Natalie Pratt of The Ginger Quilter Box

In this episode of the Stop Scrolling, Start Sewing podcast I had the pleasure of chatting with Natalie Pratt of the Ginger Quilter Box.  Each month the Ginger Quilter Box arrives at your door packed with fabric, a quilt pattern, notions and even a treat to keep you moving on your quilting journey!

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Where to find Natalie and the Ginger Quilter Box:
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The Ginger Quilter Box
The Ginger Quilter Blog

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Transcript

Hi, I'm Nicole Gilbert, and this is the stop scrolling start sewing podcast each Wednesday, join me as I share the ins and outs of that quilt life. If you don't have a sewing machine can bust out a pretty fly YCM or you're just looking for the latest and greatest quilting news. This is the podcast for you.

Okay, folks, so this is season three, Episode 12 of the stop scrolling, start selling podcasts. I'm so excited that you're here with me today. Thank you for spending some time with me, whether you're driving to work, or you're watching us on YouTube. So this week is going to run just a little bit differently. Usually we chat about the bullets on the wall before diving in to our discussion for the day. However, I'm so excited because today I am joined by Natalie Pratt, of the ginger quilter. And you may know her from her amazing subscription box, the ginger quilter box. So I have this phenomenal interview and I cannot wait to get to it. And I cannot wait for you to meet her. I have had the pleasure of meeting her at this past Quilt Market. And we went and had a mutual dinner out at a friend's home and it was just delightful. So without further ado, let's dive in to the interview. Okay, folks. So just as I promised, today, we are here with Natalie Pratt and Natalie is of the ginger quilter. You may recognize her from either her Instagram account or from her fabulous subscription box the ginger quilted box. So hi, Natalie, how are you? Beautiful. Thanks so much for having me on. I'm doing great. I'm so excited to have you here. As soon as I was learning more about the box. I was like, Oh, my peeps need to hear from Natalie.

So I'm glad to be here. Oh, good, good, good. So I want to make sure that everybody knows exactly who you are and your own words. So would you mind telling us a little something about yourself? Maybe how you got started in quilting and where the idea from the box came from? Yes. What's the well I'll start with how I got started quilting.

I grew up with a really really, my grandma was a an amazing quilter. But as a kid I like had no interest in it, whatever is grandma's thing.

But then, as I got older, like in a teenager, I did like one patchwork quilt, kind of as like a church project. And then

so that was like my first experience, but really, it didn't stick. And then as when I got married. I don't know if everyone else feels this way when they get married, you get that kind of like, I want to create this as a house. You know, I don't, I'm sticking to my single apartments being you know, not putting anything on the walls. I just want to make this really homey. So I started sewing, stuffed animals actually was my first dip into selling for myself. Because I just thought they were fun. I guess that doesn't really tie into home decor. But you know,

I'm gonna say God bless you, because I've tried to sell a stuffed animal and it is not the easy. You're right.

I should have started. Animals are a little rough. But some of them still live in my house.

So then I had a sister who was who was into quilting, and she kind of would show me fabrics and like, Oh, you got to see this and that. And so I fell in love with this one line by Art Gallery, Barry J It was such a lot of B line and I just loved it. I would go look at it all the time on the internet and like probably twice a day, I would go get it like okay, I should probably just buy this and

I had a birthday coming up. And at that time buying like a whole fat quarter bundle. That was like a lot of money. You know, I was young, newly married. So

I got from my birthday. And I decided to make a quilt I made a club so pattern and

I made this quilt and it was for my daughter for her bed. And I thought this has got to last her till she goes to college because

Jigsaw so long and it was so hard and I'm it's not like I'm gonna make any more of these. So

she didn't even really like it.

But you know, that's the story of meeting people through your kids.

So anyway, that kind of just got my wheels turning. I got really interested in it. And then a friend of mine invited me to the quilt guild that was close by to her house because she was involved in it and then it just was a baby

It, Tumbleweed of, you know, I got totally immersed. And

yeah, so that was how I started quilting. And then the story of how I started my box

kind of came from the same thing, I was just really diving in deep to the quilting industry and loving every minute of it. So I ran across the maker Valley Box, which was a subscription box by making poly lists waiting. And I loved it. I think I was a member for like, five or six months, until she decided to stop. And I was so bummed.

So I mean, I totally understand they've got other things going on in their business. And it just wasn't a good fit. So, but I was bummed. I was like, every month I look forward to this, where am I gonna get my little fix in the mail and all these cute kids, and there was a good way for me to try new fabrics that I probably wouldn't have pinched myself, but that I did love.

So that was probably let's see the end of 2019. And then in 2020, I started to think again, why would I do it, you know, I couldn't do this, I could pick fabric, I could pick patterns. And so I the wheels started turning I think in like February is when I registered my business. And then

the knots did eight roll that I was gonna do it. And then June was my first box. So it's just kind of in a process that builds up and grown and been doing it ever since. So it has been kind of a whirlwind for you. Because I kind of thought that this had been in the works for much longer than it has been because you are a beautifully well oiled machine.

Thank you. I'm like, flattered that you think that

so Okay, so when it comes to the boxes? What, let me back up a little, what can people expect? In a box? Like what are you curating together each month? Yeah, every box comes with items. So it's gonna be a pattern. And that pattern could be for a table runner, quilt, table, Topper, a pillow, any even a bag.

And then it's gonna come with all the fabric and each and maybe that. And usually, if it's a quilt it's just making.

But if it's a smaller project, I do my very best to include everything you need to make it because that's kind of the point, right? If you have a kid, you want every painting that you need. So um,

so anyway, that's what, okay, pattern fabric to make it, you get a notion which could be like a tool or something, you might need to make the project.

And then you're gonna get a treat, and an extra. And the extra gift could be a scrunchie. It could be a bath bomb, it could be a chapstick, it just like whatever it goes with the theme of the box. Like this last month, it was a pair of minutes. So that's cute.

So it could be anything.

Oh, that's awesome. And then now that leads into my obvious next question, which is how do you choose?

Which, which, which things make it into the boxes? And how do you choose what goes with what because some of those items? I mean, obviously your pattern and your fabrics are going together. But your notions could be anything. How do you choose what goes with what? And then also, how do you choose in general, like what pattern, it's like picking, picking between your children like Sophie's Choice.

Versus so I usually start with the

pattern and fabric, it's a little bit chicken in the egg. Because I might see a fabric that I really liked, but I can't decide that it's going to work until I know what pattern I'm picking for. And so I might have one in mind, and then I kind of audition it with different patterns to make sure it's gonna work logistically, if I can get that fabric, or it's gonna look good.

So there's a little bit of that and but I would say normally I start with the pattern.

I can't because of my, you know, size restrictions, I can't get that a king size. So with

you know what, what's going to work to fit in the budget and the actual size of the box that I'm shipping. And then the fabric usually comes along pretty quick. Sometimes I'm picking from specific lines, sometimes I'm kind of putting my own bundles together that that just depends on I guess how I'm feeling I don't think too hard about

and then the notion if there is a notion that really closely associate itself with the project, then that's an easy pay, you know, fabric working hand that's what it was last one um

If it needs like a zipper if I'm so interested in bag, zipper that's checked. And then other times if there's not one that it's just like the obvious answer, those are good times to send in some of the basics, like a new set of embroidery scissors or a rotary, like new rotary blades, or some thread or Zoom refers to stuff like that. So I try to rotate, make sure I'm not sending, you know, eight same records a year, even though we probably need them to be honest.

So yeah, it just, it rotates. And then the treat and the gift, I try hard to stay on theme.

And those are just like appointments to take. I mean, there's all fun, but those are extra.

So speaking of picking things that will fit in the box, how do you fit processing? In? I mean, do you have a storefront? Do you have a warehouse? Where are you doing all of this? Because I can only imagine the amount of fabric you need.

All you have.

Right now it's all in the house. So

it started that I would prep everything in my dining room because I have a long dining room table.

