Quilt Buzz

In this episode we: discuss all the ways different arts nourish different parts of us, ponder setting our rotary cutters aside for our next patchwork project, and consider making a quilting frame.

In this episode we: compare notes about hand quilting on a hoop, consider the freedom that comes with making something by hand (and the importance of not beating yourself up over imperfections), and wrap our minds around designing in eighths.

In this episode we: consider what makes a quilting pattern truly for beginners, are lured by the promises of sharper seams thanks to starch, and consider the ups, downs, and rounds and rounds of multitasking.

In this episode we: assess all the things to consider when it comes to being a vendor at a craft fair, consider the range of possible color palettes in quilting vs bag making, and compares notes about our personal limits for quilting on our domestic machines aka "when to call in the longarm quilter"! .

In this episode we: dig into the iterative nature of the design process, discuss the excitement when seeing your patterns come to life, and contemplate the magic of figuring out what you really enjoy creatively.

In this episode we: explore everything that goes into a single spool of thread, finally get to the root of why thread weights can be so confusing, and start plotting how to play with our threads in our next quilting projects.

In this episode we: contemplate our favorite numbers, puzzle over the magic of optical illusions, and meditate on how every quilt has its own story.

In this episode we: mull over the “secret sauce” of quilting that balances meditative practice with tangible results, discuss owning the color-scheme that makes you happy, learn all about virtual quilting bees, and discover that this is Maggie’s world.

In this episode we: armchair-travel to Alsace, France with the European Patchwork Meeting, examine the logistical complexities of organizing a quilt show across four different villages and 17 different venues, and consider how cool it would be to have the opportunity to chat with quilt artists during an exhibition of their work.

In this episode we: discuss the importance of trying while creating, explore the power of taking a break from making things, and evaluate the necessity of some of the crafty clutter we've accumulated.

In this episode we: reflect on discovering new quilting techniques that make your heart sing, consider all the prep work that goes into a workshop, and assess the current (and future) potential of lasers in the world of patchwork.

In this episode we: grapple with the concept of perfection, fall in love with the idea of putting works in progress in a “timeout”, and explore the puzzle-like nature of improv patchwork.

In this episode we: explore the idea of leaving a quilt design up to a literal roll of the dice, contemplate all the possibilities within a fat quarter, and debate the pros and cons of crumb quilting.

In this episode we: learn all about how scissors are made, decide that we’ve been taking all our cutting tools for granted, and brainstorm what we want to submit to see on the next “Will It Cut?” episode.

In this episode we: discuss what goes into an interview, consider the number of stories that have yet to be told (and that we aren't even aware of yet!), and examine how magical it is to get to don a pair of white gloves and handle quilts.

In this episode we: consider what it is about quilting that keeps us engaged, celebrate our love of quilt blocks, and explore using glue instead of pins.

In this episode we: dig into everything that goes into a YouTube video, debate starting off with a king size quilt as your first quilt, contemplate whether it's time for a destash, and discover a new hack to perfect HSTs.

In this episode we: deliberate over how many years it takes until you can call yourself a New Yorker, explore all the possible ways to use a magnetic pincushion, consider what a small quilting world it is, and learn how to keep a manicure fresh while sewing.

In this episode we: talk shop about running a podcast, get a peek behind the scenes of becoming a certified quilt judge, and learn all about quilting travel.

In this episode we: compare notes about quilting in the Big Apple, learn where to buy buttons in Midtown Manhattan, and consider the logistics of running a quilting shop out of a storage unit.

In this episode we: speculate over what’s the secret to the secret sauce of gorgeous fabric bundles, consider starting a quilting bee, and debate what songs would make it on our basting playlist.

In this episode we: dive into the world of fabric design, consider circuitous career paths, mull over animal names, and contemplate what makes us want to buy an entire fabric collection.

In this episode we: try to wrap our minds around quilting 100 quilts, examine happy little design accidents from making the best of a mistake, reflect on life-saving longarm quilters, and ponder the power of Bob Ross.

In this episode we: take a virtual trip to Wendy’s hometown of Perth, dig into the patchwork pattern potential of crochet, consider how to see quilting through a beginner’s eyes, and decide everyone is getting a personalized Binding Baby for their birthday this year.

In this episode we: reflect over the importance of documenting and sharing stories, wonder over how to sew without knots, consider how thread can strengthen fabric, and decide that yes, we would totally watch a sitcom about a couple of threads that go to a party (which ends in a surprise wedding).

In this episode we: dive into maximalism, discover what happens if you use towels for batting, contemplate the wanting to do a million things at once, and get the pep talk we never knew we needed to try teaching.

