They are unsightly and no one wants nests or boogers on the back of their quilt! So how do we avoid them…. this video will show you how to avoid them when starting to quilt. The key here…. you MUST hold on to both top and bobbin thread before you hit the start button!!
If you are interested in Quilter’s Groove® Tribe, there is more information here. If you want more Quilter’s Groove® Short Takes.. subscribe to my blog and let me know!!
I feel like I have been starting all my blog posts with…. it’s been a while. I promise I will try harder to not let that happen!
Here’s what I’ve been up to!
The past 6 months I have been feverishly working on a comprehensive online course! And guess what??? It is finally done.
I had 32 fabulous students help me create this class and their input was invaluable! To all of you…. my biggest thank you!
The nerve wracking thing about creating the class is that as the students were hard at work on one week… I was working really hard on the following week. So I was only a week ahead of them. But I will tell you… if I had waited and created all the content before getting my beta group… the class would likely still be in my head. The process was very fluid which meant that if the students gave me feedback on providing more explanation… it was easily done.
This class took me out of my comfort zone which is something that I tell my students all the time. One of the aspects that I loved most about the class were the Zoom meetings. It was so great to see all of the faces and have productive Q & A’s! We became a little family. The students were super engaging on the private FB page. It was wonderful to see them supporting each other.
The great news is the lesson are prerecorded so you can learn when it is convenient for you! And the best.. you have lifetime access to the class.
Enrollment is now open, however, it is only open til March 28. As the first lesson is available March 29 and a new lesson will be available each week. If you sign up before Mar 22, you will receive the Perfect Plumes class as a bonus!
For all the details… click here! Don’t miss out, this is the only time the class will be at this price!
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions
I am so excited that I can barely contain my excitement! The past few months have been challenging to say the least. We are all in a similar boat… our quilt shows have been cancelled which means that all of those classes that we all signed up for just went POOF! So what’s a quilter to do… we turn to our online options. Sometimes these are good and other times not so good. I have the perfect solution!
Private quilt coaching… you are in your studio, I am in mine and we come up with a game plan specific for you based on your own skill level. So if you have a special project that has been lying around for a while because you don’t know what to quilt on it…. this is perfect for you! Or maybe you just bought a longarm and are a little afraid and don’t know where to start. This is perfect for you! Maybe there are numerous things you want to work on or learn… again… everything is tailored to you. It doesn’t get any better then this!
What’s even better is that the first 5 people to respond…. get a free 1/2 hour coaching session! Limited spots so don’t delay!
Hi all, I hope you are all well and surviving our nationwide quarantine! We are social creatures and this surely is gonna test us… what’s the saying… what doesn’t kill us will make us stronger. Please follow all the directives so this can be over sooner rather than later. While I realize that this is serious, I need to try and maintain my sense of humor (hence the picture above) or I will go absolutely crazy.
First things first…. my online classes (not iQuilt) are on sale 25% off! Use code 25OFF The kits associated with both the Rulers for Rookies classes are 15% off! So why not learn a new skill, refresh an old skill or just have a little fun!
I have also added my 2 DVD’s as downloads! So if you are wondering how I come up with my quilting designs…. it’s really no secret and it’s really easy!! You can take a simple nine patch and turn it into a beauty! So we all have those orphan blocks that never made it into a quilt…. great to practice this technique.
So… my plan A was to go to MQX, teach all my wonderful students and just generally have a blast.
onto…. 
I am currently workin hard on my quilt along…. Comes Around, Goes Around! I am hoping it will be completed and ready to go by next Friday so please bear with me… a lot goes into it! Please stay tuned as there are a limited number of kits… so once they are gone… they are gone.
The kits are laser cut… there is no piecing involved. There will be blanket stitches around all of the applique. There will also be an option of getting the kits with the rulers that I use for the quilting. I will be filming all of the quilting as well, so you can quilt it as I have or you can use the Divide and Design method to create your own! I can’t wait to see what you all come up with.
Stay well! Hope to see you at a future quilt show… SOON!
Lisa
Comes Your Way!
You heard right!! While I’m away ALL orders shipped within the United States will receive FREE shipping until August 20th!
NO Special Code is required to receive free shipping!
So take advantage of this great offer, and fill your cart today! And you’ll enjoy free shipping within the great USA!
I can’t stay in Europe forever. Unfortunately, I will have to return to reality which mean free shipping will come to an end. So don’t miss out, you have until August 20th to take advantage of what is happening while I’m traveling abroad!
What is a business without good communication? There is none. How vital is communication with our customers? It’s pretty darn vital. I know that when I was quilting for customers, I composed an intake sheet that allowed me to notate information regarding each client and specifics on what they wanted on their quilt. Why was this so important? Well, hello I am no super hero when it comes to retaining every single word my customer shared with during consultation. I could review my notes and realized “I completely forget she had mentioned this, or requested that”. We all have good intentions of listening closely to the wants and needs of our customers but can we rely on mentally keeping every detail tucked away in our heads…not this girl.
I rely on contacting with people via email, rather than connecting with them by phone. This is not something I am proud of, it is definitely an area I am trying to improve upon. As I picked up the phone recently I became extremely aware of how significant that voice to voice connection is to both the customer and myself. Those receiving my call were pleasantly surprised I had reached out to them. And when I am the one answering the call my clients cannot believe it’s actually “me” fielding calls and not an employee. Yep folks believe it or not it’s just little old me in my studio now that my red-headed assistant got a new job. Yeah and boo all at the same time…
Bottom line–hearing someones voice, the tone in which they are speaking and having the capability to exchange words “VERBALLY” is huge!
Having an online business does allow me to work with customer but in a different way. Now, I utilize my blog , and newsletter to reach out to peers, and those in quilting community. Since I’m always striving to improve I’m also working on implementing more tutorials!
Speaking of tutorials thank you so much for all the kind words about my Baptist Fan tutorial. It really makes my job rewarding when I hear how much viewers appreciate and benefit from my videos. If there is something in particular you would like to see demonstrated let me know!
Has anyone struggled with finding a balance in communicating with customers? If you have found a balance what’s your secret? And don’t say you remember EVERYTHING!
WE HAVE ARRIVED FOLKS!
Manchester, New England will never be the same after these girls claim their territory in booth 188! Classes, vending, and lots of fun are creating a few days of quilters heaven!
Kicked off MQX with a Totally Templates Class
What a great way to begin my time here in New Hampshire. There’s nothing better than starting the Quilting Show with a class that consists of amazing students eager to learn!
I was extremely proud to give my Teacher’s Ribbon to:
Marie Alexander from Groton MA
“NEW HOPE”
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY…What a Great Machine Quilting Show!
Judy and I have been on the go; teaching and also vending in booth 188! Meeting, educating and sharing all that Quilter’s Groove Rulers have to offer to those who quilt, these last few days have been a whirlwind of events. But with all the incredible individuals we encounter each day we can’t help but smile and realize how lucky we are!
Did I mention we have been busy? Did I mention how much I love sharing my craft with fellow quilters? This adventure to New Hampshire has been simply marvelous!
Are you in town? If so please stop by and say hello! If you have attended MQX over the past few days I’d love to hear what you’ve done and if you enjoyed your time in Manchester!
Longwood Gardens Quilt 2010
Quilting for customers, yes this is a specialty that I was successful doing for approximately 10 and half years. I loved it and quilted some 3000 quilts through this livelihood. Are you considering expanding your quilting to the next level? If so, this is a wonderful way to make that goal a reality.
Trust is a HUGE word, and one of the best feeling in the world is when your customers embrace your talent, and depend on you to bring life and beauty to their quilt. What does that feel like? I cannot imagine giving my quilts, which I consider my babies, to someone else. Speaking for myself I pour my heart and soul into the quilting process and have no doubt it would be painful letting another individual take charge temporarily. For me that’s one of the aspects of this profession that I find so rewarding, each piece is one of my client’s babies.
