Sit & Sew Radio

Welcome to Episode 18 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. Today’s guests include Corey Yoder, a fabric designer for Moda, pattern designer and stay-at-home mom. We’ll hear all about how she became a fabric designer, how she balances work and family and how every opportunity she has is just a fun new adventure. We also have Nancy Bavor, the Curator of Collections & Exhibit Coordinator at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles. She is talking about a new exhibit that opens this Friday at the Museum. The exhibit is called “The California Art Quilt Revolution: From the Summer of Love to the New Millennium” and it examines the beginning of the art quilt movement, including some of the first art quilts and more recent works. There's also some fun stuff going on over at QuiltAddictsAnonymous.com. Sunday is your last day to pre-order the Starburst Galaxy 2017 Block of the Month quilt kit. All the fabrics are hand-dyed specifically for this kit and the process takes about two months. So if you want to make sure you receive a quilt kit in time to start in January, then you have to pre-order by Sunday, October 9. If you’re on a budget, there is a layaway option available. You’ll pay over three months and still get your quilt in late December. Click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/starburst-galaxy-quilt-kit/) to pre-order the kit now. Click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/starburst-galaxy-quilt-kit-layaway/) to put it on layaway.   Corey Yoder, fabric designer with Moda Corey Yoder is a fabric and pattern designer who has loved fabric longer than she has loved quilting. Her second fabric collection, Sundrops, with Moda is available in quilt shops now and she is starting to unveil projects for her third collection, LuLu Lane, which is due out in February. In our interview we talk about how quilting really started with her love of fabrics, so it makes perfect sense that she is now a fabric designer, how she went from stay at home mom to fabric and pattern designer and how she balances it all. To learn more about Corey, her patterns and her collections visit her website corianderquilts.com (http://corianderquilts.com/). Nancy Bavor, Curator of the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles Nancy Bavor is the Curator of Collections & Exhibit Coordinator at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles. We talk about a new exhibit at the museum that opens this weekend, “The California Art Quilt Revolution: From the Summer of Love to the New Millennium.” The exhibit includes original works by art quilters from the beginning of the Studio Art Quilt movement in the 1960s and 1970s, a second wave of art quilt inspired by the pioneers and contemporary art quilts, which often look nothing like bed quilts. It really is an interesting exhibit and interview and you’ll learn a lot about the birth of art quilting and its evolution. “The California Art Quilt Revolution” opens Friday, October 7, 2016, and continues through January 15, 2017, at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles. Visit sjquiltmuseum.org (http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org/) to learn more about the exhibit, get a link to the museum website and plan your trip to see the art quilts in person.

Welcome to Episode 17 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. If you have ever dreamed of turning your quilting hobby into a career then today’s episode is for you. Today's guests are Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness fame and Chris Webb, the creator of 52 Quilters. Make sure to also check out QuiltAddictsAnonymous.com to see Frou-Frou, a French fabric line that is just gorgeous and super soft. Quilt Addicts Anonymous is one of the first shops in the U.S. to carry the fabric. I designed a pattern just for Frou-Frou that accentuates the beautiful fabrics and uses linen as a background. It has a very modern look and is the softest quilt I have ever made. Click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/frou-frou-fabric-bundle/) to get a fabric bundle, and click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/1870/) to check out the pattern. Sara Lawson, Sew Sweetness Sara Lawson is the owner of Sew Sweetness. She took up sewing again after the birth of her first child and started designing bag patterns. But what began as a hobby quickly turned into a career and now her patterns are sold in quilt shops worldwide. She also is the author of two books and has designed two fabric lines. She took the lessons she learned turning her hobby into a business and helped organize the first Sew Pro, a conference for aspiring pattern designers, fabric designers, authors and bloggers. The conference wrapped up earlier this week, but Sara shares some of the lessons she learned as she grew her business in our interview. You can learn more about Sara by checking out her website sewsweetness.com (http://sewsweetness.com/). You can read her blog, checkout free tutorials and purchase her patterns. Chris Webb, 52 Quilters Chris Webb is the creator of 52 Quilters, an Instagram account that is taken over by a new quilter each week. In our interview we talk about how the social experiment got started, how it grew and how the guest posters use it to promote and grow their businesses. 52 Quilters is in its second year and is a great way for quilters to find new inspiration from others in the community. It also is a great way for quilt business owners to reach new audiences. I've found lots of great inspiration and new people to follow in the quilting community. You can click here (https://www.instagram.com/52Quilters/) to follow 52 Quilters on Instagram. And check out www.52quilters.com (http://www.52quilters.com/) to learn more about the quilters taking over the feed. Chris also is a quilter. He is from Canada and lives in London. He blogs over at lazycrafternoons.co.uk (http://www.lazycrafternoons.co.uk/)