In this episode we: contemplate how incredibly creative, inspiring, knowledgeable, and helpful the quilting community is, examine the unexpected twists and turns of careers, and walk away with plans to turn all our old dolls into fantasy and superhero characters.

In this episode we: discuss overcoming fears of power tools, contemplate the unexpected shared characteristics of woodworking and quilting, and marvel at how the magazine rack in the grocery store checkout line can be a place of serendipitous inspiration.

In this episode we: dig into the many benefits of online quilting courses, contemplate our fabric shopping habits, consider the myth of grey modern quilts, and thank the quilting angels in our lives.

In this episode we: debate the differences between cats and dogs, we think fondly back to Microsoft Paint, compare notes about favorite "pet stories," and we decide that we totally want to get a frog as a pet.

In this episode we: compare notes about apartment quilting, discover our shared love of Pop Rocks, debate how far we’d go to avoid basting, and consider whether we could live without our couches.

In this episode we: compare notes about what goes into the perfect weekend sewing retreat, contemplate on what makes a great working partnership, explore the not-always-so-glamorous side of starting a business, and travel down memory lane to revisit the days of Flickr.

In this episode we: talk shop about color, contemplate thread count, explore the ins and outs of fabric manufacturing, and debate whether bell-bottoms should make a comeback.

In this episode we: contemplate the power of family stories, discuss how magical it is to be read a story, and compare notes about running podcasts (and our shared enthusiasm for sharing people’s stories!).

In this episode we: compare notes about fabric cutting best practices, mull over how difficult it is to name a business, reflect over what quilting means to each of us, and marvel at the power of a good checklist.

In this episode we: evaluate the pros and cons of learning foundation paper piecing first, discuss discovering what you love to make, ooh-and-ahh over @peppertheelkhound, and debate trying our hand at reverse applique next.

⁠In this episode we: reflect on how much love is sewn into a quilt, talk about the number one no-no when sending quilts off to your longarm quilter, dig into what all the fuss is about t-shirt quilts, and discuss how we are our own worst critics.

⁠In this episode we: explore the idea of working with a limited color palette, consider the hurdles and roadblocks of the design process, examine best practices when it comes to gathering inspiration, and compare notes about our favorite excel formulas.

⁠In this episode we: reflect on the global quilting community, consider all the outside influences that impact how we interact with color, and puzzle over how inescapable math is.

In this episode we: discuss quilts within quilts, consider working with reclaimed materials (and not just textiles), explore the magic of leaving some things up to fate, and puzzle over the mystery of all the bags of doll parts.

In this episode we: consider the power of improvisation, mull over how mesmerizing it is to watch free motion quilting, dig into the challenges and advantages of being a left-handed quilter, and reflect on how pets just want to snuggle with quilts.

⁠In this episode we: discuss the need to not make everything our job, consider how cathartic ripping fabric is, explore the concept of anti-perfectionism, and wonder at the power that comes from knowing how to thread a sewing machine.

In this episode we: examine all the very many steps that go into quilting a quilt on the longarm, mull over how very personal making a quilt is, consider the potential hazards of quilting tool belts, and wish we all had a friend like Wild Phil.

In this episode we: In this episode we: contemplate all the very many different ways to give back, ponder over how we could better use our scraps, assess the power of a good google search, and debate whether "how many sewing machines are too many sewing machines?" is a trick question.

In this episode we: talk all about improv quilting, compare notes about how difficult it is to set expectations aside, consider our own ratios of sewing to unsewing, and celebrate those magical moments of creating.

In this episode we: contemplate the power of community, evaluate the fine line between clubs and cults, consider what it would've been like to grow up at and alongside a quilt store, and wonder at the evolution of a business.

In this episode we: consider the time constraints when judging a quilt, assess our own cutting accuracy, compare notes about all the different techniques we'd love to try, and puzzle over whether we've ever actually met a quilt store we didn't like.

In this episode we: discuss the power of hair, contemplate the textural dynamism of thread, reflect on how personal journeys can imbue and permeate our quilts, and reassess skills we take for granted.

In this episode we: explore the power of sharing information, consider all the tiny tweaks that go into creating the perception of a square quilt, compare notes about curves, and deal with our hankerings for a bourbon.⁠

In this episode we: dig into all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into putting on QuiltCon as well as traveling exhibitions, consider the "quilt block" that structural support beams have been known to create, and assess our love of jazz hands (plus we allow Colleen and Amanda a moment to gush about their love of excel).

In this episode we: learn about bojagi and jogakbo (and learn that we want to learn more), contemplate imbuing our stitches with meaning, and consider our feelings about squirrels (and their feelings about us).

In this episode we: consider the idea of crafting pirates, celebrate #fiberfriends, debate trying our hands at crochet, and learn about Shereece's upcoming collaboration with the Fat Quarter Shop, the 2022 Stronger Together Sew Along!

In this episode we: reevaluate our stances on stains, consider how to listen to our fabrics, learn more about burial quilts, and debate whether our workspaces are simply a mess or the natural habitat for our creative genius.

In this episode we: reflect on the ubiquity of cotton in quilting, examine the lead times of fabric production, assess the pros and cons of PDF vs paper, and consider arranging for a shovel buddy for our stash.

In this episode we: test our knowledge of fabric manufacturers' SKU codes, contemplate adding "portable light" to our "goes with me everywhere" list, and consider taking up cross-stitching because it sounds like fun.⁠

In this episode we: wonder at how multifaceted quilting is, discover that if we cut fabric small enough it basically acts a solid color, and contemplate exploring raw-edge applique next.

In this episode we: remind each other to be gracious with ourselves when learning a new skill (and to have our seam ripper handy), compare how our quilting spaces have taken over parts of our living spaces, and consider the pros and cons of having all the solid colors.

In this episode we: evaluate our relationship status with our seam rippers, assess the versatility of duct tape and a step ladder (in place of a tripod, to hold up quilts…), and acknowledge the difficulty in learning to enjoy our least favorite parts of the quilting process.

In this episode we: ponder the practicality of hipster sewing machines, assess the number of too-terrifying-to-share sewing projects that lurk behind the scenes, embrace the purposefully funky, and justify the size of our scissor collections. ⁠

In this episode we: get a sneak peek of the @mfaboston's upcoming quilt exhibition Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories. ponder the stories of quilts and quilters, consider all the quilts that don't make it into a quilt exhibition, and update our own stash stories to claim they're all "circumstantially acquired."

In this episode we: debate the neutral nature of neon, envision a house covered in wall quilts, consider getting craft-themed tattoos, and embrace being procraftinators.

In this episode we: explore the idea of learning the rules just to break the rules, contemplate how to rebrand morbid shape names, draft a lonely-hearts ad to find the ideal longarm quilter partner, and assess the feasibility of an EPP bikini.

In this episode we: check in with our hands, examine creative ways to use up scraps (spoiler alert: we should all be trying trapunto!), and discuss the multi-dimensional, multi-faceted, and multi-layered nature of quilts.

In this episode we: compare our success rates on using thimbles, examine the breadth of stories a quilt bears witness to in its lifetime, and consider the faux pas of calling quilts "blankets" (all while Anna, Wendy, and Amanda take one collective step closer to taking up English Paper Piecing).

In this episode we: discuss the satisfaction of ripping out the paper in FPP, examine how impactful finding the right teacher can be, evaluate the seasonality of different quilting techniques, and talk about time traveling bunnies.

In this episode we: compare notes about sewing machine deals (and steals), consider all the sketches and ideas that never turn into a quilt, ponder the pattern experience beyond the pattern itself, and assess the wisdom of Amanda's unpredictable printer settings strategy.

In this episode we: explore the gargantuan effort it takes to participate in craft fairs (hats off to all the makers!), consider our relationship to the vast supply chains all around us, meditate on the mental health benefits of making, and remind ourselves to stop pointing out our own sewing mistakes to others.

In this episode we: evaluate the number of hours it takes to make a video, compare notes about starch, contemplate the portability of EPP, and make some impressively acrobatic logic jumps to get our work-in-progress count down to 1.

In this episode we: dig into stained glass applique, discuss the similarities and differences between 2D animation and quilting, scrutinize our fear of cutting into favorite fabrics, and contemplate setting up a Kickstarter for a Quiltercise video series (aka Jazzercise but with Quilts). ⁠

In this episode we: ⁠discuss how best to put quilt patterns to work for charitable causes, compare notes about our favorite Greek goddesses, assess our differing levels of enthusiasm for negative space, and remind ourselves about the importance of rest.

In this episode we: discover hidden family histories, discuss the joy of making something for yourself, assess our Mario Kart skills, and issue a challenge to demonstrate quilt juggling.⁠

In this episode we: discuss the joy of creating something from ideation to final product, analyze the demographics of the TikTok quilting community, manage Wendy's expectations of Walmart, and puzzle over the rules of Peep Jousting.

In this episode we: reflect on the power of confidence, explore how to take good quilt photos, compare notes about post-modern minimalism, and evaluate the superpowers of hot pink.

