We are pleased to announce our Brand Ambassadors for 2024! These twelve talented designers will be collaborating with us in the upcoming year to bring you new and exciting ways to use Benartex fabrics. Be sure to watch our social media channels for their projects starting in January 2024.
Belle began quilting in her mid-40s at the onset of the 2020 pandemic and quickly fell in love with the craft. She focuses on confident beginner patterns and techniques that even advanced quilters love to make and believes that all people, of any age, can learn to quilt. Her patterns are a skillful blend of fabrics and techniques, and the results are simply stunning.
A former construction engineer turned designer, Rachelle pursuing her long-time dream of designing quilt patterns. Rachelle’s quilts often include geometric designs using solid fabrics in bright colors on dark backgrounds. After seeing the many projects that Rachelle has created for quilt publications using our fabrics, we became a fan of her work and think that you will as well.
The mother-daughter team – Crystal and teen daughters Brooklynn and Daytonna – thrive when creating together. They enjoy creating quality, easy-to-follow quilt patterns inspired by their Nebraska heritage steeped in handcrafts. From traditional to modern, or vintage with a flair, the gals are always ready to create something new and exciting to share with you!
Kena Tangi Dorsey began quilting over 20 years ago while living in Harlem, NYC. She teaches quilt workshops and lectures that take place in-person, on-demand, as well as online virtual classes. Her artistic style is a blend of contemporary, modern improv, and traditional quilt making. The amazing and unique portrait art quilts that she creates will be a new and exciting way to use our fabrics.
Kaitlin Esche-Lyon is a self-taught fiber artist. Her formal education is in architecture and engineering, along with a studio arts minor was used as a creative outlet during school. Quilting has become her passion, and it is now her full-time job. We were drawn to her exciting use of color and the way she mixes traditional and foundation piecing to create incredible quilts.
Sarah Fulks, the quilter/designer behind SnuggleBugStitching is thoroughly addicted to quilting. She started by selling quilts in 2020 and released her first pattern in 2021. Her work will also be featured in quilt magazines in the coming year. Sarah’s incredible quilting skills and easy to follow quilt alongs and blog tutorials make this industry up-and-comer one to watch.
Meet Amy Lollis, the creative behind Happy Hippie Studio. She enjoys designing traditionally pieced scrappy projects for bold fabrics and finishing with big-stitch quilting, with an emphasis on authenticity over perfection. With her distinctive style and voice paired with a keen eye for interesting fabric combinations, Amy’s projects are sure to delight!
A relative newcomer to the industry, Kari Mathews of Prairie Quilting is a pattern designer and long-arm quilter. She learned to sew at a young age and has been quilting for over 30 years. Applique and curved piecing are some of her favorite techniques. Looking for a traditional design with a light and modern feel? Then you will love Kari’s projects as much as we do!
Jennifer McClanahan is a Pattern Designer, a mother of 3 amazing children, a loving wife, and a grandmother. She grew up surrounded by multiple generations of quilters. She credits her world travels for expanding her creativity and influencing her modern aesthetic and bold style. Jennifer’s skill in finding the most beautiful way to showcase fabric prints makes her work sew special!
Tammy is no different than most quilters, she enjoys working with almost any fabric. But her favorites are batiks, bold prints, and almost any fabric with words on it. She has been quilting since 1991, is a quilt teacher, and designs and self-publishes her own quilt patterns. Her impressive selection of patterns that run the gamut of style and technique along with her teaching experience has us excited for 2024.
With over 23 years of experience as a professional designer and quiltmaker, Linda has touched almost every aspect of the quilting industry! Book Author, Quilt Shop Owner, Pattern Designer – she is intensely passionate about bold bright colors, midcentury modern art, and contemporary pattern design. We are honored to have Linda bring her fearless use of color and incredible expertise to you this year.
Whisman’s passion is creating in the world of textiles is my passion. She has honed her skills over the years, culminating in several quilted items and hundreds of bags. As owner and designer of Be Mandy Things, she makes handcrafted bags to help you be the many things. Join her as she brings her useful projects to life using Benartex fabrics – we can’t wait to see what she creates!