Love of vintage fabrics and upcycling inspires Kansas City collaboration

At a time when big-box craft stores are struggling to stay afloat and are closing their doors left and right. Kansas City-based designer and author Amy Barickman’s latest collaborative project couldn’t have come at a better time.

Enter the Treasured Threadz Collection, a new line of fabric panels she made in collaboration with Colonial Patterns, a pattern and supply company right here in Kansas City.

The collection is an homage to the rich history of needlework, quilting and handmade artistry, aiming to connect modern makers with timeless designs from the past.

Barickman, known for her passion for vintage textiles and ability to translate historical patterns for modern audiences, sees Treasured Threadz as a bridge between generations of crafters.

“I think it’s also a bit of like nostalgic and heirloom quality,” Barickman said. “I mean we don’t make things, we don’t make fabrics like we used to.”

The partnership with Colonial Patterns was a natural fit.

“Colonial Patterns would have a booth at the (trade show), like I would, selling wholesale to the trade,” Barickman said. “I had always enjoyed Bud Price, who was the gentleman who owned patterns. He passed away a few years ago, but now his sons Matt and Chris Price run the company. We’d talked about collaborating over the years.”

Colonial Patterns has been a staple in the embroidery and sewing world for more than 90 years, best known for its signature Aunt Martha’s iron-on transfer patterns.

After selling Indygo Junction, Barickman’s line of vintage sewing patterns, to Prym Dritz, a sewing tools and accessory brand, and being let go from her position, Barickman saw an opportunity to pivot and focus on her passion for vintage textiles.

Having worked with large fabric companies, she knew she wanted a different direction, something more personal. That’s when she revisited the idea of collaborating with Colonial Patterns to bring Treasured Threadz to life.

The collection features a range of fabric panels, a fusible stabilizer and instructional materials designed to inspire creativity and preserve the artistry of handcrafted textiles.

“I was able to work with them and launched five of the different panels that are both folk patchwork and collaged vintage artwork, and then I created a stabilizer product that is a fusible batting,” Barickman explained. “You could use that product and then apply it to a T-shirt, a Jean jacket, even like if you have a pillow at home and it’s plain or you don’t like what’s on the front of it.”

Barickman’s archive of vintage textiles and sewing patterns has played a major role in shaping Treasured Threadz. Over the years, she has amassed an impressive array of historical embroidery transfers, fabric prints and handmade garments.

“My mom was a Home Ec teacher, and my grandma was a creative who loved to sew and did needle arts,” Barickman said. “So I learned to sew when I was a child and was surrounded by my mom, who had quilts hanging on the walls in our home.”

Beyond just reviving old patterns, Barickman hopes Treasured Threadz will foster a renewed appreciation for slow, intentional crafting and continue to push the trend of upcycling.

“You know, if you can go to the thrift shop and find some fabric like (chambray),” Barickman said. “You don’t feel bad about ruining fabric, like not ruining it, but like if I make a mistake or I cut it wrong, I didn’t spend $50 on my fabric. I spent $5 at the thrift.”

Barickman hopes to inspire a new generation of makers with Treasured Threadz while keeping the traditions of handcrafted artistry alive.

Next up: Barickman and Colonial Patterns are working on a line of flour sack towels for hand embroidery as well as patterns to go with them that will come out later this year.

The big news? Barickman is working on a new book, so stay tuned.

This story was originally published April 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM.