The Riley Blake Company History
Fabric had been a part of the Cloward family history for as long as Riley Blake founder, Bret Cloward, could remember. His parents, Kathy and Blake Cloward, owned several fabric stores in Utah, which Bret would later co-own with his wife, Cindy. While Bret decided to leave Utah and pursue a career outside the fabrics industry, he and Cindy returned to his hometown to run the family business after his father's passing.
Through her passionate love for sewing and fabrics, Bret's wife, Cindy, felt that the current market was lacking in vibrant, fresh designs. She had the vision to create something new that would inspire people to sew, so she surrounded herself with talented designers with the goal of bringing that vision to life.
In 2009, Riley Blake Designs introduced their Just Dreamy fabric line, an instant hit that led to the company's future success. The name of the company was chosen as a tribute to the new and old generation. The company is named "Riley" for Bret and Cindy's daughter and “Blake” in honor of his late father.
Riley Blake Designs Most Popular Basic Collection - Confetti Cotton Solids
One of Riley Blake's most popular collections is the Confetti Cotton Solids. This line includes over 250 different colors printed on high-quality soft 100% cotton. The Confetti Cottons are perfect for a wide range of Riley Blake fabric projects, from quilts and clothes to home decor.
Riley Blake Designer Spotlight
Riley Blake currently works with over 50 talented designers from all over the world, each contributing their own unique style to the company's ever-growing fabric collections. We've selected five of our favorite Riley Blake designers to feature below, including some favorites you may recognize from our very own Fat Quarter Shop sew alongs!
Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet Co
Lori Holt is the designer behind the Bee in My Bonnet Co. and one of Riley Blake's most popular designers. Lori's love for needle art came from her very first teachers, her mother, and beloved grandmothers.
Lori's love of colorful fabrics and all things vintage is evident in each of her uniquely designed patterns and fabrics. Her quilt patterns and quilt books reflect all her vintage inspiration in her “happy colors”.
In addition to her popular Riley Blake Fabric designs, Lori Holt also delights fans with her very own line of Bee in My Bonnet notions. Lori Holt also loves to cross stitch and you can find a wide range of Lori Holt Cross Stitch Patterns and supplies.
Beverly McCullough of Flamingo Toes
Beverly McCullough grew up in a family of talented seamstresses and artists, so it's no surprise that she found her passion in fabric design. Her website, Flamingo Toes, is a source of inspiration for all things creative, from quilting and sewing to crafting and embroidery.
Her Riley Blake fabric designs are best described as the perfect combination of modern and vintage. Her styles have a timeless, classic feel while still maintaining a fun and current look. In addition to her fabric, her quilt patterns and cross stitch patterns have a darling picturesque quality.
Christopher Thompson The Tattooed Quilter
Christopher Thompson, also known as The Tattooed Quilter, is a Salt Lake City-based quilt and fabric designer from New York City. His unique style is heavily influenced by the modern fashion industry, where unique prints and bold colors reign supreme. His Riley Blake fabric designs are the perfect way to add a unique and modern edge to any quilting project.
Christopher is especially known for his love of mini quilts, French bulldogs, and creating inspirational tablescapes.
Minki Kim
Minki Kim is a formally trained artist out of Los Angeles, CA. One day she sat down at her sewing machine and realized that her love of drawing could be translated into fabric design. And so began her journey as a fabric designer, incorporating many of her own drawings into charming fabric designs, an art she aptly named Sewing Illustration.
Her designs for Riley Blake feature adorable animals, playful patterns, and beautiful florals. Her fabric collections are the perfect way to add a touch of playfulness to any project.
She loves to feature her Sewing Illustration style on whimsical bag and pouch patterns, and they are even compiled as a book! Visit her website for some truly unique tutorials.
Teresa Kogut
Teresa Kogut of Teresa Kogut Creative Whims is a former artist turned fabric and pattern designer after falling in love with punch needle embroidery at a quilt market. Her love for nature and all things whimsical is evident in her fabric designs for Riley Blake, which often feature woodland animals, nature themes, and patterned vintage classics.
Her love of fiber art crosses over between quilting and cross stitch, which includes beautifully intricate cross stitch samplers. You can find Teresa's quilt patterns and fabricshere at Fat Quarter Shop.
