Between the Lines
A quilt. A milestone. And a gift that gives back.
Last week, I told you my story.
I told you about 2011, about a woman with a vision and no safety net. About the mentors who saw her, and the moment she knew it was time to go. About an email that changed everything. About whatever you want – I want you.
Today, I want to show you what that story looks like in fabric.
A Quilt Has Something to Say
When words aren't enough – I sew.
And when the most significant career transition of my life needed a voice, I didn't write a press release. I didn't make an announcement.
I made a quilt.
Its name is Between the Lines.
What You See – And What It Means
Look at this quilt and you will see clean geometry. Thin, precise lines. A composition that is quiet and bold at the same time – a little bit Mondrian, a little bit Zen Chic, entirely intentional.
But look closer.
You will see Modern Backgrounds Paper – my long-running basics series for Moda. Four releases. Years of work. A collection that found its way into so many of my quilts, and into so many of yours. It is the fabric of my past. Present here, honored here.
You will see Whisp – my new blender collection for FreeSpirit. The spiritual successor to Spotted, evolved, refined, ready for what comes next.
You will see an ampersand, fussy-cut from my new Ampersand collection. Not a coincidence. Not decoration. A statement.
And. Not either/or. Not before/after. And.
And then – if you look very carefully – you will see a face. A woman's face, fussy-cut from the most spectacular wide backing I have ever designed. She is looking directly at the ampersand.
She knows exactly where she has been. And she knows exactly where she is going.
Why I Named It Between the Lines
For almost a year, I lived in two worlds at once.
I was still the Moda designer – showing up, showing collections, honoring every commitment with full heart. And at the same time, quietly, carefully, I was building something new with FreeSpirit. Designing. Dreaming. Signing a contract while the world still saw me in my old role.
It was a good kind of in-between. A necessary one. Not a betrayal – a transition. Like the pause between two musical phrases that makes the next note land perfectly.
Between the lines is where this quilt was born.
Just to be clear: this move was never about ‘better.’ It’s about fit. Different creative homes serve different kinds of work.
And right now, in this season of my life and my career, FreeSpirit is the perfect fit for who I am growing into.
I will honor both houses. I am here for connection, not competition.
This quilt is that promise, made visible.
The Woman Behind the Quilt
Here is something I don't talk about often. When I started Zen Chic, I was a single mother of three children. I had a steady job as an accountant. I had no safety net, no guarantee, no roadmap.
I quit the job. I took out a loan. And I said to myself: who doesn't dare, doesn't win.
I built something from my hands, my eyes, my instinct – and it became a life. A real, beautiful, creative life.
And now, when I have the chance to give something back – I want it to go to someone who is standing exactly where I once stood. Someone with a craft, a dream, and the courage to try.
That is why the proceeds from this auction go to Nest – buildanest.org – a nonprofit that connects people, artistry and impact to create a more prosperous and beautiful world. They support artisan entrepreneurs around the globe. People who build their lives from their hands, just like I did.
Nest was my first choice. And FreeSpirit – who is celebrating their own 25th anniversary this year, and supporting Nest as part of that celebration – said yes without hesitation.
Of course they did. That's who they are.
The Auction
Between the Lines is now available for bidding.
It will hang at my booth at H+H in Chicago – and from there, it will go to the person who is ready to truly see its value. Who understands that this is not just a quilt. It is original textile art. A milestone piece. A one-of-a-kind document of a creative life in motion.
April 10 – June 22, 2026 #IamaFreeSpirit
So Here We Are
A woman who started with a loan and a dream is now standing at the beginning of her most exciting chapter yet.
She is not fading out.
She is just getting started.
And she is deeply, genuinely grateful – for every stitch, every collection, every one of you who has been part of this journey.
You didn't just follow a designer.
You witnessed a life. 🤍
With love, with fabric, and with so much still ahead –
Brigitte Zen Chic | Now also a FreeSpirit ✨