And it was like that until like a couple months ago. And so every month, I would just take over the whole room and we couldn't eat on the table, you know, eat at the bar. And but

anyway, so my husband was I think starting to get a little tired of the constant mess in the dining room. So we have one, we have an office that never really gets used. And so we decided to convert that into my stockroom and my prep room. So now the mess is at least behind the door. Instead of like in your lane, you have the whole house.

And so I do store a lot in my garage, I store some things like the cardboard boxes get stored outside and cardboard, like

it really is like it takes over. It's everywhere.

I know the take over jam very well I host so alongs and I do kits for the solos, and there are times where I'm just like just nobody touched anything. Yeah, it's fine. The house is mine now. Yeah.

And we move a lot. So sometimes I'm like, okay, so it turns out, you're all sharing a room this time? Because I need space.

You gotta have credit for kids. Oh, yeah, I know. I really should have thought about which one I was prioritizing in my house. The kids were the fabric

is now that is the ultimate Sophie's Choice.

And yes, my kids are elementary age and they're not listening to this.

We are good. Okay, so what's your favorite part of the process of like putting the boxes together?

I think the picking is my favorite. And I also really like that I get to sell up samples. I I cancelled samples every single time. But I do most timing. And so sewing up the sample is really fun. And showing that off. I have an amazing photographer that makes everything look absolutely magical. Like I don't know how she does it, but oh yeah, she's so talented. So I love sewing it up and then seeing how she makes it look so pretty. I just love that.

That's awesome. And I bet you she's pulling this items out and going How is she making this so pretty.

I know I love it is like anyone who's not a quilter if they see something that you quilted, they think you're a Windsor. They really know how that happened and what you did and you're like, Oh, it was easy as straight lines, whatever. You know, your magic.

It's funny because you mentioned your grandmother and I come from a family with zero. Like sewing craft. Like, my mom looks at me like I am crazy pants. Like she's like, I have no idea where you came from. I have no idea. Why do you do the things that you do? And so she does. She'll come into my Sewing Studio and be like, what goes on?

So I always have quilts hanging like on the wall behind me. Always. So every time she comes in, she's just like, it's different. There's so many

like you want to do this for a living right?

I'm cranking these things out at a pace that is not

Like feasible for the average person?

Yeah, it cracks me up. So what?

Just because this just popped into my head, so I apologize if that was

what is something that you wish subscribers knew before they subscribed?

That's a trick question.

Were they subscribed?

I think just that the whole point is that like, this is your monthly reminder to sit down and be creative. So like you're a better person? Well, I'm assuming you and me, you're a better person when you're spending time doing something creative. And I've seen that in my own life in my family's life. I know that's true. So this is the point. That's the whole point is so that you have time to sit down and be creative. So if you feel like panicked, that you're behind, you're behind a month, like, it's fine. That's not why we're doing it. We this is not meant to stress you out, this is just for you. So just make sure that you're spending time on yourself. And that's the point. It's not another thing to check out on a to do list. It's supposed to be fun, but don't make an

amen sister friend. So I obviously the podcast is called the stop scrolling start sewing podcast. And if everybody would just put down their phones, just one of those times that you're sitting Mindlessly scrolling, put down your phones and go create something we would all be better people. And like, yeah, so yeah, like genuinely like my husband will look at me and be like, I think I think it's time to go go. So

go together.

Usually, usually, it's about the time where like, the pasta pot is bubbling over. There's like three kids running around my ankles. And he's like, this might be a good time for you to step away.

Yep. Very well. Yes. So what can Okay, so what's coming up next? And I'm totally I get it if you can't say what's coming up next, but what what is coming down the pike for the box and for you in general? Because obviously you were an entity in

yourself.

So coming up, I think this is going to air after the end of November. But oh, no November, I am launching some good new subscriptions getting ready for Christmas. So yeah, that'll be really fun. And then I will be shipping my Christmas advent calendar box in the next day or two, which is exciting. This was an experiment this year. Um,

I think everybody knows the Advent Calendar boxes every day, you get to open a new little gift. So I didn't want to 25 gifts, I wanted to do 12. So I did the 12 days of Christmas, because that felt like something I could handle the first time I'm doing this.

