Personal Background
Becca, 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?
Hi there! I’m Becca Plymale, a fabric and quilt pattern designer living in the beautiful Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida. I’m in my 40s, and while my formal education isn’t in textiles or design, my heart has always belonged to the creative world. I’ve explored everything from sewing clothing to hand embroidery and, of course, quilting. I run my own business, Becca Plymale Creative, where I get to share my love for fabric, patterns, and design with others who have that same creative spark!
My journey has been a bit of an adventure, as you might expect with a military family. We moved around quite a bit during my husband’s years of service, which gave me the chance to experience so many wonderful places and cultures. But when he retired, we knew it was time to find a place to settle down and truly call home. We both love being by the water, so coming back to Florida’s Emerald Coast was like coming full circle. There’s something about the beaches, the warm breeze, and that incredible green-blue water that just feels like home.
Quilting Journey
When and how did you start quilting?
Quilting and I actually had a bit of a love/hate relationship at first! I started when I wanted a special baby quilt to match my son’s nursery, but honestly, I was way more passionate about sewing clothes at the time. After finishing his quilt, I didn’t touch quilting again for quite a while. But everything changed during one of my husband’s deployments. That Christmas, I wanted to give the kids something truly meaningful to help them feel closer to him, so I decided to make them each a quilt. That’s when quilting became more than just sewing; it became a way of telling stories and sharing love. My daughter eventually grew out of the children’s sizing chart, which made me shift even more into quilting. And that’s when I finally fell hard for the whole quilting process – the colors, the patterns, the possibilities!
What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?
Honestly, quilting has this magical ability to bring all the things I love into one beautiful, creative space. It’s like painting or storytelling but with fabric. What drew me in – especially during that first quilt for my kids – was that it felt like I was creating something that would last. Each quilt tells a story, and I get to decide what memories, colors, and feelings it holds. It’s like piecing together little bits of my life and my heart.
Pattern Designing
What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns?
Oh, I love this question! My journey into quilt design really started with a deep love for storytelling through fabric. There’s just something magical about piecing together shapes and colors to create something unique and meaningful.
How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?
I start every design with a story or a vision in mind. I think about what I want the finished quilt to ‘say’ or how I want it to feel. For instance, when I designed the Turquoise Trail Quilt, I drew on memories of scenic drives along the actual trail, with its breathtaking views. Once I have that inspiration, I start sketching. It’s like a mix of trial and error, intuition, and excitement! I play with colors, shapes, and blocks, testing different arrangements until something just clicks. It’s a lot like piecing together a puzzle – but one I get to invent from scratch.
Style and Aesthetics
How would you define your pattern style?
I’d describe my quilt pattern style as modern with a timeless twist. I love creating designs that feel fresh and current, but I also want them to stand the test of time – something you could make today and still love years from now. My patterns often begin with a vision that complements one of my fabric collections, yet I always design with versatility in mind. My hope is that anyone can pick up one of my patterns and make it their own, whether they’re using bold prints, subtle solids, or anything in between!
Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?
I tend to use Half Square Triangles (HSTs) and Flying Geese quite a bit in my patterns – they’re some of my favorite building blocks because they offer so much versatility and impact. I like my quilt patterns to be approachable for beginners, so anyone can dive in and create something beautiful, but I also love adding a few techniques that gently push you to expand your quilting skills.
Color
How does color play a role in your pattern designing?
Color is such a huge part of my design process! It’s often where my inspiration starts – I love experimenting with colors that capture a mood or tell a story.
Do you have a favorite color?
Yes, hands down – teal and turquoise! They remind me of the ocean, and open skies.Those shades just feel like home to me, and I find myself reaching for them again and again in my designs.
Are there certain color combinations you find particularly appealing?
I can never get enough of blues with coral and yellow. There’s something about that mix that just feels so balanced – like sunshine and the sea all wrapped into one. It’s a combination that feels joyful and versatile, and it works beautifully across so many different types of quilts!
Business Activities
Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business?
(Membership, notions, courses, etc)
My quilting business is wonderfully multifaceted! Besides quilt patterns, I also design fabric for Art Gallery Fabrics and my first collection, Land of Enchantment collection is available in shops now!
On top of that, I run another business, Sunflower Seams Pattern Co., which focuses on children’s sewing patterns and hand embroidery patterns. So, from fabric and quilts to clothing and embroidery, my business is all about creating beautiful things people can make, wear, or display with pride!”
Online Presence
Where can people find your work online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces).
You can find my shop at beccaplymalecreative.com, where I offer all of my quilt patterns in both paper and PDF formats. It’s the best place to see everything I have available, from new releases to beloved classics!
I’m also active on Instagram at @becca.plymale.creative. I absolutely love seeing how others bring my patterns and fabric collections to life, so if you create something with my work, please share it! You can use the hashtags #beccaplymalecreative, #bpcpatterns, and #agflandofenchantment. It’s such a joy to celebrate and connect with fellow makers – I can’t wait to see what you create!
How do you use online platforms to connect with your audience and fellow quilters?
Instagram is my main space for sharing what I’m working on – whether it’s sneak peeks of new patterns, tips and tricks, or glimpses of my fabric collections like Land of Enchantment. I love using it to connect with fellow quilters and sewing enthusiasts, and to share tutorials, inspiration, and even behind-the-scenes moments from my studio. It’s all about building a creative community, where we can encourage each other and celebrate our projects together.
I also have a blog where I dive deeper into techniques, share tester stories, and provide free patterns or projects. And then there’s Pinterest, where I reach people who are looking for fresh, modern quilting ideas.
Upcoming Projects
Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you’re working on?
I’m so excited about what’s coming up! I have a few quilt patterns set to release in the spring of 2025, and they’re designed to pair beautifully with my next fabric collection, Love Letters.
Any exciting collaborations or events?
There are some really fun collaborations on the horizon, too! While they’re still in the ‘top secret’ stage, I can say they’ll bring even more creative inspiration and resources for the quilting community. I love working with other creatives to bring something new and exciting to my followers, and I can’t wait to share more soon. Keep an eye out – there are definitely a few surprises in store!
QuiltInk Experience
How has QuiltInk contributed to your quilt pattern design business?
QuiltInk has been such a helpful tool in my design process! It’s a platform that makes it incredibly easy to play with colors and visualize different combinations on a quilt top, which has been a game-changer. Instead of spending hours reworking colors manually, I can try out different palettes quickly and see how they’ll look in my designs.
Could you share your experience with the platform and how it has influenced your creative process and connected you with fellow quilters?
I love that QuiltInk makes the creative process so interactive! It allows me to experiment freely with color schemes, and I can share different variations with my audience, which sparks so much engagement and excitement from fellow quilters. It also creates a fun way for my followers to get involved; they can visualize their own fabric choices on my patterns, making the experience more personal for them.
