An interview with Laurie Wisbrun about her new Tufted Tweets collection

We now have the very funky Tufted Tweets fabrics in stock (we love them!) and the designer, Laurie Wisbrun, was lovely enough to give us an interview.....


Your new Tufted Tweet collection is very quirky and we love it! Where did you come up with the design?

Laurie: Birdies on Chairs was the very first pattern I designed specifically for fabric. I’ve always been a fan of mid-century modern furniture and I’d recently been to an exhibit that showcased mid-century designs so I think that was fresh on my mind that night when I started designing that pattern. And I loved the idea of adding the unexpected little birdie to the chairs. Tufted Tweets just grew from there. I am completely obsessed with pattern and color. I love the idea of mixing things that don’t really ‘go’ together.

What kinds of things do you think people will make from the Tufted Tweet prints?

Laurie: For loads of stuff! Quilts, bags, home dec projects (how cute would curtains be!), pillows (chairs on chairs!). Children’s clothing. Big people clothing (I just finished a tunic for myself) and I’ve added PJ pants to my personal list!


Tufted Tweets has just been released (and already sold out in the USA!) but what is the best thing you've seen so far made using the prints?

Laurie: Lots of things but I love the Unfurnished quilts designed by Ashley of Film in the Fridge fame. The pattern is available as a free download HERE


From all of your collections do you have a favourite print?

Laurie: That’s like asking someone who their favorite child is! ;) I love them all for different reasons. I love the fresh greens and blues of the Grass color way in Tufted Tweets. And of course, from my limited release fabrics that I produce myself, I have a soft spot for my Donkeys in Wellies. I came up with that design while on a rainy vacation in Greece where I was wishing I had packed my Wellies and there happened to be a donkey in a field behind our B&B. Design inspiration can come from anywhere!

Who is Laurie Wisbrun and what is your design background?

Laurie: I worked in marketing and advertising for close to 20 years. Two years ago I was working in Manhattan at a big ad agency, and realized that I was really, really ready for some major changes and wanted to do something that I really loved doing. I unfortunately had no idea what that was though, so I just started experimenting. I knew I wanted to actually create something that was creatively meaningful to me though. First I tried cheese making. For a few weeks I seriously considered moving to Vermont to be an artisan cheese maker but turns out I was no good at making cheese ;)

Part of my refuge from my crazy work life has always been sewing and quilting. And have always loved repeated patterns. I happened upon the Spoonflower beta. Which was closely followed by a night class at Fashion Institute of Technology on marketing your own line. A few months later I decided to make the leap and focus on building my own business. So I quit my job and moved back to Austin, which is where I went to college and where I was living before my years in NYC. It was a perfect move at the perfect time. It’s a hugely creative city and I have so much support here. My Mom lives close by which has been really wonderful. It has been all the support and encouragement from my family, friends and from my blog readers that has really given me the courage to keep going and trying new things.

Finally what's in the fabric pipeline?
Laurie: I’m always designing new collections and have some new things coming in my Etsy store in the next month or two.

A BIG THANK YOU to Laurie for giving us some of her time!

Tufted Tweets are available in our shop HERE. We have also put together a great bundle containing 7 of the print along with 3 coordinating Kona Solids (see below).

If you need any inspiration for Tufted Tweets then check these out:

Wonderful use of selvedge cut off by Cindy from Live a Colourful Life Blog who recycles scraps to make these funky pincushions (other pin cushions also available to buy in her Etsy shop). Thanks to Cindy for the photos.


Add some colour to your kitchen and do check out this lovely lot by Ashley from Film in the Fridge which also contains a free ricrac napkin tutorial.....




Here's our lovely Tufted Tweet bundle, available in our shop whilst stocks last!