Alison Charli Smith is a textile designer, natural dyer and quilter living in New York's Hudson Valley. She studied photography and ceramics at the University of Vermont before discovering natural dyes through the Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn. She is a self-taught quilter and has been making naturally dyed quilts for a decade.

Partnering with brands and interior designers on textile collaborations is one of her favorite parts of her work. Past clients include Burton Snowboards, The Textile Arts Center, LMNOP Creative and Mark Cross. 

I aim to create a balance between geometric pattern and the soft, earthiness of natural color in my quilts. 

Many of my quilts are inspired by a traditional pattern. One thing that draws me to quilting is the endless ways a quilt pattern can be reinvented through color, scale and movement of the blocks. There are so many ways to put one's own stamp on a pattern.

 The backs of my quilts are always freeform. Using remnant pieces from the front of the quilt I create a quick, improvised and balanced composition. The backs are in juxtaposition to the often orderly front of the quilt and I enjoy the backs just as much if not more than the fronts.