A Modern Voice for Clue 2

Creative lines, happy stitches, and Ashelyn Down at the helm

There’s something special about a creative journey that doesn’t follow a straight line—and Ashelyn Down of Urban Dwell Studio is a perfect example of that beautifully evolving path. A self-described millennial and serial entrepreneur, Ashelyn has always been driven by a need to create, constantly moving from one idea to the next. Along the way, she discovered quilting—a medium that allowed her to merge her love of design with her passion for making. Today, her work reflects a distinct point of view, inspired by architecture, urban living, and the rhythm of city life, with clean lines, graphic structure, and a modern aesthetic that feels both fresh and intentional.

Her journey into the quilting world began unexpectedly at the end of 2020. After repurposing a vintage quilt into a tote bag, Ashelyn was left with a collection of scraps too beautiful to discard. On a whim, she turned them into holiday stockings and listed them online—only to sell out almost immediately. She made more, and once again, they quickly disappeared. That holiday season became a whirlwind of sewing and creativity, with over 300 stockings sold and a new creative spark ignited.

As the holiday rush faded, Ashelyn found herself surrounded by even smaller scraps and even bigger ideas. Determined to use every last piece, she began creating garlands, officially launching her handmade business in early 2021. She revived her Etsy shop and expanded her product line to include items like Easter baskets, which saw the same enthusiastic response. With each new design, she gained confidence—not only as a maker but as a designer—eventually translating her work into patterns so others could create their own versions.

Still, Ashelyn recognized the need to evolve. The vintage quilt trend that initially fueled her business wasn’t guaranteed to last, and more importantly, it didn’t fully reflect her personal style. With big dreams of moving overseas and a desire for more flexibility, she made the intentional shift toward digital patterns. That decision proved to be transformative. In the spring of 2022, she fell completely in love with quilting itself, drawing on her experience with vintage textiles while creating something entirely her own. Her mission became clear: to inspire modern quilters to create boldly and confidently, designing quilts that fit their own lifestyles.

You can find out even more about Ashelyn and Urban Dwell Studio on her social media pages, Facebook and Instagram. As well as her website. Don't miss her gorgeous quilt patterns, available in her shop. They are amazing.

That same passion is exactly what makes Ashelyn such a perfect fit as the Clue 2 collaborator for Cotton Cuts’ Mystery Quilt with a Mission. Her thoughtful, design-forward approach brings a fresh perspective to the project, and her commitment to building community aligns beautifully with its purpose. As she brings Clue 2 to life, she’s not just sharing a pattern—she’s inviting quilters everywhere to step into their creativity and sew with intention. Even more meaningful, this collaborative quilt will be raffled off to support the Social Justice Sewing Academy, proving that when creativity and community come together, they can truly make a difference.

Don't forget, this mystery quilt will be raffled off in December to support the Social Justice Sewing Academy. Grab your raffle tickets here: https://bit.ly/support-SJSA

Want to sew along? Sign up for your own Puzzle Mystery Quilt,  use code: SJSA at checkout and we will make an additional donation to the SJSA.

Together we can make a difference.