On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about crochet design with my guest, Brittany Garber.

Britt is the creative force behind KnotBadBritt—a name that’s become synonymous with bold color, approachable crochet design, and thoughtful community-building in the fiber arts world. With over five years of experience as a designer and educator, Britt is known for patterns that are both playful and practical, helping makers grow their skills with confidence. She’s also the founder of the Makers of Color Collective, an initiative focused on amplifying diverse voices and fostering deeper inclusion across our industry.

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This episode is sponsored by QT Fabrics. 

Discover the creativity behind QTFabrics! From vibrant prints to endless textures, our collections are crafted to elevate every quilting and sewing project.

We proudly celebrate the artistry of beloved designers Jane Maday, Andrea Lavery, Kate Lower, and Dan Morris, and we’re thrilled to welcome fresh inspiration from Emily Lamb as well as Elaine Hooley of Soho Studios, London.

At QTFabrics, every yard tells a story. Let it help you tell yours.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about quilting with my guest Maria Shell.

Maria’s work is grounded in the tradition and craft of American quilt making. She strives to take the classical components of a traditional bedquilt and manipulate them with the hope of creating surprising combinations of pattern, repetition, and color for the viewer.

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This episode is sponsored by Quarry Books. 

Check out Crochet Your Celebrity Crush with Lee Sartori! This book provides 15 amigurumi patterns to create adorable, crocheted versions of famous actors, musicians, and athletes. You can stitch your very own Harry Styles, Pedro Pascal, and more with Lee’s

Crochet Your Celebrity Crush is available now from Quarry.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about hand sewing with my guest Louisa Soenstrom.

Louisa considers garment-making skills to be deeply empowering. Louisa writes and teaches about patternmaking and hand stitching clothing. For most of a decade, she worked in technical design and patternmaking, most recently for Macy's and Eileen Fisher. Previous works have included a self-published book called Hand Sewing Clothing: A Guide, as well as two seasons of “Patternmaking in Public Places,” an outreach project she started to democratize access to patternmaking skills. This year, Louisa is celebrating the August release of her newest book, The Handsewn Wardrobe: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own Clothes, from Patternmaking to the Finishing Stitches, in collaboration with Storey Publishing.

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This episode is sponsored by P&B Textiles. P&B Textiles has entered their 45th year of business — that’s four and a half decades of creativity and connection! A true legacy company celebrating its commitment to design, innovation, and outstanding customer service. Through the years, they’ve built lasting relationships and inspired makers everywhere. They truly value those personal connections with both fabric shops and consumers. P&B ----- “Basics and Beyond!”

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast,  we’re talking about building a crochet business with Amy Ting.

Amy Ting is a Korean-Taiwanese crochet designer based in the Bay Area, California. She is the author of Amigurumi Critters and creator of Curious Papaya. Amy’s amigurumi creations have resonated with a wide audience but especially so with the Asian-American population.

Her designs have been featured in notable publications such as Simply Crochet Magazine and Crochet Society, and she has also collaborated with popular brands in the fiber arts community such as Michael’s Arts and Crafts, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Clover Needlecrafts. Amy hopes for those viewing her work to feel empowered through representation and inspired to take on new challenges. 

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Today's episode is sponsored by knitCompanion. Knit without limits! knitCompanion keeps track so your hands and mind can focus on making things and learning new techniques. It works with ANY PATTERN so you can craft what you love. Check it out and download the app today!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

Welcome to this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast.

Today, we’re excited to share with you an interview with Abbie Small. Abbie served as executive vice president and general manager of Simplicity Creative Group, owner of the Big 4 pattern companies. Just last week, Rubelmann Capital, in partnership with Abbie, acquired the company from the bankruptcy auction that was held after Design Group in the UK sold Design Group Americas to Hilco Capital for $1. Now, Abbie is at the helm. We ask her how her this sale came to about and find out what the future holds for these legacy sewing pattern brands. Here's me with Abbie Small.

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This episode is sponsored by Spoonflower.

Tired of supply chain disruptions getting in the way of your business? Spoonflower’s print-on-demand model means you get the designs you want, on the fabric you want, when you want them—all printed on demand in the USA. Click right here for access to a special offer for Craft Industry Alliance members. Discover your next bestseller today. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about living the life of a quilter and writer with my guest Marianne Fons.

Marianne Fons co-hosted “Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting” on public television nationwide for many years, first with Liz Porter and later with daughter Mary Fons.

