A Quilting Life Podcast
Discussions on quilting, fabric, inspiration, creativity and more. Hosted by mother and daughter Moda fabric designers Sherri McConnell and Chelsi Stratton, A Quilting Life Podcast with Sherri & Chelsi is a series of light-hearted and informative conversations that provide the listener with quilting industry news, quilting tips, and creative inspiration.
Episodes
159 episodes
Designing the Birch & Willow Fabric Collection and Making the 2025 Quilting "Nice List"
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi do a deep dive into the designing of their new fabric collection, Birch & Willow. They share how this new Fall fabric line has been in the works for quite some time and how they envision this fabric being ...
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Episode 156
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39:57
New Fabric Announcement, Christmas Sewing, and Favorite Christmas Things
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi announce the share date for a brand new fabric collection, discuss their Christmas sewing plans for 2025 and share some of their "favorite Christmas things." Be sure to check back in on Friday December 12th, f...
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Episode 155
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44:17
Hawaiian Quilt Retreat and Giving Thanks in 2025
In this episode, Sherri recaps her recent Hawaiian quilt retreat on the beautiful island of Kauai. She discusses the quilting projects that were made by the attendees and shares all the other fun adventures they were able to participate in whil...
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Episode 154
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42:32
Kaitlyn Howell of Knot & Thread
In this engaging conversation, Kaitlyn Howell of Knot and Thread Designs shares her journey from a long arm quilter to a successful pattern designer and business owner. She discusses her early influences, the evolution of her business, and the ...
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Episode 153
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57:31
Sizing Considerations in Quilts and Start, Bench, Cut Halloween Edition
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi discuss all the different aspects of sizing that is considered when designing and piecing a quilt. They discuss block sizing, overall quilt size, and what size prints to use throughout a quilt. The crew then s...
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Episode 152
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55:53
2025 Quilt Market Recap, Moda 50 Year Anniversary, and Exciting New Collaborations
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi recap their recent trip to Houston Texas for the 2025 International Quilt Market. They talk about the Moda Fabrics 50 year anniversary and share a new fabric collaboration with Moda and Shannon Fabrics. They a...
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Episode 151
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53:08
Introducing the Poinsettia & Pear Fabric Collection
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi discuss their new fabric collection, Poinsettia & Pear. They discuss what inspired this new Christmas fabric collection and also share how it can be used for more than just Christmas quilts and projects. S...
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Episode 150
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39:02
Coloring Quilt Patterns, Attending Quilt Shows and Why Square Quilts?
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi answer a new batch of listener questions. They discuss coloring their quilt patterns, using the correct stitch length for different projects, quilt batting, long arm quilting pricing, share advice for attendin...
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Episode 149
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40:29
Fantasy Fabric Draft and Favorite Fall Fabrics and Decor
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi participate in their first ever fantasy fabric draft as they both select colors from Moda Solids to begin their hypothetical Fall fabric line. They also discuss their favorite fall fabrics and decor.
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Episode 148
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40:26
Sewing with Unreleased Fabric and our Top "Go-To" Quilts
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi discuss their process of sewing with a brand new fabric collection that has yet to be released. They share how they approach which quilt patterns they will make first and what they do if there are any hiccups ...
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Episode 147
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41:50
New Sewing Studio and Back to School Memories
In this episode, Sherri debuts her new sewing studio and offers some tips and advice for anyone who might be transitioning into a new sewing space anytime soon. Sherri, Chelsi and Billy then share some of their back to school memories as Chelsi...
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Episode 146
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41:22
Jenelle Kent of Pieces to Treasure
In this episode, Sherri welcomes fellow Moda fabric designer and quilter Jenelle Kent to the show! Jenelle joins us from her home country of Australia and shares her journey as a quilter, fabric designer, and shop owner. She also has just relea...
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Episode 145
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46:31
Struggles Quilters Face and Keeping a Positive Mindset
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi discuss some of the struggles they faced when they began quilting and designing fabric. They share how they dealt with and overcame these struggles and also talk about the importance of keeping a positive mind...
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Episode 144
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49:22
The Right Amount of Projects, Sample Sewing, and Displaying a Quilt on Your Bed
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi answer some new listener questions. They discuss how many projects they are comfortable working on at a time, how Sherri got involved in sample sewing, how to display a quilt on a bed, how to arrange fabrics i...
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Episode 143
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37:32
Modavation Recap, Trimming Quilt Blocks Down, and Placing Low Volume Fabrics in Quilts
In this episode, Sherri recaps here recent trip to Dallas Texas for the 2nd annual Modavation retreat. She shares some of the great insights and news she learned while there. Sherri and Chelsi then answer a couple follow-up questions from episo...
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Episode 142
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38:21
St. George Retreat Wrap-Up, New Quilt Retreat Tips, and Simple Quilted Gift Ideas
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi recap their recent quilt retreat they hosted alongside Camille Roskelley in St. George, Utah. They share all the fun activities that were included with this retreat and give some new tips for a quilter looking...
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Episode 141
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40:07
Vanessa Christenson of V and Co.
In this episode, Sherri welcomes fellow Moda fabric designer and quilter Vanessa Christenson to the show! Vanessa shares how she first started quilting and blogging and how that led her to eventually connect with Moda. Vanessa also has a backgr...
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Episode 140
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41:20
Quilt Block Construction from Idea to Finished Block and Writing Quality Quilt Patterns
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi discuss their process of constructing quilt blocks from start to finish. They share how they take their ideas from paper or computer into their sewing space to start constructing their blocks. They also discus...
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Episode 139
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48:07
2025 Quilter's Tool Buyer Guide and Traditional Piecing vs Specialty Rulers
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi share their 2025 Quilter's Tool buyer guide list. They discuss tools and notions they think benefit quilters of all skill levels. Sherri also shares an exciting news about a quilting vacation she will be takin...
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Episode 138
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45:27
Saving Scraps and Planning out Scrap Quilts
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi share some of their best tips for saving and organizing scraps. They also dive into the process they use for designing and piecing their scrappy quilts.
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Episode 137
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43:15
Deep Dive into Designing a New Fabric Collection and Making Crisp Quilt Blocks
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi answer a couple listener questions in depth. Sherri and Chelsi take a deep dive into the process they use to design a brand new fabric collection. They also discuss how they keep their blocks nice and cr...
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Episode 136
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51:21
Quilt Making Process | Starting a New Project & Sewing Efficiently and Accurately
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi discuss their quilting processes. They share how they prepare to begin a new original project and what they do differently when they prepare to make a pattern written by someone else. They also share tip...
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Episode 135
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43:37
Delightfully Yours Fabric Collection
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi discuss their new fabric collection, Delightfully Yours. They share their favorite floral and basic prints in the collection and discuss the inspiration behind this fabric line. This fabric collection is a sis...
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Episode 134
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31:58
Building a Quilting Bucket List
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi share what is on their quilting bucket lists. They also tease their upcoming fabric collection they will be sharing on Friday February 28th, 2025. Leave your guess in the comments for what fabric line is the s...
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Episode 133
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46:57
An In Depth Look at Thread and Favorite Valentine's Day Quilts & Decor
In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi discuss all things thread. They share some information about thread count in the Moda 108" wide backings that they were previously unaware of. They then discuss the threads they use for piecing, quilting, and ...
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Episode 132
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50:24