Send us a text In this episode, I share the story behind my Free Motion Quilting Masterclass, explaining how I discovered my passion for longarm quilting and developed techniques to help others master freehand quilting without patterns or templates. Resources Mentioned: Free Motion Quilting Masterclass: Available at stitchedbysusan.com under the "Learn" tab YouTube Channel: " Stitched by Susan " featuring live quilting demonstrations on select Fridays Pinterest: "Stitched by Susan" with a board ...
May 14, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 109
Send us a text In this episode, Susan interviews Blair Stocker of Wise Craft Handmade, discussing Blair's unique approach to color and value in quilt making, her journey as a crafter, and her revival of the vintage stitching technique called "chicken scratch." About Blair Stocker Blair is known for her creative approach to scrappy quilts, focusing on value rather than strict color theory. She comes from a background in apparel design and fashion merchandising, bringing a unique perspective to qu...
May 07, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 108
Send us a text In this episode, I discuss how excellence and efficiency can coexist in creative entrepreneurship. Episode Highlights: Finding the balance between providing excellent service and maintaining profitability The difference between excellence and perfection Creating a "sweet spot" where excellence and efficiency intersect The importance of developing signature techniques and systems Key Insights: Excellence means quality work without getting trapped in perfectionism Efficiency require...
Apr 30, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 107
Send us a text In this episode, I speak with Erynn Truexx, the creative force behind True Threads Quilting and The Panto Shop . The conversation explores Erynn's journey as a quilter and entrepreneur, focusing on her experience with longarm quilting and her recent acquisition of the Panto Shop, a digital pantograph marketplace. Key Topics Discussed Erynn's introduction to quilting through the Modern Quilt Guild and QuiltCon Her experience working with Innova at quilt shows The acquisition and re...
Apr 23, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 106
Send us a text In this episode of Measure Twice, Cut Once, I explore the process of learning new skills and capabilities, both in quilting and in business. I share personal stories about taking on challenging projects—from creating a quilt from vintage blocks to building an online course business—and break down the four stages of growth: courage, commitment, capability, and confidence. This episode offers practical insights for anyone looking to expand their creative skills or transform their pa...
Apr 16, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 105
Send us a text In this episode, I welcome Sarah Becvar, a textile artist from England with over 20 years of experience creating machine embroidered textiles and greeting cards. Sarah shares her unique technique for creating beautiful machine embroidered cards and offers practical advice for listeners interested in trying this creative art form. Sponsored By Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set - Use code MEASURE for 40% off About Sarah Becvar Based in England 20+ years experience (approaching 24 years) i...
Apr 09, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 104
Send us a text In this episode, I welcome Amy Lollis, a quilt pattern writer, fabric designer, podcaster, crocheter, and Oklahoma homeschool mom. About Amy Lollis Quilt pattern writer, fabric designer, podcaster, crocheter Oklahoma homeschool mom Creator behind Amy Lollis Creative Unofficial motto: "Make every day just a little bit more magical" Topics Discussed No-Spend Challenge : Amy discusses her current 365-day no-spend challenge, designed to get off the "hamster wheel" of constantly buying...
Apr 02, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 103
Send us a text In this episode, I explore unconventional and budget-friendly quilting tools that can be found at your local hardware store. As part of Season 5's focus on building a creative business, this episode offers practical tips for quilters looking to save money while enhancing their craft. Hardware Store Quilting Tools: Tools Section: Magnetic Bowls - Deeper than typical pin dishes, perfect for holding pins, especially heavy-duty long arm pins Magnetic Bars - Used to secure quilt tops w...
Mar 26, 2025•19 min•Season 5Ep. 102
Send us a text In this episode, I explore the power of storytelling in newsletters and email marketing for creative entrepreneurs. She shares how incorporating personal stories can dramatically increase engagement, build connection with subscribers, and transform newsletters from dreaded tasks into effective business tools. Want to learn how to write story based emails for yourself? Bill Mueller has one of the best courses to learn how! For more information, visit his website . ** **Note: Some l...
Mar 19, 2025•20 min•Season 5Ep. 101
Send us a text In this episode, Susan welcomes Carina Gardner , a renowned fabric designer and CEO of multiple companies. Carina, who has designed fabric for Riley Blake Designs , dies for Silhouette, host of the Make and Design Podcast , creater of Design Suite , and is the founder of the University of Arts and Design , shares her journey and strategies for building a thriving creative business. The episode covers Carina's latest exciting project, her new office 'the barn,' and its role in her ...
Mar 12, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 100
Send us a text Join me at QuiltCon 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona! I had the pleasure to speak with vendors, attendees and teachers, and recorded them to share with you. Find out more about them below: Hollyann of String and Story Website - https://www.stringandstory.com/ Kristin of Laurastar Website - https://www.laurastar.com/ Lorelai Kueker of Pigs in a Blanket Quilting Website - https://www.pigsinablanketquilting.com/ Cheryl Koranda - Longarm League Website - https://www.longarmleague.com/ Natalie...
Mar 07, 2025•50 min•Season 5Ep. 99
Send us a text In the latest season of 'Measure Twice, Cut Once,' we dive into the world of creative entrepreneurship and quilting. Join me as I welcome Amy Smart, of Diary of a Quilter , a well-established quilter and fabric designer for Riley Blake Designs . Amy and I discuss her journey from blogging to designing fabric, the evolution of her business, her strategies for maintaining balance, and insights on the quilting community's changes over the years. Learn practical tips for managing a cr...
Mar 05, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 99
Send us a text In this episode, I welcome world traveler Kim Caskey to the podcast. You can find out more about her from her website at www.kimcaskey.ca and more about her world tours at www.kimcaskey.ca/tours as well as on Facebook and Instagram . Kim has the enviable job of coordinating and organizing textile tours around the world, including Ireland, Scotland, France, England, Wales, Japan, France, and Italy. Kim frequently likes to tie in quilt festivals into these tours, as these are great ...
Feb 26, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 98
Send us a text In this episode, I emphasize the importance, as I see it, of collaboration over competition. It's a beautiful thing when our quilting community shares knowledge, celebrates others' successes, and seeks help without fear. I advocate for giving proper credit to original ideas and designs, ensuring a supportive and vibrant and sustainable creative industry. Tune in to learn how generosity can form a strong foundation for a prosperous, creative business. When we work together, it not ...
Feb 19, 2025•9 min•Season 5Ep. 97
Send us a text 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 . Supp...
Feb 12, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 96
Send us a text In Season 5 of Measure Twice, Cut Once, the focus shifts to the business side of quilting and creative entrepreneurship. The season aims to share personal experiences and host guest discussions on building a thriving creative business. The opening of the episode introduces Heather from PurpleHobbies.com , who designs custom 3D printed sewing tools. My favorite is the binding third hand . But whether you want to organize your bobbins , or find the perfect pin holder , or tag and la...
Feb 05, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 95
Send us a text Creative Entrepreneurship and Pricing with guest 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 on pricing, valuing one's work, and building confidence as a creative entrepreneur. The discussion covers practical steps ...
Jan 29, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 94
Send us a text 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 the demands of the business side, I'll emphasizes maintaining the joy of the craft, balancing creativity with neces...
Jan 22, 2025•17 min
Send us a text Exploring Creative Entrepreneurship and Quilting with Tabatha Smith In this episode of 'Measure Twice, Cut Once,' I welcome 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 business endeavors. The episode delves into her retreat center, Camellia Palms , her Quilt Queens Membership how it h...
Jan 15, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 92
Send us a text 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 conscious decisions on what to avoid to maintain focus and achieve goals efficiently, without sacrificing joy. The episode co...
Jan 08, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 91
Send us a text #machinequilting #artquilting #grafitti 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" to achieve a very unique, and extremely personalized look. In the first edition of her book "Grafitti Quilting", fir...
