Not Your Granny's Quilt Show – Details, episodes & analysis

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m joined by Mac C of MA Couture Crafting, a modern quilter, embroidery artist, and the self-proclaimed Quiltress bringing bold creativity and joy into the sewing space.

Mac is the founder of MA Couture Crafting, where she offers quilting fabric, sewing tools, quilt patterns, and original fabric designs. She also leads the Pop Quilture Community, an online quilting community featuring meetups, events, forums, and education for quilters of all skill levels.

In this episode, we dive into Mac’s quilting journey, which began after a spontaneous trip to QuiltCon in 2018. Inspired by modern quilts but without knowing how to sew, Mac took a leap in 2019, bought her first sewing machine, and started creating. Since then, she has built a creative business that blends quilting, machine embroidery, and fandom.

We talk about:

• Modern quilting and finding your creative style
• Starting quilting as a beginner
• Building a quilting business and brand
• Machine embroidery with Melco
• QuiltCon inspiration and the modern quilt movement
• Creating community in the sewing space
• Embracing joy, color, and personality in quilting

Mac is also known for her love of Disney and her Melco Mondays series, where she shares embroidery tips, projects, and behind-the-scenes looks at her process.

If you are interested in quilting, sewing, embroidery, or building a creative business, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical insight.

Follow Mac:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MACoutureCrafting
Website: macouturecrafting.com

Subscribe for more quilting stories, modern quilting inspiration, and creative journeys from quilters around the world.

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram: 
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

A quilter, garment upcycler, and community builder, Gregory Pagán-Hill, also known as Uncle Greg, is using sewing as a way to process grief, build connection, and create something meaningful from what already exists.

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m joined by Uncle Greg, whose journey with sewing began at a young age when his mother enlisted him and his siblings to help teach classes after school. What once felt like a chore eventually became a lifelong skill that would return to him in a deeply meaningful way.

After the loss of his brother, Gregory found his way back to quilting. The comfort of his mother’s quilts, the love of family, and a desire to live authentically led him back to the craft. Through that process, he discovered a passion for working with garments, transforming existing pieces into something new. He calls this process “editing,” and it has become a signature part of his creative voice.

Gregory also saw a need for community. In response, he created Club Corduroy, a monthly meetup in the Chicago area that offers a welcoming space for queer and allied sewists to gather, create, and connect.

Out of grief also came another meaningful project. Gregory hosts the podcast Stay Kind with Uncle Greg, where he revisits episodes of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and reflects on the lessons of love, kindness, and humanity that still resonate today.

This conversation is heartfelt, honest, and full of connection. Greg and I clicked immediately, and I hope you feel that same warmth as you listen.

Follow Greg on Instagram @uncle.greg.be.stitchin and listen to Stay Kind with Uncle Greg on Spotify.

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram: 
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m joined by Tori McElwain, author of Workshops Unleashed, host of the podcast Quilting on the Side, guide for the Self-Publishing Incubator, and a passionate supporter of creative entrepreneurs.

Tori learned to quilt as a young girl and has carried it with her through every season of life... college, teaching, motherhood, and multiple moves tied to her husband’s military career. Quilting has always been her constant, even as her life and priorities shifted.

When she realized that commission quilting wasn’t sustainable alongside life as a mom of two young kids, Tori made a smart pivot. She combined her deep sewing knowledge with her background in education to create tools that help makers design better workshops, teach with confidence, and build businesses that actually fit their lives.

Today, Tori offers an incredible suite of resources that empower creatives to share what they know without burning out. If you’ve ever dreamed of teaching, publishing, or growing your creative work in a sustainable way, this conversation is for you.

Learn more at www.heytori.tech
, follow along on Instagram @heytori.tech, and enjoy the episode!

Want to see more? You can find it here:
NYQGS Merch Shop: nygqs.printify.me
Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
Want to be on the show? Send us a message

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram: 
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

The only thing Kate from @quiltwithmisskate loves more than quilts, is friendship! Kate’s first job ever was at a quilt store folding FQs, later becoming store manager to Virginia’s largest quilt shop, Patchwork Plus, later still becoming the Moda / Ruby Star Society rep for the southeast. Then, she met the great love of her life and moved to Maui. Which leads us to today! Although a long-time quilter, Kate is relatively new to the online quilt world, as moving to Maui forced he out of her comfort zone and onto the internet to find quilty friends! When not quilting Kate can be found traveling the world, reading like a fiend, championing escape rooms and eating tacos while watching trash tv and writing snail mail. 
Find Kate here! 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quiltwithmisskate/ 
Quilty Trips! 
Netherlands: https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ee24040924q52144/#eotours 
Iceland: https://usquilttours.com/tours/iceland-in-summer-a-quilters-tour/ 

Want to see more? You can find it here:  
Show Merch: nygqs.printify.me  
Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow Become a patron and get a NYGQS sticker and early access to episodes!  
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany  
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow  
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetPeaDesignCoShop  
Want to be on the show? Send us a message!

