Measure Twice, Cut Once

Susan Smith

....and other life and business lessons learned from quilting. Makers have stories! And crafters have skills!

In these casual chats and interviews, I (often with a guest) talk honestly about creativity. The joy, and hope, and even healing it can bring, and the businesses we can build doing the things we love.

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110 episodes
Updated May 14, 2025

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Episodes110

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Jun 2, 2021 · 21 min
Mary Harlow - Quilting Offers New Beginnings
Send a text Mary is a dear friend! She has so much wisdom, humor, and grace, and she brings all of that to her crafting endeavors. You'll hear how she was pulled into the art of quilting, why she loves the detail of handwork so much, and what that expression has meant to her in re-imagining her life. Plus, you won't want to miss the story of her unexpected visit with Vice President Biden! Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going. Support the show ------------------------ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here. Resources: ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class And here's where you can find more of my work: YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes Website - for more information on classes and quilting services Facebook - current projects and photos Instagram - current projects and photos Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
May 26, 2021 · 41 min
Karen McTavish - Stories and MORE Stories
Send a text Karen is a matriarch of machine quilting - she began in 1997! She chats about finding your own trim, judged quilts, the quilting community in her brick and mortar store, and even muskie fishing! Plus, of course, the original freehand design now affectionately known as "McTavishing". Look for Karen's books and classes to become available for streaming on her website, June 1, 2020. mctavishquilting.com www.facebook.com/mctavishquiltingstudio Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going. Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills? Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation. For more information and to sign up, visit our website. Support the show ------------------------ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here. Resources: ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class And here's where you can find more of my work: YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes Website - for more information on classes and quilting services Facebook - current projects and photos Instagram - current projects and photos Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
May 19, 2021 · 34 min
Tia Curtis - Keeping the Fun in Quilting
Send a text Tia chats about teachers who do the OPPOSITE of encouraging crafters, worldwide travels, her passion for Welsh quilting, and her marvelous feathers. Tia is a gifted educator with a wealth of experience, and she brings her enthusiasm and love of exploration to this episode. email: tiacurtisquilts@gmail.com Instagram Facebook Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going. Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills? Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation. For more information and to sign up, visit our website. Support the show ------------------------ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here. Resources: ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class And here's where you can find more of my work: YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes Website - for more information on classes and quilting services Facebook - current projects and photos Instagram - current projects and photos Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
May 12, 2021 · 26 min
Jen Frost - Expressing Faith through Fabric
Send a text Jen has an encouraging story to tell - she has explored some very beautiful ways to convey faith in her very original custom-printed fabrics, plus many patterns and group sewing projects. Jen has great tips for those who have a great idea, and want to use fabric as their medium, as well as some advice for minimalist crafters. Is there even such a thing? Jen (and her quilting devotional) can be found in all these places: Website https://faithandfabricdesign.com Instagram https://instagram.com/faithandfabric Facebook https://facebook.com/faithandfabric ---------------- And here's where you can find more of my work: Website FacebookInstagram Pinterest YouTube Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going. Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills? Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation. For more information and to sign up, visit our website. Support the show ------------------------ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here. Resources: ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class And here's where you can find more of my work: YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes Website - for more information on classes and quilting services Facebook - current projects and photos Instagram - current projects and photos Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
May 5, 2021 · 25 min
Elizabeth deCroos - Pojagi, and Learning in Unexpected Places
Send a text Elizabeth and her young family spent a period of time in Korea. She has great perspective on NEW - new crafts...new opportunities...new materials and skills.... website pattern shop courses instagram: @elizabeth.epidastudio.com facebook: epidastudio Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going. Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills? Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation. For more information and to sign up, visit our website. Support the show ------------------------ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here. Resources: ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class And here's where you can find more of my work: YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes Website - for more information on classes and quilting services Facebook - current projects and photos Instagram - current projects and photos Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Apr 28, 2021 · 37 min
Jill Therriault - Slavery-era Quilts, and Quilts in Theater
