Homespun With Misty

In this episode of Homespun, host Misty Doan chats with Amber Elliott, the talented pattern and fabric designer behind Alderwood Studio. Amber shares her inspiring journey from a decade-long career as a software engineer to running her creative business full-time.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Amber’s childhood sewing with both grandmothers—one focused on mending, the other on formalwear.

• Why exploring multiple creative outlets fuels her inspiration.

• How she transitioned from software engineering to full-time quilt and fabric design.

• Her philosophy that success comes from consistency, learning from mistakes, and playing the long game.

• Why being “bad” at something can be freeing and creatively healthy.

• The importance of experimentation and only developing a fraction of your ideas into finished patterns.

• Insights from her new book on gradients, color theory, and adapting patterns for ombre quilting.

• Excitement for new fabric collections, pottery exploration, and finishing her current knitting project.

In this inspiring episode of Homespun, host Misty Doan welcomes Jemima Flendt — quilt pattern designer, teacher, author, and founder of Tied with a Ribbon. From her early days as a home economics teacher in Perth, Australia, to becoming an internationally recognized quilting educator, Jamaa shares how she turned her love for textiles into a thriving creative business.

Key Episode Highlights

• Shift from teaching high school students to designing patterns and books.

• Why imperfect first projects are milestones worth honoring.

• How her nan and mom nurtured her love of sewing, crochet, and textiles.

• Designing matching quilt and crochet patterns and how it built unexpected community connections.

• Encouraging creative freedom and personal methods in quilting.

• Building a global quilting audience from Perth to the US.

• Creating beginner-friendly patterns with detailed, supportive instructions.

• Advice for anyone considering turning their craft into a business.

Join host Misty Doan on Homespun as she chats with her sister-in-law Natalie, a talented and multi-faceted creator. From her earliest sewing memories inspired by her mother and the San Francisco Ballet, to building her own creative hobbies in stained glass, painting, crochet, and clay, Natalie shares how she nurtures creativity, finds inspiration, and approaches both challenges and joy in her artistic journey. Tune in to hear practical advice for new quilters, tips for staying motivated, and the magic of turning hobbies into a creative career.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Natalie’s first sewing memories watching her mother create ballet costumes.

• Early experiments with making her own clothes and buying her first sewing machine.

• Exploration of multiple creative hobbies: painting, stained glass, crochet, knitting, woodworking, and clay.

• Tips for staying inspired and motivated, including prioritization and time-blocking strategies.

• The importance of embracing mistakes and understanding that creativity grows through practice.

• Advice for new quilters: patience, good tools, and perseverance.

• How hobbies turned into a creative career through experimentation, sharing, and teaching.

• Upcoming creative projects Natalie wants to try: pottery, making clothes, and clay pin toppers.

Join host Misty Doan for an inspiring conversation with Teresa Coates, founder of Crinkle Dreams and renowned sewing educator. From making her first dirndl skirt in church class as a child to becoming the go-to expert for cuddle fabric and quilt coats, Teresa shares her remarkable journey through the sewing industry.

In this episode, Teresa opens up about her transition from English major to fabric industry insider, her eight years educating sewers at Shannon Fabrics, and her recent leap into entrepreneurship with Crinkle Dreams. Discover how she conquered her fear of new materials, traveled to 46 states teaching in an RV, and developed techniques that make intimidating projects accessible to quilters everywhere.

Key Episode Highlights:

• How Teresa became Shannon Fabrics' cuddle expert despite never sewing with the fabric before
• The student who held scissors for 10 minutes, too afraid to cut her grandmother's crossstitch quilt
• Why experienced sewers are more intimidated by new techniques than complete beginners
• Teresa's "first one's practice" rule—always plan to make at least two of any project
• The 46-state RV teaching adventure that happened during the pandemic lockdown
• How a pattern company sat dormant for years until the quilt coat revival brought it back to life
• The grandmother's quilt that lived in a trunk for 70 years until it became a wearable jacket
• Why Teresa separates creative studio days from administrative work for better productivity
• Her "we'll make it work" philosophy that prioritizes flexibility over perfection
• How living in Utah's natural beauty directly influences her quilt color and texture choices

Join host Misty Doan as she sits down with Kim Christopherson, the creative force behind Kimberbell Designs, to explore an inspiring entrepreneurial journey that began with personalized pillows sold on eBay and evolved into a recognized brand in the crafting world.

In this heartfelt conversation, Kim shares how a nickname from her dad became a business name, how her husband's simple suggestion changed everything, and why staying curious has been the key to her success. From her early days as a fourth-grade teacher sewing next to her baby's crib to leading a team that spans machine embroidery, quilting, and now punch needle crafts, Kim's story is a testament to trusting yourself even when you don't have all the answers.

