In this month’s Designer Spotlight, I’m thrilled to introduce Amber, the creative force behind Alderwood Studio. Amber’s journey feels particularly close to my heart—we both come from numbers-based careers, with a background in music, and launched our quilting businesses when our kids were still little. Amber’s story is an inspiring blend of passion and precision, evolving from her role as a software engineer into a full-time quilt and fabric designer. Let’s dive into Amber’s world of design, color, and creativity!
Personal Background
Amber, 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?
I’m a quilt pattern designer, teacher, and fabric designer. I started Alderwood Studio when my first child was a baby, and quit my job as a software engineer a couple of years to take Alderwood Studio full time! I live in the Pacific northwest with my family.
Quilting Journey
When and how did you start quilting? What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?
I’ve been a bit of a craft hopper all my life, and started sewing when I was a child. I loved making costumes and clothing, and made my first quilt as a teenager. It was terrible, but I still have it!
Pattern Designing
What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns? How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?
I almost always designed my own quilts as I made through throughout the years, and a fellow quilter saw one of my quilts and said I should write a pattern for it. I decided to give it a try, and loved the process! I go through bursts of creativity where I sit down with my design tools and whip out tons of pattern ideas, and then spend the next several months refining them and bringing them to life.
Style and Aesthetics
How would you define your pattern style? Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?
I consider myself a very modern pattern designer, and I tend to design quilts that aren’t block based (though many still are). I draw a lot of inspiration from nature, and love the process of taking organic, natural shapes and concepts and translating them to a more graphic form.
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?
I really enjoy ombre color palettes, and you can see that in most of my designs. I love green, and use it a lot in my quilts!
Business Activities
Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business?
(Membership, notions, courses, etc)
I run the Modern Makes Membership, which is such a fun skill building group! I also teach the Pattern Writing Academy every year, which is one of my favorite things to do as I’ve learned so much about pattern writing over the years and am excited to pass that knowledge along.
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?
My website is alderwood-studio.com, and you can find me on Instagram at @alderwoodstudio.
Upcoming Projects
Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you’re working on? Any exciting collaborations or events?
I have a pattern coming up next month that I’m super excited about – think more mountains, stars, and Greek mythology! I’m also very excited to release my next couple of fabric collections with Riley Blake Designs.
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?
I love how people can so easily try out different fabric combinations with QuiltInk. Fabric and color selection can be so tricky, and there’s nothing worse than starting a quilt with fabrics that just don’t work together. QuiltInk is such a great tool to make sure that you’re 100% happy with the quilts you make!