Sit & Sew Radio

For Episode 33 I hit the road to DeKalb, IL to check out the "Quilts and Human Rights" exhibit at Northern Illinois University's Pick Museum of Anthropology (http://niu.edu/pick-museum/). “Quilts and Human Rights” includes more than 50 quilts centered around themes of social justice from all over the world. These quilts were powerful, relevant and at times uncomfortable to look at while touching on important topics such as civil rights, sexual assault, immigration, race relations, apartheid and more. Real quick before we get into some really important topics in the quilting world and in society today. We have a special coupon code for this episode so listeners can save 25 percent on any single regular priced item at shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com). Just enter SEW33 at checkout to save. Laura McDowell Hopper, textile curator Back for her third appearance on the Sit & Sew Radio podcast is Laura McDowell Hopper. She is a curator at the Pick Museum by day and a quilt blogger at SonicStitchesQuilts.com (http://SonicStitchesQuilts.com) by night. Laura takes Stephanie through the exhibit as they discuss their favorites and most eye-opening pieces on display. With the visual element of this podcast so compelling, we decided to do an extended version of the podcast on YouTube so our listeners can look at pictures of the quilts as Stephanie and Laura discuss them in detail. You also will get an extra 19 minutes of content that just wouldn't fit in an hour long podcast episode. Following the interview, listen to an excerpt from a speech given by Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. at the opening of the exhibit as he discusses his personal connection with quilts and their social relevance. Check out our previous episodes featuring Laura! Episode 8 - Sonic Stitches and Freddie's Friends (http://sitandsewradio.com/episodes/episode-8-sonic-stitches-and-freddies-friends/) Episode 28 - The 2017 Quiltcon Edition (http://sitandsewradio.com/episodes/episode-8-sonic-stitches-and-freddies-friends/) Watch the unabridged episode with photos

We at Quilt Addicts Anonymous are proud to announce the return of the Sit & Sew Radio podcast! Plus we have a special 25 percent off coupon code that you can use on products we sell over at shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com) by all of our previous guests! It’s been awhile since we last spoke to you, April 21 to be exact. So much has happened since then, and we’ll tell you all about it in Episode 32! At the end of the episode, we'll give you the coupon code as a gift to all of our fans that missed the show while we were gone! The sale covers more than 350 items including products from Kaffe Fasset, Alison Glass, Aurifil thread, batiks and much much more! But you’ll have to listen to Episode 32 to get the coupon code, which will be good for through 11:59 p.m. PST Saturday, September 23, 2017. Click here to browse all the great goodies that are included in the sale. (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product-category/sit-and-sew-radio/) Quilt Addicts Anonymous husband Adam Soebbing returns as guest in Episode 32 to chat with me, QAA creator/designer/owner Stephanie Soebbing, about all that we’ve been up to since the last episode. Hint: Lots and lots (and lots) of sewing! Things got so crazy there for awhile after opening up our shop that we had to put the podcast on the backburner for a bit. But going forward, we are committing to giving you a new episode every other week with the same awesome new guests and great interviews that you came to expect from the Sit & Sew Radio podcast.

Welcome to Episode 31 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. Today's episode features Amanda Murphy, Bernina spokesperson, author and fabric designer, and Rebecca Bryan, author, teacher and fourth generation quilter. Both interviews were recorded at QuiltCon and it was kind of fun to listen to them a couple months after they were initially recorded. At one point Rebecca Bryan and I were talking about the brick and mortar version of Quilt Addicts Anonymous, which at the time I was still considering an open studio. Now it is definitely a full blown quilt shop, complete with staff, a large class space and fabulous modern fabrics. That just shows you how much can change in a couple months. And speaking of the shop, the Spring Clearance Sale is happening right now. There are nearly 100 fabrics, bundles, thread packs and patterns that are on sale. Right now they are 25% off, but the price will continue to drop over the next two weeks as we move some of the items that have been around for a bit to make room for the new fabrics arriving in May. so click here to check it out and get a great deal. Bernina, Amanda Murphy Designs, Benartex, Amanda Murphy, Nordic Holiday, Amanda Murphy, fabric designer, author Bernina, Amanda Murphy Designs, Benartex, Amanda Murphy, Nordic Holiday, Amanda Murphy started her career in the quilting industry as a fabric designer for Benartex. With a background in graphic design, creating beautiful prints for fabrics was a natural starting point. From there she began authoring books on quilting, signed on as a spokesperson for Bernina and now travels the country teaching people to improve their quilting and let go of mistakes. In our interview Amanda shares some great tips on how to improve your free motion quilting (hint: it includes listening to podcasts like this one) and which comes first for her, the fabric design or the quilt she wants to make with the fabric. Amanda's new fabric line Nordic Holiday with Benartex is shipping to quilt shops this month. You can learn more about Amanda by visiting her website, amandamurphydesign.com. Rebecca Bryan, Modern Triangle Quilts, Bryan House Quilts Rebecca Bryan, author, teacher Rebecca Bryan, Modern Triangle Quilts, Bryan House QuiltsRebecca Bryan is a fourth generation quilter who became obsessed with quilting after discovering modern colors and fabrics. She started pursuing quilting as a career after her first book idea came to her in a dream. She took it as a sign that quilting was supposed to be more than a hobby and today she has published two books, is working on a series of online classes and is working on her first fabric line. In our interview we talk about how she developed a career for herself, developing her own sense of color and design from her traditional roots and how she balances career and being a mom to four kids. To learn more about Rebecca, visit her website bryanhousequilts.com.

Welcome to Episode 30 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. Today we have the Mary's on! Mary Hogan, author of "String Quilt Style" and Mary W. Kerr, quilt historian, author and the creative force behind the Quilt As Desired project. I think you're going to love both ladies and get lots of fabulous ideas on what to do for your next quilting project. Real quick before we get to the interviews, make sure you head over to shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com because there are hundreds of new bolts of fabric being added over the next week or so. That's because right after I moved into the brick and mortar location, the space next door became available. So my husband and I went for it, leased the space and are tripling our inventory to fill it. It is very exciting and there is new stuff going up daily as we get everything ready. String Quilt Style, Mary Hogan, string quilts, Landauer Publishing Mary Hogan, author Mary Hogan has a stash and knows how to use it. The author of "String Quilt Style: Easy techniques and inspiring designs form strips, scraps and stash," Mary's book is half string quilt how-to and half patterns and projects to get you started. Before seeing Mary's books I thought of string quilts as bland quilts made up of whatever strip came out of the scrap bag next. But Mary teaches you how to plan your strip layout and color choices to modernize this very traditional piecing method creating quilts that have dimension, depth and beauty. You can read more about Mary Hogan on her website marymhogan.com. You can get a copy of "String Quilt Style" from her Landauer Publishing at landauerpub.com. Quilt as Desired, Mary W. Kerr, antique quilts Mary W Kerr, quilt historian, not a fan of the "Quilt Police" Mary W. Kerr is an author, quilt historian and rule breaker. That is, rules set by the Quilt Police. She cherishes quilt history and in an effort to keep the unfinished quilt tops from the Greatest Generation from being sold for $25 at a yard sale, began the Quilt As Desired project. She took cast off tops with no provenance, no significance and that were nowhere near museum quality, the kind of top you might find in grandma's attic, and sent them to some of the best machine quilters in the industry with one line of instruction, "Quilt as Desired." The result is a traveling exhibit of 40 quilts that gives the world permission to machine quilt an antique top, and hopefully makes a few quilters smile down knowing that someone finished their quilt for them. You can read more about Mary and find out where the quilts are going next on her website www.marywkerr.com.