Send a text Jill has SO many stories! She talks about designing a series of patterns based on her friend Jim's slavery-era family quilts, and having the chance to show them at QuiltCon. Then we chat about quilts in theater....an original way to shop in your fabric stash....and how to decide what to quilt on your treasure. Facebook Etsy shop for patterns Instagram Jim's book, plus quilt photos and Jill's patterns are available at https://hartsfieldfamilyslavequilt.com Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going. Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills? Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation. For more information and to sign up, visit our website. Support the show ------------------------ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here. Resources: ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class And here's where you can find more of my work: YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes Website - for more information on classes and quilting services Facebook - current projects and photos Instagram - current projects and photos Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Apr 21, 2021 · 30 min
Sam Alberts - Launching and Building Your Quilting Business
Send a text My guest, Sam, began her quilting journey at Mile 0 on the Alaska Highway. We chat about the twists and turns of building a quilting business, and how Sam has done that in a small Canadian town. She gives tips for marking, finding your niche, and building a client base. Solid advice if you're launching or building your business. Plus, Sam acquired her longarm in a totally unique way. You don't want to miss that story! Sam can be found here: Facebook Instagram Email - samalberts@live.ca Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going. Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills? Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation. For more information and to sign up, visit our website. Support the show ------------------------ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here. Resources: ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class And here's where you can find more of my work: YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes Website - for more information on classes and quilting services Facebook - current projects and photos Instagram - current projects and photos Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Apr 15, 2021 · 27 min
Krista Moser - 60 Degrees of Quilting Exploration
Send a text Krista and I chat about how dyslexia herded her into a lifelong love affair with sewing, some of the fun she's having with her 60* ruler and a bajillion innovative patterns, and just general quilting enthusiasm! Krista can be found in all these places: Website: https://www.kristamoser.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristamoserquilt/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kristamosertheq/ Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KristaMoserQuilt?ref=l2-shopheader-name YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK0DK29mSAP-p4xQIPOGn8Q Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krista_moser/ Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going. Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills? Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation. For more information and to sign up, visit our website. Support the show ------------------------ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here. Resources: ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class And here's where you can find more of my work: YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes Website - for more information on classes and quilting services Facebook - current projects and photos Instagram - current projects and photos Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Apr 15, 2021 · 17 min
Rachelle Craig - From Antique Farm Tools to Graphic Quilt Inspiration
Send a text Rachelle and I chat about her background in engineering, and how that has served her well in writing quilt patterns and instructions. We talk about finding pattern ideas in unexpected places (like antique farming tools!) Rachelle's tips for fabric selection, and being inspired by the little things in life. Rachelle can be found in all these places: Instagram: @rachelle_handmade Patterns for Sale on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/RachelleHandmade Website: rachellehandmade.com Facebook: facebook.com/rachellehandmadellc Private FB Group Page: facebook.com/groups/rachellehandmadequiltgroup YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCkZFI4hMag4gVGEuzEjc5fQ Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going. Support the show ------------------------ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here. Resources: ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class And here's where you can find more of my work: YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes Website - for more information on classes and quilting services Facebook - current projects and photos Instagram - current projects and photos Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials
Apr 6, 2021 · 33 min
Mary Rutherford - Sisterly Reminiscing
Send a text Introductions are in order! In this very first episode, I'm chatting with my sister about our childhood (a wee bit unconventional), the influences of our crafting mother/grandmother/aunts, and some of our thoughts about preserving the treasures of the past for the families of the future. Future episodes will feature quilters' and other crafters' stories. Some are small business owners like myself; others have simply found joy, healing, or community in their craft. I hope you are encouraged and inspired by their stories. Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going. Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills? Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation. For more information and to sign up, visit our website. Support the show ------------------------ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here. Resources: ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class And here's where you can find more of my work: YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes Website - for more information on classes and quilting services Facebook - current projects and photos Instagram - current projects and photos Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials