Stay Connected….and other life and business lessons learned from quilting. Makers have stories! And crafters have skills!
In these casual chats and interviews, I (often with a guest) talk honestly about creativity. The joy, and hope, and even healing it can bring, and the businesses we can build doing the things we love.
Copyright: © 2022 Stitched By Susan
Dee Bradford is a student in my Freehand Quilting Masterclass. In this episode she shares her quilting journey, and highlights how becoming proficient at freehand work has both brought personal enjoyment, and opened creative doors of opportunity.
Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.
Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?
Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.
For more information and to sign up, visit our website.
------------------------
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.
Resources:
ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership
FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course
ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class
And here's where you can find more of my work:
YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Today's episode is a little departure from the podcast norm....I'm giving some backstory on why I created a comprehensive course on the art of machine quilting. It was born directly from the need I felt as a novice quilter to have some solid and extremely practical guidance as I got to know my machine and my own style of quilting.
What type of quilter or creator might want that?
Who is it intended to help?
And of course, what can you expect to discover or learn? And how will it help you in your quilting journey.
I've tried to answer all these questions, and above all, to show that freehand quilting absolutely can be learned, by anyone who wants to.
You can also read many of these details on my website right here.
Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.
Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?
Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.
For more information and to sign up, visit our website.
------------------------
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.
Resources:
ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership
FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course
ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class
And here's where you can find more of my work:
YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
We've all cringed at those words. C'mon, admit it!
This is my exploration of edge to edge and custom quilting, and why and when you might want to choose one over the other.
Custom quilting is specific to areas, or blocks, or borders; may include stops and starts or thread color changes, and is often more complex or intricate. It is definitely more time consuming than edge-to-edge, so that's a huge consideration. But there ARE times when it fits the bill. Maybe you want something very WOW as a focal point to hang on your wall. Or perhaps you've got your sights set on winning a ribbon. Or maybe you just want to try out some ruler work or a brand new fill you've just learned. All legit reasons for using custom quilting.
But many times - maybe even most of the time - we're creating quilts to be used and loved. We want them to be serviceable and cozy, as well as beautiful. E2E quilting is the answer. It creates texture while remaining in the background, letting the fabrics and pattern shine.
If you like to see some of my favorite designs on a variety of quilts, here's some swipe-worthy photos:
Pinterest - edge to edge gallery of designs
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.
------------------------
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.
Resources:
ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership
FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course
ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class
And here's where you can find more of my work:
YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Carina Gardner and I chat about business building and entrepreneurial skills. Tenacity...the willingness to learn and stretch...these are essential.
There's no magic - it takes time and determination to establish and grow a business, but Carina's successes will encourage you!
Carina has a Ph.D. in Design from the University of Minnesota. She
has been a Creative Director for a scrapbooking company and children’s
company. She has designed everything from dishware to bracelets under her
brand for retailers. She currently designs fabric for Riley Blake Designs, and
die cutting files for Silhouette. Her passion is teaching other designers how to
create meaningful design careers while making a residual income online in her
Design Bootcamp, Workshops, and Design Suite program.
She can be found in all these places:
website
Make and Design podcast iTunes link
Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.
Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?
Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.
For more information and to sign up, visit our website.
------------------------
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.
Resources:
ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership
FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course
ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class
And here's where you can find more of my work:
YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Does the idea of creating a scrappy quilt just overwhelm you?
Where to start?
How to choose fabrics?
How to make it sparkle?
Eva and I both love a good scrap quilt, so we're sharing the things we've learned about fabric selection, scrap storage, even pre-cutting into sizes we know we use often.
We've got some simple tricks for determining color value and placement (hint: your smart phone is an epic tool) and also suggestions for additional support (think sewalongs and dedicated Facebook groups)
Wishing you some scrap-happy quilting!
Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.
Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?
Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.
For more information and to sign up, visit our website.
------------------------
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.
Resources:
ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership
FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course
ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class
And here's where you can find more of my work:
YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Quilt shows - you gotta love them! There's something new around every corner - quilts in every style, color, size. There are classes and demos. There are dealers with machines you can take out for a spin. There are vendors with delicious fabric! And, usually on the last day, there are ribbons to ooooh and aaaah over.
Our local show is coming up in a few short weeks, and we are so excited! The opportunities to meet up with fellow quilters we haven't seen in a spell! The fabulous on-site coffee shop! The cafe crispy fries!
Ok, enough about the food....but seriously....support your local shows! Enter your quilts. Vote on the ribbons. Support the vendors. Be inspired by the incredible beauty. You'll be glad you did❤️
Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.
Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?
Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.
For more information and to sign up, visit our website.
------------------------
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.
Resources:
ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership
FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course
ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class
And here's where you can find more of my work:
YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Shop Hops are a great way to explore a variety of quilt stores - and get free patterns to boot!
Eva and I chat about the details; from mapping and planning your route, to snacks and take-alongs, to collecting the free patterns that are unique to each shop, and even the contests that are available for speedy piecers!
You'll want to come along for the ride!
Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.
------------------------
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.
Resources:
ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership
FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course
ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class
And here's where you can find more of my work:
YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Quilt retreats - what's not to love? They are a chance to visit and giggle with your friends...a time to get in some uninterrupted work on a challenging project...a chance to finish up some WIPs.
My friend Eva and I were recently at a rather rustic retreat, so we'll tell you what we loved best, and what we learned. Plus tools and supplies you might want to pack. Suggestions for organizing meals and snacks. And wine. That's important.
It's a pretty casual, and not very linear chat, but I think you'll get the flavor. Retreats are nourishing for the soul!
Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.
Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?
Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.
For more information and to sign up, visit our website.
------------------------
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.
Resources:
ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership
FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course
ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class
And here's where you can find more of my work:
YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Shannon Fraser became a quilter unexpectedly - in fact she says she had discounted quilting as an interest entirely!
Never say never! Shannon tells the story of textile exploration that eventually led her to quilting and pattern design. We chat about her love of saturated colors, and graphic designs, and improv as a quilter's version of a palette cleanser.
Shannon gives us a glimpse into pattern designing, and how her goal is to make each project achievable, no matter your skill level. It's a matter of clear and comprehensive instructions, working step by step, and a variety of teaching styles and supporting resources.
Shannon has published many digital patterns, hosts and collaborates on quiltalongs, and has a beautifully written blog featuring many, many tutorials.
And she has so much enthusiasm for creative arts, I know you'll love hearing her stories. Let's welcome her!
Shannon can be found in these places:
Website and access to newsletter signup
Instagram
#30daysofimprov
Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.
Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?
Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.
For more information and to sign up, visit our website.
------------------------
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.
Resources:
ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership
FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course
ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class
And here's where you can find more of my work:
YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Lorinda Davis loves making pretty things, but she also loves being organized.
We chat about her journey into the art of quilting - the first time she tried it she thought "that's not for me!" but eventually she was drawn in in an unexpected way.
And then we explore the wonderful world of planners...organizers...checklists, and how writing things down helps us keep balance and priorities in our lives. And of course, it's not all about productivity, it's about crafting a life you love. That doesn't happen by accident.
Find more info on the annual planner (2023 details have just been released!), some free printouts and quilt patterns, and of course Lorinda's wonderful blog below.
Website
Blog
Instagram
Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.
Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?
Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.
For more information and to sign up, visit our website.
------------------------
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.
Resources:
ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership
FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course
ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class
And here's where you can find more of my work:
YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