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram: 
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

Amber Elliot is the artist/pattern designer/quilter/educator behind Alderwood Studio. She has been sewing all her life, and has always loved bringing various fabrics together to give them new life. As a child, she used her grandmother's old clothes to create new fashion for her mom to wear. Then as a teen, Amber decided that she was going to make a quilt, so she did. Since then, Amber has quilted on and off, but when she started doing it more seriously, she realized that the design and the pattern layout was her favorite part. Up to that point, Amber had never used someone else's pattern. But, realizing that she wanted to try writing her patterns, she started purchasing patterns so she could learn how it was done. As Amber was building her pattern-writing skills, she had the idea for a subscription box that would bring fun projects right to your door (or inbox). In addition to the Modern Makes box, Amber felt compelled to create a pattern-writing course for budding designers. She decided to help other people do what she struggled to do on her own. If you know anyone who has taken her course, then you know that her platform builds strong partnerships in the quilting community. Amber believes in the old adage - "a rising tide lifts all boats". And as she pursues her dreams, Amber is now one of Riley Blake's new fabric designers! Her fabric line comes out this Fall, so call your local quilt shops to request it!
Amber's designs are beautiful and classically modern. They hold the title of "modern heirloom" and can be found in her shop online, in her book "Modern Heirloom Quilting" and at local quilt shops near you! Please enjoy Amber!

Find Amber here:
Website (shop, blog) : https://www.alderwood-studio.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alderwoodstudio 

Want to see more? You can find it here:  
Show Merch: nygqs.printify.me  
Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow Become a patron and get a NYGQS sticker and early access to episodes!  
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany  
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow  
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetPeaDesignCoShop  
Want to be on the show? Send us a message!

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram: 
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

Tara Evans is the owner/artist/designer behind Taralee Quiltery. As a  student, Tara thrived in math, science and the arts. Her main focus was to take as many classes in the arts as she could. Amanda and Tara attended rival high schools in Boise, but the two ended up in their respective schools' choir programs. Painting was Tara's original outlet, which ultimately led her to study Fine Art in college. Before graduating, she got married and soon after becoming a mother, she started sewing for them. In 2018 Tara designed and made her first quilt pattern and the rest is history! Taralee Quiltery was born from wanting to share her love of art  with the world and give other people access to her creative process by purchasing her patterns to make their own art. Tara sells her patterns both printed and PDF, as well as curated bundles. If you haven't seen her Ruby Star Starry bundles that are based on popular movies, you should check them out! Tara's style has high visual impact. Her quilts are designed to be show stoppers. Her aim is to push the boundaries in her artistic style, and in the quilting community at large.  In this episode, Tara and Amanda discuss their responses to questions that were sent to Tara from some of her followers on Instagram. All the people/shops, as well as the articles they mentioned are linked below. 

Find Tara Here:

site, with blog and shop: https://www.taraleequiltery.com// 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/taraleequiltery/

Everyone Mentioned (instagram handles) :
@ponderosacreative  

@handmadegoodsbymayre

@jecahoon26

@mtnairhandmade  

@kindredquiltco  

@mija.handmade

@briarhilldesigns

@keystonemoderncreative

@piecefabricco

@quiltingfromtheheart

@wyldwoodcreative

Articles Referenced:

https://craftindustryalliance.org/the-size-of-the-quilting-market-quilting-trends-survey-results-2022/
 

https://gitnux.org/quilt-industry-statistics/
 

https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/john-jost-women-undervalue-themselves-setting-pay-rates
 

Want to see more? You can find it here:  
MERCH!!!! : nygqs.printify.me  
Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow Become a patron and get a NYGQS sticker and early access to episodes!  
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany  
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow  
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetPeaDesignCoShop  
Want to be on the show? Send us a message!

