In this episode of Quilting Business Success, we sit down with Patti Ackerman of Cobalt Quilting in Alexandria, Virginia. Patti shares her 20-year journey in longarm quilting—from discovering quilting through a Bernina class after Desert Storm, to starting her business with a Statler in 2005, to growing a thriving studio that serves both individual quilters and commercial clients.

Patti talks about why she chose a computerized machine from the start, how she balanced quilting while working full-time, and the strategies that helped her build her customer base—like partnering with local quilt shops and maintaining professional standards with a dedicated studio space. She also shares how she’s navigated challenges (including a broken foot that sidelined her for months!) and why she still gets excited about each new software update.

Whether you’re just starting your quilting business or looking to grow, Patti's story offers inspiration, practical tips, and proof that with persistence, there’s plenty of quilting work to go around.

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