In quilt industry news today, Northcott announced the launch of its newest division, Anna Maria Textiles, led by the celebrated designer Anna Maria Parry (formerly Horner). This new venture will introduce a dedicated brand for Anna Maria’s distinctive designs.
According to the press release, the first offerings from Anna Maria Textiles will be available for wholesale orders starting September 2024, and delivered to stores in early 2025.
“Anna Maria Parry, a name synonymous with vibrant and innovative textile design, brings her unique vision and expertise to Anna Maria Textiles,” the press release states. “With a legacy of creating intricate and thoughtful prints that inspire quilters, sewists, and crafters globally, Anna Maria is set to continue to inspire with an expanse of future offerings.”
Following the September launch, Anna Maria Textiles will continue to release a diverse group of new collections three times a year. This range will include both ongoing and limited-release quilting cottons and precuts, yarn-dyed wovens, coordinating patterns, kits, sew-alongs and more.
“I am so proud and honored to be partnering with Northcott to bring my own division, Anna Maria Textiles, to life,” said Parry.
“I’ve been given very meaningful support to focus on my development as an artist and to rely on decades of experience as a business owner, creative director, instructor and retailer in the craft, quilting and sewing industry.”
“As I expand upon my diverse sensibilities in design, shops can look forward to more choices of styles, palettes, scales and fabric types in our collections. The quilter and crafter can look forward to a steady stream of projects and inspiration to meet them wherever they are in their craft. So much beauty is on the way!”
In the press release, Northcott expressed excitement about supporting Anna Maria Textiles as it embarks on this new journey. “Known for ‘cottons that feel like silk,’ Northcott’s dedication to quality will be carried through to Anna Maria Textiles, providing the versatility and soft hand feel that quilters know and love,” the release stated.
Parry has been designing fabric for Free Spirit since 2005 and, in the spring of 2018, launched Anna Maria’s Conservatory, in which she partnered with artists and designers to create fabrics from their artwork. The Conservatory artists, Nathalie Lete, Monika Forsberg, and Carolyn Gavin, will remain part of Freespirit, as their own brands. Though Parry’s contract with Free Spirit ended in December of 2023, Free Spirit is set to launch its final collection with the designer, “AM loves HUE,” in November of this year.