Welcome to Episode 16 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. I am so excited to share this week’s guests with you. First up is Christopher Thompson, you may know him better as The Tattooed Quilter. He is a modern quilter with traditional roots who now lives in New York City working in the fashion industry. We talk about discovering the modern quilting movement, what it is like to be a quilter in a big city and Canadian tuxedos. Then we’ll hear from Mary Talbert and Sarah Marx who run Crafted Quad Cities in Davenport, Iowa. I know Mary from our days working in marketing and she is the very talented graphic designer who designed the Quilt Addicts Anonymous logo. I wanted to bring them on to talk about these adorable pumpkins they created with wooden spools for stems. Plus, they’ve created something really special for makers in the Quad Cities. You all really enjoyed the English Paper Piecing tutorial from last week, but there were a few common questions about the super-fun, super portable sewing technique. So I wrote a follow-up blog that covers fabric selection, hexie to-go storage and final layout ideas. Plus, I have hexie starter kits available. Click here (http://www.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/2016/09/five-tips-for-hexie-organization/) to read the blog and click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product-category/notions/english-paper-piecing-supplies/) to check out the hexie supplies.   Christopher Thompson, aka The Tattooed Quilter Christopher Thompson is a southern guy who learned to sew from the women in his family, discovered modern quilting and started influencing quilters everywhere with his fun fresh style. tIn our interview we talk about where he finds his inspiration, how he finds space to sew in cramped New York City, his adorable puppy and, of course, his sewing-inspired tattoos. If you enjoyed this interview with Christopher Thompson aka The Tattooed Quilter, click here (http://www.thetattooedquilter.com/) his website where you can learn more about him, see his latest projects and upcoming workshops. Mary Talbert and Sarah Marx, Crafted Quad Cities Mary Talbert and Sarah Marx, the duo behind Crafted Quad Cities. I know these two personally as I also live in the Quad Cities. Mary and I used to work together when we both were slaving away at nine-to-five jobs at an ad agency. Then one day I watched her walk out to pursue her dream of opening a shop that sold the creative arts from makers in our community. I hope you enjoy hearing the story of how Crafted Quad Cities came to be and that you all find it as inspiring as I have. I do have to warn you that there is one F-bomb in this interview. So when they start talking about kitty crack, you may want to pause it if you have little ones around. Click here (http://www.craftedqc.com/) to check you the Crafted Quad Cities website. And if you find yourself traveling down I-80 crossing the Illinois and Iowa border, plan a detour to check out the shop.

Welcome to Episode 15 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous Podcast. Today we have a real treat. Teresa Barkley is on the show. She is a member of the Manhattan Quilt Guild and an art quilter by night and a pattern maker in the garment district in New York by day. We'll also hear from some of our past guests about the quilts that mean the most to them in the occasional series Most Memorable Quilts. Today we'll hear from Judy Schwender, the Curator at the National Quilt Museum, Alison Glass, a quilt and fabric designer with Andover Fabrics and Iris Karp, the maker of MisyFuse. We're also going to have the first interview in what may become an occasional series featuring the husband's point of view when it comes to living with a quilt addict. Make sure you head over to QuiltAddictsAnonymous.com to check out this week's free video tutorial. You'll learn how to make hexies with English Paper Piecing. You can use this technique to make any number of designs, but I show you how to make a grandmother's flower garden pattern. I've got some tips for trimming your hexies, no-sew basting and tying a quilters knot. Click here (http://www.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/2016/09/how-to-make-hexies-with-english-paper-piecing/) to watch the free HD video tutorial. Teresa Barkley, Manhattan Quilt Guild Teresa Barkley has worked in the fashion district in New York City for 35 years as a pattern maker. She also is a member of the Manhattan Quilt Guild, an art quilter and avid collector of vintage fabrics and feed sacks. Her art quilts often feature her collection of feed sacks with advertising and other graphic images on them. In our interview we talk about Here and There: Works by the Manhattan Quilt Guild, which is on display at the National Quilt Museum, working with vintage fabrics, fast fashion and the messages behind her quilt designs. Her quilt "Authentic Imitation", shown above, illustrates the lessons she has learned working in the fashion industry about genuine products, imitations and the impact it has on our environment. Here and There: Works by the Manhattan Quilt Guild is on display at The National Quilt Museum through November 15, 2016. Click here (http://quiltmuseum.org/manhattan/) to learn more about the exhibit and see other quilts in the collection. Most memorable quilts with Judy Schwender, Alison Glass and Iris Karp In today's episode we hear from several of our past guests to learn what the most memorable quilt is to them. Many of these men and women are famous quilters who have made dozens of beautiful quilts. But often the quilt that means the most to them isn't a pattern they made to sell, but a highly personal quilt packed with meaning. We hear from Judy Schwender, the curator for the National Quilt Museum, Alison Glass, a quilt and fabric designer with Andover Fabrics, and Iris Karp, the maker of MistyFuse fusible web. If you enjoyed these the Most Memorable Quilts series, make sure to check out the original episodes the guests appeared on to hear more from them. * Judy Schwender - Episode 1 (http://sitandsewradio.com/episodes/episode-1-may-chappell-bobbin-storage-and-quilt-japan-exhibit/) and Episode 11 (http://sitandsewradio.com/episodes/episode-11-tara-curtis-and-judy-schwender/) * Alison Glass - 

Welcome to episode 14 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. Today we have some wonderful guests. We'll be chatting costumes and one-color quilts with two new book authors. You'll hear from Kristie Good the author of Epic Cosplay Costumes, and Andi Stanfield, a co-author of Monochromatic Quilts: Amazing Variety. Before we get to the interviews, let's hear a little bit about what is going on over at Quilt Addicts Anonymous this week. There is a new free block pattern for the Stars in the Night year-long block of the month. Kits are still available for this beautiful quilt. Click here to get the free pattern download and click here to order the kit. Kristie Good, author, cosplay maker Kristie Good is the author of Epic Cosplay Costumes a new release from Fons & Porter. Kristie is a magna-style artist who discovered cosplay through her love of art. She has won multiple awards for her cosplay and if you haven't heard of cosplay, don't worry, she'll explain what it is. And trust me, if you've ever made a Halloween costume or a princess dress for a granddaughter, you can learn something from Kristie. Visit Kristie's website crashbanglabs.com (http://crashbanglabs.com/) to learn more about her and cosplay. Click here (http://www.interweavestore.com/epic-cosplay-costumes) to check out the Interweave store to get a copy of Epic Cosplay Costumes. Andi Stanfield, author Andi Stanfield co-wrote Monochromatic Quilts: Amazing Variety with her mom, Mary McElvain. The book features eleven designs, each made from one color family. We'll hear about her inspiration and what is was like collaborating with her mom on a a quilt project of this magnitude. Check out Andi's website truebluequilts.com (http://truebluequilts.com/) to learn more about Monochromatic Quilts and get a copy of the book.

Welcome to Episode 13 of Sit & Sew Radio a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast. This episode is sponsored by the Ohio University Press. Sit & Sew Radio listeners can get an exclusive 30 percent discount on "Following the Barn Quilt Trail" and "Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement" by today's guest Suzi Parron. Just enter the code SITSEW to get 30 percent off both books through September 30, 2016. Click here (http://www.ohioswallow.com/book/Following+the+Barn+Quilt+Trail?utm_source=sitandsewradio.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sitandsewradio.sponsorship.episode13) to visit Ohio University Press' website and get your copies. In addition to Suzi Parron, we also have Mary W. Kerr, the author of "Twisted: Modern Quilts with a Vintage Twist." Before we get into our guest bios, make sure to check out Quilt Addicts Anonymous to see Starburst Galaxy, the 2017 Block of the Month design which was released earlier this week. The king-sized quilt features softer colors than the past two years designs and has a ombre color scheme. Kits and pattern books are available for pre-order. For your convenience, you can pay all at once, or get on a layaway plan. Click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/starburst-galaxy-quilt-kit/) to order all at once. Click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/starburst-galaxy-quilt-kit-layaway/) to put the kit on layaway. Suzi Parron, author I caught up with Suzi Parron when she was at a stop in Nebraska last week. Although her second book on barn quilts is finished, she still travels the country in an RV lecturing and teaching barn quilt painting workshops. Part travelogue, history lesson and love story, "Following the Barn Quilt Trail" by Suzi Parron offers much more to readers than stories of barn quilts and the farms they decorate. The second book on barn quilts from Parron, the book records not just the tales of the barn quilts, but the adventures Parron had as she traveled across the United States and Canada with her partner, Labrador and Ruby, a vintage bus that was the cause of many mishaps along the road. You can learn more about Parron and see her lecture schedule at her website barnquiltinfo.com (http://barnquiltinfo.com/). You can pick up a copy of her book at her publisher's website ohioswallow.com (http://You can learn more about Parron and see her lecture schedule at her website barnquiltinfo.com. You can pick up a copy of her book at her publisher's website ohioswallow.com.). Make sure you use promo code SITSEW before September 30, 2016, to save 30 percent off both of Parron's barn quilt books at the Ohio University Press website. Mary W. Kerr, author and quilt historian Mary W. Kerr has written several quilting books and her latest combines quilting's past with its future: "Twisted: Modern Quilts with a Vintage Twist." A quilt historian with an admittedly large stash of vintage quilt blocks and unfinished tops, Mary wanted a way to combine her love of antique quilts with the designs of the modern quilting movement. Partnering with 23 machine quilters to enhance her designs and bring the negative space to life, Mary showcases 22 quilts that combine the best of vintage textiles and contemporary quilt design. And yes,

Welcome to Episode 12 of Sit & Sew Radio! I took a little break last week while I was on a family vacation. But now we're back on a new day. You can now hear Sit & Sew Radio every Wednesday. So enjoy your quilting goodness mid-week from here on out....

Welcome to Episode 11 of Sit & Sew Radio! As always, we have some great guests lined up for your listening pleasure. Tara Curtis kicks off the show. She is the inventor of the Wefty Needle, which is used to weave fabric strips together to create beautiful patterns and projects. Then Judy Schwender is back to talk about The National Quilt Museum's collection of miniature quilts. They're gorgeous, intricate and super small and there are lots of photos below to look at while you listen. And we have a winner from last week's giveaway! Robin Lopez is the winner of "The Simple Simon Guide to Patchwork Quilting" by Liz Evans and Elizabeth Evans. Thanks to those ladies for providing a copy of their book as a giveaway to go along with their interview in Episode 10 (http://sitandsewradio.com/episodes/episode-10-liz-evans-and-elizabeth-evans-from-simple-simon-and-company/). Also make sure you head over to the Quilt Addicts Anonymous shop to check out the new Stars & Stripes pattern that was released this week. The patriotic pattern fits the requirements for a Quilt of Valor, so you can make one for you and one to honor a veteran. No onto the show! Tara Curtis, inventor of the Wefty Needle, co-founder of the Modern Meshwork Movement Tara Curtis loved to weave fabric strips, but found it to be very hard on her hands. Inspired by her own frustrations, she worked with her husband to create the very first Wefty Needle on their 3-D printer. She figured maybe a few of her friends on Instagram would like, but it turns out she hit a cord with lots of other makers who were frustrated with attempting to weave fabric strips without a tool make just for them. We heard a little bit about this cool tool in Episode 9 (http://sitandsewradio.com/episodes/episode-9-mister-domestic-and-swirly-girls-design/) from Mathew Boudreaux aka Mister Domestic. We'll hear from Tara about what inspired her to create the Wefty, the Modern Meshwork Movement she co-founded and some great tips and tricks that will help you get started if you want to give it a try. Click here (http://www.tjaye.com/) to visit Tara's website where you can see weaving tutorials and get your own Wefty needle. Judy Schwender, curator of The National Quilt Museum Judy is always an awesome person to talk to about quilts. Her passion for quilting, specifically quilting as an art form is just so obvious. She clearly lives and breathes quilting. Today we're talking about the Museum's collection of miniature quilts. Measuring no larger than 24 inches on any one side, these quilts may be small, but there is a whole lot packed into them. Judy shared several images of the quilts that you can see here. But to really appreciate the quilts, you have to see them in person. Click here (http://quiltmuseum.org/visit/) to plan your trip.

If you like to quilt, but don't have a million hours to devote to it, then you're going to love today's episode. Liz Evans and Elizabeth Evans from Simple Simon and Company are on to chat about their new book, "The Simple Simon Guide to Patchwork Quilting." It is filled with fast, fun projects for today's quilter, as well as home decor and kids sewing projects that can be made form classic quilt blocks. Liz and Elizabeth are giving away a copy of "The Simple Simon Guide to Patchwork Quilting" to one lucky Sit & Sew Radio listener. Just scroll to the bottom of the page and enter for your chance to win! And speaking of free, make sure you head over to Quilt Addicts Anonymous and download the August pattern for the Stars in the Night Block of the Month. All the patterns for the year-long BOM are free to download and kits are available. Click here (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product-category/block-of-the-month-2016/) to get all the patterns and kit. Liz Evans and Elizabeth Evans, Simple Simon and Company Liz Evans and Elizabeth Evans are sisters-in-law who share quite a bit ... name, number of kids, love of all things sewing. But Elizabeth's reserved style and Liz's flare combine to make a fun combination of modern quilts made from traditional blocks. Their new book, "The Simple Simon Guide to Patchwork Quilting" features their collaboration at its best, featuring fun quilting and sewing projects appropriate for beginners and advanced quilters looking for something fast and fun. In the interview we cover how they both got into sewing and quilting, (Liz may have been resistant to domestic tasks and got kicked out of home ec) how they combine their quilting and sewing styles, tips for creating beautiful photographs of your quilts and what they're working on now. Click here (http://www.simplesimonandco.com/) to check out Simple Simon and Company website and blog.