With Liz, she co-authored Quilter’s Complete Guide, one of the best selling quilting books of all time. Marianne Fons and Liz Porter were the 2019 inductees into the Quilters Hall of Fame.

Marianne served on the board of directors of Quilts of Valor Foundation for eight years. She helped establish the Iowa Quilt Museum in 2016, and in 2017 reopened The Iowa Theater, both in her hometown of Winterset, Iowa. In 2021, she was named Madison County Citizen of the Year.

Her literary life includes writing novels and assisting the Washington Island Literary Festival on Washington Island, Wisconsin, where she has a summer home.

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This episode is sponsored by Amy Barickman.

Are you looking for a special gift for a friend? Take a look at Amy Barickman’s new book. Love You to Pieces is a heartwarming, whimsical, lyrical celebration of friendship featuring a charming cast of 40 vintage fabric characters set amidst a backdrop of 60 heirloom quilts. This book is perfect for makers and those who appreciate handmade treasures, as well as anyone nostalgic about the fabric pals that comforted them as children!

Visit  amybarickman.com/loveyoutopieces to learn more and order today.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a quilting business with my guest Michelle Cain.

Michelle tried rather hard not to become a quilter. After growing up outside of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and having a mom who began quilting in the 1990s, this was a formidable challenge. A chance encounter with Denyse Schmidt’s work, however, introduced Michelle to the world of modern quilting and convinced her there might be a place for her in it. She made her first quilt in 2013 and hasn’t looked back.

Michelle lives not far from me and we were luckily able to record this interview in person in my studio.

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

Video isn’t just a sales tool. It’s how you build a community around your brand. Teaching online lets you share your knowledge, your story, and your values - with reach that goes far beyond your local shop.

Explore your options in the free LIVE workshop, Virtual Teaching 101 offered at AcademyForVirtualTeaching.com. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about bag making with my guest Emma Brassfield.

Emma is a YouTuber, pattern designer, bag sewing teacher and entrepreneur based near London, UK. 

After over 20 years in the film industry, helping to make such iconic creatures and costumes as Iggle Piggle (In The Night Garden), The Flash (Justice League), Many goblins (Harry Potter), and Chewbacca (Star Wars), the grind of film hours + family life needed to be broken. 

So in 2020, she finally started her YouTube channel, which was so well-received that now she runs a successful subscription box and online membership for those looking to learn bag making, as well as selling her patterns all over the world. Her business is Studio7T7.

Emma believes in everyone having a go- after all, what’s the worst that can happen (the unpicker is our friend 🤭). But most importantly, what’s the best that can happen? She believes that the world of bag making should be a welcoming and wondrous place, full of support to get you into bag making and flying. 

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

Brands that educate their audience about their crafts sell better. A short demo class or tutorial on YouTube gives customers confidence - and helps you earn beyond retail. In Virtual Teaching 101, you’ll learn how online education actually works for makers, including simple tools and formats to try. It’s free, practical, and designed for busy creative professionals like you. Sign up at A4VT.com.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

In this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're so pleased to be sharing the keynote speech from h+h americas 2025 presented by Larrie King.

Larrie King, better known as Mister Larrie, is an arts and crafts content creator, design professor, and creativity enthusiast based in Orlando, Florida. His projects often center on bright colors, bold patterns, and budget-friendly basics, all geared toward making crafting and self-expression through creativity truly accessible to all. 

Larrie’s professional background is centered on visual communication, teaching, and commercial design. A prolific maker and content creator, Larrie has exhibited work as a painter and illustrator at universities and galleries nationally and in his home state of Louisiana. His work as a content creator has been featured in Love Patchwork and Quilting Magazine, Simply Sewing Magazine, and Shondaland. His most recent brand partnerships include Tulip, Glowforge, Amazon, Adobe, Starbucks, and Joann Stores. 

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching. Brands that educate their audience about their crafts sell better. A short demo class or tutorial on YouTube gives customers confidence - and helps you earn beyond retail. In Virtual Teaching 101, you’ll learn how online education actually works for makers, including simple tools and formats to try. It’s free, practical, and designed for busy creative professionals like you. Sign up at A4VT.com.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about private equity and it's impact on the crafts industry with my guest Megan Greenwell.

Megan is a journalist who has written or edited for publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, WIRED, and ESPN. She is also the deputy director of the Princeton Summer Journalism Program, a workshop and college access initiative for students from low-income backgrounds. A California native, she lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their pug.

Megan's new book is Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream. In this conversation, we talk about the role of private equity in the downfall of Joann. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.