Key Episode Highlights:

• From selling personalized pillows on eBay to building Kimberbell brand
• Husband's pivotal question: "What about teaching people instead of selling finished products?"
• "You do what you do best and hire out the rest" - scaling philosophy
• "Who Cares How Long Cute Takes" - company motto prioritizing joy over speed
• How a half-finished quilt became the signature "bench pillow" product
• Expanding from machine embroidery into punch needle and handwork
• "Stay curious" - key advice for business and creative growth
• Making instruction feel like guidance from a best friend

Join host Misty Doan as she sits down with Nicola Walton, the innovative mind behind Daisy and Grace and the revolutionary quilt-as-you-go templates that have transformed how quilters approach their craft. Nicola shares her fascinating journey from being a fashion designer in London to becoming a quilting innovator whose techniques have captivated makers worldwide. Named after her two beloved grandmothers—creative Daisy and glamorous Grace—her company represents the perfect blend of tradition and innovation.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Fashion designer in London transitioned to quilting entrepreneur after traveling the world with her husband
• Named her company "Daisy and Grace" after her two grandmothers - one creative, one glamorous
• Created quilt-as-you-go templates because existing methods didn't allow proper positioning of materials
• Templates work for both hand sewing and machine quilting, making the craft more approachable for beginners
• Designs entirely in her head and with fabric - never uses digital design tools
• Taught her mom to quilt, completing a full circle from her mom making all her childhood clothes
• "Be brave, have faith in yourself" - took 3 years before she realized it could be a proper business
• Working on her own fabric line and expanding beyond quilting into dollhouse projects and jewelry
• Fewer quilters and shops than the US, many closed during COVID, but younger generation showing interest
• Views sewing as a form of adult play that releases and fulfills her creatively

Join host Misty Doan as she sits down with Amy Latta of Amy Latta's Creations, a remarkable creative entrepreneur whose journey spans from ballroom dance instruction to becoming a bestselling craft book author and fabric designer. Amy shares how a simple desire to stay home with her young son led to a thriving creative business built on the philosophy that "practice makes progress."

Key Episode Highlights:

• Amy's journey from ballroom dance instructor to bestselling craft author and fabric designer
• "Practice makes progress" philosophy - why perfectionism kills creativity
• Overcoming rejection: First book rejection led to 125,000+ bestseller and 9 more books
• Blessing Bears Ministry: Son's compassion sparked nationwide effort delivering 575 bears to people in need
• First fabric collection "Bloom" launching with Andover Fabrics in summer 2025
• Teaching quilting across three generations and breaking gender barriers in crafting
• Creating for others brings the most fulfillment - "we're all created to create"

Join host Misty Doan as she sits down with Elizabeth Chappell, the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Quilter's Candy. Elizabeth shares her unique journey from spotting a business opportunity at Quilt Market to becoming a successful fabric designer with Art Gallery Fabrics, podcast host of "Craft to Career," and educator helping other quilters build sustainable creative businesses.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Discovered quilting as a business opportunity, not a hobby
• Asked to become Art Gallery Fabrics socialite - emphasizes asking for opportunities despite rejection
• Pat Bravo's feedback helped her find her authentic creative voice in fabric design
• Overcame self-doubt through therapy and shifting from scarcity to abundance mindset
• Teaches pattern writing courses using Adobe software and offers free resources
• Protects creativity by saying no more and taking "playdates with yourself"

In this episode of Homespun, Misty Doan sits down with designer Kristin Nicholas to explore a life overflowing with color, craft, and creativity. From a 4-H childhood and lessons from her grandmother, to decades leading the yarn industry, to running a working sheep farm in Western Massachusetts, Kristin shares how she finds inspiration everywhere—from nature to art history. She dives into the thrill of trying new crafts, embracing failure, and letting each creative experiment feed the next. Plus, hear about her books, pottery, embroidery, and why learning something new can completely transform your main craft.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Early creative influences from family, 4-H, and Sunset craft kits in the 1960s

• Career path from textile degrees to becoming a yarn company creative director

• Life on a 1750s sheep farm with 400 sheep and rotational grazing

• Insights on trends in crochet and embroidery

• How pottery and other crafts influence her knitting and crochet design

• Practical tips for finding color inspiration in nature and art

• Encouragement to try new crafts to broaden skills and perspective

• Reflections on her published books and current creative newsletter

In this episode of Homespun, Misty Doan sits down with Moda fabric designer Stacy Iest Hsu to talk about her journey from growing up on a farm to creating some of quilting’s most beloved fabric collections. Stacy shares how she transitioned from graphic design to quilting, the role persistence played in landing her dream job, and why storytelling is woven into every fabric she creates.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Stacy’s creative journey from farm life to the world of fabric design

• The persistence and patience behind breaking into the quilting industry

• How a simple idea grew into a successful partnership with Moda Fabrics

• The importance of storytelling in fabric collections

• Stacy’s advice for aspiring designers