Inappropriate Quilters

This episode is a whirlwind tour through Leslie’s epic 8-day European river cruise, complete with Viking Cruises’ top-tier service and some emotional stops in Paris, Normandy, and Bruges. We dive into the highlights like scenic canal rides and historical chateau visits where dining history truly came to life. Of course, it wouldn't be a travel story without some drama, including flight delays and a spicy encounter with a local at a French gift shop. Leslie is already looking ahead to a 2028 Danube cruise, proving that the travel bug has officially bitten. It’s a perfect mix of cultural deep-dives and savvy traveler tips.

Back on the home front, we’re pivoting from passports to presser feet as Rochelle shares her latest sewing room updates and upcoming adventures. We’re talking about the hunt for the perfect serger table, the excitement for the Riley Blake "Road to Oklahoma" fabric launch on June 1st, and Rochelle’s incredible charity work with Project Linus and human trafficking recovery programs. Plus, there’s some serious travel envy with Rochelle’s upcoming birthday trip to Japan for cherry blossom season and Disney. Between car tire mishaps and museum-worthy quilts, this session covers everything from the heart of Oklahoma to the streets of Tokyo. Get ready for plenty of inspiration for your next project or plane ticket!

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions regarding sexual assault and rape in the context of the book Know My Name. Listener discretion is advised. 

Welcome back to the show where we dive deep into the world of high-stakes packing and heavy-duty quilting! Today, Leslie and Rochelle break down the ultimate strategy for a 12-day European river cruise, proving that less really is more. Rochelle drops some serious travel wisdom, challenging Leslie to ditch the heavy bags for a svelte 28-pound max checked bag. Between swapping out jeans for essential meds and extra outfits, they’re making sure no one gets left behind at the terminal. It’s all about staying mobile while preparing for a dream trip across the pond.

When they aren't talking travel, these two are masterfully navigating the world of custom quilts and upcoming retreats. We get the inside scoop on Leslie’s new sewing machine and her ambitious Summer Sew Along video plans. Rochelle shares updates on her massive 168,000-stitch projects and the excitement building for the Ship Shawana retreat this September. They even find time to reflect on family heirlooms and the art of downsizing without losing the memories. Grab your favorite Cozy Earth robe and settle in for a chat that’s as warm as a fresh quilt!

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

Hi everyone, and welcome back to another crafty catch-up session where we dive deep into the world of stitches and surprises! In today’s episode, Leslie and Rochelle dish on everything from high-speed industrial sewing machine dramas to zebra-patterned desk makeovers in Texas. Leslie is currently battling a missing white wire for her new 5500-stitch-per-minute beast, while Rochelle shares tales from a "ladybug" camper and a furniture painting retreat. They explore the emotional side of creating, discussing a touching story about acrylic templates made in honor of a sweet girl named Camden. Between navigating tornado warnings and planning for a massive Paris trip, these two are keeping their needles moving and their hearts full. We even get a peek into Leslie’s workspace reorganization where her 12-foot table is finally taking center stage for those big projects. It is a whirlwind of technical troubleshooting and artistic inspiration that you definitely do not want to miss!

Moving from hardware to heartstrings, the duo reflects on the "Welcome to Holland" analogy for raising children with disabilities and finding beauty in the unexpected. On the technical side, Rochelle gives us the masterclass on thread management and why facing might just beat binding for your next masterpiece. Leslie is gearing up for her Stripology retreat, strategically ordering extra panels for her One Block Wonder to ensure the back looks just as good as the front. There is also a call to action for the listeners as Leslie prepares to send fabric scrap photos to Lorraine for some creative upcycling ideas. Whether it’s using EQ8 software to plan your next Pastel Prairie quilt or learning to use clips over pins, this conversation is packed with pro tips. They remind us that even when life throws a literal tornado your way, there is always time for a little decoupage and community. Grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a chat that feels just like sitting in the sewing room with your best friends!

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

Today, we’re catching up on everything from dental checkups to high-stakes library presentations. Rochelle just returned from a Nebraska fundraiser where she stepped up as a keynote speaker to talk all things literary quilts, including that stunning Anne of Green Gables piece. We also dive into some "quilty" lifestyle updates, like Lance’s new tallow soap-making venture—which the cat, Petey, finds a little too interesting. Between vision updates and dental wins, it’s clear we’ve been busy staying sharp and healthy. We even chatted about the realities of modern parenting and how much the classroom has changed since the 80s.

The adventure doesn't stop there because we’re talking travel and big wheels! Leslie's friend, Christa just snagged a motor coach, and we’re already planning the logistics of driving the bus to Kansas City for some classes with Angela. We also shared some essential travel hacks for Leslie’s upcoming Paris trip, covering everything from electric blankets to the best way to handle currency. To wrap things up, we shared a truly moving story about a tattoo artist honoring sobriety milestones one day at a time. It’s a packed episode full of laughs, life lessons, and plenty of fabric talk. We’re so glad you’re tuning in!

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

In this episode, Rochelle and Michelle Schneider of Malva Muse Quilt Company, take us behind the scenes of their incredible quilting friendship, and let me tell you, it is a total stitch! We dive into Michelle’s impressive background with BlockLoc and her love of pattern design. The duo shares how they met through the quilting community and have since become quite the pair. We got a sneak peek into their latest retreat adventures, where the creativity was flowing as fast as the sourdough bread was rising. It’s a heartwarming look at how a shared passion for fabric can create a bond that’s as strong as a double-stitched seam.

