Tell us about yourself.

My name is Stacy Peterson, and I am a surface pattern designer and artist currently living outside of Austin in the Texas hill country. I began my career as an art director in advertising but moved into illustration as a way to express myself more creatively. Over the years, I have illustrated over 65+ children’s books, greeting cards, and craft products. Later, I added surface pattern design to my repertoire and designed collections for Blend Fabrics, and now exclusively for FreeSpirit Fabrics.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by the hill country flora and fauna that surrounds me. Deer routinely pass by my front door, and I love walking down by the river near where I live. Texas is big and there is always somewhere new to go and explore. Outside the United States, my favorite place is Italy. There is something about the light there that is mesmerizing. I do a lot of research and enjoy digging into the history of an era or place. Lately, I have enjoyed going to museums to see fine art, which has led me to try my hand at oil painting.

Tell us about your fabric.
Every collection I create tells a story, and “Mythical” is my second collection with FreeSpirit Fabrics.“Mythical” is a fantastical, other-worldly glimpse into a fierce group of goddesses from ancient Greek folklore who ruled over much of the ancient world. Their kingdom exists somewhere on the horizon where the moon and the meadows collide. Within this fabled forest, mystical animals roam and the trees are made of stars. It’s a pretty fun and out-there collection, and I’m so excited to see what beautiful things are created with this fabric. The creativity and craftsmanship that exists from FreeSpirit fans amaze me!

What advice do you have for the new maker?
My advice to those with a creative flair, as I tell my children as well, you can do anything you set your mind to - just not all at once. Choose an area that interests you, learn the skills, and excel, then move on to another adventure. Life is too short to stay in one lane. When things get dull, shift gears and move on down the road!

Website: www.stacypeterson.com
Instagram: @StacyJPeterson