About

Lazy Dog Designs, Aromas, CA

Lazy Dog Designs is a woman owned business that features original, handmade quilts, pillows, wall hangings, kits, ponchos and bags in hemp, organic cotton and other environmental fabrics. All of the handwork features designs inspired by nature, and are hand appliquéd and hand quilted using organic cotton, hemp and other sustainable fabrics. The echo quilting technique used in the pillows, wall hangings and quilts honors the Hawaiian quilting tradition, but is done using a running back stitch that adds strength and texture to the design.

The ponchos and bags are also made in hemp and organic cotton blends, bringing practical pieces into everyday life. 

Barb Frances, the owner, designer and seamstress,  has been sewing all her life. She became fascinated while watching her grandmother's gnarled, loving hands take tiny stitches making doll clothes for her, and longed to have the same skill. Although she is mainly self-taught, she took the traditional sewing classes in high school, with a marvelous teacher who insisted on perfection. This knowledge carried Barb through years of sewing for her family, friends and designers. On a vacation to Hawaii, she fell in love with the look and feel of the Hawaiian quilts and began studying the techniques. The combination of the Hawaiian methods, and love of nature, inspired Barb to start hand appliquéing images from nature, using only fabrics that are gentle on the earth. She is committed to preserving the lost art of traditional sewing techniques, and protecting the natural environment that is her inspiration.