American Patchwork and Quilting Radio

We’re spilling unpopular quilty opinions, both from our staff and our listeners. And they’re so good! Some will make you laugh out loud, some you'll relate to, and some will really make you think. We also talk about the neutral wool trend we're seeing on social media, share stories of quilters making a difference in their communities, and give ideas for sewing storage you can find at the flea market. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-523-unpopular-quilty-opinions Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many creative people use sewing and stitching to relax and quiet the mind. Our staff shares a few ways that they use sewing as a way to care for themselves when things get stressful or busy. We also share sewing products we're loving right now and tips for using panels in your projects. Then we announce the featured shops in the newest issue of Quilt Sampler magazine, and chat with Kalli Champagne from AllBrands.com, a store with six locations that pride themselves on their philanthropy work in the community. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-522-start-a-self-care-sewing-ritual Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many quilters love scraps! And while it’s nice to save scraps for a larger scrappy quilt, sometimes it’s just as fun to use them in quick projects for your home. We're sharing creative ways to use scraps in smaller projects, home decor, and even some holiday gift ideas. Then we chat with Carla Hall, who you know from The Chew, Good Morning America, and The Food Network. She also serves as a board member for 4-H and recently expanded her love of crafting into the quilting world. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-521-repurpose-scraps-as-decor Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We spend a lot of time on our quilting hobby -- and sometimes we deserve to treat ourselves to a small upgrade to make our sewing lives better! We share some small and affordable ways to upgrade your tools to work better and harder for you. We also share tips for fighting UFO procrastination, what items our staff splurges and skimps on, and info about an upcoming quilt-along. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-520-upgrade-your-sewing-tools Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We share some fun ways to display quilts on your couch and add that handmade touch to your living room. With cooler temps coming, we want our couches to be places to relax and curl up with loved ones, and a quilt adds the coziest touch. We also share tips from our listeners, info about The Sewing Machine Project, and tools to make basting quilts easier. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-519-create-a-cozy-couch Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We hear from many quilters that the reason they started quilting in the first place is because they wanted to make a gift for someone else – and many times that gift comes in the form of a baby quilt or even a small blanket for a special pet. In this show, we share some special considerations to have before making a quilt for a little one or an animal. We also share tips for fixing tension problems on your sewing machine, the ombre fabric trend we love, and what to look for when shopping for a longarm quilting machine. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-518-sew-something-special-for-a-child-or-pet Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and we know for sewing room storage, this is true. Quilters are always on the lookout for new and effective ways to store their tools. We share some out-of-the-box and budget-friendly storage ideas. Then we chat with Julie Letvin of Me & My Stitches, a paper-pieced jewelry maker and fabric and quilt designer. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-517-get-creative-with-storage Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have those dreaded tasks in our quilting lives – the ones that hang over your head and make you feel drained just thinking about starting them. We share a few easy tips for tackling those tedious tasks. We also talk about sewing products we're loving right now, share tips for using thrift store finds in your sewing room, and chat with Renee Savage of Renee's House of Quilting. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-516-tackle-a-task-youve-been-putting-off Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes making a needed item for your home can seem like a luxury. We're sharing tips on the benefits of making your own decor, as well as how to fit these extra projects into your precious sewing time. We also share a story of A Doll Like Me non-profit, tips for straight-line quilting, what to do when you run out of fabric you need for a project, and how to get organized for a retreat. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-515-stitch-a-needed-decor-item Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hanging quilts can be intimidating -- many times you're putting permanent holes in your wall, or spending extra time and fabric adding a hanging sleeve to the back of your quilt. So we're sharing some easy and creative ways to hang your quilts, so you can display them in your own home without worry! We also chat with the talented Aaron Sanders Head. Aaron is a textile artist, natural fabric dyer, quilter, teacher, and owns a studio and shop in Greensboro, Alabama. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-514-hang-a-wall-quilt Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Season 12 of our podcast! We're excited to start this season chatting about a favorite topic: cleaning your work space. Quilters need a lot of fabric and tools to make the beautiful creations we do, so we're sharing easy ways to clear your work spaces to be be as creative and productive as possible. We also talk about the curved piecing trend, share your best sewing tips, give ideas for using vintage fabrics in your quilts, and provide details about two free sew-alongs we're hosting! For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-513-clean-your-work-space Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our staff is sharing stories of how their quilting style has evolved over the years. We hope that by sharing our evolution that it encourages our listeners to think back on their own quilting journey and appreciate how far you’ve come, how your style has changed, and even reflect on some favorite projects or learnings you’ve had. Very rarely in this fast-paced world that we live in, do we take time to reflect on and appreciate our talents and to be proud of how far we’ve come, so we hope it inspires you to walk down memory lane, too. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-512-evolution-of-our-quilting-styles Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're sharing the basics on what a die cutting machine is, how it can help in your sewing room, and what to consider before buying one. We know buying a die cutting system is a big purpose, so walk you through the steps of what to think about while shopping. We also chat with Lori Miller, a talented quilter, designer, and educator for both AccuQuilt and Electric Quilt. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-511-do-you-need-a-die-cutting-machine Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re spilling the secrets to making one of the most popular units in quilting – the triangle-square. We also share stories of how quilting is helping communities, some fun sewing hacks, how to assemble an on-the-go sewing kit, and how to make progress on your UFOs during the busy summer season. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-510-conquer-triangle-squares Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With every mistake, there are great learnings. On this show, our staff share some quilting errors that taught them important lessons. And we hope the lessons help others, too! We touch on what to do when your blocks aren't all the right size (bigger? smaller? both? We have solutions!). We also share how to troubleshoot problems with your machine's foot pedal and some great things to know about English paper piecing templates and stitches. And if you're in need of a new project, we give details about a sew-along based on Barbara Brackman's "Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns.". For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-509-fix-blocks-that-arent-the-right-size Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest impact. And sometimes it’s the big dreams that finally become a reality that creates magic in your sewing space. On this episode, our staff shares upgrades they made to their sewing lives, and we hope it'll have you thinking about some ways you can upgrade your own sewing life. We also chat with the amazing Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-508-upgrade-your-sewing-life Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy spring! Spring is such a delightful time to be outside – the flowers start to bloom, the trees and grass turn beautiful greens, and the weather is comfortable. It’s a great time to sit outside with some handwork such as embroidery, and enjoy the weather. We explore the basics of hand-embroidery for anyone who wants to get started! We also chat with Mary from The Quilting Season quilt shop in Saline, Michigan. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-507-dive-into-hand-embroidery Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Block swaps are a great way to connect with other quilters and make gorgeously scrappy quilts! We share what to expect in a block swap and tips for hosting one! We also share what our editor is working on now, a story of a woman in Montana sewing mittens to keep locals warm, how to choose the right rotary cutter for the job, and details for our Virtual Quilt Retreat this weekend. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-506-tips-for-a-successful-block-swap Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creative ruts can happen to the best of us -- especially as we approach one year of this pandemic in the United States. In this show, we explore how to replenish your energy, creativity, and happiness during times of stress. (Quilting is SO beneficial for mental, emotional, and social health, so it's a great excuse to lean into our craft in order to help our everyday lives.) We also chat with the talented designer, author, and podcast host Wendy Chow of The Weekend Quilter. For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-505-recharge-your-creative-energy Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We know quilters love learning new tricks to make the quilting process easier, more efficient, or even more fun! Our staff members share their favorite sewing hacks -- everything from storage ideas to piecing tips to fabric shopping! We also talk about how to hide your sewing room clutter, what’s on our art director’s work space, answer a listener-submitted question about thread, and share some products we’re loving right now! For more resources from today's show, visit the show notes here: www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-504-our-best-sewing-hacks Email us at APQPodcast@meredith.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices