The Quiltbound Podcast

Quilting History: From the 1930s to Today (Part 2) with Emily of Patchwork Revival

Megan Fowler — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

In this special crossover episode, I’m joined by Emily, host of the Patchwork Revival podcast, as we continue our conversation on the history of quilting in America.

This is Part 2 of our series, so if you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, be sure to head over to the Patchwork Revival podcast first—we cover early American quilting through the 1930s and set the stage for everything we dive into here.

In this episode, we pick up in the 1930s and explore how quilting evolved through the Great Depression, World War II, the Quilt Revival of the 1970s, and into the modern quilting world we know today. We talk about how quilters adapted during times of scarcity, how community shifted from small local groups to nationwide connections, and how quilting grew into the creative, expressive craft we love today.

We also chat about quilting co-ops, feed sack quilts, the rise of quilt guilds and shows, and how television (hello PBS!) helped shape how generations of quilters learned new skills.

This episode is all about connection—how quilters have always found ways to gather, create, and share knowledge, even as the world around them changed.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Quilting during the Great Depression and WPA-era programs
• Feed sack quilts and resourcefulness in times of scarcity
• Quilting co-ops and community-based income
• The Quilt Revival of the 1970s and the Bicentennial
• The rise of quilt guilds, shows, and exhibitions
• Learning through television with early quilting shows
• How quilting shifted from necessity to creative expression

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Listen to Part 1 on the Patchwork Revival podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/patchwork-revival-a-quilting-podcast/id1729505286
• Patchwork Revival Podcast: https://patchworkrevivalstudios.com/podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/patchwork-revival-a-quilting-podcast/id1729505286)
• Patchwork Revival Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patchworkrevivalstudios
• Patchwork Revival Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PatchworkRevivalStudios
• International Quilt Museum: https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.org
• A New Deal for Quilts by Janneken Smucker
• Old Patchwork Quilts and the Women Who Made Them by Ruth Finley
• The Romance of the Patchwork Quilt in America by Carrie Hall & Rose Kretsinger

Let’s Keep Exploring:

If you loved this episode, come join me inside Quiltbound where we turn ideas like this into hands-on projects, badges, and creative adventures.

And if this episode sparked something for you, I’d love to hear—what part of quilting history surprised you the most?

Catalog Your Quilts & Preserve Their Story with Kiley Ferons

Megan Fowler — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

What if your quilts could tell their full story—who they were made for, what season of life you were in, even the fabrics you used?

In this episode, I’m joined by Kiley Ferons, founder of Kiley’s Quilt Room and co-creator of the My Quilts app. We’re diving into something many quilters don’t think about until it’s too late: documenting and cataloging your quilts.

Kiley shares how her quilting journey evolved from longarming to pattern writing, fabric design, and now building a quilting-specific app with her husband. We talk about why quilt documentation matters (especially for future generations), how quickly quilt stories can get lost, and how to start cataloging your projects in a way that feels simple and sustainable.

If you’ve ever forgotten when you made a quilt—or who you gave it to—this episode is your gentle nudge to start preserving your quilting legacy, one project at a time.

In This Episode, We Cover:
• Kiley’s quilting journey (longarmer → pattern designer → fabric designer → app creator)
• The inspiration behind the My Quilts app
• Why documenting your quilts matters more than you think
• What happens when quilt stories aren’t preserved
• What to include when cataloging a quilt (photos + details)
• How to track works-in-progress and finished quilts
• The social and community features inside the app
• Built-in quilting calculators and tools
• Simple tips to start cataloging without overwhelm

🛠️ Resources & Links
• 📱 My Quilts App
https://myquilts.app
• 🧵 Kiley’s Quilt Room
https://kileysquiltroom.com
• 📸 Modish Quilter Magazine (mentioned in episode)
https://modishquilter.com
• 🏛️ Quilt Alliance
https://quiltalliance.org
• 🏛️ International Quilt Museum
https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.or

🎒 Related Quiltbound Resources
• 🏕️ Quiltbound Membership
https://community.quiltbound.com
• 📓 Quiltbound Badge Logbook https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0767/2433/8828/files/The_Quiltbound_Badge_Guidebook_2026.pdf?v=1780114832

New Badge Alert!
This episode pairs with a brand new Quilt Cataloger badge all about cataloging your quilts—because your projects deserve more than a dusty pile and a vague memory 😉 https://quiltbound.com/products/quilt-cataloger

🔔 Don’t Miss an Episode
If you loved this episode, make sure you’re following along so you never miss a new campfire chat. New episodes drop weekly (unless it’s my birthday… then we celebrate first 🎂).

