Allison Brandt Malinski

Allison Brandt Malinski was born and raised in Saskatchewan. She discovered the love of fabric and a sewing machine in 2004 and has continued with this medium ever since. Allison’s business South40 Designs has been at markets, galleries and stores around the prairie provinces and her magnets have been spotted all over the world! #StuckonSaskatchewan

She has a passion for repurposing, so her choice of materials includes any type of fabric from curtains, clothing, remnants, and upholstery. Allison will cut these into pieces and integrate them into her original designs. Applique and thread painting techniques are used, as well as hand dying the fabric to create each wall hanging and magnet as a unique, one-of-a-kind piece of work.

With a wheat field and grain elevator out her studio window in Bradwell, Saskatchewan, Allison has prairie inspiration at her fingertips. Her work encompasses landscapes, color saturated skies, and many different, mystical creatures.

What are your inspirations?

Most of my work is inspired by the wide open and ever changing skies of our Saskatchewan prairies.

Where did you learn your medium?

I enrolled in a Fashion Design course over 20 years ago but quickly realized I enjoyed the process of working with fabric and thread, not the process of fitting people for clothing. I took my new skills working with a sewing machine and have been self taught through experimentation ever since.