Meet the Designer

HI THERE, I'M FRAN!

I was born and raised in Chile, but call Washington state home. I first learned to quilt while pregnant with my oldest in 2014. However, it wasn't until 2018 when I encountered the modern quilting movement that I was hooked.

Before starting Cotton and Joy, I worked 8 years as a web designer and I originally created this space as a way to share my quilty adventures as a hobbyist.

However, the designer in me couldn't help to dream up my own designs. Soon, I learned how to draft quilt patterns and the rest, as they say, is history.

I love designing quilts and contributing to the long tradition of quilting. My aim is to create a fast-finishes that anyone, from inexperienced beginners to long-time quilters, can enjoy making.

FAST FACTS

  • I have lived in 3 different countries (Chile, US, Germany), and 3 different states (MI, WA, TX) for a total of 14 homes.
  • I am University of Washington Husky twice over with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Master in Library and Information Sciences.
  • My favorite authors include Jodi Picoult, Sarah J. Maas, and Mariana Zapata.
  • I can't start my day without a cup of hot tea or coffee.
  • Florence and the Machine, Death Cab for Cutie, and Hozier are my top artists, and I'm a new-ish Swiftie.

Behind the Name

Why Cotton and Joy?

I'm often asked why I named my blog, now business, Cotton and Joy.

I've dealt with depression and anxiety most of my life, but the post-partum period was especially difficult.

Once, I read a quote along the lines of "as a mother, every thing you do gets undone" because there will always be more dishes to do, you clean and then the kids wake up from their naps and it no longer looks clean, etc.

Quilting, however, provided me with something tangible I could hold up at the end of the day and say "look! I made this!" Slow progress was still progress, and slowly as I stitched quilts together, I stitched myself back together.

When it came time to create a quilting Instagram (and blog), I picked the name Cotton and Joy because when I thought of quilting, those two things came to mind: there's cotton in every step of our quilting journeys–in thread, fabric, batting, it all involves cotton. And joy, because that's what quilting gave me back.

Collaborations and partnerships

Riley Blake Designs

In 2021, I joined Riley Blake Designs as a licensed designer and released my first line of quilting quality cotton. Since then I have released three fabric collections with a fourth one coming to stores in November 2024.

To learn more about each collections, visit my Fabric Collections page.

Janome Maker

I joined Janome's Maker program in 2020. Below are the machines I've used in that time:

2020 - 2023: 
Janome Memory Craft 9450 

Mar-Nov 2023: 
Janome Continental M7

Dec 2023 - Present:
Janome Continental M8

Aurifil Designer

In 2022, I curated Joyful Threads, an Aurifil threads box that perfectly coordinates with my fabric collections, Daybreak, South Hill, and Between the Pages.

You can purchase the box in your favorite quilt shop or here.

Media and Press

Quilt Buzz Podcast
Episode  46, December 2021

Not Your Granny's Quilt Show
Episode 24, April 2022

Love Patchwork & Quilting Magazine
Issues 110 and 112, Pattern Round Up
Issue 113, Meet the Quilter Feature
Issue 121, Sherbet Chevrons Pattern (cover quilt)

Quilts and More Magazine
Winter 2023Scrap Lab Quilt Pattern 

Exhibits

QuiltCon 2019

Autumn Breeze

Category: Mini Quilts

Quiltcon 2020

Midpoint

Category: Use of Negative Space

Quiltcon 2024

Blended

Category: Fabric Challenge
2nd Place