From Fabric to Friendship: Sandy Weise of Little Sandy’s Quilt Shop

Megan Fowler — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 07:23:59 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

What really happens inside a quilt shop?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Sandy, owner of Little Sandy’s Quilt Shop in Arvada, Colorado—a cozy, community-centered shop that started as a spontaneous idea and quickly became something much bigger.

Sandy shares the story behind opening her shop during a season of life that was already full (hello, five kids 😅), and what it’s actually like to run a quilt business—from inventory and emails to balancing family life and the unexpected emotional role quilt shops often play.

We talk about how quilt shops become more than just places to buy fabric. They turn into gathering spaces where friendships are formed, stories are shared, and people move through some of life’s biggest moments—new babies, grief, celebrations, and everything in between.

We also dive into:
• What surprised Sandy most about owning a quilt shop
• How quilting helps people process life and tell their stories
• Why shopping in-person hits different than online
• What it looks like to run a Quiltbound Chapter without a classroom space
• Creative community experiences (like stargazing on quilts under the Colorado sky ✨)
• How small shops create big impact in their local communities

This episode is a love letter to local quilt shops—the heart, the people, and the magic that happens between the bolts of fabric.

Resources Mentioned:
• Little Sandy’s Quilt Shop website: https://littlesandysquiltshop.com
• Little Sandy’s Quilt Shop Newsletter: https://www.littlesandysquiltshop.com/newsletter.htm
• Little Sandy’s Quilt Shop on Instagram & Facebook: @littlesandysquiltshop (https://instagram.com/@littlesandysquiltshop)
• Quiltbound: https://quiltbound.com
• Garden of Quilts (https://thanksgivingpoint.org/events/garden-of-quilts/) (Utah event)
• Lori Holt fabrics (https://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/lori-holt) (Bee in My Bonnet)

Connect with Quiltbound:
Join the Quiltbound membership: https://community.quiltbound.com
Follow along on Instagram: @quiltboundco (https://instagram.com/@quiltboundco)

Listener Love:
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow the podcast and leave a review—it helps more quilters find their way to the campfire 💛

Happy trails,
Megan

Preserving Quilt History with Carolyn Ducey of the International Quilt Museum

Megan Fowler — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

What does it take to preserve quilts for future generations?

In this episode of the Quiltbound Podcast, I’m joined by Carolyn Ducey, former curator of collections at the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska. Carolyn spent 27 years helping grow and care for one of the largest publicly held quilt collections in the world, which now includes around 9,000 quilts and textile objects from across centuries and cultures.

We talk about what visitors can expect when they step inside the museum, how quilts are preserved and cared for on an institutional level, and why quilts are such powerful historical documents. Carolyn shares practical advice for preserving quilts at home, including how to protect textiles from light damage, why quilts should be refolded regularly, and why archival storage matters for heirloom pieces.

We also dive into the importance of labeling your quilts. Carolyn encourages quilters to document the who, what, where, when, and why behind their quilts so future generations — and future quilt historians — can better understand the stories behind the work.

If you can’t visit the museum in person, the International Quilt Museum offers many ways to explore its collection virtually, including an online quilt database, virtual exhibition tours, recorded lectures, and educational resources about quilt history.

This episode pairs perfectly with the International Quilt Museum Badge and Quilt Historian Badge inside the Quiltbound badge club.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
International Quilt Museum
https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.org

Plan Your Visit
https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.org/visit

Current Exhibitions
https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.org/exhibitions

World Quilts (educational quilt history resource)
https://worldquilts.quiltstudy.org

Quilt of the Month newsletter
https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.org/about/quilt-month

International Quilt Museum YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/internationalquiltmuseum

Quilt Index (quilt research database)
https://quiltindex.org

Craft in America
https://www.craftinamerica.org
Enjoy the episode?

Follow or subscribe to the Quiltbound Podcast so you don’t miss future episodes. Leaving a review is one of the best ways to help more quilters discover the show.

You can find more from Quiltbound at http://quiltbound.com

Quilting, Storytelling & Stewardship with Brooke Bauman of the National Park Service

Megan Fowler — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

In this episode, I’m joined by Brooke Bauman, a communications specialist with the National Park Service (NPS). Brooke works in the Water Resources Division, supporting more than 430 park sites across the country — not just the big-name national parks, but also national seashores, monuments, recreation areas, and more.