So this is I ordered like super custom packaging manufacturers this packaging, which is a whole new ballgame for me. So finally, the boxes are going to be ready tomorrow, I'm going to pick them up and ship them. So that'll be all through the month of November. And then looking into the next year.

I think I really want to improve that Christmas box for next year and do a lot of things differently. I learned so much in this process, but I want to try and do that differently. And then the ginger quilter boxes hopefully just gonna keep on going the way it's going and growing and growing. That is awesome. We are big advent calendar fans in our house. So that makes me very excited. I mean, obviously from a kid point of view, like you know, one's got the Harry Potter Lego Edwin calendar and those like, did I get Dumbledore yet? But

But I love every color. So that's really exciting to me. I know that you mentioned

Christmas subscription boxes. So is this something that you can gift? And is this a gift of a gift of a whole subscription? Do you have one off boxes that somebody could purchase to gift to someone else, though? Yeah, that's the idea. I think that when you say you're gonna get a subscription, that's intimidating for the gift giver, right? Because you're like, Well, how do I cancel it? I don't want to sign up to a life sentence.

So the gift subscriptions are just bundled like three and six month subscription that are charged upfront one time there's no recurring payment, so you don't have to worry about how do I inform this person I'm canceling their gift.

So yeah, that's um

Just as a friend you pay once and then for the next three months or six months, they're gonna receive that gift on ready every month. Oh, that's awesome. And that is because that is kind of like an awkward conversation. Can you imagine be like, Hi, Mom, I love you. But I don't love you 12 months of quilting?

We love you three.

Right? Yeah. So that is that is awesome. And it's overall, though, is it the same box that everybody else is getting to the subscription? Yep, it's the very same one, you're just, you're just ensuring they get that up front, or you're just paying for it upfront, so they know exactly what to expect. And you're gonna get a little card in the mail that says, This is starting January 1, you're gonna get three months of this subscription box. And so you have the trainee, so they can open something, and then you'll be able to, they'll be able to enjoy. Oh, that that is awesome. I like that a lot. So I have a question.

I say that, like, I'm not doing an interview like now I'm going to ask if it's okay, if I asked you a question.

So my listeners, I have like a wide variety of listeners, I have listeners that have gone through my Learn to quote in 60 days program. So they are very new quilters, like very green. And then I have listeners who are like, sometimes I just need the common sense of it all. Thank you, Nicole. And so where would you say your box falls as far as the patterns go? Like is a beginner gonna get in over their head with the patterns that you give? And is somebody who's a little bit more advanced going to sometimes get bored with some of the patterns that you provide? How does that look?

I would say most of my patterns probably go with a confident beginner. I'm similar, like the little X's behind you that kind of will kind of those lines, someone who knows what they're doing, we might be doing half square triangles.

And there might be some

one or two tricky spots, but you're gonna make it through it right? Every once in a while I've said like a bag. And sometimes bags get tough. And so

from my own experience with the bags and the feedback I've gotten from my subscribers, I think

I really need to keep that in mind going in into bags, I don't send it back very often. But when I do, just remember that, that's your heart. So let's not overwhelm people. So don't shoot for is like confident, beginner, early intermediate. That's kind of where I'm not going for anything to

overwhelm you, but to maybe push you a little bit and maybe expose you to something you haven't tried before, but not too overwhelming. That is awesome. Because I think that that is one I know that many of my students like when they're done with learn to quilt, they are able to do half square triangles and flying geese using like all of the methods. So and then pretty much once you've got that you can make quite a few quilt patterns. Right? Yeah. And advanced quarter doesn't get bored with an intermediate quilt like you just because it's like, oh, that was fun. I didn't cry while I made that. Yeah.

I just want to do that again. Yes. But I do think it is also good to stretch boundaries, because we can often get too stuck in our ways. And then we're not being creative anymore. We're just automated about like on autopilot, which isn't always a bad thing. palate, cleansers are good. But we do want to push things so that we can figure out what is kind of the next level we can take our own personal creativity too.

Personal I think that is awesome. Okay, so

we've talked about the box ticking over your house.

