In this episode, I explore the intersection of quilting and activism throughout American history. I'm not here to share my personal political views or tell you how to vote. Instead, I'm examining how quilters—especially marginalized communities—have used fabric and thread to tell stories, support causes, and make their voices heard when society tried to silence them.

Find show notes HERE for a visual guide for this episode, and to find links to some of the resources referenced in this episode.

I walk through four powerful historical examples: the 1836 Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society fundraising quilt with its heartbreaking poem about enslaved children; the Hoosier Suffrage Quilt featuring nearly 300 embroidered names of women fighting for the right to vote; Jessie Telfair's bold Freedom Quilts made after losing her job for registering to vote during the Civil Rights Movement; and the monumental AIDS Memorial Quilt, the largest community art project ever created.

We discuss a framework for approaching activist quilts, explore subtle political expression through motifs and pattern names, and address the discomfort that can arise when viewing quilts with bold messages.

Whether it makes you uncomfortable or inspires you, this conversation is meant to honor the generations of quilters who came before us and used their art to document what history books so often overlooked.

In This Episode:

More Resources for you:

The International Quilt Museum's work linked HERE

Partisan Pieces: Quilts of Political and Patriotic Persuasion (July 2020), The International Quilt Museum

Connect With This Episode:

Subscribe to the Patchwork Revival Podcast wherever you listen, share this episode with a friend, or leave a rave review!

Don't forget, podcast listeners can enjoy a 15% discount in my shop using code REVIVAL - thanks for being here! 

How do you document the quilts you make for future generations? In this episode, I talk with photographer and marketing coordinator Carissa Ramirez about the intersection of photography and quilting, sharing practical tips every quilter can use to capture their work authentically.

Carissa shares her photography journey from teenage experimentation to professional work, revealing how she developed her signature true-to-color editing style.

We cover essential quilt photography techniques including chasing natural light, managing harsh sun and low-light situations, using props for composition, photographing quilts in authentic use, and understanding color perception. 

We also discuss the realities of creative business—social media pressures, fair pricing, sustainability, and gatekeeping in creative communities. 

Whether you're documenting quilts for your own records, building a portfolio, or preserving family textile heirlooms, this conversation gives you practical tools to start today.

📝 Find show notes here: https://patchworkrevivalstudios.com/podcast

📸 Check out Carrissa's work : https://www.instagram.com/picsbycarr/

In This Episode:

If you loved this episode, be sure to follow the show and share with a friend! Let's keep building our cozy corner of the quilting community ❤️

Use code REVIVAL for 15% off at www.patchworkrevivalstudios.com

In Part II of this Patchwork Revival Podcast series, I’m sharing more stories from the Sweater Weather Sampler Sew Along—because the first episode only scratched the surface.

Find Show Notes and more at: https://patchworkrevivalstudios.com/podcast

What began as a group sampler hosted by The Nine Patch Quilt Collective became a meaningful quilting community experience. Quilters from all skill levels shared stories about confidence, creative growth, frustration, and why they keep coming back to their sewing rooms.

This episode isn’t a sew along recap.

If you love quilting podcasts about community, creative process, sew alongs, and the real experience of being a quilter, this episode is for you.

We’re Covering:

If you would like to share your quilting story, I’d love to hear it! Send me an email at: [email protected]

If you loved this episode, but sure to follow the show so you don’t miss upcoming weeks! Share with a friend to help continue to build our little corner of the quilting community ❤️

🛒 Shop now with 15% off using code REVIVAL - my little way of saying THANKS for being here! 🫶🏻

📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patchworkrevivalstudios/ 

In this episode of Patchwork Revival, I’m sitting down with my friend, fellow designer, and all-around amazing quilting entrepreneur Abby Luchsinger of Abby Maed.

We’re diving into modern quilt design, creating quilts that feel warm and livable, and what it really looks like to turn a quilting passion into a sustainable creative business. Abby shares insights on designing quilts, learning fabric design from inside the industry, writing her book “Cozy Quilts for the Modern Home”, and building a brand that resonates with today’s quilters.

