Inappropriate Quilters

This week’s episode was an absolute feast of topics, starting with everything from managing those tricky dietary habits to the inspiring financial savvy of our younger generations. We got a fun glimpse into the world of tech with the arrival of a brand-new electric rotary cutter, which is basically the Tesla of fabric tools—talk about a great investment! The chat even spun off into celebrity news, with a hilarious detour to discuss Barry Manilow’s pop chart comeback and the impressive young Max Couture. Of course, no great conversation is complete without a debate over sourdough bread bowls and the perfect dipped ice cream cone. Seriously, it was a smorgasbord of updates, covering everything but the kitchen sink!
But it wasn't all fun and games; we also dove into some serious projects and major life updates that keep us busy outside the sewing room. There was a big discussion about guild life, including the future program for 2027 and the exciting "Quilt of Welcome" project making its way around the UK, which celebrates language and inclusion. Rochelle has a full to-do list, which includes prepping for a separate library fundraiser program in Kimberling City and coordinating a fabric-cutting marathon with Mike in Nebraska. On a personal note, the group shared some supportive vibes for family health updates and is keeping a close eye on travel advisories for Leslie's upcoming trip to Paris. Plus, it’s maintenance time, with a reminder to drain that Laura Star iron canister monthly for optimal performance. So many great things in the works—get ready to tune in for all the details!

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

We just wrapped an incredible episode with the talented Belle Brunner (Seams Sew Me), and you won’t want to miss her inspiring journey from COVID-19 beginner to a professional fabric designer! She gave us the inside scoop on her debut collection, "Montgomery Mountain Charm," which is a beautiful tribute to her roots in Arkansas. We also dove deep into the world of sewing gear, comparing Juki and Bernina machines while uncovering the secret to adding knee lifts to almost any model. From vintage button collections to the decline of home economics, this conversation was packed with nostalgic stories and practical quilting tips.
Belle shared about her amazing retreat center in Arkansas, which sounds like the ultimate getaway for any sewing enthusiast. Whether you’re here for the machine talk or the heartfelt stories, this episode truly reminds us why the quilting community is so special. Make sure to follow Belle on Instagram at @seams_sew_me to keep up with all of her latest patterns and fabric collections.
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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

In this episode, Rochelle takes us on a whirlwind tour of QuiltCon, where she snagged a brand-new Bernina L890 serger and mastered some seriously cool letter templates. We dove deep into the art of the declutter, discussing how to evaluate those long-standing quilt kits and works in progress to make room for new creativity. Between hilarious stories about fabric yardage myths and a very lucky cat named Chester (or Cheeto), the energy was absolutely electric. We even got the inside scoop on some fabulous QuiltCon fashion and book recommendations that you won't want to miss. It was a heartfelt reminder of why this quilting community is so special to all of us.
The excitement continues as we look forward to some amazing upcoming projects and community initiatives. Rochelle shared the inspiring "Sew Powerful" mission, and we are so ready to start making purses to help girls in Africa stay in school! We also get some great tips on the best starch to use and how to handle those tricky directional fabrics. Whether it's planning for Camp Wanna Sew or finishing our "meow" blocks, there is so much goodness coming your way. Stay creative and keep those needles moving!

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

Get ready for a burst of color and creativity as we visit with the amazing Mac! We dove deep into her transition from social work and paper crafting into the vibrant world of quilting, sparked by a life-changing trip to QuiltCon. Mac shared all the deets on her journey as a quilting influencer, traveling the country and building a fantastic community through her YouTube channel. From her love of rainbow color schemes to her signature nail art, Mac’s passion for personal expression truly shines through. We even chatted about her favorite snacks, including a popcorn recipe that sounds like a total game-changer. It was a heartfelt session that perfectly captured the joy of making and the bonds we share through our craft!
The fun didn’t stop at quilting, as we explored everything from high-tech tools to adult LEGO building! We compared the magic of the Singer Memento and AccuQuilt machines while getting real about the struggle of balancing hobby time with "adulting." Mac also gave us a peek into her "modest" fabric stash and her tendency to collect patterns like they're going out of style. Between discussions on new applique techniques and a sweet closing poem about friendship, this episode was a total celebration of the maker spirit. We’re so inspired by Mac’s "old pro" energy and her love for all things bright and bold! Enjoy!
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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

This week, the girls catch up on Galentine's. Rochelle had 2, yes TWO, Galentine's Retreats back to back and they had quite the adventures! Meanwhile, Leslie's crushing it in the quilt kit business—she sold 60 kits in record time after Angela Walters told her to go big or go home. Rochelle dropped some serious wisdom bombs about fabric cutting efficiency, including the genius hack of using custom-cut plexiglass rulers from the hardware store (mind = blown). They geeked out over custom quilting projects, including Rochelle's challenge of writing entire Jelly Roll song lyrics in cursive on a quilt (harder than it sounds, folks). Leslie's grandmother's pixel quilt is getting the Proverbs 31 treatment with echo quilting techniques. Plus, there's drama at the dentist (nitrous oxide for the win), leopard print trench coats making their QuiltCon debut, and a 13-year-old designer getting an award. These two prove that quilting isn't just a craft—it's a lifestyle, a business, and a whole lot of fun! Enjoy!

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior