Blog - Cotton & Flax

Erin Dollar

End of an Era

Cotton & Flax in San Diego
Saying goodbye to Cotton & Flax on Adams Avenue

After two years of creating a special space for up-and-coming artists and designers in San Diego, I’ve decided to close the store on February 28th.

I’m so grateful for your support and encouragement as Cotton & Flax has grown and evolved. This experience has connected me with many amazing people, including the artists and designers whose work I was honored to stock on my shelves.

It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to my tiny store, but I’m looking forward to new collaborations, and supporting my creative community in new ways.

Starting today, enjoy 40% off in-store and online — no coupon code needed. The online shop will remain open with ready-to-ship pieces from the Cotton & Flax collection.

Live nearby? Visit Cotton & Flax at 3180 Adams Ave. San Diego, CA 92116 Open: Wednesday – Saturday, 12-5pm until February 28, 2020.

Notebooks for MOO

Black and white dotted notebook

Another fun collaboration in the books! I had the pleasure of designing a bold black and white pattern for MOO’s new collection of patterned hardcover notebooks, sold exclusively on Amazon.

I was one of five artists they commissioned to create artwork for the series, and each hardcover notebook is beautiful.

Patterned Notebooks for MOO

I really love that these notebooks are sturdy, but also fold out completely flat, because the pages are sewn together in a clever way. So nice for taking notes or keeping a journal. If you pick up one of these beauties, let me know on Instagram!

Wool Felt Patchwork Pillows

Grey wool felt throw pillows

I’m debuting something brand new today: wool felt throw pillows! Created using offcuts of wool felt fabric left over from manufacturing coasters, this very limited-edition collection brings Cotton & Flax one step closer to a zero-waste studio.

Minimal bedroom with gold wool felt throw pillows

The subtle patterns of the sewn patchwork panels are very different than my usual approach to textile design. It was fun to think creatively about how to use smaller pieces of this beautiful fabric to create something impactful.

Grey wool felt lumbar throw pillow

The photos for this collection were shot at The Tuberose Studio, a beautiful airbnb filled with artisan-made decor. Such a perfect match!

Visit the online shop to snag one of these handcrafted pillows.

Best of San Diego

Best of San Diego - Cotton & Flax in San Diego Magazine

This month, Cotton & Flax was named the best fabric shop in San Diego by San Diego Magazine! It’s such an honor to be embraced by the local community just two years after arriving. The encouragement and support I receive from my San Diego neighbors means everything to me.

If you’ve visited the shop this year, I’d love it if you left a review! Positive reviews help me reach more local design enthusiasts and spread the word about the retail store and my creative classes.

You can find the Best of San Diego issue on newsstands now!

More Balboa Fabric projects

So many amazing Balboa projects are being shared over on Instagram! Thought I’d share some of my favorites here today.

This charlie caftan dress is my dream summer outfit. So breezy, yet perfectly pulled together with some cute sandals. Love that Emmanuelle Prompt sewed up something so cute with my fabric!

Siamese Social Club created a whole collection of pet beds with Balboa fabrics! I am obsessed with how sweet these are. Her cat models are the cutest!

Local sewist Rachel Moore created a lovely Wiksten Shift dress with a chambray blue Balboa fabric. Loved meeting her in person when she stopped by the shop in San Diego!

This kids romper from Ashley Rose is beyond cute! Pickle is the perfect hue for kids clothing.

Meg McCarthy‘s matching mother + daughter pants are so cool! Love a twin wardrobe situation!! Even though this is technically Arroyo and not Balboa, I had to include it in the roundup.

A beautiful quilt made by Stay Little Sewing. A traditional design, made modern through the use of printed linen Balboa fabrics!

Love this Redwood Tote that Kathryn Schmidt made with rose colored Balboa fabric.

Sophie Zaugg made the coolest fabric bins with Balboa fabric. Perfect landing spot for mail or your keys when you come home.

I am absolutely in love with the Balboa espadrilles that Lisa sewed at her workshop at Butchers Sew Shop!

Have you been sewing with Balboa fabric? Don’t forget to tag #balboafabric over on Instagram!

Interview on How She Creates

Erin Dollar in her pattern studio

I was delighted to chat with Lauren from the podcast How She Creates, giving her an overview of my life in the studio. We talked about my process as a pattern designer, and my experience as a creative teacher, both in online venues like Creativelive, as well as through workshops in my studio in San Diego.

This interview was recorded last summer, right as I got ready to open the retail shop in San Diego! It’s kinda fun to hear how much has changed, and how much has stayed the same since then. Tune in and let me know what you think!