Julie Parker is a former newspaper editor turned fabric junkie. She collects textile fibers and fabrics from around the world and has a special passion for explaining fabric nuances to aspiring garment designers. Her award-winning Fabric Reference Series is used by leading universities to teach students of textiles and apparel design, including the prestigious Parsons New School of Design in New York. She also has written a comprehensive guide to wool for the International Wool Secretariat (now known as the Woolmark Company). The guide was distributed to members of the garment industry throughout North America. She was a newspaper editor for 10 years before switching careers to study clothing design. She holds a degree in communications from the University of Washington and a degree in apparel design from Western Washington University. She and her husband live in Seattle. Copyright 2000-2023, Rain City Publishing, Seattle, Washington