But it’s not all just talk; we’re also geeking out over some seriously cool quilting innovations. They are currently perfecting 3D-printed alphabet tags and clips to keep every scrap of fabric organized and ready for action. Between planning a big delivery to the Hamilton Quilt Museum and dodging tornado watches, they are staying busy with needle-felted bunnies and massive half-square triangle projects. Michelle is even stepping up to help finish quilts for an upcoming book, proving that the quilting community always has each other’s backs. Whether they are swapping fabric stories or redesigning organizational gear, these ladies are truly living the creative dream.

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

In this jam-packed session, we catch up with our friend, John MacPhail from Art East Quilting Co. and we’re dishing all the details on Art East’s stunning new Peter Pan quilt, 2nd Star to the Right. We talk all about the design hurdles of mixing character scales and those gorgeous dawn and blue colorways! We also hear about the incredible collaboration with Riley Blake, the secret behind those collector-quality book boxes, and why starting with the face of a block is a total game-changer for motivation. 

The inspiration doesn’t stop there as we look ahead to a busy fall featuring a massive 9-patch sew-along with Gnome Angel and three brand-new pattern drops. From discussing all the amazing quilts to dreaming about a potential 2029 retreat on Cape Breton Island, we cover the full spectrum of the quilting life. We even take a lighthearted turn to chat about custom pet portraits and Puffin Boots. It’s an episode full of perseverance, creativity, and plenty of "Inappropriate Quilter" spirit!

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

Welcome back to the stitch-side of life, where we’re diving into a whirlwind of quilting magic and road-trip adventures! From the mystery of three identical "Queen of Diamonds" quilts made with totally different techniques to the buzz about a new blue whale building on Route 66, this session was packed with inspiration. We even tackled the tough stuff, like troubleshooting finicky irons and finding the perfect starch for those crisp appliqué edges. It’s all about the joy of the craft and the cool new spots popping up in our community.

But the heart of this episode is really about the threads that connect us beyond the sewing machine. We shared stories about the hunt for vintage Betty Crocker memorabilia and the simple, profound beauty of catching up with "the peeps" over a project. Whether it’s navigating a smelly rental car or planning a trip to see Ricky Timms in Missouri, it’s a reminder that life—much like a quilt—is best when it's full of color and shared with friends. Keep those needles moving and your hearts open!

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

Hi everyone! In this episode, we’re diving stitch-first into the vibrant world of modern quilting with the fabulous Jenelle Abbott, founder of Foxy's Kits and Quilts. We track Janelle’s inspiring journey from Etsy hobbyist to a burgeoning business owner, including the scoop on her highly anticipated "Son of a Nutcracker" block-of-the-month project. Between technical mic checks and hair transformation tales, the gang swaps stories about the magic of QuiltCon, the addictive fun of sticker trading, and why SewTite magnets are an absolute total game-changer for your longarm setup.

From discussing the cinematic vibes of "Project Hail Mary" to debating the best way to label fabric kits so you never lose your mind mid-project, this conversation is packed with tips and laughs. Grab your favorite scraps and settle in for a chat that proves quilting is anything but a "granny craft"—it’s a full-blown artistic movement!

Follow Jenelle on Instagram @foxykitsnquilts and her website www.foxykitsnquilts.com.

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

This week’s episode was an absolute feast of topics, starting with everything from managing those tricky dietary habits to the inspiring financial savvy of our younger generations. We got a fun glimpse into the world of tech with the arrival of a brand-new electric rotary cutter, which is basically the Tesla of fabric tools—talk about a great investment! The chat even spun off into celebrity news, with a hilarious detour to discuss Barry Manilow’s pop chart comeback and the impressive young Max Couture. Of course, no great conversation is complete without a debate over sourdough bread bowls and the perfect dipped ice cream cone. Seriously, it was a smorgasbord of updates, covering everything but the kitchen sink!

But it wasn't all fun and games; we also dove into some serious projects and major life updates that keep us busy outside the sewing room. There was a big discussion about guild life, including the future program for 2027 and the exciting "Quilt of Welcome" project making its way around the UK, which celebrates language and inclusion. Rochelle has a full to-do list, which includes prepping for a separate library fundraiser program in Kimberling City and coordinating a fabric-cutting marathon with Mike in Nebraska. On a personal note, the group shared some supportive vibes for family health updates and is keeping a close eye on travel advisories for Leslie's upcoming trip to Paris. Plus, it’s maintenance time, with a reminder to drain that Laura Star iron canister monthly for optimal performance. So many great things in the works—get ready to tune in for all the details!

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Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

We just wrapped an incredible episode with the talented Belle Brunner (Seams Sew Me), and you won’t want to miss her inspiring journey from COVID-19 beginner to a professional fabric designer! She gave us the inside scoop on her debut collection, "Montgomery Mountain Charm," which is a beautiful tribute to her roots in Arkansas. We also dove deep into the world of sewing gear, comparing Juki and Bernina machines while uncovering the secret to adding knee lifts to almost any model. From vintage button collections to the decline of home economics, this conversation was packed with nostalgic stories and practical quilting tips.

Belle shared about her amazing retreat center in Arkansas, which sounds like the ultimate getaway for any sewing enthusiast. Whether you’re here for the machine talk or the heartfelt stories, this episode truly reminds us why the quilting community is so special. Make sure to follow Belle on Instagram at @seams_sew_me to keep up with all of her latest patterns and fabric collections.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior