Lately we’ve been thinking about the importance of thread in all sewing, but especially in quilting. Thread is much like the laces in a shoe. While absolutely vital, they’re often taken for granted until troubles arise. With the untold hours spent carefully selecting fabrics, servicing the machine, and choosing buttons and trims, thread often gets passed aside as an afterthought. It wasn’t until Zoey became more interested in bag making and experienced a few unfortunate snapped seams that she realized there even were differences in thread at all! With a focus on utilizing resources, and that includes chatting with others who are willing to share their experiences. Today we're taking you with us to thread school. 

First up, Zoey talks to Eleanor who just attended her first quilt show and has come home with some industry knowledge. They check in on her sewing progress, and chat about all the exciting threads of knowledge she’s picked up so far.  Later on, Zoey chats with sewing expert, Diane Henry, to talk all about choosing the right thread for your project and the importance of thread selections regarding color, fiber content, and more. Really, Diane is a thread superstar. An industry leader, she has been known to host incredible informative seminars where she pours pizzazz into this often overlooked subject. She knows the ins and outs of all of the things that make thread exciting and has some of the best tricks to keep thread troubles away. Grab some spools and wind some bobbins! This episode is an incredible tool to jumpstart you into thinking about thread and hopefully teach you a few new tips along the way.

Mentioned In This Podcast: Kaffe Collection Garden Star Pattern Thread Guide Request a free catalog Shop all Connecting Threads Thread King Tut Cotton Thread Essential Cotton Thread Essential Polyester Thread Omni Polyester Thread MicroQuilter Polyester Thread Diane at HandiQuilting Diane's Website Diane on Instagram

Zoey is a fabric fanatic and is constantly seeking new skills, supplies, and epic adventures. As a fiber artist, bag maker, and quilter, she spends her evenings and weekends sewing as much as she can muster while her Corgi sits under her desk, snoring. She will grab onto any opportunity to discuss new fabric collections, techniques, or help others find their confidence with a needle and thread. 

This season of the Connecting Threads Podcast, we're talking about quilts, quilting and sewing. Zoey will be chatting with some of our favorite people as we explore beginner tips, intermediate skills, and expert level extravaganzas. We’ll navigate through various topics and learn as much as we can about fabric and thread. 

In this episode, we'll explore some basics of fabric and precuts. First up Zoey speaks with Eleanor and sets a foundation of information about precut basics.  Later in the podcast, she sits down with Elise to get inspiration about what to do with all the precuts once we have them. From fat quarters to disappearing nine patches, we'll explore what makes precuts so enchantingly charming. 

Precuts - often referred to as samplers- are bundles of coordinating fabrics cut to a specific size. Depending on the bundle type, they can be a great way to compile pieces of an entire, or near entire, collection without having to purchase a large amount of yardage. We're big fans of precuts, but understand it can be easy to feel lost in all the insider lingo and measurements and, before long, end up with the wrong amount of fabric or sometimes just too bewildered to begin. Fortunately, there is rarely such a thing as “too much fabric.” We truly want to speak to all quilters, no matter the experience level. 

Entirely new to quilting, Eleanor asks the important questions - what is a precut and why are they so useful? Zoey and Eleanor break down different size terminology and what they all mean. Why are some samplers given bakery names and others simply have measurements? Much like Kleenex is to tissues, sometimes there can be little more to a name than ownership. For a new quilter, pre-cuts save both time and potential accuracy blunders while still getting comfortable with cutting tools. 

With countless quilts behind her and more fabric in her stash than she's willing to admit to, Elise shares her favorite uses for precuts. A great way to get small selections of an entire collection at once, precuts save money and space. She shares her favorite precut-friendly blocks and patterns, while she and Zoey chat about their upcoming projects. 

Mentioned in This Episode: Guide to Precuts SewKatieDid Blog ScribblyGumQuiltCo Instagram Essential Notions OmniGrid Mat Rotary Cutter Wyldwood Creative

Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome to the Connecting Threads Podcast 2:17 Precut basics 18:59 Meet the team: Hutch 20:30 What to make with pre-cuts 37:14 The credits

Kate is a long time crafter, mom, and as of today, former Connecting Threads podcast host. Now that her first project is lovingly on display in her craft space,  she must bid you all adieu as she prepares to mosey on down the quilted road. But before she goes, she managed to sneak in one last chat with her good friends over at Connecting Threads. On this episode of the Connecting Threads Podcast, we discuss the next step for Kate in her quilting journey as well a little holiday gift talk. First up, Kris and Kate catch up on making each other laugh while chatting about what comes next for a new quilter. Next Judy and Kris chat about gifts to make this holiday season and also answer the age-old question, "What kind of gifts DO you give other quilters in your life?" Treat yourself to a nice big mug of hot cocoa, grab your needle and thread, and listen in as we delve deep into all things quilting. Enjoy!

Mentioned in This Episode:Kate's Quilt Pattern Pre-Cuts Sewing Gifts  Quilting Kits  Fabric Dive Tumbler  How I Roll Tumbler  Creative Grid Face Mask Template 

Timestamps:0:00 Kate's introduction 1:08 Kate talks with Kris 23:39 Kris talks with Judy 34:31 Credits 

Kate is a long time crafter, mom, and lover of all things pumpkin flavored. Kate also has some BIG news—She finished her first quilt. She plans on riding this wave of accomplishment well into the new year, while also setting her sights on her next project—definitely something with flying geese. In the meantime, Kate is spending her time chatting it up with the pros about all of some quilt-related queries, in the hopes of gleaning all the crafty knowledge that she can. On this episode of the Connecting Threads Podcast, we're talking about sewing machines. First up Kris and Judy give us a crash course on everything we need to know about shopping for machines. They also share some of their favorite models, features and accessories. 

Next Elise and Kate chat about how to troubleshoot problems that may come up with your sewing machine. If you're like Kate and grumble at the notion of reading manuals, you'll want to listen in as Elise goes over the most common troubleshooting issues. But also, don't be like Kate—read your manual.

So grab your autumnal flavored hot drink, your needle and thread, and listen in as we delve deep into all things sewing machines. Enjoy!

Mentioned in this Episode:Connecting Threads Sewing Machines  Handi Quilter Longarm Machines  Thread Stand  Connecting Threads thread  Superior Threads thread  Superior Thread's King Tut  Cleaning Kit 

Timestamps:0:00 Introduction 1:25 Kris and Judy talk about sewing machines 19:03 Meet the Team - Sarah 20:03 Kate and Elise talk about troubleshooting sewing machine issues 41:10 Credits

On this episode of the Connecting Threads Podcast, we're looking behind the scenes to see what's new at Connecting Threads. First we hear from Kris who's telling all about batik fabric production and what makes batik's special.  Next Marketing Director Jennifer Fish is going to help answer some common questions that people ask about us and our website, like "What's the Design Table?" and "What comes in a quilt kit?"  Mentioned in this episode: Batiks at Connecting Threads Request a catalog Quilting Kits Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 0:52 Kris and Kate talk Batiks 13:44 Meet the Team - Kris 15:18 Jennifer and Kate chat about features of the Connecting Threads shopping experience 25:28 Credits

On this episode of the Connecting Threads Podcast, Kate is asking some questions and getting some answers. There are some things that have come up for her that has prevented her from moving forward with her quilt and there are some questions from the Connecting Threads community that Elise and Patrice help answer. From basting and fibers, come learn with Kate. First up Kate and Elise check in about what they've been working on. Both of them have been working on sewing masks and they are also both working on quilts. Kate asks Elise her big question, "I have the top of my quilt, what do I do next?". Elise gives her personal advice about batting, binding and quilting to walking foots, different types of basting to needles to batting, and more. Elise tells it all.  Next we meet Chamisa a Textile Designer at Connecting Threads.  Then Patrice answers some questions that are commonly asked the Connecting Threads Customer Service team, like "What thread count is your fabric"; "Where is your fabric made"; "How do I calculate how much standard width fabric I need to back a quilt?" and more. Patrice also offers up a sneak peek or "spoiler alert" for something coming up for our Connecting Threads Customers. 