Welcome to Episode 29 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. I love all my guests. Having a half hour conversation with fabulous people in the quilting industry each week is one of the best parts of my week. But every once in a while I get to interview someone who has been a major part of my quilting journey. This week both of my guests hold that honor. We have the fabulous Angela Walters, one of the most well known names in the quilting industry who is an amazingly talented longarm quilter and Alex Veronelli, the chief business development officer and face of Aurifil. I have followed both for years, taking just about every Craftsy class Angela filmed and being constantly inspired by Alex's tweets. I spoke with Angela over the phone a couple weeks ago and caught up with Alex at QuiltCon last month. Since they both were integral parts of QuiltCon, and not everyone gets the chance to travel to the show, I am offering a special coupon code to use on Aurifil threads and modern quilt fabrics from Free Spirit Fabrics and Art Gallery Fabrics on shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com. I just got some of Tula Pink's new Tabby Road collection and you can even use it on there. Just use the code SITANDSEW10 at checkout to get your discount. Angela Walters, Longarm Quilter, author, teacher Angela Walters, Midnight Quilt Show, Craftsy, QuiltConAngela Walters is an author, Craftsy instructor and host of The Midnight Quilt Show, a new YouTube series produced by Craftsy, Angela always seems to have a new project going on. In our interview we talk about how Angela went from buying a longarm as a new quilter to one of the mot recognizable faces in the quilting industry. We also get into what it is like to own her own quilt shop, how she manages to get so much done and what really is in those wine glasses during the filming of The Midnight Quilt Show. Learn more about Angela, find links to the her Craftsy classes and The Midnight Quilt Show on her website www.quiltingismytherapy.com. Alex Veronelli, Chief Business Development Officer Aurifil Thread Aurifil, Alex VeronelliIf you know Aurifil Thread, chances are you also know Alex Veronelli. He is constantly sharing inspiring projects created with Aurifil Thread on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, challenging everyone who follows him to also create something beautiful. Alex took some time out at QuiltCon to chat with me. We covered the process of making Aurifil Thread, his need for Italian espresso, jet lag and what it is like to be thought of as a sexy man in the quilting industry. I totally have to hand in my Italian card on this interview. I am half Italian, my family has at least half-a-dozen pasta sauce recipes depending on what noodles are being served. But my Italian is limited to hello, goodbye, grandpa and a few colorful words I won't write here. So I my pronunciation of Alex's name and Aurifil pales in comparison to how beautiful it sounds coming from a native Italian speaker. You jut have to listen to Alex say it. Learn more about Aurifil Thread at aurifil.com.

Welcome to Episode 28 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. I have spent the last 36 hours interviewing a dozen fabulous people at QuiltCon in Savanah, Georgia. It was awesome, exhausting and so much fun. Me (left) with Stephanie ...

Welcome to Episode 27 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. Today we are talking quilts and politics. Don't worry, we're not going to talk about immigration, the EPA or cabinet appointments. We're going to take a look at how women h...

Welcome to Episode 26 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. Leah Day is in the house today! Leah is pretty famous in the free motion quilting world, she built her business hosting the Free Motion Quilting Project, which released 365 free motion quilting video tutorials. We are working on a fun mini quilt collaboration that we talk about in the interview and you can get the pattern and tutorials for on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Wendy Paskus is also on the episode. Wendy hand dyed fabrics for her company Stipples Ect. I found Wendy when I was at a quilt show after Leah asked me to do the mini collaboration and the second I saw the vibrant solid fabrics Wendy has created I knew I had to use them in this project. There's so much going on over at Quilt Addicts Anonymous. You can join Round 2 of the Kaleidoscope Block of the Month subscription program. You pay a $25 sign up fee and then $24.99 a month after that and I send you all the fabric you need to create your block each month. Sign ups close on January 31, 2017 and the first block shipment goes out in February. Click here to sign up (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/kaleidoscope-block-of-the-month/). You can also check out my new pattern and kit refraction. This pattern uses a jelly roll and some yardage to create a six pointed star medallion quilt. It uses strip piecing and a 60-degree ruler to make this quilt fast and with no Y-seams. Click here to get the pattern (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/refraction/). Click here to get the kit (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/refraction-quilt-kit/). Click here to watch the tutorial (http://www.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/2017/01/refraction-video-tutorial-and-pattern/). You also can sign up for the Starburst Galaxy Block of the Month which started last week. This king-sized quilt features 12 star variations. There is a pattern book available or you can order the kit and get the book for free. Click here to get the pattern book (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/starburst-galaxy-pattern-book/). Click here to get the kit (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/starburst-galaxy-quilt-kit/). And if you haven't already, make sure to sign up for email updates so you'll be the first to know when the pattern, kit and video tutorials are released for the Strippin' Mini collaboration with Leah Day. (http://sitandsewradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_6005-1024x768.jpg) Leah Day, Professional quilter, author, teacher (http://sitandsewradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Leah-Day-e1485201758243-238x300.jpg)Leah Day is an online quilt teacher, free motion quilter and savvy businesswoman. She began her quilting career with the Free Motion Quilting Project, which featured hundreds of quilting designs, each with its own video tutorial. But that is just the beginning. Leah has authored several books on machine quilting, hosts a block of the month where she teaches you how to piece the block and quilt it, hosts her own podcast, Hello My Quilting Friends. I'm on Episode 11, totally geeking out about how I use Google Analytics to track where revenue comes from in my online store so I know where to invest to grow my business. You can 