Her role? Helping scientists translate complex research about lakes, rivers, groundwater, and marine ecosystems into stories that everyday visitors can actually understand. In other words, she helps make the science behind our parks accessible and meaningful.

And here’s what makes this conversation extra special for us: Brooke is also a quilter. She learned from her grandmother, an incredible maker who passed down both skills and stories. From family reunions at Rocky Mountain National Park to quilts inspired by Alaska wildlife, Brooke’s story beautifully weaves together creativity, patience, family tradition, and conservation.

In This Episode

We talk about:
• What science communication inside the National Park Service actually looks like
• The surprising scope of the 430+ sites in the NPS system
• How storytelling deepens our connection to parks
• Leave No Trace principles and how small habits protect big landscapes
• The parallels between quilting and nature (patience, seam ripping, and accepting what’s out of your control)
• Junior Ranger memories — and how kids can still participate today
• Ways creatives can engage in conservation
• Hiking with quilts and photographing them in natural light

Plus, we wrap with a rapid-fire round: sunrise vs. sunset, favorite park smells (hello petrichor), classic PB&J trail snacks, and machine vs. hand quilting.
Resources Mentioned

• National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov
• Find Your Park tool: https://www.nps.gov/findapark
• Junior Ranger Program (in-person + virtual): https://www.nps.gov/kids/junior-rangers.htm
• Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/volunteer.htm
• Artists-in-Residence Program: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/arts/air.htm
• National Park Foundation: https://www.nationalparks.org

You can also find individual park social media accounts through each park’s page at nps.gov (http://nps.gov) .

Quiltbound is an online community for adventurous quilters who want more creativity, confidence, and connection in their quilting life. Each month includes a new badge theme, tutorials, patterns, and creative prompts designed to help you try something new.

✨ Learn more or join us at: https://quiltbound.com

Stargaze on a Quilt: Light Pollution, Dark Skies, and Quilting with Sarah Martin

Megan Fowler — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Quilt Photography with Megan Saenz aka The Quiltographer

Megan Fowler — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Finally Starting My Temperature Quilt (And How You Can Too)

Megan Fowler — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

This week’s episode is short, personal, and straight from the sewing table. I’m sharing the story behind something I’ve admired for years but kept putting off… a temperature quilt.

After a little nudge from one of our members (hi, Brendan in New Zealand 👋), I decided this is the year. And I’m walking you through exactly how I planned it — in a way that feels doable for a full 365 days.

In This Episode
• What a temperature quilt is (and the different ways you can track it)
• Why I chose to track daily highs and lows
• How I built a 16-color gradient using Pure Solids from Art Gallery Fabrics
• How I designed a temperature key that won’t fall apart in extreme weather
• The simple HST layout I’m using (one half = low, one half = high)
• Why simplicity is essential for a year-long project

My Fabric Plan
I started with fabric first — pulling from my stash and building a 16-color gradient from coldest to warmest.

All of the fabrics I’m using are Pure Solids from Art Gallery Fabrics (available in the Quiltbound shop if you want to copy the palette).

Most quilters use 10–20 fabrics depending on their design. Sixteen felt like the sweet spot for me: enough movement to show change, but not so many colors that it feels chaotic.

A Smarter Temperature Key

Historic temperatures where I live range from -27° to 102°, which is a huge spread. Instead of dividing that evenly, I:
• Tightened the temperature ranges in the middle (where most days live)
• Widened the ranges at the extremes

This creates more visible color shifts during common temperatures and keeps extreme days from overwhelming the quilt.

Small tweak. Big difference.

The Layout
Each day = one half square triangle.
One half represents the daily low. The other half represents the daily high.
It captures contrast, adds movement, and keeps the sewing manageable. When you’re committing to 365 days of something, simple is smart.

Why It Matters
Temperature quilts aren’t really about weather. They’re about noticing. About marking time. About letting a quilt quietly collect memories.

At the end of the year, it won’t just be a gradient — it’ll be a visual record of what this season of life felt like.

📥 Grab the Free Temperature Quilt Planner

If this project has been whispering to you too, I made a free planner to help you get started.
Inside you’ll find:

• Space to map your color palette
• A temperature key worksheet
• A 365 (and leap year–friendly 366) day tracking chart
• Room to record highs, lows, or averages

It turns temperature tracking into a simple daily ritual instead of a mental burden.

👉 Download the free Temperature Quilt Planner here! https://quiltbound.myflodesk.com/temperature-quilt-planner

If you enjoyed this episode, follow or subscribe to the Quiltbound Podcast so you don’t miss what’s next. Leaving a review helps more quilters find this creative little corner of the internet.

Happy trails. 🧵✨

Cozy Quilts + Creative Seasons with Abby Luchsinger of Abby Maed

Megan Fowler — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

Grab your comfiest quilt and a warm drink because today’s episode is extra cozy. I’m chatting with Abby Luchsinger of Abby Maed (pattern designer, Art Gallery Fabrics fabric designer, Nine Patch Quilt Collective pal, and now… published author!).

We talk all about Abby’s brand-new book Cozy Quilts for the Modern Home, including what it felt like to finally hold the physical copy (spoiler: newborn baby energy), why the book is organized by seasons, and how she designs quilts and fabric with real-life making in mind. Plus: creative ruts, mom-life rhythm, and a lightning round that reveals Abby’s one-word creative season right now: playful.

In This Episode, We Chat About:
• How Abby describes what she does and why she keeps it open-ended for whatever comes next
• What it’s like to write a book over nearly two years and then finally hold it in your hands
• Why seasonal structure made sense for Abby (Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons = big inspiration)
• The surprising deeper meaning behind the Watercolor Hearts quilt
• Design “rules” she loves to break (multi-sizes, multi-colorways… maximum options, maximum effort)
• The hardest part of creative business life as a mom of four (and the constant balancing act)
• The best surprise: the deep friendships that come from the quilting community
• Upcoming: Abby’s Social Bee Collective collection Summer Homestead coming in

Abby Maed Website: abbymaed.com (http://abbymaed.com)
Instagram: @abbymaed (https://instagram.com/abbymaed)
Book: Cozy Quilts for the Modern Home
Where to buy: Abby’s site (https://www.abbymaed.com/product-page/cozy-quilts-for-the-modern-home-signed-book) (signed copy if you’re in the US), plus Amazon (https://amzn.to/3M4Fgsb) , Barnes & Noble (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/cozy%20quilts%20for%20the%20modern%20home) , C&T Publishing (https://ctpub.com/products/cozy-quilts-for-the-modern-home?srsltid=AfmBOoomEnkrtZy1GWjwxrI4yVe4JQy7FefuEAgslb9ITSRk1MCp_SGj) , and additional international retailers listed in Abby’s IG book highlight.

Contact Abby:
• Quick question: Instagram DM https://instagram.com/abbymaed
• Longer question: email abbymaedstudio@gmail.com

Quilts in the Wild: Collecting Memories, Not Dust

Megan Fowler — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

Quilts aren’t always fragile museum pieces — they’re meant to be used, washed, loved, and lived with.

In this episode of the Quiltbound Podcast, Megan explores some of the most adventurous badges — the ones that get you out of the sewing room and into the world. From hiking with a quilt for photos, to picnicking in the park, to bundling up under the stars, this episode is all about using quilts to collect memories instead of dust.

Megan shares personal stories, the origins of several early Quiltbound badges, and why these experiences “count” just as much as precision piecing or perfect points. If you’ve ever wondered whether quilts are really meant to touch grass… this episode is for you.

In This Episode, We Talk About:
• Why some Quiltbound badges are intentionally “sideways”
• Letting go of the idea that quilts are too precious to use
• Quilts as everyday companions — not just display pieces
• Hike for Quilt Photos and why it was one of the very first badges ever created
• How taking quilts outside changes how we see them
• Quilt Photography as a way to document, not perform
• Learning to photograph quilts honestly — indoors and outdoors
• Picnic on a Quilt as iconic quilt usage (and a sweet mom-and-kid picnic memory)
• How quilts naturally create gathering spaces
• Stargaze on a Quilt, space-nerd energy, telescopes, and glow-in-the-dark patches
• Using quilts for warmth, grounding, and stillness
• Why the quilts that matter most are often the most usedFavorite Takeaway

Badges Mentioned in This Episode
• Hike for Quilt Photos https://quiltbound.com/products/hike-for-quilt-photos-badge
• Quilt Photography https://quiltbound.com/products/quilt-photography
• Picnic on a Quilt https://quiltbound.com/products/picnic-on-a-quilt
• Stargaze on a Quilt https://quiltbound.com/products/stargaze-on-a-quilt-badge

Episode Sponsor: HelloFresh
When life gets busy, dinnertime doesn’t have to be another source of stress.

