Meet the Designer: Jera Brandvig of Quilting in the Rain

We’re thrilled to chat with fabric designer and quilter Jera Brandvig—also known as the creative force behind Quilting in the Rain—about her newest fabric collection, French Market. Inspired by a heartfelt trip to Nice, France with her mother, Jera captured the warmth, color, and charm of the French Brocante (open-air market) and translated it into a beautifully textured and nostalgic collection. We asked Jera to share more about her creative process, her favorite details, and what she’s excited to make next.

Maywood Studio: Your trip to Nice with your mom sounds so special! What moments or details from the French Brocante inspired this collection?

Jera: It was a trip my mother and I will always remember! I have a very fond memory where we woke early when shops were still setting up to get to the market  before the crowds. We found a little cafe and sat outside watching the market setup while eating a warm baguette with butter and jam (so cliche, haha! But they truly are everywhere in France!) and sipping our espresso in the warm morning sun, just watching all the colors go up at the booths. Not only was I in great company but I love carbs and coffee, so associating that with the excitement of watching all the shops go up in the warm, morning sunshine was just perfect for me.  It's that warm, happy and colorful memory that helped inspire the warm colors of the French Market collection. 

Maywood Studio: How did you begin translating those warm tones and textures into fabric designs once you returned home?

Jera: I literally took thousands of photos, so looking back at those definitely helped. I also took home some treasures including a vase and paintings from the French Market that helped inspire the color pallete. 

Maywood Studio: Is there a particular print in French Market that feels the most personal or meaningful to you?

Jera: Not a particular print, but the warm yellows and greens are definitely my favorite and where I started. The yellow reminds me of a lot of the golden, warm tones of the surrounding buildings at the market, and the green tones with mini flowers reminds me of a vintage and timeless print, where everything at the market has such a timeless feel to it. 

Maywood Studio: Do you have any quilt patterns or sewing projects in mind that you’re especially excited to make with this collection?

Jera: I'm currently playing with adding embroidery to a mini quilt using Lecien Cosmo threads. This is very exciting for me since i've never done embroidery before so I'm learning a new skill - yay! I'm doing a collaboration with Lecien Cosmo where I picked 12 colors that match the French Market collection (be on the lookout for it!), which I'm using in my project.

Maywood Studio: Are there any hidden details in the designs that someone might not catch at first glance?

Jera: In addition to fresh flowers at the market, there were actually a lot of dried flowers that were very colorful which the main print mimics. 

Jera’s thoughtful approach to design and storytelling continues to inspire quilters around the world, and French Market is a beautiful example of how travel, memory, and creativity can come together in fabric. Whether you’re planning a new quilt, a special project, or simply dreaming of a stroll through a sunlit market in the South of France, this collection offers a little escape and a lot of heart.

Explore the French Market collection by Jera Brandvig, available at your favorite quilt shops. The Marche Aux Fleurs Runner free pattern by Jera is available now. Click on the 'get started' button to view and download the pattern.

You can follow Jera’s creative journey at Quilting in the Rain or on Instagram @quiltingintherain for more inspiration, sewing tips, and sneak peeks of what she’s working on next.