Meet Darrin Stern, the visionary leader behind H+H Americas and the Fiber + Fabric Craft Festival. In this episode of the Craft to Career podcast, Elizabeth Chappell sits down with Darrin to uncover how these two powerhouse events came to life, and why they are transforming the fiber, fabric, and crafting industries.

While some claim the quilting or fabric industry is "dying," Darrin shares a very different story. His work proves that creativity, community, and craft are thriving more than ever. H+H Americas has quickly become one of the most exciting annual events for makers, brands, designers, and businesses alike, drawing global attendees to Chicago each year.

At this dynamic multi-day gathering, you'll find:

• Runway shows featuring fabric and fiber artistry

• Ice-cream socials, happy hours, and community meet-ups

• Live podcast recordings

• Classes, panels, and hands-on demos

• Retail opportunities for customers (Fiber + Fabric Craft Festival)

• Wholesale and business-focused exhibits (H+H Americas)

Although the event is young, just three years old, it continues to grow rapidly as word spreads about the uniquely vibrant energy it brings to the crafting world.

Whether you're a quilt pattern designer, a shop owner, a fabric lover, or simply curious about what a major industry event looks like, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what makes these shows so special.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How H+H Americas began and how Darrin Stern brought the vision to life

• Why the fiber and fabric industries are thriving, not declining

• The difference between H+H Americas and the Fiber + Fabric Craft Festival

• What attendees can expect at the Chicago event—from runways to networking

• How the show has evolved over its first three years

• Why these events are becoming must-attend gatherings for both customers and business owners

• How creators, designers, and brands can benefit from participating

• Why this is the place to be for anyone in the quilting or fiber world

Episode Highlights

• Darrin's personal journey and what led him to the craft industry

• A look at how events like these shape the future of quilting and crafting

• Behind-the-scenes stories from past H+H Americas shows

• Opportunities for business owners, educators, and influencers

• The growing excitement around the Fiber + Fabric Craft Festival (the consumer show held the day before H+H Americas)

If You've Ever Wondered…

• Should I attend H+H Americas as a business owner?

• What is the Fiber + Fabric Craft Festival and who is it for?

• Is the quilting industry shrinking—or growing?

• What happens at a major fiber and craft trade show?

• What opportunities exist for designers, makers, or shop owners?

…this episode will answer all of that and more.

Tune In

Whether you are planning to attend, dreaming of attending, or simply curious about what a world-class craft event looks like, you won't want to miss this conversation. Darrin shares the heart, strategy, and passion behind an event that is shaping the future of our industry.

If you've ever dreamed of building a thriving longarm quilting business—or you're looking to grow the one you already have—this episode is packed with valuable insight. Elizabeth Chappell sits down with longarm expert Tia Curtis, a sought-after quilter known for her artistry, efficiency, and strong client relationships.

Tia has grown her longarm business into a full and flourishing creative career. In this conversation, she shares her journey, the lessons she's learned, and the business strategies that have helped her stand out in a growing and competitive industry.

Whether you're a brand-new longarmer, a seasoned quilter, or a pattern designer looking to add longarm services, you'll walk away with practical guidance and inspiration.

What You'll Learn in This Episode 1. How Tia Got Started in Longarm Quilting

Hear how Tia first discovered longarm quilting and what drew her to the craft, and how this is the most lucrative part of her business.

2. Pricing and Profitability Tips

Tia breaks down how she prices her work, how she sets boundaries, and what it takes to run a sustainable longarm business.

3. How to Build Strong Client Relationships

Great longarmers don't just deliver beautiful quilting. They deliver a great experience. Tia shares her approach to communication to create loyal (and happy) repeat clients.

4. Mistakes New Longarmers Should Avoid

Tia offers honest, encouraging advice on what to watch out for, what to prioritize, and how to grow confidently.

Who This Episode Is For

• New longarm quilters looking for guidance

• Quilt pattern designers wanting to expand into longarm services

• Seasoned longarmers wanting to grow their client base

• Makers who want to turn quilting into a profitable business

• Anyone who is curious about the longarm quilting industry

Why You'll Love This Episode

Tia's approach to longarm quilting is both artistic and strategic. She is generous with her knowledge and transparent about what it really takes to grow a thriving business. This episode will leave you inspired, encouraged, and equipped with actionable steps you can apply immediately.

In this episode of the Craft to Career podcast, Elizabeth Chappell sits down with Cindy Cloward, owner of Riley Blake Designs, one of the largest and most influential fabric manufacturers in the world. Riley Blake is known for its high-quality quilting cottons, stunning designer collaborations, notions, patterns, and its iconic Garden of Quilts event.

Cindy shares the inspiring story behind the company's beginnings, how it has grown into a global brand, and what exciting things are on the horizon for Riley Blake. From manufacturing insights to brand-building, this conversation offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at a powerhouse in the quilting industry.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How Riley Blake Designs began Hear the origin story of the company, why it was created, and how the Cloward family stepped into the world of fabric manufacturing.

• Behind-the-scenes insights into fabric manufacturing Get a peek into what it really takes to run a large-scale fabric company that serves quilters and sewists around the world.