HelloFresh takes the planning out of meals with simple instructions, flexible options, and recipes that fit real life — leaving you with more time and energy for creativity.

👉 Get your first HelloFresh box free (https://www.hellofresh.com/freebox/MzU1OTcwNjczLTAtNC0xNi1VUw)

🔔 Stay Connected

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future campfire chats. Leaving a review is one of the best ways to help other quilters find this podcast.

🌲 Show notes, badges, and more: https://quiltbound.com

Until next time — happy trails!

Inside a Quilt Shop Base Camp: How Hangin’ by a Thread Builds Community

Megan Fowler — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 07:16:43 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

In this episode of the Quiltbound Podcast, I’m sitting down with Amanda Langner-Hurewitz, owner of Hangin' by a Thread in Lafayette, New Jersey and the Quiltbound Chapter leader behind one of the most joyful, community-driven camps out there.

We talk about how her shop came to be, what it actually looks like to host a Chapter, and why quilting spaces don’t have to be serious, stuffy, or intimidating to be meaningful.

This is a cozy, honest campfire chat about creativity, teaching, building community, and making room for fun — snacks, champagne, and all.

In This Episode, We Talk About:
• How Hangin' by a Thread grew from a garage business into a thriving quilt + fiber shop
• What a Quiltbound Chapter really is (and what it isn’t)
• What a typical Chapter meeting looks like at Amanda’s shop
• How Chapters help build genuine friendships and low-pressure community
• Why Quiltbound feels different from traditional quilting guilds
• Making space for beginners and experienced quilters
• Teaching skills without perfection or hierarchy
• Why it’s okay to “suck at something and still enjoy it”
• Amanda’s favorite Chapter moments (including some very chaotic binding lessons)
• What’s coming up next at Hanging by a Thread — retreats, classes, and big ideas

Featured Quiltbound Chapter
Hangin' by a Thread
📍 Lafayette, New Jersey
🧵 Fabric + yarn shop offering quilting, garment sewing, knitting, crochet, and fiber arts classes
🎖️ Quiltbound Chapter — meets the first Wednesday of every month
How to Visit or Connect with Hangin' by a Thread

• Website: https://hanginbyathreadnj.com
• Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @hanginbyathreadnj
• In-store: 11 Route 15, Lafayette, NJ 07848
• Shop in-store and Quiltbound members get 10% off
• Shop on-line and use the code QUILTBOUND10

Joining a Quiltbound Chapter
There’s no special signup process to “join” a Base Camp. You simply have to be a Quilt Scout member and attend events hosted by your local Base Camp shop.

You can find Chapters (and learn how to start one) at:
👉 https://quiltbound.com/pages/find-a-chapter

Episode Sponsor
This episode is supported by HelloFresh — because we have zero time for dinner drama.

Use the link 👇 to get your first HelloFresh box FREE and take one thing off your mental load. https://www.hellofresh.com/freebox/Mzc5NTk3NjgzLTAtNC0xNi1VUw

A Friendly Reminder
Quiltbound is about curiosity, community, and trying new things — not being perfect, productive, or “good enough.”

Badges are earned, not owned. Snacks are mandatory. Drama is optional.

Love the Podcast?
If you enjoyed this episode:
• Follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future campfire chats
• Leave a review — it helps other quilters find the show
• Share the episode with a friend who could use a little creative encouragement

You can find show notes and more at http://quiltbound.com

Quilting Tools: What Helped, What Didn’t, and What I’d Skip If I Started Again

Megan Fowler — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

Buying quilting tools can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re just getting started. In this episode, Megan breaks down quilting tools through real experience instead of product hype. She shares which tools genuinely helped her early on, which ones she bought too soon, which ones she thought she needed (but didn’t), and how she decides now whether a tool is actually worth buying.

This isn’t a shopping list or a product demo. It’s honest trail notes from a quilter who’s learned — sometimes the hard way — that confidence doesn’t come from owning more tools, but from using the right ones at the right time.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• What quilting tools are actually necessary
• Which upgrades are worth it (and which can wait)
• How to avoid regret purchases
• How to make quilting feel easier instead of harder

This episode is for you.

Key Takeaways
• Your first tools don’t have to be your forever tools — they just need to help you start
• Some upgrades (like good thread or a walking foot) reduce frustration more than they improve “skill”
• Not every popular tool earns a permanent place in your sewing room
• A simple decision-making filter can save you money, space, and mental energyTools & Topics Discussed

• Starter quilting tool kits
• Rotary cutters (45mm vs 28mm vs 60mm)
• Cutting mats (small vs large, rotating vs stationary)
• Quilting rulers (everyday vs specialty)
• Thread quality and why it matters
• Pressing tools (wool mats, irons, clappers)
• Foundation Paper Piecing tools
• Specialty rulers (HSTs, Stripology, flying geese)
• Sewing machine upgrades
• Walking feet and quilting without marking linesResources Mentioned

HelloFresh
Get your first box FREE using the link below — an easy way to reduce decision fatigue during busy creative seasons:
👉 https://www.hellofresh.com/freebox/MzU1OTcwNjczLTAtNC0xNi1VUw

Aurifil Thread
Megan’s go-to thread for piecing and quilting — strong, smooth, and reliable (no coupon code, just genuine love).

Want more structure, support, and fun quilting adventures? The Quiltbound Badge Club is a membership for quilters who want to learn, experiment, and feel less alone while doing it.
👉 https://quiltbound.com

Let’s Stay Connected
• Website: https://quiltbound.com
• Instagram: @quiltboundco (https://instagram.com/quiltboundco)
• Email: hello@quiltbound.com

If this episode was helpful, tap Follow or Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.

And if you have a minute, leaving a review is one of the best ways to help this podcast reach more quilters who could use a little creativity, community, and encouragement.

Self-Care for Quilters: Adapting Through Illness & Injury with Ann of Crafty Moose Quilts

Megan Fowler — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

Quilting can be a mental escape… but as Ann from Crafty Moose Quilts shares, it can’t always be the physical escape your body needs. In this honest, hope-filled conversation, we talk about chronic illness, injury, grief, and what it really looks like to make quilting sustainable—through adaptations, support systems, boundaries, and seasons when rest isn’t optional.
Key Takeaways

1. Self-care for quilters is bigger than the sewing room: quilting can be soothing, but your body still needs movement, fuel, hydration, and rest.
2. Adaptation is a skill (and asking for help counts): from reorganizing your space to outsourcing parts of the process, small changes can protect your body and keep you creating.
3. Grief is real—and you don’t have to “set up camp” there: Ann shares practical encouragement for navigating limitations, finding moments of joy, and rewriting the story you’re telling yourself.Guest Information

Ann (Crafty Moose Quilts) is a quilt pattern designer, t-shirt quilt maker, and the owner of a small online fabric shop known for beautiful quilt kits and practical, beginner-friendly resources—especially for quilters who want structure, clarity, and confidence.
Links & Resources Mentioned

• Cozy Earth – the bedding brand mentioned in the mid-episode break Get 20% off with this link: https://cozyearth.com/SFMHKJVH
• Crafty Moose Quilts website: http://craftymoosequilts.com
• Ann on Instagram: https://instagram.com/craftymoose_quilts
• Quiltbound: http://quiltbound.com
• Mentioned by Ann: T-Shirt Tiles patterns https://www.craftymoosequilts.com/tshirttiles
(available via Crafty Moose Quilts)
• Mentioned in conversation: Happy Camper fabric collection
• Mentioned in conversation: Stargrove pattern (https://www.craftymoosequilts.com/product-page/pdf-stargrove-pattern) (featured in the AGF lookbook for Happy Camper)
• Quote referenced: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” — Henry Ford

If you enjoyed this episode, follow or subscribe to the Quiltbound Podcast so you don’t miss future campfire chats—and if you have a minute, leaving a review helps other quilters find this community too.
Social Media & Contact Info

• Website: http://quiltbound.com
• Instagram: @quiltboundco (https://instagram.com/quiltboundco)
• Email: hello@quiltbound.com

Why Trying New Things Feels Hard

Megan Fowler — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:15:00 GMT

Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!

Ever caught yourself thinking, “I really want to try that… but not today”?

You’re not lazy — you’re just human (and maybe overthinking your fabric stash again).

This week, we’re talking about why trying new things in quilting feels harder than it should — and how to get unstuck with humor, curiosity, and zero perfection pressure.

✨ In this episode:
• How “beginner mode” messes with your confidence
• Why tools and time become fake roadblocks
• Simple tricks to lower the stakes and actually start
• The mindset shift that makes quilting fun again

Start small. Stay curious. That’s enough. 🪡

Find full notes + links at http://quiltbound.com

👉 Follow @quiltboundco https://instagram.com/quiltboundco
🪡 Join the Quiltbound community: https://community.quiltbound.com