I am Joan Lucchese
Textile Designer | Surface Patterns & Quilting
I'm a textile designer who creates botanical and geometric surface patterns for fabric, wallpaper, home décor and paper products.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, I bring 15+ years of textile design experience—from quilting patterns to licensed surface designs—to every project I create.
My Journey With Textile Design
I've been designing with textiles for nearly two decades, beginning with quilting pattern design in 2013.
As the creator of CaliQuilter.com, I designed and published quilt patterns that combined traditional techniques with modern aesthetics. My quilting blog grew to over 1,000 subscribers who followed along as I explored new techniques, shared tutorials, and built a community around the joy of making.
I also had the privilege of writing about quilting as a contributor to Answers.com, where I shared my expertise with a national audience of makers eager to learn and grow their skills.
What Quilting Taught Me About Surface Design
Those years designing for quilters gave me something invaluable: I understand fabric from the maker's perspective.
I know how a pattern repeat affects cutting and piecing. I understand why scale matters for different projects. I've learned which colorways work for different aesthetics and how pattern density impacts the final piece.
This maker's knowledge transformed how I approach surface pattern design. Every pattern I create is tested not just for beauty, but for functionality. I design patterns that work as hard as the people who use them.
The Gardens At Heather Farm Connection
My work as the Executive Director at The Gardens at Heather Farm, a nonprofit botanical garden in Walnut Creek, deepened my connection to botanical design. Surrounded by 6.5 acres of gardens, I draw constant inspiration from the organic forms, color combinations, and seasonal changes in the landscape.
This isn't just aesthetic inspiration—it's botanical knowledge that informs my designs. I understand plant forms, growth patterns, and the architecture of flowers. My botanical patterns aren't generic florals; they're informed by real plants and real gardens.
My Surface Pattern Design Philosophy
I believe patterns should be lived with—not just looked at.
Whether it's fabric for a quilt that will be handed down for generations, wallpaper that transforms a nursery, or home decor that brings joy to daily life, I design patterns meant to become part of people's stories.
My design aesthetic bridges traditional and modern:
Folk florals inspired by vintage embroidery and botanical gardens
Geometric patterns with organic warmth
Hand-drawn details that add character and depth
Colorways that feel both timeless and current
What I Offer
For Makers & DIY Enthusiasts:
Curated pattern collections on Spoonflower
Multiple colorways and scales
Patterns designed by someone who makes (and understands your projects)
For Brands & Manufacturers:
Surface pattern licensing for fabric, wallpaper, and home decor
Seamless repeats in multiple scales
Custom colorway development
Production-ready files in all formats
Designer who understands both creative vision and manufacturing needs
Why Clients Value Working With Me
My clients come back because I understand both the creative and technical requirements they need.
I have used fabric for real projects, not just created pretty pictures.
15+ years in textile design means I bring historical knowledge, technical skill, and market awareness.
Based In The San Francisco Bay Area
Working from Walnut Creek, California, I draw inspiration from the incredible natural beauty of the Bay Area—from coastal landscapes to botanical gardens to the architectural details of our diverse communities.