All three of my boys… back in the day…
To Be or Not to Be: What about this business appeals to you? Is the idea that you simply love quilting or are you looking for additional income? These are two significant questions to consider. For those individuals choosing to quilt as a hobby, kudos to you! I say quilt away and surround yourself with all the creativeness you can gather; but please be mindful of those that do quilt for monetary reasons. Being a professional quilter becomes very challenging when a customer declares my cost expensive compared to that of Quinn Quilter. What my customer does not realize is there is a difference between Quinn Quilter and Lisa Calle. Quinn Quilter loves this craft as a hobby; Lisa Calle not only loves this trade but also has made a career out of quilting. If you feel that this a business you are aspiring to become a part of then I can only offer this piece of advice; I quilt for the purpose of making both my clients and ME happy. I must remain true to the fact that this is a business and income for my family. Therefore, the ability to lower my costs to meet the prices of those that are fortunate to quilt as a hobby is not something I can justify. Yes, possess an attitude! If you have committed to making quilting a business then you are worthy of owning your quilting ideals, methods AND prices.
It’s All About the Money: Begin by setting an hourly wage that you feel will be advantageous of your time, and materials. YOU need to be satisfied with the price you are charging, and obviously this might be different for everyone. I am not a low-priced quilter, as a matter of fact I’m fairly certain that I may have ended up being the most expensive in my area. However, I knew what I wanted to make monetarily; I was realistic that I had other responsibilities that also demanded my time. I was comfortable putting those obligations aside in order to run my business AND I was also comfortable putting those considerations into my quilting price.
The AH HA Moment: Retail and I have always been united, “Customers Come First” was my motto and I went out of my way to ensure my customers were more than satisfied. Did I make everyone happy? Heck no, I would never please everyone. Boy, I definitely had my share of those clients that undoubtedly could not be appeased in any way possible. On those work days happy hour felt like it would never arrive! Even enduring sweat and tears there were some partnerships that dissolved. Quickly I would come to terms with the understanding that there were going to be professional relationships that would find me and my client parting ways…and Ah Ha… that’s okay.
Next Up: Mastering feathers, I always wanted to conquer this technique. I could be found, pencil in hand, quietly doodling for hours and hours. My dedication paid off and gradually I was feathering away! Now did every customer love my new gift of feathering? No way, as I stated before there was, at least, that one customer who shuddered “Oh no I’m not fond of feathers”. For the sake of feathers people quit bursting my bubble, feathers are my thang! My advice, don’t let anyone get in the way of your thang!
It Needs a Price Tag: Well friends that is a post in and of itself!
Lisa
WHAT, Flat Lisa is STILL in Pennsylvania?! Say It Isn’t So!! 
Where is everyone? I know quilters reside in places other than Pennsylvania, so why is Flat Lisa stuck in Pennsylvania? Okay, perhaps you missed the Flat Lisa Reveal, maybe you skipped the Flat Lisa Reveal, or I suppose there is a slight possibility you aren’t interested in Flat Lisa.? Regardless, I will say it again I am eager to view my quilting friends globally. That being said I’d like, one more time, to introduce Flat Lisa! Share with me your quilting studio, classes, shows etc.(be creative if you’d like). Simply right-click on Flat Lisa below, save it to your computer and print out copy. Take a selfie with you and Flat Lisa and send your picture via email to Lisahcalle@me.com –It’s that easy!!
****Make sure you include your location so that I can track where my adventures have taken me. All photographs will be posted AND you will be entered to win a copy of my book “Divide and Design”. A winner will be drawn for end of this month. You don’t have a lot of time, so come on quilting friends I know you’re out there!!
Hi all,
This post is a little late. But better late then never. 🙂
New York Beauty…. I think I am going to be making one of these now.
I thought for this one, I would go a little more in depth of my thought process so bear with me…
I wanted to start by dividing this block but I didn’t want to just go with curves or straight lines. I love how scrolls can look especially when they intertwine and go behind things… The first thing I started with was the middle diamond. I was unsure of how this beauty was set with the other blocks so thought this was a safe way to go regardless of how they were set.
I then drew one wavy line on each side going “under the piecing”. I know, it’s another start and stop or traveling in the ditch to make it work but I think its worth it. I then echoed back. I’m normally not worried about making both sides match perfectly. (life is too short for that) I then added the two scrolls coming from the middle of the diamond.
When I divide up a quilt, I need to LOVE the it. So much so that if that were the only thing I was going to quilt, I’d be happy with it.
The center or bottom right area, I divided up with come curves. Looks like a fan. I would also stitch in the ditch everything.
Stay tuned for what happens next……
What will you create?
Lisa
PS: I would love to see your New York Beauty’s ….. send them to Lisahcalle@me.com
Lisa H Calle's Blog 