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Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram: 
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

Quilting is Ben Millett's creative outlet outside his work at an agriculture company in Des Moines, Iowa. Ben explores color and shape by applying contemporary color palettes to traditional quilt blocks, turning digital concepts into a physical reality with fabric and thread. He creates to play, to communicate ideas, to further the gay agenda, to make what he wants to see.
Ben dives in a bit with Amanda about the process of entering quilts into a quilt show (and specifically QuiltCon). Ben talks about the ups and downs of it all and the mindset he espouses to keep moving forward, even in the face of rejection. 
As we approach QuiltCon 2024, Amanda and Ben share their excitement for attending and seeing/meeting all their quilty friends that they know on- and off-line. Ben has a stunning collection of work, which can be found at any of the links below. Enjoy!

site, with blog and shop: https://benmillett.us/

newsletter: https://benmillett.us/notes

Instagram: https://instagram.com/benmillett/

CraftyMonkies class in March: https://www.craftymonkies.com/live-zoom-workshop-ben-millett-tiny-quilts-big-colour

Cosmic Collection BOM: https://12minis.com/product/cosmic-mini-quilts-12-zodiac-blocks/

Want to see more? You can find it here:  
MERCH!!!! : nygqs.printify.me  
Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow  
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany  
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow  
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetPeaDesignCoShop  
Want to be on the show? Send us a message!

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram: 
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

Ann Skaehill is the quilter/designer behind Crafty Moose Quilts. She started sewing in 2011 when she was gifted the use of her grandmother's sewing machine. Ann has built her brand and business around making t-shirt quilts, designing quilt patterns and loving her inventory of fat quarters. Ann is one of the Nine Patch Quilt Collective, whose launch of the Sweater Weather Sampler was a huge hit! Ann's block, Warm Woodlands is a fun patchwork twist on fall foliage. Among her traditionally-pieced patterns, Ann is coming up with a way to help make t-shirt quilts a bit easier for those who want to tackle the task on their own. 
"T-shirt Tiles" will soon be available for purchase, taking some of the struggle and mystery out of making  a t-shirt quilt. Please enjoy Ann!

 Find Crafty Moose Quilts here!  
shop: https://www.craftymoosequilts.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftymoose_quilts/

 Want to see more? You can find it here:  
MERCH!!!! : nygqs.printify.me  
Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow   
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany  
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow  
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetPeaDesignCoShop  
Want to be on the show? Send us a message!

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram: 
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

Amanda Loewen is a quilt pattern designer in Canada. She has been knitting and sewing for much of her life but started sharing her quilting online about 5 years ago. She started designing and selling patterns in 2021 after taking a course to learn how. Amanda is still a full-time teacher and a mom of two young children. Although she designs beautiful quilt patterns with bright happy colors in mind, she still views quilting and pattern design as a hobby. Look for Amanda's newest releases in her shop, and check out her blog and Instagram to see her gorgeous makes! Enjoy! 

Find Prairie Quilt Co. here!  
shop: https://prairiequiltco.com/ 
Instagram: http://instagram.com/prairiequiltco/ 
blog: https://prairiequiltco.blogspot.com/ 

Want to see more? You can find it here:  
MERCH!!!! : nygqs.printify.me  
Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow   
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany  
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow  
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetPeaDesignCoShop  
Want to be on the show? Send us a message!

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram: 
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

Barbie Mills is a modern digital pantograph designer and long-arm quilter based in Utah. Barbie has been sewing for pretty much her whole life. She started quilting in high school and began her longarm business in 2012. Barbie was doing custom free-motion long-arming before she decided to go digital and leave the custom quilting behind. As her skills grew, so did her design portfolio, and now she has an Etsy shop full of hundreds of digital pantograph designs. Barbie also teaches a pantograph design course, so if you've been debating, go check out what she offers! In her Etsy shop you can purchase her designs and she also has a cute tshirt for sale! From her Instagram you can see all her designs and get connected with all the other amazing things she's doing. So snuggle in and shop while you listen! 

Find Barbie here!  
shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/thequiltingmill *Use Code AMANDA for 20% off and AMANDA30 for 30% off 5 or more items!* 
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thequiltingmill 

Want to see more? You can find it here:  
MERCH!!!! : nygqs.printify.me  
Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow  + Become a patron and get a NYGQS sticker and early access to episodes!  Insta: https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow  
https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow 
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetPeaDesignCoShop  
Want to be on the show? Send us a message!

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram: 
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow 
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message