Mentioned in this episode: Kate's quilt Walk by by Jacquie Gering 505 Temporary Adhesive for Fabric    Quilting needles  Shop all batting 80/20 batting  Blacking batting  About Our fabric 

Timestamps:0:00 Kate's introduction 0:37 Kate and Elise chat about what are the next steps in Kate's quilt 19:12 Meeting Chamisa 20:56 Patrice and Kate check in and answer some questions about fabric 35:12 credits

On this episode of the Connecting Threads Podcast, Kate is taking a break from talking about her quilt to learn more about Block of the Month. Kate checks in with Kris and learns more about what even is a "Block of the Month" and learns more about quilting subscriptions. Later we hear from the designer of the Connecting Threads July Block of the Month, Kristin Gassaway, interviewed by Judy Reed.  

Annabelle is a 9-month Block of the Month that begins shipping in August 2020. Each month Connecting Threads will ship you everything you need to make a portion of the quilt. Subscribers will have access to a special Facebook Group where they can connect with other Block of the Month Quilters and share their progress along the way. Block of the Month is not only a subscription service but it is a club and it's a community. There are many benefits of doing a Block of the Month and Kris and Kate discuss some of them.  

Judy and Kristin Gassaway are old friends who connect to talk about Kristin's work. She has been designing quilt patterns for 13 years and she now has over 200 patterns under her belt and hers are some of the most popular Connecting Threads have carried. Kristin discusses her somewhat reluctant journey into sewing and quilting as well as how she became a designer. Kristin wanted this quilt, the Annabelle quilt, to have a cheerful, vintage farmhouse vibe. It has all of the things she loves: star blocks, floral, and gingham prints, and checked border. 

We would love to hear from you! Do you have a question? Do you have favorite tools or advice that could help other quilters? Are you wanting some input on your quilt? Give us a call and leave us a voicemail. Call 360-334-4847. We'll be answering your quilting questions on a later podcast episode. 

Mentioned in this episode:  Annabelle Block of the Month Annie's Apron Fabric Collection Kristin Gassaway's Connecting Threads designs Other Quilting Kits

Timestamps:  0:00 The introduction with Kate 0:49 Kate and Kris check in about what they're up to this summer 1:39 Kate asks "What even is a Block of the Month?" 4:59 Kris talks about what's fun about a Block of the Month 10:00 Meet the Connecting Threads Team! Meet Elise, Connecting Threads Buyer 12:08 Kate's call - we'd love to hear from you! Send us your quilting questions 12:37 Judy interviews Kristin Gassaway about how she started sewing and quilting 19:10 Kristin talks about Annabelle Block of the Month 23:15 The credits

On this second episode of this season of the Connecting Threads Podcast, Kate's quilting journey takes her into the world of fabric. She chats with two of her favorite fabric experts about the right side and wrong side of the fabric design & production process. Listen in as both Kris and Patrice share a little insight into the thought and care that goes into making all of those beautiful cotton fabrics you know and love. This is the ultimate peek behind the scenes of the fabric happenings at Connecting Threads.  First after a quick update on Kate's quilt, Kate and Kris do a deep dive into fabric production. Why don't two cotton quilting fabrics feel the same? Quilting cottons are the sum of several components and the quality of the individual components is what makes the end product special, Kris explains. To really understand, you have to start back with the cotton plant. For example the longer the staple, or the fiber, of cotton, the softer and smoother that fabric will be. We take the cotton and then we make a base cloth, or grey goods, and then print the design. Kris demystifies the reactive process and pigment process of printing We meet Judy Reed, the Connecting Threads Outreach Director.  Next Kate talks to Patrice about fabric design and gets her advice about how to pair fabrics together. Patrice guides Kate through some of the fabric-specific terms that have come up like" ditsy", "focal fabric" and "tonal". Pairing fabrics is personal but Patrice does offer some direction to help Kate's "part time Type A" brain. Similar to parents not having a favorite child, Patrice doesn't have a favorite fabric collection but does share one that is fresh in her mind. Listen to find out more. 

Mentioned in this episode:  About out Fabric Jelly Roll Joyride  Ditsy Quilting Kits Fabric Collections

Timestamps:  0:00 The introduction with Kate 0:45 Kris and Kate check in (small talk) 1:58 Kate's quilt status update 5:30 Introduction to segment 1 main topic - Fabric Production 8:26 Basics of Textile Production 24:20 Meet Judy, the Connecting Threads Outreach Director  26:43 Kate and Patrice check in (small talk) 27:32 Kate asks "how do you pair fabrics together?"  29:07 Patrice backs up and starts with some terminology  29:44 "What is a ditsy print?" Patrice defines ditsy print 31:07 Focal fabric defined 31:54 Pairing fabrics together discussion 38:55 Definitions of other fabric types 45:45 Patrice's pick of fabric collection 52:00 Credits

The Connecting Threads Podcast is back! This season we follow Kate, a mom, serial organizer, and all-around podcast enthusiast, as she embarks on a quest to become a quilter.  Kate comes from a long line of quilters whose roots originate in the midwest and predate the Depression era. She's drawn to quilting because she's drawn to things that bring comfort, and also has a desire to connect with her family's past traditions and craftsmanship.  

First Kate sits down with Kris, Brand Director of Connecting Threads, quilter and everyone's friend in crafting. Learning to quilt in the digital age where there is an abundance of information available just a click away can be somewhat overwhelming. Kris offers up some tips from what kind of project to start with to what kind of tools will help make things easier. Her big piece of advice - Relax and have fun making a quilt. 

Kris's tips: 

• Find a simple beginner pattern
• Pick fabric that you love
• Make sure your tools work and are in a good enough shape to do what they are intended to do
• Seam rippers exist for a reason, feel free to use them
• Use Elizabeth Zimmerman's Galloping Horse test - imagine you're riding on a galloping horse looking at your quilt - if you can't see a mistake upon a galloping horse, then don't worry about it. 

This season on the CTP we will be hearing from different members of the Connecting Threads team. On this episode we hear from Patrice our Senior Textile Designer.

Next Kate and Elise talk about the feelings that come up when starting a new craft like quilting. Learning a new skill isn't easy. Elise has been sewing since she was 5 years old and she tells Kate the secrets to helping ease into it. "You need to start off with the mindset of quilting as an art and you are an artist. No artist starts off making masterpieces. You need to accept that the first few things you make aren't going to be as pretty as you want them to be, but you can never get better without trying."  Elise recommends that new quilters join a guild and find community. 

Products Mentioned in this Episode: Jelly Roll pre-cuts  Half Square Triangles   Connecting Threads Beginner and Easy quilt kits  Jelly Roll Joyride  Rotary cutter  Self Healing mat 

Timestamps0:00 Introduction with Kate 1:11 Kris give Kate tips for starting her first quilt 24:38 Meet Patrice, Senior Textile Designer 25:34 - Kate and Elise talk feelings about being a new quilter 35:35 - Credits

Welcome to episode 11, here on the Connecting Threads Podcast.  There's nothing better than getting a crisp, new Connecting Threads catalog (or should I say magazine?) in the mail. New fabrics, fun kits, and fabulous accessories await in every issue.

Today, Kris and Patrice wax poetic about their favorite kits and take us behind the scenes as we hear the ins and outs of the design process for the new fabric collections. Patrice has worked long and hard to bring these prints to fruition and can't wait to share them with you. Follow along as we turn our catalog pages or if you don't already subscribe to our mailing list, hop on over here in time for the next mailing.