Hello Atelier 019

Tula Pink

November 09, 2017

Fabric designer Tula Pink talks about her creative journey, love of quilting, working with her family and the importance of being identifiable as an artist.

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Hello Atelier 019

Tula Pink

I first met this week’s guest, fabric designer Tula Pink, years ago at a meeting of the Modern Quilt Guild. At the time, the quilting fabric industry was in the infancy of an aesthetic revolution; bright, modern fabrics were being introduced, with young designers such as Tula ushering in the new wave.

Little did I know that in a few years, Tula would be one of the biggest names in fabric. This isn’t a total surprise because Tula’s fabrics have always stood out: her fabric designs are bright, colorful, and just a bit surreal – psychedelic cats, day-glo frogs, and swirling octopuses have all taken center stage in her fabric collections. Sewists the world over have fallen for her fabrics and she has a dedicated international following called the Tula troops that collect, sell and trade her fabric.

Sitting in Tula’s incredibly beautiful studio and home, you really get the feeling that you are in a different world – one that totally revolves around creativity. Shelves upon shelves are filled with carefully folded and stacked fabric. Chairs and cushions are covered in her bright prints and quilts. A huge island for sewing takes up one room and a long-arm quilting machine stands nearby. Look closely and you will find surfaces and corners filled with quirky items; a skull and crossbones fire grate, a mantle full of hand statues and even a lamp base that looks like a gun – fantastical pieces that wouldn’t look out of place in Tula’s artwork.  

During our chat, we talk about Tula’s creative journey, love of quilting, working with her family and the importance of being identifiable as an artist. Tune in today!

What’s happening in Tula’s World:

  • Tula Pink: Enter the world of Tula Pink by browsing through all of her fabric collections.
  • Amy Butler: Tula’s inspiration for entering the world of fabric design came from Amy Butler. On her site you can see her fabrics, patterns and digital magazine Blossom.
  • Kaffe Fassett: Another designer who was influential to Tula is Kaffe Fassett (Episode 16). After you check out Kaffe’s website and episode, give a listen to our interview with Brandon Mably (Episode 15), Kaffe’s creative partner.
  • Quilt with Tula and Angela: Tula has had a long relationship with another of our guests, Angela Walters (Episode 4). Angela is responsible for the intricate stitching on Tula’s quilts, and has worked with her to write this popular book – which has just been translated to German!
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  • The collection of curios on Tula Pink's mantlepiece.
  • A shot of Tula Pink's office and sewing studio.
  • A skull and crossbones fire grate sits in Tula Pink's office.
  • The mantle in Tula Pink's office features a collection of hand statuary, curios, and books.
  • Tula Pink's mantle features a collection of hand statues that hold up two of her books.
  • A bunny statue holds a pack of Tula Pink fabric.
  • A chair holds a Tula Pink pillow pattern in a corner of her office.
  • A cozy nook in Tula Pink's studio features inspirational books on William Morris
  • A cozy nook features three Tula Pink needlepoint pillows.
  • Three of Tula Pink's needlepoint pillows, which were once available as kits.
  • Tula Pink's fabric stash.
  • Three quilts are displayed in Tula Pink's office, alongside her book, Quilts from the House of Tula Pink.
  • A quilt that features Tula Pink's Tabby Road fabric collection.
  • Tula Pink's sewing studio.
  • Tula Pink's limited edition rose-gold Bernina sewing machine.
  • Fabric designer Tula Pink chats with host Betsy Blodgett
  • Tula Pink's Bernina sewing machine and quilt design wall.
  • A quilt featuring Tula Pink's solid fabric collection is being stitched on her long arm quilting machine.
  • Tula Pink's All Stars fabric shares a corner with a Bernina sewing machine sign.
  • Tula Pink's extra wide quilt backing fabrics in her signature colors.
  • A look at Tula Pink's All Stars fabric collection.
  • A cabinet full of Aurifil thread in Tula PInk's studio.
  • Notions, thread and a pile of books in Tula Pink's studio.
  • Paper printouts of Tula Pink's fabric line.
  • Paper printouts of Tula Pink's fabric lines.
  • Stacks of fabric wait to be used in Tula Pink's studio.
  • A corner of a quilt work in progress featuring Tula Pink's All Stars fabric collection.
  • A quilt work-in-progress featuring Tula Pink's All Stars fabric collection.
  • A corner of a quilt work in progress featuring Tula Pink's All Stars fabric collection.

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