• What makes Riley Blake unique Learn about the products, designers, and events, such as the beloved Garden of Quilts, that set the company apart.

• Exciting new things coming to Riley Blake Cindy shares upcoming launches, innovations, and future plans.

• How Cindy turned her craft into a thriving career Be inspired by Cindy's business journey and her passion for creativity, community, and quality.

Why You'll Love This Episode

If you've ever wondered who makes the fabrics you adore, how the quilting industry operates behind the scenes, or what it takes to build a company that supports thousands of makers, this episode is a must-listen. Cindy's insights into entrepreneurship, creativity, and leadership will inspire any craft-lover dreaming of growing a creative business.

In this inspiring episode of the Craft to Career podcast, Elizabeth Chappell chats with Kimberly Jolly, founder and CEO of Fat Quarter Shop, one of the most recognized quilting retailers in the world.

Kimberly shares her journey from running a small eBay fabric store out of her home to leading a thriving business that serves quilters across the globe. She opens up about how the company began, what fueled its rapid growth, and the strategies that helped it stay strong in a changing industry.

Whether you're a fabric lover, pattern designer, or entrepreneur in the creative space, this conversation is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and practical advice.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• The Origin Story: How Fat Quarter Shop started as a small home-based business and grew into one of the world's leading online quilting retailers.

• The Evolving Quilting Industry: Kimberly's perspective on how the quilting landscape is changing—and what trends are shaping its future.

• What Fat Quarter Shop Looks For: As one of the top buyers in the quilting world, Kimberly shares what makes a product truly stand out.

• What's Missing in the Industry: Insight into the gaps Kimberly sees in today's market and opportunities for creative entrepreneurs to fill them.

• Words of Wisdom for Entrepreneurs: The key lessons Kimberly wishes she had known when she first started—and how you can apply them to your own business journey.

About Kimberly Jolly

Kimberly Jolly is the founder of Fat Quarter Shop, a leading online quilt and fabric retailer known for its vast selection, YouTube tutorials, and beloved community of quilters. With her deep love for quilting and dedication to exceptional service, Kimberly has built a brand synonymous with creativity, quality, and innovation in the quilting world.

SHOW LINKS

• FloDesk – Save 50% on your first year of using my favorite email marketing provider. Code: QUILTERSCANDY
• Kajabi – Teaching a course or starting a membership? Kajabi is THE platform I use and love! Try it for free with my affiliate link.

Meet Jessica and Aiden, the creative duo and owners of Thimtec, a company that's redefining how quilters protect their fingers! Thimtec's signature fabric thimble has quickly gained attention in the quilting world for its comfort, innovation, and thoughtful design.

Jessica and Aiden share how their year-old company came to life — from the spark of an idea to a thriving small business. You'll hear about the challenges and wins of developing a physical product, their strategies for growing an audience and boosting sales, and what they wish they'd known before starting out.

Whether you're an inventor, a creative entrepreneur, or a curious quilter, you'll love this inspiring story of perseverance, innovation, and community connection.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How the idea for the Thimtec fabric thimble was born

• What it takes to bring a physical product to market

• The marketing and social media strategies that helped Thimtec grow fast

• How they handle production, fulfillment, and customer feedback

• The biggest lessons learned during their first year in business

• Jessica and Aiden's best advice and biggest warning for makers who want to sell physical products

Connect with Thimtec

• Website: Visit here

• Instagram: @thimtec

Shop the Thimtec Fabric Thimble: Click Here

SHOW LINKS

• FloDesk - Save 50% on your first year of using my favorite email marketing provider. Code: QUILTERSCANDY
• Kajabi - Teaching a course or starting a membership? Kajabi is THE platform I use and love! Try it for free with my affiliate link.

Discover how to mentor new quilt pattern designers, run a Halloween-themed sew-along, and navigate going viral on Instagram. Featuring Maggie Reno of Snug and Stitch on the Craft to Career podcast.

In this episode of the Craft to Career podcast, Elizabeth Chappell of Quilters Candy interviews Maggie Reno of Snug and Stitch, an experienced quilt pattern designer and mentor. Maggie, along with Michelle Corless of Compass and Wildflower, has led a group of alumni from the Quilt Pattern Writing Course in creating the Nocturnal Soul Stitchery Sew Along — a collaborative, Halloween-themed event for quilters.

Maggie shares valuable insights on:

• Mentoring new quilt pattern designers and helping them confidently bring their first patterns to market

• Choosing collaborators for creative projects (and why it's never an easy decision!)

• The unique challenges and joys of running a themed sew-along from concept to completion

• Going viral on Instagram — the unexpected benefits, hidden challenges, and strategies for sustainable growth

Whether you're a quilt pattern writer, a quilting enthusiast, or someone interested in growing your creative business online, this episode offers practical tips and inspiration from someone who's been there.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Nocturnal Soul Stitchery Sew Along

• Free 3-Day Event: Learn How to Become a Quilt Pattern Writer — happening early September 2025

• Kajabi — Create courses and memberships like a pro

• FloDesk — My favorite email marketing platform — save 50% off your first year

✨ Episode Summary: I'm diving into a topic that's close to my heart and essential for long-term success: how to make business friends.

We often hear about marketing strategies and growth plans—but what about the relationships behind the scenes? Business friends can offer support, accountability, and even joy in a journey that can sometimes feel isolating. But making those connections isn't always easy.

🎧 What You'll Learn:

• The surprising benefits of having friends in business (spoiler: it's not just about networking)

• Why it can feel hard to make business friends—and why you're not alone in that feeling

• Simple, proactive steps you can take to build genuine connections

• What to do when a business friendship doesn't work out

• Real-life stories of how I've met some of my closest friends through business—and how you can, too

💛 Whether you're just starting out or feeling a little lonely on your entrepreneurial journey, this episode will give you hope, ideas, and encouragement to find your people.

🔗 Helpful Links from This Episode:

• Kajabi – My favorite platform for building online courses and memberships. It's what I use to run my business, and I can't recommend it enough!

• FloDesk – Beautiful, easy-to-use email marketing. Get 50% off your first year with the code QUILTERSCANDY.

💡 Pro tip: These are the exact tools I use and love—only sharing what I truly stand behind!

🧵 Episode Summary / Intro:

Ever wonder how to get thousands of people excited about your event—without burning out in the process? In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my most recent Quilt Along that brought in over 5,000 sign-ups. Whether you're hosting a virtual event, workshop, or course, you'll learn practical strategies for planning, promoting, and delivering a high-impact experience that grows your audience and your income.

🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What inspired me to host this quilt along and how the idea evolved

• How I planned and structured the event for maximum engagement and ease

• The behind-the-scenes details that most people never see—but matter so much

• What worked incredibly well (and what I'll definitely do again)

• What I'd do differently next time to make it even smoother

• Why doing less, but doing it with focus and intention, leads to more impact—and more income

  💡 Whether you're a creative entrepreneur, course creator, or just curious about running your own event—this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you do it with confidence and clarity. 📌 Links & Resources:

  • Try FloDesk - my email marketing of choice.

  • My 'Email Marketing Made Easy' course. Learn how to create an opt-in page, collect email addresses, and automate emails.

  • Use my free Canva calendar template to stay organized and on track!

    You can use it as-is for your own event, or simply as a guide to create a custom version that fits your needs.

What happens when you walk away from a dream career in fashion to pursue a life of freedom, creativity, and true joy?

In this episode, I chat with Christine Lindebak, a talented garment sewist, pattern designer, and upcycling advocate who left the high-end retail world of Rodeo Drive to build a more meaningful creative business—on her own terms.

Christine shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from luxury fashion to sewing and teaching full-time. Now living in Spain, she works where and when she wants, creating one-of-a-kind pieces and encouraging others to sew boldly and sustainably.

We talk about:

• Why she walked away from a picture-perfect career

• The unexpected things that helped her find success

• How upcycling fuels her creativity and purpose

• What it really takes to build a creative business you love

• Encouragement for anyone considering a big leap into their passion

If you've ever dreamed of starting a creative career—or wondered if it's worth the risk—this episode is a must-listen. Christine is proof that the hard work is real, but the reward is so worth it.

🎧 Tune in now and get ready to be inspired!

🎧 Resources & Links:

• Christine's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sewingandthecity/

• Fit Clinic: https://www.sewingandthecity.co/fit-clinic47934425

• 📧 FloDesk – My favorite email platform! It's beautiful, beginner-friendly, and one of the most affordable options for creatives. Try it for 50% off your first year. 👉 Click here to check it out
• 🎓 Kajabi – The all-in-one platform I use to host my courses and memberships. It's powerful, intuitive, and perfect for creators who want to build and scale with ease. 👉 Click here to start your free trial

Do you love quilting and dream of teaching others—but feel unsure about where to start or whether you're even qualified? You're not alone, and today's guest is here to guide you through it all!

In this episode, I'm joined by my friend and fellow quilterpreneur, Shannon Brinkley. Shannon has built a thriving career around teaching quilting, and she's passionate about helping others do the same.

Whether you want to teach in-person workshops, partner with quilt shops or guilds, or offer your own online courses, Shannon shares how you can turn your love for quilting into a meaningful (and profitable!) teaching business.

You'll hear:

• How Shannon got started as a quilting teacher

• What opportunities are out there for quilting instructors today

• Common myths and doubts about teaching—and how to overcome them

• Details about her free 3-day event that shows you exactly how to teach what you love and start earning from it

If you've ever thought about teaching quilting or sharing your skills in a bigger way, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Resources & Links:

• Sign up for Shannon's FREE 3-Day Event: [CLICK HERE]

• 📧 FloDesk – My favorite email platform! It's beautiful, beginner-friendly, and one of the most affordable options for creatives. 👉 Click here to check it out

  🎓 Kajabi – The all-in-one platform I use to host my courses and memberships. It's powerful, intuitive, and perfect for creators who want to build and scale with ease. 👉 Click here to start your free trial