Welcome to Episode 25 of Sit & Sew Radio! Christa Watson is back talking about her new Craftsy class, her best tips for quilting a large quilt on a small machine, favorite threads to use in quilting and piecing and a whole lot more. I met Christa in real life at Quilt Market last fall and she is just as much fun in person as in an interview. So I really hope you enjoy our chat and get some great tips for finishing your own quilts on your domestic sewing machine. There is also lots of fun stuff going on over at Quilt Addicts Anonymous. The first video tutorial for the Kaleidoscope Block of the Month was released this week. For this Block of the Month, you have to purchase your pattern book from QuiltAddictsAnonymous.com (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/kaleidoscope-pattern-book/) or your local quilt shop. I also am hosting a subscription program for this Block of the Month. Now through January 31, 2017, you can sign up to participate. Then starting in February I'll send you the fabric you need to make each month's block. There is a $25 sign up fee and a $24.99 monthly fee to participate, which is a great way to make it affordable to sew a king-sized quilt. Click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/kaleidoscope-block-of-the-month/) to join the fun. I also am busy moving into my studio/quilt shop. However when I loaded up all my quilting stuff for the move, I was forced to come to terms with my addiction to purchasing old sewing machines and cabinets. It's pretty funny and involves sneaking large sewing cabinets into the basement without my husband knowing. Click here (http://www.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/2017/01/step-one-admit-you-have-a-problem/)to read the blog about my moment of reckoning when I realized exactly how many sewing machines I had collected over the years. (http://sitandsewradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Christa-Watson-1024x545.png) Christa Watson, professional quilter, author, Craftsy instructor (http://sitandsewradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/cwatson_profile-300x296.jpg)Christa Watson is one of my favorite people in the quilting world. She is talented, hard-working, down-to-Earth and really, really nice. So when I heard she was filming her first Craftsy class, I knew I had to have her back on the show. Christa is a very talented quilter who does beautiful work on a domestic machine and she will show you how to do it too by making a quilt plan in her class "The Quilter's Path: Plan It, Stitch It, Quilt It." You can click here to sign up for the class (http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=708072&b=253536&m=29190&afftrack=&urllink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecraftsy%2Ecom%2Fquilting%2Fclasses%2Fthe%2Dquilter%2Ds%2Dpath%2Dplan%2Dit%2Dstitch%2Dit%2Dquilt%2Dit%2F457838). She is the author of two books, "Machine Quilting With Style" and "The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting" which she co-authored with Angela Walters. In our interview we talk about how she auditions quilting designs to ensure the final quilting is exactly what she envisioned, thread and batting preferences, her very scientific way of fitting a big quilt under a small machine and the questions Christa thinks every quilter should ask themselves before beginning the quilting step. She also is giving away a free quilt pattern to anyone who joins her email list.

Welcome to Episode 24 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. I figured we've been together for about six months now and it was time for you all to get to know me a little better, so I talked my husband into interviewing me for today's episode. It is a really personal story where I share how I got into quilting and how I turned it into a business after I had my first daughter and realized I didn't want to work at a traditional nine-to-five job anymore so I could see my daughter more than for dinner and bath time after work. There also are some fun things going on over at Quilt Addicts Anonymous. The assembly instructions are available now for the Stars in the Night 2017 Block of the Month quilt. So you can get all your blocks together. Just click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/assembly-instructions-2016-block-of-the-month/) to download your instructions. This weekend I am moving Quilt Addicts Anonymous out of my living room and into a shop! I am super excited about having a studio and getting my house back, but not too excited about moving everything. So I am having a buy one get one free sale on all Batik Bundles. The sale lasts until New Year's Eve or until the bundles are sold out. Click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product-category/batik-bundles/) to check it out.   Stephanie Soebbing, pattern designer Stephanie Soebbing is a quilt pattern designer, blogger, and, of course, hosts this lovely podcast. Her husband, Adam Soebbing, takes the microphone over this week to interview Stephanie. He covers how Stephanie got into quilting, turned it from a hobby into a business, how she comes up with new patterns and some fun new projects she has planned for 2017. Click here to check out Stephanie's website at QuiltAddictsAnonymous.com (http://www.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/).

