My creative journey.

From the first time that I sat down at a sewing machine in the spring of 2011, the attraction was electric. My sewing started simply - I just wanted to make a skirt for my oldest daughter. That small, aproned skirt was sewn with fabrics from “Love” by Amy Butler. It was the first fabric collection that spoke to me.

I WAS HOOKED. Seemingly overnight, my simple sewing blossomed into a fully-fledged children's custom boutique business, Tre Bella Bambini. I specialized in unique, one-of-a-kind apparel. Layers upon layers of ruffle, loads of applique and 3-D embellishments, pockets, ribbons, trims, and buttons … my flair for going over-the-top in my designs has been on display from the very beginning. I had the pleasure of creating outfits for families all over the world for many unforgettable years.

TOP LEFT: My first sewing project (Aproned Skirt, April 2011)
COLLAGE: Tre Bella Bambini ~ Custom Boutique Clothing for Children

Spring 2020 ushered in the pandemic – and my three kids schooling from the kitchen table. I found myself anxious, and really in need of a creative outlet to settle my mind and simultaneously keep my hands busy. I had stitched up countless masks within those first couple of months. With nothing but time and a “healthy” stash of fabric at my fingertips I was looking for a challenge, and in need of community. I wanted to try a new-to-me style of sewing – welcome to the wonderful world of quilting!

It wasn’t long before I became enchanted and obsessed with the whimsical world of Tula Pink. I loved the colors, the large-scale motifs, the meticulous illustration, and how the fabrics made me FEEL.

I dabbled in a little bit of everything and learned SO MUCH along the way. Traditionally pieced log cabin blocks led me to learning foundation paper piecing and English paper piecing simultaneously.

My favorite method of machine sewing almost instantly became foundation piecing. I learned that I could take my love of raw-edge applique and combine it with foundation piecing – I especially enjoy sewing my applique with contrasting thread and decorative stitches. You will find lots of detailed fussy cutting and tiny piecing in my work. I love symmetry, creating secondary patterns, and telling a story with color.

My favorite way to slow down and stitch is to get completely lost down the rabbit hole of hand sewing. I love to work with stripes in creating secondary patterns in EPP especially when they frame a fussy cut motif. I prefer smaller sized pieces to large, and my favorite shape to English paper piece is a star – any number of points, I love how they swirl. I am never at a loss for a project to keep my hands and mind productive.

I ventured into bag-making as the next sewing skill to add to my toolbox. Quilted bags immediately clicked for me – bag plus quilting? YES PLEASE! Like garments, bags are 3-dimensional and are viewed from all sides and angles. Each time I make a bag I ask myself three questions 1) Where is this bag going? 2) How will this bag function? 3) What does this bag say about me, and my style?

What I love most about bagmaking is that I can create more in less time but still pack in layer upon layer of detailed piecing, bold and bright colors, and fussy cutting using my favorite fabrics that make me feel joyful. A quilt might take months (or even years!), but I can start and finish a bag in just a couple of days. It’s as close to immediate satisfaction in a quilted project I can imagine. There is no such thing as too much fabric or too many bags!

My go-to bag patterns are from ByAnnie.com – the skill building techniques in Annie’s incredibly well written patterns can’t be beat, and they appeal to quilters bridging one skill set to the other in so many ways.

TOP LEFT: My first quilted bag (Easy Does It, ByAnnie.com)
COLLAGE: My favorite quilted bags (patterns from byAnnie.com)

Working with Tula Pink & FreeSpirit Fabrics Circle of Makers

In the fullest circle moment I can imagine, I received a message one afternoon from none other than my favorite fabric designer and inspiration extraordinaire, Tula Pink. Tula had a new collection to be released that fall at Quilt Market, and she wondered if I was interested in creating some commissioned bags to showcase her latest collection. I enthusiastically said YES to the opportunity! Little did I know that what was intended to be a one-time collaboration would turn into the most inspiring partnership and friendships as a member of Team Tula, rewarding on so many levels and lighting up my creative world. Truly, “the stuff of dreams”!

“Everglow” by Tula Pink ~ Quilt Market 2022

EVERGLOW Influencer Tour

FreeSpirit Fabrics and Aurifil invited me to join in the fun in January 2023 as they presented the Everglow Influencer Tour – dazzling, brand new neon True Colors and Neon and Neutral Threads to create a project of our choice. I went back to my roots with garment making and combined my love of quilting for this first influencer tour project. I created a quilted jacket … with a twist! Removable sleeves and hood, zipper front closure, inseam pockets, and fully lined was the recipe for the bones of my jacket. I topped my coat with loads of foundation piecing, and electrically vibrant NEON colors. It is one of my favorite projects of all time and laid the groundwork for releasing my own quilted coat pattern.

The beginning of my BELLA Quilted Coat (EVERGLOW Influencer Tour Project 2023)

In May 2023, I was selected to join the team as an Aurifil Artisan – my hands down favorite thread since I first started sewing. I have had the pleasure of tackling artisan challenges for the past two years showcasing these beautiful threads in all my influencer projects and every day sewing. These are some of my favorite projects to date as an Aurifil Artisan.

BOTTOM RIGHT: With my bags at the Aurifil booth (Quilt Market 2024)
COLLAGE: My favorite Aurifil Artisan projects

Keep the creative vibes rolling! These are some of my favorite influencer tour projects as a Brand Ambassador for FreeSpirit Fabrics Circle of Makers.

BESTIES by Tula Pink

All the heart eyes for these projects featuring our favorite friends! Metallic accents on heartwarming fabrics with motifs galore. “At its core, Besties is a tribute to unconditional love.” – Tula PInk

“Love at First Sight” Quilt ~ pattern by Whole Circle Studio
Heartbreaker Bag ~ pattern by K. Azcona Designs
(BESTIES Influencer Tour Projects 2023)

ROAR! by Tula Pink at H+H Americas

More is more is more … and then some! I was especially inspired by Tula’s meticulous illustration, and a full rainbow-riffic array of color. One of my favorite collections Tula has created to date. The love is in ALL the details!

I was especially honored to have my head-to-toe ensemble walk the runway at the h+h Americas Fashion Show 2024 for FreeSpirit Fabrics – quilted coat, quilted sneakers, quilted pants, and perfectly paired shaped dino egg bag.

BELLA Quilted Coat, Quilted Sneakers, Quilted Pants ~ designed by Me
Rainfall Bag ~ pattern by K. Azcona Designs
(ROAR! Influencer Tour Projects 2023)
BOTTOM RIGHT: With Tula Pink and Roar! Ensemble (h+h Americas 2024)

TABBY ROAD DEJA VU by Tula Pink

Like a kid in a candy store … this recolored vision of Tabby Road breathed life into the long out of print original collection offering makers to get inspired to create with a new take on an old favorite. Club Kitty and minky in three colorways … ME-OW!

BELLA Quilted Coat and Quilted Sneakers ~ designed by Me
Courtside Bag ~ pattern by ByAnnie.com
(TABBY ROAD DEJA VU Influencer Tour Projects 2024)

UNTAMED by Tula Pink

The back-up dancers take center stage in this collection – and it will be hands-down one of my all-time favorite collections. Special to me for these projects is that my oldest daughter graciously stepped in front of the camera once again, to really make my vision shine in an applique upcycled denim vest, wide leg pants, quilted sneakers, and bags for every occasion. It positively GLOWS and gives me all the feels!

Denim upcycled Applique Vest, Wide leg Pants, Quilted Sneakers ~ designed by Me
A Place for Everything 2.0 bag and Get Out of Town 2.1 bag ~ ByAnnie.com
(UNTAMED Influencer Tour Projects 2024)

FULL MOON FOREST II 50^th Collection by Tula Pink

When Tula asked me to join in the celebration to create some quilted bags showcasing her 50^th collection I simply didn’t have (and still don’t have) the right words to express my excitement and sheer joy. I continue to be humbled and honored as a member of Team Tula. Tula is a creative genius and genuinely kind soul - inspiration and dedication to the quilting community abounds!

LEFT: With Tula Pink (Quilt Market 2024)
TOP: Ultimate Travel Bag 2.0 ~ ByAnnie.com
BOTTOM: Travel Duffle 2.1~ ByAnnie.com

An epic celebration of undeniable, out of this world artistry, color, and whimsy … Full Moon Forest II takes my breath away. I poured my creative energy into my most recent Circle of Makers Influencer Tour by means of my most over the top quilted coat to date, quilted ribbon sneakers, and a quilted duo of bags. Walking the runway at h+h Americas Fashion Show 2025 you will also see my latest quilted pants that have yet to make their debut …

BELLA Quilted Coat and Quilted Sneakers ~ designed by Me
Got Your Back 2.1 and A Place for Everything 2.0 ~ ByAnnie.com
(FULL MOON FOREST II Influencer Tour Projects 2024)

Unexpected gifts.

Writing my own patterns was not a path that I envisioned for myself – and yet, here I am. Excited, and a bit nervous, my BELLA Quilted Coat and accompanying foundation patterns will be released in 2026.

The BELLA Quilted Coat is a relaxed fit quilted jacket that is fully lined with set-in sleeves, inseam pockets, a zippered front closure with guard, and a sporty collar. Choose from two views and get creative styling your coat with your own applique, foundation paper piecing, and blockwork.

Designed specifically to be used in collaboration with the BELLA Quilted Coat, the accent sleeve expansion pack is a set of ten foundation patterns that include flying geese and braided blocks in a variety of finished styles and sizes.

BELLA Quilted Coat and Foundation Pattern Expansion Packs ~ releasing 2026!

I named my quilted coat “BELLA” as a nod to my children’s custom boutique, and most importantly to my family - husband Mike and our three children - that have been my biggest, and most patient, supporters. When I am not in my studio creating or in the classroom teaching, I can be found loudly cheering on my very busy family.

Lessons learned along the way.

Sharing my time, talents, and treasures as an educator and presenter has been the most rewarding experience. The community that is created in the classroom is priceless. The lightbulb moments in the eyes of a student when the skill “clicks”, endless laughter, the shared love of fabric and sewing are simultaneously exhilarating, and exhausting, and discovering the unique styles of each student is such a gift. I can’t wait until the next opportunity when I can be in the classroom with others, like me, who are lifelong learners, excited to tackle that next skill and future projects.

My advice to other makers is to give yourself permission to learn, take risks, and experiment. It won’t always work out the first time, and when it doesn’t go as planned or expected, don’t be paralyzed by fear (or failure) to start over and try again. And again. Each day is another opportunity to succeed!

Most of all … enjoy the process, create what makes YOU happy, and enthusiastically share it with the world, because Quilty Friends are the Best Friends!

Stay Inspired & Happy Stitching!
Elissa

Visit Elissa’s website for more information on upcoming events, as well as her latest projects.

Website: www.quiltingelissa.com

Creative friends can follow and connect with Elissa on social media.

Instagram: Quilting_Elissa

Facebook: Elissa Ziccardi