and fun way to test out fabric options with my designs. The private room feature has been a big help when collaborating with shops to create custom kits. I absolutely love browsing the wall and seeing my quilt patterns colored with beautiful color combinations I never would have thought up myself!

It’s so thrilling to see people recolouring your design and hopefully, making it one day! 

Personal Background

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?  (location, age, educational background, …) Who is behind The Grey Finch Company?

I am Lori, the owner of The Grey Finch Company, and I live beside a lake slightly north of Spartanburg, SC. I was a CPA for over 20 years, and in 2020, wanting a more creative job working with people, I decided to make a career change. So, I started The Grey Finch Company, an online fabric shop. I was very excited to work with the beautiful fabrics and have thoroughly enjoyed working with makers! I am also a wife, mom, and grandma. I have three adult children and three grandchildren.

 

Quilting Journey

How did you first get into quilting? When did you decide to turn this passion into a business by opening your shop?

I had wanted to sew and quilt for many years, but I had always been busy with three children who were very active in sports. So, after my youngest went to college in 2018, I took a quilting class and made a small lap quilt. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I found it difficult to find fabric because of the high sales level. That along with a concern for the wellbeing of others during that time made me decide to open my own shop. Fabric is more than just fabric. It increases creativity, empowers others, celebrates and honors others, lifts moods, eases anxiety and depression (art therapy), and supplies small businesses, as well as providing warmth and clothing. The feedback from my customers has been so rewarding!

 

Shop Story and Style  

What’s the story behind The Grey Finch Company? When did it start, and how would you describe its personality, style, and size?

My fabric shop, a small to mid size shop, began in 2020, and I named it The Grey Finch Company because the grey finch is a symbol for “joy is coming” in some cultures. I wanted to bring joy to others with the fabric. I would describe its style as “there’s something beautiful for everyone”. I see something beautiful in every style, so our shop has always provided modern and traditional as well as dark, dusty and bright colors from a variety of manufacturers. I also love introducing new substrates in our shop. The newest substrate is 100% silk from Liberty of London. 

 

Product Offerings  

What types of fabrics do you focus on? How do you offer them to customers—by the yard, as kits, or with custom options?

The main focus is 100% quilting cotton and tana lawn. The shop also has wovens, canvas, and 100% silk and offers yardage, bundles and kits. Custom bundles or kits can be requested by messaging me in Etsy or by email.

 

Special Collections and Products  

Are there any collections, brands, or unique products you’re especially proud to carry?

All of our manufacturers are top notch and include mainly Liberty of London, Tilda, Ruby Star Society, Moda, and AGF. 

Inspiration and Trends  

Are there any collections, brands, or unique products you’re especially proud to carry?

When selecting fabric, quality is most important to me. Then, I look for collections that just strike me as being especially beautiful or creative while trying to keep a good variety in my shop. I do really love nature, so we always have fabrics featuring flowers, birds, etc. 

 

Additional Services 

Do you offer any other quilting-related services, like pattern design, long-arming, or classes?  

Not at this time; Although we don’t offer pattern design, we have about 100 patterns in stock to provide project ideas to clients and for future potential kits.

  

Online Presence

Where can people find your shop online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces). How do you use online platforms to connect with your audience and fellow quilters?

The shop can be found on Etsy at thegreyfinchcompany or on its own website at www.thegreyfinchcompany.com. It is also in Facebook as The Grey Finch Company and on Instagram @thegreyfinchcompany. Messages are answered quickly from those sites, and social media sites are used to communicate new sales and products.

 

Upcoming News and Projects  

Are there any exciting new projects, events, or collaborations coming up that you’d like to share with the community

The shop will have a very exciting collection coming from Liberty of London this month (November)! I wish that I could tell more, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy!! 

 

QuiltInk Experience

How has QuiltInk been useful for your shop or customers? Any favorite tools or ways it’s made things easier?

Quilt Ink has been a lifesaver for my shop. As a small business, I can’t create a lot of samples, so Quilt Ink provides a tool to give a visual image of a finished quilt for kits that are offered. It also allows me to provide finished quilt images to customers requesting a custom quilt kit.

I love that Quilt Ink allows users to publicly share and save their mock ups on the site. Not only does that provide ideas to other makers, but it also gives me an idea of what other shops might be providing as kits so that I don’t duplicate their ideas in my shop.