Mar 06, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 90
Send us a text Amy Freyn is one of only TWO longarm quilters in the entire country of Equador! She's a professor by day, and an avid quilter by night. She credits quilting with saving her life - twice! Her story of change and pivot and taking chances is truly remarkable. Amy's also the #dancingquilter. Take up her challenge and post your own videos with the hashtag. Let your happiness show ❤️ You can find Amy and her dancing REELs on Instagram as @quitoquilts . Want to try free motion quilting b...
Apr 13, 2023•26 min•Season 2Ep. 89
Send us a text Carly Brush and Lydia Kao are representing WHATNOT, which is a community marketplace all wrapped up in an app. They are both so excited to be building the Quilting and Sewing category of WHATNOT, and it is growing at a tremendous rate. It has been designed to serve small business owners, with simplicity and convenience and, really, it's a virtual store front for small businesses and individuals. You'll hear some really creative ways that crafters are getting involved. Carly and Ly...
Mar 15, 2023•51 min•Season 2Ep. 88
Send us a text Adria Good has been quilting for a very long time! She's quilted through getting married...kids...homeshooling...basketball coaching...all the things. Her story is one of learning and growing. New idea? Research and learn. New upgrade? Practice, and expand capabilities. New challenge? Take it one step at a time. You CAN do the hard things. Listen to hear all these stories and more. Adria has grown from sewing simple plush toys with her first sewing machine to working at an industr...
Feb 28, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 87
Send us a text Today I'm talking about a slightly uncomfortable topic - what to do when everything’s just going wrong. Just last week, I received a schooling in this! I regularly live stream quilting a project on YouTube and Facebook. I’ve dubbed it Live & Unscripted, and sometimes Quilting’s First Reality Show because it’s just that - real time process without any edits or “cleaning up”. I’ve always included the rough bits, like thread or needle breaks, or second-guessing design decisions, ...
Feb 22, 2023•9 min•Season 2Ep. 86
Send us a text Sam Alberts was one of my very first podcast guests - see Episode #4. Now she's back to give us an update on her Quilting Curve Studio. Sam's been (of course!) quilting, lo, these many months. But also, she's made significant pivots in her business. She was finding that a) there are only so many hours a body can quilt, and that translates into a ceiling on income b) she has a wealth of experience to share with other quilters who are earlier in their journey c) she missed the compa...
Feb 15, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 85
Send us a text Dixie Thue ( pronounced too-ee ) is a fellow Canadian, and a quilter with broad experience, and stories to match! Listen in as we chat about her ranch life in northern Canada, raising St. Bernard puppies, and her collection of sewing machines. Quilters seem to be multi-talented people, and Dixie is no exception. Skim through her feed on Instagram and you'll find sourdough bread, garden abundance, those ADORABLE St. Bernard puppies, grandkids, and so much more. You can find Dixie r...
Feb 08, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 84
Send us a text Leah Nixon and Grace Nixon Peterson are a powerful duo - two sisters that create greeting cards rich with meaning. The word "card" seems too simple - their artwork, the thoughtfulness of every word, their passion about writing to each other by hand - all these come together to create one-of-a-kind snail mail. We chat about the themes behind their annual collections, their personal stories that play hugely into their lives today, and the remarkable power of the written word. Plus, ...
Feb 01, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 83
Send us a text In Dara's own words - "If you can make a quilt, you can do anything. That includes taking control of your life and losing weight that has been holding you back." Dara Thomasson is a longarm quilter and a quiltmaker. She teaches all these skills, but also coaches and teaches women to love themselves thin. Her approach is positive, holistic, and REAL! Dara is based in Canada, and travels and teaches at many quilting guilds. She also has a podcast dedicated to helping women in their ...
Jan 25, 2023•50 min•Season 2Ep. 82
Send us a text Jenn Geisbrecht lives in central Alberta, Canada, which means she know allll about long, cold winters. Jenn also knows a lot about building a machine quilting business. In this episode we chat about growing a clientele, building a brand and visibility, using social media to aid in growth, and - gasp - doing new things outside your comfort zone that make you relatable, and in fact, attract new and long-term clients. Jenn can be found in these places: Website: jenngquiltco.com Insta...
Dec 14, 2022•36 min•Season 2Ep. 81