Whether you’re a hobby quilter, pattern designer, or creative small business owner, this is one of those conversations that’s just too good to pass up! 

Find Abby’s book, Cozy Quilts for the Modern Home, HERE —> https://www.abbymaed.com/shop 

If you loved this episode, but sure to follow the show so you don’t miss upcoming weeks! Share with a friend to help continue to build our little corner of the quilting community.

If you would like to share your quilting story, I’d love to hear it! Send me an email at: [email protected]

🛒 Shop now with 15% off using code REVIVAL - my little way of saying THANKS for being here! 🫶🏻

📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patchworkrevivalstudios/ 

In this episode of the Patchwork Revival Podcast, I’m sharing the quilting stories that emerged from the Sweater Weather Sampler Sew Along—stories about creativity, connection, and why quilting communities matter so deeply.

From first-time sampler quilts to seasoned quilters stitching through life’s ups and downs, these reflections show how sew alongs create more than quilts—they build belonging. Whether you joined the Sweater Weather Sampler or simply love being part of the quilting community, this episode explores the heart of why we quilt together.

If you would like to share your quilting story, I’d love to hear it! Send me an email at: [email protected]

If you loved this episode, but sure to follow the show so you don’t miss upcoming weeks! Share with a friend to help continue to build our little corner of the quilting community ❤️

🛒 Shop now with 15% off using code REVIVAL - my little way of saying THANKS for being here! 🫶🏻

📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patchworkrevivalstudios/ 

Step behind the seams with the Sweater Weather Sampler designers for a warm, behind-the-seams chat about friendship, community, and our favorite season of all: Sweater Weather!

I’m so excited to welcome you to this special episode of Patchwork Revival—especially if this is your first time finding our quilting community! Today, we’re pulling back the curtain for an exclusive, behind-the-seams look at the Sweater Weather Sampler 2025, the collaborative quilt along brought to you by the Nine Patch Quilt Collective.

I’m joined by all eight of the incredibly talented sampler quilt designers who make up the Nine Patch Quilt Collective with me.  Together, we’re answering your most frequently asked questions, sharing a few laughs, and talking about what it’s really like to create a collaborative quilt project as friends and creatives.

Whether you’re a seasoned Sweater Weather quilter with a wall of finished quilts or a beginner dreaming jumping in and completing your first sampler quilt pattern, this conversation is for you. We’ll explore the heart of quilting—friendship, tradition, and the joy of creating together—while giving you a glimpse into our block design process and the community that forms when we sew side by side, even from across the world.

Grab your favorite mug, pick up your current project (or just your favorite quilt to snuggle under), and join us for a conversation that celebrates creativity, connection, and the timeless art of quilting.

🍁SIGN UP FOR THE SWEATER WEATHER SAMPLER 2025 SEWALONG HERE: https://ninepatchquiltcollective.myflodesk.com/sweaterweathersampler2025

You can check out the Nine Patch Quilt Collective designers at their websites, linked here:

Patchwork Revival

Sew Joyful Studio

Carnelian Quilting

Heck Yes Sew Co

Cream City Studio

Crafty Moose Quilts

Quilt Scouts

Remi Vail Studio

Abby Maed

🛒 Shop now with 15% off using code REVIVAL - my little way of saying THANKS for being here! 🫶🏻

📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patchworkrevivalstudios/ 

❤️ Enjoying the show? Subscribe, like, and share with a friend to help continue to build a warm, welcoming quilting community!

In this week’s episode, I am introducing you to my favorite bunch of quilters - my very own quilty friends that make up the Nine Patch Quilt Collective!

If you’re like me, you know all about the power of creativity to connect people to one another, and the story of how the Nine Patch Quilt Collective came to be is a heartwarming tale. I hope you love getting to know this group of makers, hearing each of their quilting stories, and getting some behind the scenes info on what it’s like to be part of a dedicated community of quilters!

