In 2013 my book, Stuffed Animals: From Concept to Construction, was published by Lark Crafts. This book was my baby. The idea for it came to me way back in 2009 when I was searching for a guide to designing my own sewing patterns for stuffed animals and couldn’t find one. After months of looking…
Love It or Hate It? The Pattern Cabinet and Table at JOANN
When was the last time you sat here? Maybe it was just a few days ago, or sometime this month? Maybe these chairs, that long beige table and pile of thick catalogs, bring back memories of sitting here with your mother or your auntie or your son, planning what you’ll make for a recital or…
Curated Quilts is a New Print Magazine Made for the Modern Quilter
Curated Quilts is a new quarterly journal for modern quilters. Co-founded by quilt designer Amy Ellis and graphic designer Christine Ricks, the magazine is currently in its third issue. Amy Ellis and Christine Ricks, co-founders of Curated Quilts. Amy has already built a successful career in the quilting industry. She’s written five books, designs fabric…
5 Tips for Publishing a Craft Book in a Seller’s Market
When it comes to writing a book today, crafters are in the driver’s seat. If you’re a national teacher, have tens of thousands of engaged online followers, or can prove that your audience will convert into sales, you’re book proposal is highly convincing to publishers. Of course, a strong idea that’s fresh and on-trend is…
From Professional Baseball to Publishing a Quilting Magazine: The Unlikely Story of Quiltfolk
Quiltfolk is a new quarterly magazine for quilters. Each issue focuses on quilters in a particular part of the United States and includes over a dozen human-interest stories accompanied by luscious photography. The pages are off-set print on high quality paper with no ads. It’s a beautiful publication and an inspiring read for anyone interested…
Crafter’s Market (the book I edited) is out!
Last spring I got an email from the editorial director at Fons & Porter. It said: I’m about to start the curation of craft business articles for the next edition of Crafter’s Market and wanted to reach out with a unique proposition. As I began to brainstorm new article ideas and potential contributors, I had…
F+W to Donate Quilters Newsletter Archives to the University of Texas
In July the quilting community was saddened to learn that Quilters Newsletter, the beloved magazine started by Bonnie Leman 47-years-ago, was being shut down by F+W Media. Leman founded Quilters Newsletter in 1969 and published the first issue in September of that year from her kitchen table. Quilt historians and experts agree that by researching…
Facing Shrinking Ad Dollars Craft Magazines Are Rethinking Everything
Last week’s announcement that one of the longest running quilting magazines, Quilters Newsletter, will be shutting down in October hit the quilting world hard. Hundreds of comments poured in on blogs and Facebook from longtime QNM readers expressing sadness that this beloved publication that has been in print for 47 years was to be no…
Quilters Newsletter Shuttered Amidst Cutbacks at F+W
In an email sent on Thursday, July 14 to contributors, Editorial Director Bill Gardner delivered some difficult news about the fate of the magazine Quilters Newsletter. “Quilters Newsletter has held a very special place in the hearts of quilting enthusiasts for 47 years, and has been a source of inspiration and learning for quilters around…
An Article in Modern Patchwork About Violet Craft
I’m really excited to have a feature article in the winter edition of Modern Patchwork magazine which is just hitting newsstands now. My piece is on Violet Craft and the story behind her stunning paper pieced lion quilt. Like many of you, I follow Quilt Market carefully on Instagram. As I look at all of…