Many of you have asked about our story, about how it is that we’re “figs”, about how we started out. So here’s the tale...
OUR BEGINNINGS
My parents always told me that it was in my blood, making art and selling things! What a seemingly odd combination... When I was 8 years old, I held my fist art show where I convinced all the neighbors on our street that they each had to have a Joanna painting for their walls. I made $5.00 which was a fortune to me! And from then on it seems that it has never stopped. I have always been making something.
As I grew older the art changed- paintings changed to drawings, to cards, to jewelry, to pottery. In college I became fascinated with graphic design and the art of papermaking. But when I discovered fabric and quilting, I knew that this was the medium for me. It drew me in from the moment I sat down with needle and thread.
My company started off as "Figlets", selling small quilted pillows and wall hangings in local boutiques, art shows and Street Fairs. Soon after I began working at my local quilt shop, then soon after teaching quilt classes and designing my own quilt and sewing patterns. The rest is a whirlwind of good timing, good people and, we think, good design.
OUR NAME
Why "Fig Tree" many of you have asked? Is it a particular fondness for the fruit? A Biblical reference? A childhood memory? Actually, it’s not all that profound. Instead its all about my husband Eric [at least that’s what we like to tell him]!
Being that our last name is Figueroa, his friends have referred to him as "FIG" since Junior High School. And since we often call our kids the Figlets and Eric runs all the background and production work of the company, we couldn’t think of a more appropriate name than FIG TREE. And so FIG TREE & COMPANY was born.
TODAY
So now you’ve read about our history and a little bit about where we’ve come from. Today at Fig Tree & Co. we produce over 100 quilting, sewing and children’s patterns and design booklets, design 3 fabric collections a year for MODA Fabrics [we are currently working on our 17th fabric collection if you can believe it], travel regularly to do national and international teaching engagements and seminars, publish Fresh Vintage™ [our style magazine with great color and style advice, ideas and patterns], organize year round trunk shows and trade shows of our work and collaborate on books and magazines with our favorite publishers.
For the future, we are working on "Fig Tree Home" [we’ll keep you posted], more Fresh Vintage publications and ideas, and who knows what’s in store for us after that. You’ll have to stay tuned to see in which new directions we might fly.
When I bought my first antique quilt at a garage sale (for $7), I fell in love with the art of quilting. But when I made my first simple quilt, I fell in love with the process of quilting. After that I was hooked! It was as if something inside of me had “clicked”. For me, quilting is a perfect combination of art and practicality. I can be totally creative and totally utilitarian at the same time, knowing that what I create is both beautiful and can be used to keep my kids warm!
Vintage quilts and unusual vintage color combinations seem to inspire most of my designs. I can't seem to go anywhere without seeing patterns or color combinations for potential quilts--in nature, in greeting cards, in wrapping paper, or in dishware & pottery. My favorite quilts utilize a patchwork design that shows off the fabric and color. I am not drawn to complex quilt or pattern designs unless they truly showcase a fabric combination or palette in a way that another pattern would not.
Whether vintage, soft, bold, contemporary, warm and cuddly, masculine, or romantic, I believe that any feeling or emotion can be communicated through a well-chosen palette of color, pattern, and texture. The possibilities are truly endless and I love working in an industry that is constantly reinventing itself as it creates new beauty.
As both a fabric designer and a pattern designer, I feel like I get to play in both worlds. As I work on fabric designs, I am able to think about what patterns would go best with each collection, how the prints are going to work cut up and how the various designs will work together in the quilting process. As I am working on the flip side, the quilt and sewing patterns, I am always thinking about what fabric designs will work best with the next set of pattern ideas in my head, what colors and tones would add that extra “pop” to a particular kind of project and what scales of prints we need for visual interest. It is a good symbiotic relationship as far as I am concerned and I love the interplay of the two worlds. I feel blessed to be doing my job.
Besides quilting, I am passionate about searching for vintage textiles of any kind, antique toys, painted furniture, and ceramics--anything that seems loved and well used…anything with personality you might say. In any spare moment that is not already dedicated to something else, you will find my scouring flea markets and junk sales to see what textile or vintage treasure might be around the corner.
My husband says I have an unnatural love of bowls and painted chairs!! Can you relate? My husband, Eric, and my three kids [ages 5 to 12] are my truest inspiration and the core of the "Fig Tree team". Besides being in charge of all production, Eric is truly my right hand man when it comes to marketing, bookkeeping, trade shows and the website.
Now that you've read about me… I'd love to hear about you. I'd especially like to hear what you enjoy about quilting or sewing and what you enjoy about our designs. If you want to receive regular updates about Fig Tree & Co., our new patterns and whatever else we happen to be thinking about, then add yourself to our mailing list. We look forward to getting to know you and serving you as best we can.
At this point we really are a team effort and I wanted to thank each one of you who work to help us quilt, piece, do photography, applique, edit, construct patterns, and generally assist us in creating the best possible products for our customers.
Kris Campi |
Cheryl Hadley |
Sherri McConnell |
We couldn’t do it without you, with much gratitude, Joanna.
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As our website grows and we take advantage of changes to technologies, our policies will continue to change. We hope that you will refer to this page often to stay current with our most up to date privacy policy practices.
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We do not accept returns on patterns or books. If you are ever unsatisfied with any of our products, please feel free to call us and we will make every effort to resolve the problem.
Credit CardsWe accept Mastercard and Visa credit cards.
Shipping InformationDomestic [excludes specialty order ie, kits]
$12 or less is $2
$12-$75 is $5.50
$75 or more is FREE
International Patterns [patterns only]
$12 or less is $4
$12 - $105 is $13
$105 or more is $40
Canada Patterns [patterns only]
$12 or less is $4
$12 - $105 is $11
$105 or more is $25
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us:
Fig Tree & Co.
joanna@figtreequilts.comBy Phone or Fax
(yes it is the same number)
510.632.5358By Mail
Fig Tree & Co.
P.O. Box 901
San Leandro, CA 94577
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