You've talked about your favorite part of the process. And also how you learned to quilt which was not from your grandmother, even though apparently she was a sower. Which I totally feel that that's hilarious.

Let's get into some rapid fire questions. All right, so

All right. I mean, and I say rapid fire, but obviously I'm quite a verbose, individual like I'm never gonna. I'm never good at rapid fire. I'm always like, so let me tell you about that time in fifth grade, so don't feel too much pressure.

Okay, so what is your favorite quilt block?

Oh, yeah.

For some reason the dress is coming to my mind.

I really love that it was

it was one of those quilt blocks that I didn't know was not like a beginner friendly block. And so I started way too soon in my journey, but I actually really love it. Oh, that's awesome. That is not mine.

Not a fan of the Dresden plate me if we're not home.

It's a little

good for you. This is why this is why there's people like me and people like you.

Okay, so what technique do you want to try but haven't yet

scalloped border

for a really long time, and I actually have a commission to quill that they want to scout a quarter and I'm like, Okay, well, I guess this is what I'm going to try to do. So let's, well, nice. How are you? How are you planning on finishing it? Like what kind of binding? Yeah, I think I saw some reading to do but I believe you just use bias binding, bias and mitre. Yeah, really use those herbs. So I've done it quite a few times. And one suggestion. I don't know if you have a serger if you do this is super easy. If not you Oh, you do have a serger search the scallops.

Oh, and then they'll be like super, super flat. Okay, and super tight. And it will make manipulating. There'll be like tight, but there'll be a little bit stiff. Because they'll have those extra threads just use like a three strand narrow. Yeah.

It will make a difference.

Yes, I want to see pictures.

See, I'm terrible at rapid fire. I'm not supposed to interject. Rapid fire.

Cool.

Okay, so do you have a designated sewing space in your home? I do. I have an office. It's funny I have in my office. And then we have an office in

my office is a bedroom that we converted into where I was going to work. And then when I moved out of the dining room to the office, that's what became my storage room. So my girls will say where is it?

Oh, it's in my office with my office.

I kind of have so I'm gonna go ahead and out on a limb and I say this because this is how it is in my house is your husband's office the end of the sofa?

Oh, yeah.

room in the basement, which I feel really bad. He had to like convert a closet into where keeps all of his like, hobbies and gun stuff. Because he's really into like long range shooting and stuff. So he has a little bit to get along

with the military, so he's probably like the Linden.

Yeah, he gets a little upset sometimes because like his office, like with all that kind of stuff is in the garage and be like, you look really snug and toasty in your space. My Space is basically outside.

Yeah, it definitely is like that.

Okay, it happens. That's why we love them. It all works. It all works. I understand that.

So what is the most important thing that you've learned during your sewing journey?

Oh, see,

I think kind of harken back to what I was harkening back to what I said earlier, is that like creativity really matters to me and in my mental well being. And I

like when I feel down or

creepy or something like that. As much as maybe like therapy or going on a walk would help. I think I can also look at

am I being created? Am I doing something to fill my my own development my just because type of creativity. So and that's easy to get lost when I'm doing my business because it's like, oh, I'm always be creative. I'm always sewing Well, no, that's not always the case because I'm always working. So if I am not taking time to sew something just because or just for the heck of it or as a gift for someone I love, then that matters too. Even though I'm always in the sewing realm. I need to take time for that for me and then that helps me be a better person and a better

mom, a better wife, all those things.

I

100% Agree. So what are you listening to? While you so?

Oh boy,

while

I love true crime podcasts and shows, but I do have like the limit, I can't go too far.

Like, I can't go for too long because then I'm like, Oh man, this is too much. It's like the light.

And I also if it's like too dark of one and

so Okay, true pride. And then I love

business books and podcasts because I'm always trying to like grow my business and become a better. And then when I do need that light, fluffy stuff I really love kind of Regency era Jane Austen type either books on audible or watching the movies off in the corner of my eye. Well, I'm saying so those are the things I love.

That is awesome. Yeah. So I am like, a lot of the things are the same. However, I will say that, like I have a focus problem. And so I can't watch anything that I haven't seen 1 million times.

So sometimes, like, my husband would call his visionary, he'll be like, are you watching Gilmore Girls again?

Get out. No. Okay. No. More girls a couple of months ago going on. And

sometimes you need some light hearted. It's just just love. Yeah. Just the office, lady. Yes. Yes. So speaking of true crime podcast, though, which one is your favorite?

I listened to one that was I can barely remember. It would be the barrier, or Bear Creek. And it was what I liked about it is that there was like a resolution it was resolved eventually. And it took a long time to solve but so that was super satisfying data, but

but also loved ones that are just about like hice whether it's like art heist or, or stuff like that those really capture my attention. And so I love those ones. Yes. And I agree, because I don't like when things get too dark. Like I don't like please don't mess with women and children. I can't handle it.

Like they just I can't I just I can't. But whatever. And also, again, I just have to iterate I'm terrible at rapid fire.

Okay, we'll get there, we'll get there.

Okay, and then here's the last one before we dive into all the ways that the listeners can find you because I know at the end of this conversation they're going to want to know, right, so what is something you would tell you're just starting out? quilty self

I would say like the quilt police, it's all on your head. And because a lot of time they'd be pink. Oh, someone can see that that corner didn't match up or something. See, my finding was wonky or, but like there actually is no cool police and that it's all in your head. So you just tell the quote police to shove it and carry on your way. Because everyone who sees you make a quilt, especially those who aren't quilters think your wizards are so.

So yeah, you're just learning and give yourself some grace. Yes. 100%. And also, over the years, I have gotten the chance to work with some incredibly accomplished sewers. And those quotes are not always perfect. Oh, yeah. Yeah. And sometimes I think that that is one of the worst kind of like misrepresentations we give because everything looks good when it's slightly blurred and the background like and it's like, yeah, I mean, the cool behind you is gorgeous.

But everything looks perfect. But then when you get in there, you're like I could have done that quarter inch binding a little better than that, you know, everybody, you know, everybody has room for improvement, which is huge. Okay, so now that I've rambled enough, and we've actually got to meet you

where can everybody find you? Where can they sign up for either the waitlist or purchase a box and how

is that gifts or subscription going to work signing up for because I think that that is something that everybody is going to be interested in. Yeah, so the box started finally on Instagram, Ginger underscore quilter. My website is Ginger filter box.com. And the subscriptions are opening soon. So I'm going to

If I can just keep an eye on email, or Well, first, if you sign up for my email list, keep an eye on Instagram. And I will keep you guys posted on those. Those should be available like like first week in December. Hopefully when this airs, those will still be open. And

did I answer all the questions? I don't know. I don't listen to myself, sometimes. She talks too much. But Lady talks too much.

I'm most active on Instagram, I'm on Facebook, you can look up the gendered filter, but I'm most active on Instagram. Okay, awesome. And I will include all of the links to the website, the box, the Instagram, all of the places that you can find Natalie. And for those of you who are listening to the podcast, instead of watching on YouTube, the reason why she's the ginger quilter is she has fabulous red hair.

That is why I listened to it. And if that wasn't why I made a horrific assumption.

That is exactly why.

Awesome. All right. Well, thank you so much, Natalie, it has been a pleasure chatting with you. And I look forward to seeing what comes in the next box. Bye for now. Thanks so much. We'll see ya. All right. How much fun was that? She is just everything I love about being a member of this wonderful quilty universe. She is just a ray of light. So friendly. doesn't think I'm a total weirdo. Or at least if she does, she didn't let me know.

And quite frankly, I think that box that she puts together is just wonderful. It they're manageable projects. They're super well curated and her eye for detail as well as for curating that fabric is amazing.

I would do it just for the stash honestly, because she picks out some pretty beautiful things. So again, if you want to find her, you can visit any of the links listed below, either in the show notes or the video description. All right, folks. Now thank you so much for completing yet another episode of the stop scrolling start sewing podcast. Be sure to hit subscribe wherever you listen or watch and I will see you next week. Now stop scrolling and start sewing.