Meet Alison Glass: The Artist Behind Our Newest Cork Club Designer Series

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative background.

I'm a fabric designer, quilt and pattern designer, teacher, and lifelong maker with a particular love of color. I have been designing fabric for Andover Fabrics since 2010, and over the years my work has grown to include quilt patterns, workshops, community programs, and many other creative projects.

My path into fabric design wasn't a traditional one. Before designing fabric, I owned a business helping clients remodel their homes. Working closely with color and pattern through fabric eventually led me to a simple realization: every fabric I was selecting had been designed by someone. I remember thinking, I would love to do that.

That thought became the beginning of a completely new creative path. I discovered that I loved designing repeat patterns. There's something wonderfully satisfying about creating a design that fits together seamlessly, almost like solving a puzzle. Color has always been at the heart of that process, and building collections that are both useful to makers continues to be one of my favorite parts of my work.

What inspires your work, and where do you find creative inspiration?

I find inspiration almost everywhere, especially when I slow down enough to notice the details.

Nature is a constant source of ideas, including flowers, insects, animals, color shifts, and the shapes and patterns found in the landscape. I am also very drawn to architecture, antiques, old textiles, handmade objects, and the things people have carefully collected and preserved over time.

Often a collection begins with a memory or a personal life event I am wanting to explore. A stained glass window in my great-aunt’s wonderfully mysterious old house stayed with me from childhood and eventually found its way into a fabric design. Another collection grew around an extraordinary crazy quilt made in the late 1800s and the family of creative women connected to it.

Walk us through your design process. How do you turn an idea into something tangible?

My design process usually begins with collecting and noticing. I gather images, sketches, objects, color ideas, historical references, and notes. As I am planning a collection I do not start with drawing. I think about the collection as a whole first, through writing about it. The individual designs develop as part of the whole.

Notes include everything: the overall idea behind the collection, individual designs including scale, type, purpose, and color. Often even the individual design and color names are developed at this point.

From there, I begin drawing and developing motifs. Some designs start by hand with pencil and pen, while others are built by combining several processes. I enjoy the back and forth between working by hand and refining things digitally.

Color is also a very important part of the process. I spend a great deal of time building and adjusting a palette, looking at how the colors relate to one another and how they change the feeling of the artwork. Scale matters too. A design can feel entirely different when it is made very small, enlarged, or given more open space around it.

I want each pattern to have its own personality, but I also want the group to feel connected and useful. There is usually a balance of more detailed designs, quieter textures, different scales, and colors that give makers plenty of possibilities.

The process is rarely a straight line. There is a lot of trying, adjusting, setting something aside, and returning to it after a bit of space. Eventually, all of those small decisions come together into something tangible. Seeing the artwork printed on the final material is always exciting because it has become part of someone else’s creative process.

Do you have a favorite pattern from this collection, and why?

The three rainbow gradation designs have been longtime favorites, especially with bag makers, so I think they are particularly well suited to this cork collection. The movement through the colors creates so many possibilities for cutting and placement, and I can imagine the same design looking completely different from one project to the next depending on which part of the rainbow is featured.

Personally, I am especially excited about the Fox print. It is a new design, and I love the warm floral palette and the way the little foxes are tucked into the pattern. They are cute and slightly sly, but kindly sly, which makes me happy. It feels playful without being too sweet, and I am looking forward to seeing how it comes to life in finished projects.

What do you hope makers feel when they create with your designs?

I hope they feel excited to begin and free to make the designs their own.

One of my favorite parts of designing fabric is knowing that the artwork is not truly finished when I finish it. It becomes the starting material for someone else, and hopefully an inspiration for creativity.

I hope the colors and patterns encourage people to experiment and enjoy the process rather than worrying too much about making the perfect choice. I am particularly excited to see these designs used in cork projects. I hope makers enjoy working with the collection and create things that feel useful and distinctly their own.

The first release in Alison Glass's Designer Series is Art Theory Cork, inspired by one of the most recognizable prints from her beloved Art Theory fabric collection. Originally introduced as quilting cotton, this iconic artwork has been beautifully reimagined on premium cork fabric for the very first time, bringing Alison's signature style to a whole new medium.

Set against the warm, organic backdrop of natural cork, the design comes alive with vibrant florals, whimsical butterflies, lush botanicals, and playful hidden details waiting to be discovered. Rich jewel tones blend effortlessly with warm corals, pinks, oranges, and fresh greens, creating a print that's full of movement, texture, and personality. Every glance reveals something new, making this cork just as enjoyable to admire as it is to sew

Whether you're creating a statement handbag, a stylish wallet, home décor accents, or everyday accessories, Art Theory Cork transforms every project into a wearable work of art. The premium cork offers the durability, structure, and luxurious feel makers love, while Alison's expressive artwork adds color and creativity to every stitch.

As a limited-edition release, this exclusive cork fabric is only available while supplies last. 

Collaborations like this remind us why we love being part of the sewing community. Seeing Alison's artwork come to life on cork and imagining all the beautiful projects it will become in your hands, is incredibly rewarding. This release feels like a celebration of thoughtful design, creative exploration, and the joy of making something with your own two hands.

In addition to the cork itself, members receive a monthly coupon and extra perks that make Cork Club feel like a creative treat you can look forward to all year long. It is a simple, inspiring way to build your cork collection while discovering new designers and color stories along the way. Whether you are brand new to sewing with cork or have been using it for years, Cork Club offers consistent inspiration without overwhelming your stash.

Cork Club also makes a truly thoughtful gift for the creative person in your life. Instead of another item to tuck on a shelf, you are giving monthly inspiration, beautiful designer cork, and the excitement of a surprise delivery they can turn into something handmade. It is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or even a just because moment. If you have a sewist who loves trying new materials and staying inspired, Cork Club is a gift that keeps their creativity flowing long after the wrapping paper is gone.