Blog

In this episode, I emphasize the importance of collaboration over competition, urging the community to share knowledge, celebrate others’ successes, and seek help without fear. I advocate for giving proper credit to original ideas and designs, ensuring a supportive and vibrant creative industry. Tune in to learn how generosity can form a strong foundation for … Read more

In this episode, Susan introduces her listeners to Tracy Beavers, a business coach focused on helping her clients simplify their businesses and help them create successful launches and consistent income.   Some of the tenets of being visible include being visible on social media, being on the platform where your ideal clients are hanging out and … Read more

One frequent hangup with having a business, especially a service-based business like longarm quilting, is learning how to set a profitable price point that honors the amount of time you’re spending performing the service for your client. In this episode of Measure Twice, Cut Once, I’ll take the lessons learned in Episode 94 with Casey … Read more

Mastering Creative Entrepreneurship and Pricing with Casey Brown In this episode of Measure Twice, Cut Once, I introduce to you my special guest, Casey Brown, a pricing expert and author of ‘Fearless Pricing‘ and founder of Boost Pricing.  Casey’s TED Talk can be viewed here.  Casey talks about helping artisans command the prices they deserve and shares insights … Read more

Many of you have asked why I made the switch to a Bernina longarm machine after quilting over 1100 quilts on Lucy, my Gammill Vision. Here is the story!

In the new season of Measure Twice, Cut Once, I’ll be delving into the behind-the-scenes of building a creative business. The season features personal experiences and guest interviews about navigating creative entrepreneurship. I’ll shares my creative journey of turning a quilting hobby into a thriving business, sparked by the challenges of the 2020 pandemic. Despite … Read more

We tend to do reps quickly to compensate for the fact that we don’t have enough strength to complete them with control and grace.

My Free Motion Quilting Masterclass takes exactly that approach. Beginning with foundational shapes. Moving on to solid practice methods to increase machine control. And then opening up the world to dozens of creative designs and ideas.

This idea of tailoring what you’re doing “for the conditions” is a life lesson for all kind of things, even machine quilting.

What are some of the conditions we quilters need to slow down and pay attention to?

I’m so excited to announce we have a new website and a new logo! Don’t you love the thread making an S through the needle? I sure do. This is crazy exciting for me to finally roll out. Erin (my assistant) and I have been working and re-working everything in the website for months 😂 … Read more

free motion fun It’s been a fun few days of my favorite kind of quilting – free motion, edge-to-edge designs. I thoroughly enjoy matching the machine quilting idea to the “feel” of the quilt, its fabric, and who it’s intended for. birds of a feather First up is some all-over casual feathers. A close-up…. …and … Read more

Exploring Creative Entrepreneurship and Quilting with Tabatha Smith In this episode of ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once,’ host Susan welcomes Tabatha Smith, also known as the Quilt Retreat Queen.  Tabatha discusses her journey of building a successful quilting business and the upcoming Quilted! Summit, a virtual event featuring 25 speakers sharing insights about quilting and creative … Read more

I don’t know about you but right after the holidays, I tend to look around my sewing room and think, “I really need to declutter and organize.” “I need to finish some of the projects I’ve already started.” “I really should use the fabrics I have and save money.” And also me… “I really want … Read more

During my most recent YouTube Live and Unscripted, I’m working on piecing a project by One S1ster Designs, in Janet Nesbitt’s signature “crazy” style. Gorgeous red, country white (aka tan), and blue fabrics, all from Janet’s own Henry Glass lines come together to make a super charming and patriotic quilt. Viewers joined me virtually in … Read more

The Power of the Not To-Do List in Creative Entrepreneurship In season five of Measure Twice, Cut Once, the focus shifts to the behind-the-scenes world of quilting and creative business building. I’ll share personal experiences and strategies for turning a passion into a profession, emphasizing the importance of a ‘not to-do list.’ This approach prioritizes … Read more

Deep understanding – earned through struggles and “mistakes” – is far more valuable than any instant perfection could have been.

Pattern designers need quilts to be quilted too! Amy Smart is the force behind “Diary of a Quilter”, and she’s sent me this sweet starry Christmas quilt for a freehand quilting finishing touch. I plan to quilt my Crazy 8s design – free motion, of course! – and it’ll be done as a live stream … Read more

Over 10 years ago Karlee Porter invented and made wildly popular her signature style of quilting – Grafitti Quilting. Machine quilting has never looked so gorgeous! Basically, it’s a mashup of all kinds of unexpected designs in the same quilted area. But that’s not all. Oh no! It also involves breaking lots of quilting “rules” … Read more

So many quilting designs! How do you choose?

Create texture with different quilting patterns on this Foxy Hoffman Panel

This is a fast and easy way to splice your batting when you have come up short.

spa day … aka regular maintenance for your sewing machine tlc for your sewing machine It’s spa day in the studio! Every machine needs a little TLC now and then. The good news is: it’s easy. The great news is: that little bit of TLC will go a long way toward saving you costly servicing … Read more

never buy spray starch again! It seems too good to be true, I know! But it is, in fact, super simple, and also free of pesky chemicals, so even those who are sensitive are likely to find this a great hack. It is residue free, unlike laundry-type starches, so it’s ideal for quilting. things you’ll … Read more

Can freehand quilting IMPROVE a quilt? Absolutely, yes! Of course, you know my answer, HECK YEAH! But just in case you don’t believe me, I’ve got a great example for you. I get to provide quilting services for clients of all skill levels, from beginner to ace. The most rewarding comment I ever receive is, “You … Read more