Every March, National Quilting Month invites us to pause, reflect, and celebrate the craft that brings comfort, creativity, and connection into our lives. Julie took the time to share this post with us, enjoy!. 

As I look back on my own quilting journey, I’m reminded of the generations of makers who shaped me, the projects that sparked joy, and the community that continues to inspire my love of quilting today.

Where My Sewing Story Began

My quilting journey didn’t start with quilts at all—it began in my mom’s sewing room. She made custom draperies on industrial machines, and as a young girl, I helped with simple tasks like ironing and folding. I also developed a healthy respect for T?pins… mostly because I stepped on more than a few. Even now, I cringe remembering how much those hurt.

Because her machines were industrial, I wasn’t allowed to sew on them, but I could cut fabric for small projects like purses and pillows. Mom would stitch them up for me, and I loved seeing my ideas come to life. Later, she began piecing and quilting with my grandma—Grandma Vander Esch—during visits to Iowa. Mom would cut pieces, Grandma would sew, and together they created beautiful quilts. After Mom retired, she fell in love with quilting completely, and quilting with her remains one of my greatest joys.

College Crafts, Cross Stitching, and My First Sewing Machine

When I graduated high school, I received a Kenmore sewing machine. It traveled with me to college, where I stitched simple craft items and home décor. After getting married, I made curtains—nothing like my mom’s professional draperies, but simple valances that made our home feel cozy.

Cross stitching became a favorite hobby, and I often turned finished pieces into pillows by sewing borders and backings. When I was expecting my first child, I asked my grandma to help me sew the nursery. She flew in from Iowa and spent an entire week with me sewing sheets, bumper pads, quilts, and diaper organizers. Those memories are priceless. A few years later, I helped my little sister sew items for her nursery, continuing the tradition.

The Quilt Show That Changed Everything

Life got busy as I raised a family and worked as a nurse, and most of my creative time centered around cross stitching—until one small quilt show changed everything.

There, I met Donna Richardson from Fabric Café and discovered her 3?yard quilt books and bundles. I found a light purple fabric featuring nurses and instantly fell in love. I remember asking my mom, “Do you think I can do this?” She promised to help, and together we made my very first quilt. I had it longarmed with a design of stethoscopes, Band?Aids, and nursing caps. That quilt opened the door to a whole new world.

Soon after, I started exploring quilt labels, which led me to machine embroidery—and that’s when a true quilter was born.

Falling in Love With Quilting All Over Again

After retiring from nursing, I finally had more time to sew. I became a frequent visitor at Cupcake Quilts, and over the years I’ve created many quilts—with even more in progress. I eventually tried my hand at longarming, and it quickly became one of my favorite parts of the quilting process. Watching a quilt top come to life under the needle is pure magic.

Today, I longarm at home and teach longarming at the shop. There are always new fabrics to try, new patterns to explore, and new techniques to learn. That’s part of what makes quilting so endlessly inspiring.

Learn to Quilt: Our Project?Based Beginner Series Returns in April

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to quilt—or know someone who does—our popular beginner quilting series returns in mid?April. This project?based class covers:

• Essential quilting terms

• Tools and how to use them

• Fabric selection

• Step?by?step guidance through three projects

You’ll start with a pillow, move on to a table runner featuring half?square triangles, and finish with a quilt that introduces flying geese. Our goal is simple: help you fall in love with sewing and set you up for success.

Exploring Sergers: A New Chapter in My Sewing Journey

Quilting may be my first love, but I’m always excited to try new tools and techniques. Last fall, I ventured into the world of sergers—and it has been an adventure! My first serger years ago was challenging to thread, but today’s top?of?the?line models feature air threading, specialty stitches, and incredible ease of use.

For an upcoming class, I’m working ahead on lessons and even making a quilt entirely on the serger. One of the early lessons involves creating fabric using decorative stitches, trimming it to size, and turning it into flying geese blocks—all on the serger. Watching a simple gray fabric transform into something stunning has been so rewarding.

This class is perfect for anyone curious about what modern sergers can do. And if you don’t have a serger—or are thinking about upgrading—National Serger Month follows right after National Quilting Month. It’s the perfect time to explore your options, test drive machines, and get inspired.

Celebrating Creativity, Community, and the Joy of Quilting

National Quilting Month is more than a celebration of quilts—it’s a celebration of the people, memories, and creativity stitched into every project. From childhood moments in my mom’s sewing room to teaching longarming today, quilting has shaped my life in the most meaningful ways.

Whether you’re brand new to sewing or have been quilting for decades, I hope this month inspires you to try something new, revisit a favorite project, or join a class that sparks your creativity. Check out our class calendar, stop by the shop, and let us help you discover the joy of quilting.