In this episode we: contemplate the crossover between architecture and quilting, examine the exaggerated claims of the death of blogs, evaluate the Starbucks-like ubiquity of quilt shops in Salt Lake City, and assess the practicalities of a fabric ball pit.

In this episode we: discuss the proper way to eat pasta, examine the guts it takes to start something new, compare notes about the best way to get things done, and most importantly we learn about Mary's Quilters Better Together Membership (a new platform to highlight quilters, pattern designers. and fabric designers of color).

In this episode we: discuss the bliss of not knowing when you're making a mistake, explore the power of virtual connectivity, compare notes about finding your personal style, and think back to the days of Friendster.

⁠⁠In this episode we: dig in to how to take gorgeous pictures of fabric, assess the adventurous nature of quilters, debate how one can resist buying all the fabric, and evaluate our knee health.

In this episode we: evaluate the pros and cons of buying all the fabric, speculate on an alternate reality where the great singer-songwriter "Barry Quilts" takes the world by storm, commiserate over rookie mistakes, and dub 2020 the year of mask making. ⁠

In this episode we: discuss the hierarchy of quilts vs snacks, compare notes on how to take photos in the great outdoors, meditate on the satisfaction of making, and 100% agree on hug-like qualities of a quilt. ⁠

In this episode we: scrutinize yogurt packaging, compare notes on fabric buying approaches, puzzle over cutting mat murder scenes, and talk about starting to quilt from scratch.⁠

In this episode we: deliberate over what to do with 9000 buttons, assess how structurally sound attics are, ponder how it would feel to wear a couch, and declare 2021 as the year of finishing all our WIPs.

In this episode we: consider unsolicited destash inquiries, celebrate the underappreciated PowerPoint, evaluate some ratios in terms of felt fabric pizzas (the answer is "one pepperoni"), and contemplate how to turn any quilt into a Sudoku puzzle.⁠

In this episode we: compare notes about quilters’ project management tendencies, bemoan the lack of time to hand quilt everything, continue our love affair with the color green, and challenge listeners to create a quilted jumpsuit.

In this episode we: assess the unsung hero status of paper plates, deal with strong opinions about laser cutters, consider traveling around with a QuiltCon volunteer at all times, and evaluate the wide range of excrement colors (from disgusting to could-be-worse).

In this episode we: meditate on the relationship between music and quilting, explore how to chip away at big projects to ensure success, contemplate how many socks are too many socks to wear at any one time, and deal with the ramifications of demanding return of a quilty best friend necklace.

In this episode we: mull over attention grabbing quilts, compare notes about being a pattern tester, and reflect on taking the risk to reach out.

In this episode we: ponder eating snacks while quilting, evaluate scraps as a substitute for confetti, examine the freedom from the grid, and contemplate the possibilities of paper piecing.

In this episode we: contemplate flammable vs inflammable, examine the ecosystem of turning clothes into quilts, debate the validity of a fabric-based stock portfolio, and discover a world beyond cotton.

In this episode we: reflect on the timeline of dreams, discuss how to guarantee longarm quilting success, and mull over being mistaken for a manatee.

In this episode we: discuss making #RogueQuilter a thing, compare notes about community, talk about representation, and contemplate solids all day (every day).⁠

In this episode we: discuss sewing as a creative outlet, casting aside externally defined aesthetic parameters, explore some conscientious consumption best practices, and come to terms with thread being everywhere.

In this episode we: reflect on the inexhaustible inspiration that is nature, compare notes about catfishing, ponder the super special power of connections, and examine the satisfaction of saying "all done."

In this episode we: consider the superpowers of the color red, contemplate jumping in feet first, and sacrifice Wendy to try pin-free curve sewing with Jenny.

In this episode, we: consider Sunbonnet Sue, deal with Wendy's burning curiosity about how thread gloss tastes, and compare tales of gnarly blocks of beeswax.

In this episode we: dive into giving fabrics a second life, consider the aftermath of too many HSTs, deal with the fact Amanda's got a little list, and discover we all wish we could draw like Kim.

In this episode we: discuss pixel wastage, scrutinize toe-eye coordination, explore the power of a good jingle, and deliberate the good, the bad, and the ugly of printed fabrics.

The episode where we: consider quilty speed dating, assess playing Twister with a dangerous twist, dream about living in Maine, and try some subliminal messaging.

The episode where we: contemplate moving to San Francisco, explore the internal-fire-producing-power of color, discuss finding one's creative home, and puzzle over Hobbits.

The episode where we: discuss the benefits of camembert cheese, debate the idea of fabric mules, ponder the importance of jazz hands, and consider the idea of thread between your toes.