Welcome to Episode 9 of Sit & Sew Radio, a Quilt Addicts Anonymous podcast! As always we've got some great guests in the quilting and sewing world. Today we hear from Mathew Boudreaux, also known as Mister Domestic. We talk fabric weaving, sewing for little girls and what it is like being a guy in a craft dominated by women. There are tangents in our interview, lots of them, but they're fun and I hope you enjoy listening to Mathew as much as I enjoyed talking with him. You'll want stick around to hear Susan Emory, of Swirly Girls Design. She is a former quilt shop owner, pattern designer, educator and licensed fabric designer with Michael Miller. She specializes in designing patterns that work with large scale prints that are popular in modern fabrics. So check her out to get some ideas for those fabrics you've dubbed to beautiful to use. Mathew Boudreaux, AKA Mister Domestic Mathew Bourdreaux, who goes by Mister Domestic in the online sewing world, started sewing three years ago when his daughter was born. He wanted to make her beautiful things and have a way for them to bond as she got older. A couple of sewing classes in and he was hooked. He makes a whole lot of girls apparel, quilts and these beautiful woven fabric creations. You can see one example above. He prepares fabric strips and then weaves them together to make pillows, panels in apparel, wall art and even entire quilts. Learn more about Mtthew, see more woven and apparel sewing projects and get a link to his social media accounts at his website, misterdomestic.net (http://misterdomestic.net/). Susan Emory, Swirly Girls Designs Susan Emory has a long list of titles behind her name. She is a former quilt shop owner, pattern designer, fabric designer, ruler designer, Aurfill thread collection curator. You name it, she has probably done it in the quilting world. In our interview we talk about her creative journey from a freelance graphic designer, to longarm quilter, to quilt shop owner, to pattern designer and eventually licensed fabric designer for Michael Miller. Her latest collection, Summer Lovin' is shipping to quilt stores right now and it has a coordinated Aurfill thread collection to go with it. To learn more about Susan Emory, check out her blog susanemory.com (http://susanemory.com/) and you can purchase her patterns at swirlygirlsdesign.com (https://www.swirlygirlsdesign.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html).

Oh today's episode is so fun! I get to talk in person to a super-fun quilter I met online, bring you some great info on how to store and wash your quilts so they last for generations and introduce you to a very fun pattern designer. Make sure you also head over to Quilt Addicts Anonymous to download the July Mini BOM pattern (http://www.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/mini-block-of-the-month-2016/). I can't believe this quilt is almost done and it is only the second month of the BOM! I also am starting to carry patterns from some of my favorite quilt designers whose work I find inspiring. You can check out shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/) to see check out patterns from Alison Glass (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product-category/patterns/alison-glass-sew/) (featured on Episode 2), Eye of the Beholder, Freddie's Friends (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product-category/patterns/freddies-friends/) (featured in this the episode), and May Chappell (http://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product-category/patterns/may-chappell/) (featured in Episode 1). Check it out and support some awesome women so they can continue to make beautiful patterns for all of us. Laura McDowell Hopper, curator by day @SonicStitches (https://www.instagram.com/sonicstitches/) by night What's that? You don't think textile preservation is interesting? Clearly you haven't listened to Laura McDowell Hopper talk about it. Our interview is filled with laughter, good arguments for why the temperature needs to be lowered, horse shampoo and of course how to store and clean your quilts so that they last for generations. Laura also blogs over at SonicStitchesQuilts.com (http://www.sonicstitchesquilts.com/) and has put together an amazing article complete with step-by-step photos on how to properly fold and store your quilts. Click here (http://www.sonicstitchesquilts.com/blog/preserving-quilts-in-your-home) to check it out. And click here (http://www.niu.edu/anthro_museum/exhibits/Index.shtml) to learn more about Storytelling: Hmong American Voices a textile exhibit on display at the Pick Museum of Anthropology at Northern Illinois University where Laura works as a curator. Ingrid Pinto, Freddie's Friends If you've got a little one in your life, then you'll want to stick around to listen to Ingrid Pinto the creator of Freddie's Friends (http://freddieandcompany.com/). It is an adorable collection of stuffed animal toys that you can make yourself from quilting cottons. All the seams are left raw, and the animals are all sewed flat and then stuffed, so they're really simple to make. Freddie's Friends all began when Ingrid's son asked her to draw him a dragon. She thought, well, why don't I just make a dragon from fabric. Well, she still hasn't made a dragon, but she has made a menagerie of animals from lion to butterfly.