Welcome to Episode 23 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. We are back after taking a little hiatus and I’ve got a really awesome episode for you today. We’ve got two quilt pattern designers on today, and one of the...

Welcome to Episode 22 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. Today I am coming to you from Indianapolis, Indiana. My family and I needed a vacation so we packed up and headed out. As we checked out poten...

Welcome to Episode 21 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. Today we have some fun guests that will give you lots of great ideas for your next quilting and sewing projects. First up is Sue Voegtlin, the author of Block Genius: 201 pieced quilt blocks with No Math charts. The book breaks down 201 new and historic quilt blocks and show you how to make each one in three sizes with no math required. Then we have Tracy Trevethan on. She hand dyes wool for her company Tracy Trevethan designs. The colors are very rich and bright, giving the wool a more modern look than the primitives you may be used to seeing at quilt shops. So we talk about her dying process and a super cute pumpkin pin cushion project she has made from wool. They’re super cute and would make a great centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table. There's also lots going on over at Quilt Addicts Anonymous this week. The November Block of the Month pattern was released earlier this week. This is a free pattern download so click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/november-2016-block-of-the-month/) to get your pattern and make the Stars in the Night Quilt. We just have one month left, in this year’s quilt so I’m really excited to be almost done with this quilt. You can still sign up for the Kaleidoscope Block of the Month, which kicks off in January. This Block of the Month will be shipped in monthly installments, where you’ll pay a monthly fee and I’ll ship you fabric one month at a time. This will make the kit really affordable so you all can make a king-sized quilt without breaking the budget. Signups close on November 15, 2016, so click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/kaleidoscope-block-of-the-month/) to sign up. There also are a few fabric bundles left from Sample Spree at Market. These are fabric bundles from brand new fabric lines, some of them won’t be released for months, so go click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product-category/pre-cuts-and-bundles/sample-spree/) to check it out and add some to your stash. They’re really fun.   Sue Voegtlin, author/quilt photographer Sue Voegtlin is the photographer at Landauer Publishing and she raised her hand when the editorial team decided they needed to put out a block book. Two-hundred and one blocks later, "Block Genius: 201 pieced quilt blocks with No Math charts" was born. It contains instructions on how to make all the blocks in the book in three different sizes with no math. So we chat about why this book needs to be in your quilting library, how Sue went from the warehouse to behind the camera at Landauer and tips for taking beautiful photos of your quilts. Check out your local quilt shop to see if they have "Block Genius," or click here (http://landauerpub.com/block-genius.html) to buy it online.   Tracy Trevethan, Hand Dyed Wool Fabrics I met Tracy at Spring Quilt Market earlier this year and when I saw her again at Fall Quilt Market, I knew I had to get her on the podcast. I am not normally a wool girl. The primitive colors just don’t do much for me. But Tracy’s wool is different. You can get more of the traditional colors,

Welcome to Episode 20 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. I am so excited to be back after a short break. Life got a little hectic as I prepared for Quilt Market. I had six quilts in fabric manufacturer booths, all of which have been made in the last two months. You’ll get to hear more about the craziness in today's episode. I talked with a lot of amazing people for the podcast at Quilt Market, and made contacts with many more fabulous people in the quilting and sewing world, so there will be some fabulous interviews coming up in future episodes. Today we’ve got Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably, who work together in the Kaffe Collective to create beautiful fabrics and books that inspire quilters everywhere to play with color. Then you’ll want to stick around to hear Elaine Theriault, the Pattern and Teaching Specialist at Northcott Fabrics. We talk about what she does for her job, and we have a very special announcement about a special collaboration between Northcott Fabrics and Quilt Addicts Anonymous. Make sure to check out shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com to get a taste of Sample Spree at Quilt Market. Many of the fabric and pattern manufacturers bring thousands of precuts for sale and some of them are collections that don’t ship for months. It is a mad house but I managed to get about 100 pounds of fabulous fabrics to bring back to you all. Click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product-category/pre-cuts-and-bundles/sample-spree/) to see the Sample Spree goodies from Tula Pink, Kaffe Fassett, Denyse Schmidt, Jinny Beyer, Cotton & Steel, Alex Anderson, Art Gallery Fabrics, Moda, hand dyed wool and a whole lot more. There is only one of each fabric pack, so if you see something you like, buy it because once it is gone, that’s it.   Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably This is actually the second time I’ve chatted with Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably. The first time was at the opening of Blanket Statements, an exhibition of quilts inspired by antique quilts from the collection of the Quilt Museum and Gallery in York, England. That exhibit has spent a year traveling the country and its next stop is The National Quilt Museum in Paducah. Click here (http://www.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/2015/11/blanket-statements-not-your-grandmothers-quilt-show/)to learn more about that exhibit. We cover a lot of ground in this interview, what it is like to create one the road, two new books that are hitting the shelves, new fabric collections. So hold on as I take you into their booth at Quilt Market and into the world of Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably. Click here (http://www.kaffefassett.com/Home.html)to visit Kaffe’s website where you can find out where the duo is headed to next so you can meet them or attend a workshop with them.   Elaine Theriault, Pattern and Teaching Specialist, Northcott Fabrics Elaine Theriault is the Pattern and Teaching Specialist at Northcott Fabrics. We have been working together since this summer on a special secret project. In her interview we talk about her dream job, and reveal the new Block of the Month from Northcott and Quilt Addicts Anonymous. Listen to the interview to learn more about Kaleidoscope,

Welcome to Episode 19 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. I am really excited about today’s episode because Lee Chappell Monroe, the creative force behind May Chappell patterns, is back on. She was on the very first episode of Sit & Sew Radio and since that interview we’ve become friends. So this chat is very fun, a bit quirky and hopefully just as fun to listen to as it was to record. Frank Bennett, the CEO of the National Quilt Museum is also on. He’s talking about the museum’s new partnership with the Susan G Komen Foundation to bring the message of breast cancer education, advocacy and resources to the quilting community. Before we get to the interviews, I want to encourage you all to check out 52 Quilters on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/52quilters/). I have the honor of taking over the account this week and I’m sharing photos of my Quilt Market preparations. I’ve already finished two tops this week and will start a third this afternoon, so make sure to check out 52 Quilters to get a behind the scenes look as some of my new patterns that will debut at Quilt Market and be available in the Quilt Addicts Anonymous shop as patterns and kits later this year.   Lee Chappell Monroe, May Chappell pattern designer Lee Chappell Monroe is a pattern designer, Craftsy instructor and travels the country lecturing and teaching. You can hear all about her quilting journey in Episode 1 (http://sitandsewradio.com/episodes/episode-1-may-chappell-bobbin-storage-and-quilt-japan-exhibit/) of Sit & Sew Radio This time we talk about new patterns she is releasing later this month, and what it is like to work from home as a pattern designer. Lee and I are friends in real life, so this was a really fun interview to do. I hope you enjoy listening to the conversation as much as we enjoyed having it. You can learn more about Lee and read her block at maychappell.com (http://maychappell.com/). The Quilt Addicts Anonymous shop also carries a lot of her patterns, so click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product-category/patterns/may-chappell/) to check them out.   Frank Bennett, CEO of The National Quilt Museum The National Quilt Museum recently announced a partnership with Susan G. Komen Foundation Evansville Tri-State to help further breast cancer education in the quilting community. The initiative will involve some educational outreach messages as well as raising money for breast cancer research through the sale of a “Quilting for the Cure” T-shirt. I chatted with the National Quilt Museum’s CEO, Frank Bennett to learn more. The National Quilt Museum is the world's largest quilting museum, and its exhibits are viewed by more than 120,000 people per year in Paducah, Kentucky. “Quilting for the Cure” T-shirts can be purchased at the Museum's online store. Click here (http://quiltmuseum.org/store/home/249-quilting-for-a-cure-shirt.html) to get yours.