Learn more about the Nine Patch Quilt Collective designers:

Patchwork Revival

Sew Joyful Studio

Carnelian Quilting

Heck Yes Sew Co

Cream City Studio

Crafty Moose Quilts

Quilt Scouts

Remi Vail Studio

Abby Maed

🍁 Early bird registration is open for the Sweater Weather Sampler 2025! You can sign up HERE if you are interested in joining this year's Sweater Weather fun!

🛒 Shop now with 15% off using code REVIVAL - my little way of saying THANKS for being here! 🫶🏻

📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patchworkrevivalstudios/ 

❤️ Enjoying the show? Subscribe, like, and share with a friend to help continue to build a warm, welcoming quilting community!

May 16th was marked in my calendar as the day to tune into Netflix to watch the award-winning documentary, The Quilters. The short documentary (33 min) directed by Jenifer McShane chronicles the stories of men in a Missouri Maximum security prison to spend their days designing and sewing quilts for foster children in the surrounding communities.

As a lifelong quilter and lover of storytelling through stitches, I was deeply touched by the themes of healing, redemption, and unexpected community. I’ll share my personal reflections on the documentary, highlight a few of my favorite moments, and talk about why I believe this story matters to every quilter.

If you're passionate about the legacy of quilting, the power of creativity to connect generations, or simply love a story that warms the heart, this episode is for you. Tune in for inspiration, insight, and a beautiful reminder of why quilts—and the people who make them—matter.

Episode links:

Quilter on Fire podcast episode featuring director Jennifer McShane

Learn more about Missouri's restorative justice programs here.

Enjoying the show?

Podcast Listeners Only: Get 15% off all quilt patterns in my shop with code REVIVAL

Other Links: https://patchworkrevivalstudios.com/

🧵 Fat Quarter Shop (affiliate): https://www.dreamlandquilting.com/links

In this episode of Patchwork Revival, I’m joined by a truly inspiring guest: Dr. Marissa Famularo, who is a vascular surgeon by day and a quilter by night. Marissa found her way to quilting during one of the busiest seasons of her life, and has found purpose through her sewing machine, creating beautiful, meaningful quilts—and helping others do the same.

Marissa opens up about how quilting became a powerful mental health tool for her, offering comfort, creativity, and a sense of community. We chat about how she’s now paying it forward by designing simple quilting kits and instructions that make it easy for even the busiest people to start stitching, and even shares ideas on how to engage kid’s creativity through sewing classes.

Together, we explore:

Whether you're a lifelong quilter or just curious about how fabric and thread can bring healing and connection, this episode is for you! So grab your favorite handwork and get cozy - let’s celebrate Marissa & the story behind The Surgical Sewist!

Find Marissa at:

Her website: https://www.thesurgicalsewist.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheSurgicalSewist/

Purchase or donate a hand sewing kit HERE: https://www.thesurgicalsewist.com/shop

Enjoying the show?

Podcast Listeners Only: Get 15% off all quilt patterns in my shop with code REVIVAL

Other Links: https://patchworkrevivalstudios.com/

🧵 Fat Quarter Shop (affiliate): https://www.dreamlandquilting.com/links

In this  episode of Patchwork Revival: A Quilting Podcast, I’m chatting with Dr. Allee Nix—recent medical school graduate and passionate quilter—to explore how quilting has remained a grounding force in her life throughout an intense season of medical training.

From stitching with her mother and grandmother as a child to carving out precious time for sewing during med school, Allee shares how quilting became both a creative outlet and a form of self-care. We talk about honoring quilting legacies, staying connected to handmade traditions, and why the quilting community continues to be a source of strength and inspiration.

If you're a busy quilter looking for ways to prioritize your craft or someone seeking motivation to return to your sewing room, this episode will speak directly to you. Allee also offers simple, practical tips for making space for quilting—no matter how hectic life gets.

Whether you're a longtime listener or a new quilter looking for podcasts about creativity, women's stories, and the deeper meaning behind patchwork, this episode is a must-listen.

Enjoying the show?

Podcast Listeners Only: Get 15% off all quilt patterns in my shop with code REVIVAL

Other Links: