Loose Threads & Stitches: A Quilting Podcast

Have you ever finished a gift quilt, handed it to someone, watched them open it… and felt your heart sink a little because the reaction wasn't quite what you'd hoped for? If you have, you're not alone — and your feelings are completely valid. In this episode of Loose Threads & Stitches, we're talking about one of the most emotionally complicated things in all of quilting that almost nobody tal...

It's been just over a year since Joann's closed — and I'm finally saying the thing out loud.  This one's a palate cleanser. No journaling prompts, no deep dives. Just two quilters in a hotel lobby at 11pm. 🧵✨ It's been just over a year since Joann's announced it was all closing — and I've had some  THOUGHTS sitting in the back of my mind ever since. So today? Pure palate cleanser. We're  just ta...

This is it — the finale of The Enough Chapter. 🌟 Over the past 10 weeks, we've explored moving targets, wiring, capacity, the stories we tell ourselves, labels, play, curated attention, and fit. Today, we're not adding anything new. We're bringing it all home. Because here's what I want you to walk away knowing: you were never a defective draft. You were never a project to be fixed. You were alwa...

Have you ever tried to make something work — really work — and it just wouldn't sit right? Not because something was wrong with you. But because it wasn't aligned. In Episode 9 of The Enough Chapter, we're talking about mismatch. The difference between something being hard because you're not capable... and something being hard because it doesn't fit how you're wired. That distinction? It changes e...

Friend, this one came from a really personal place. 💛 If something in this episode hit home, will you tell me in the comments? I read every single one. And if you know someone who needs a little permission to exhale today — please share this with them. That's what this series is for. 🌟 —Christen ✂️ Resources mentioned: → Printables & shop: https://stitch.academy/shop What if protecting your...

When did hobbies stop being fun… and start feeling like pressure? In this episode of Loose Threads & Stitches, we’re having a real, honest conversation about the shift from creativity as play to creativity as performance. If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering: “Should I post this?” “Is this good enough?” “What’s the outcome here?” You’re not alone. Somewhere along the way, productivity crep...

Have you ever felt relieved when you finally had a word for what you were feeling? In this episode of Loose Threads & Stitches, Christen talks about the role labels play in our lives — how they can bring clarity, comfort, and language for our experiences… but also how they can quietly begin to define us if we hold them too tightly. This is Episode 6 of The Enough Chapter, a series about lettin...

✨If life has felt heavy lately… this episode is your reminder to look for the glimmers. Those small, quiet moments of goodness that are easy to miss—but powerful enough to shift everything. In today’s episode of Loose Threads & Stitches, we’re talking about: Why our brains naturally focus on stress and negativity How “glimmers” can gently rewire your mindset Simple ways to notice more joy in...

When something feels hard… Have you noticed how quickly your brain tries to explain it? Not just solve it. Explain it. Why it's happening. What it says about you. What it means. 🪡 Check out the Stitch Sister Inner Circle membership group: www.stitchsisterinnercircle.com In this episode of Loose Threads & Stitches, Christen continues The Enough Chapter series and explores something powerful bu...

Have you ever had a day where everything feels heavier than it should? Small decisions feel exhausting. Emails feel louder. And somewhere in the back of your mind a voice whispers… “What is wrong with me?” In this episode of Loose Threads & Stitches, Christen continues The Enough Chapter series and explores something many of us feel but rarely name: Capacity. Your nervous system was designed f...

✨ Watch the full "Enough Series" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2lL084T_JI&list=PLOq9UmWSYwqtnbQ-EvPCJY8eaGIp7fL60&pp=sAgC If we know the target keeps moving… why do we still chase it? In Part 3 of The Enough Chapter, we explore something deeper beneath the pressure to keep improving. What if the feeling of “never enough” isn’t a personal flaw — but part of how the human brain is...

✨ Watch the full "Enough Series" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2lL084T_JI&list=PLOq9UmWSYwqtnbQ-EvPCJY8eaGIp7fL60&pp=sAgC Have you ever reached a goal… and immediately felt like it wasn’t quite enough? You finish the project. You clean the room. You improve your routine. And instead of resting, your brain whispers, “Okay… what’s next?” In Part 2 of The Enough Chapter, we explore...

Are you ever allowed to feel finished? In this first episode of the “Enough Chapter,” we explore the quiet pressure to constantly improve — better routines, better systems, better productivity — and why that low-level hum of “not quite there yet” might not actually be coming from inside you. This cozy, reflective quilting podcast episode is for the creative who feels tired of constant optimization...

Hey there Quilty Friends! Picking out a "one little word" for the year is a sweet tradition, but have you ever picked a Quilty word that speaks to your creative soul? This concept helps guide your "quilting" endeavors, from "sewing" choices to your relationship with your tools. It's all about nurturing your "creativity" in every stitch. This isn’t about productivity. Or perfection. Or sewing 27 qu...

In this heart-to-heart episode of Loose Threads & Stitches, Christen shares the creative and personal lessons she never saw coming last year — including the surprising wisdom that came from a major life interruption (spoiler: it involves a car door and a concussion 😅). If you've ever felt guilty about rest, struggled to finish your projects, or questioned your creative spark... this one's for...

What to Do When You Hate Your Quilt 😬 Ever started a quilt… and halfway through, realised you hate it? The colors feel wrong. The layout’s off. You’re just over it. This episode is your guide to what to do next — whether that means saving it, changing it, or just giving it grace. Plus — if the only thing holding you back is the quilting part, let me help with that. My longarm services are open an...

Feeling holiday pressure to quilt your way into being enough? It’s time for a reality check—quilting burnout isn’t festive. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE Christen from I See Stars Quilting opens her heart in this honest holiday chat about the emotional labor behind handmade gifts—and how to reclaim joy and sanity without ditching your creativity. 💡 EPISODE TAKEAWAYS The truth about handmade guilt and emotio...

Feeling rushed by the holiday season already? You're not alone — but what if this was the year you did less and enjoyed more? Let’s stitch some sanity into the season. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE: Christen from I See Stars Quilting walks you through six cozy, heart-centered ways to make this “in-between” season feel more peaceful and joyful — without a single frantic to-do list in sight. If you’re already...

Ever walked into a quilt show and felt both inspired and a little “not good enough”? Let’s talk about it. 💡 EPISODE TAKEAWAYS: A mindset shift from comparison to celebration Why small local quilt shows are the heart of the quilting world How every quilt—flaws and all—tells a powerful story A hilarious “flying goose vs geese” moment you don’t want to miss Gentle encouragement if you’ve ever felt l...

Math doesn't have to ruin your quilting joy. In this episode, I’m breaking down quilt math into easy formulas so you can skip the stress and keep on stitching. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE: If quilt math has ever made you second-guess your creative flow, this one’s for you. I’m sharing the exact simple methods I use to calculate quilt backing, binding, and borders—no spreadsheets or stress required. 💡 EPIS...

Ever dump your fabric stash out and feel totally overwhelmed? Here's how to build a quilt color palette without stress — using a simple method that works every time. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE: Christen shares her personal process for choosing colors and prints that feel cohesive, creative, and full of joy — even when your stash feels chaotic. This one's for any quilter who’s ever felt stuck at the starti...

Let me say something kind of spicy today: your fabric stash isn't a problem! It's not a burden, but a source of quilting inspiration. Let's celebrate our sewing room organization and quilting tips, because our quilt fabric collection is actually one of the most beautiful things about us as quilters! ✨ 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE: Christen from I See Stars Quilting shares a heartfelt, funny, and empowering...

🫶 Your creative voice matters — not because it’s perfect, but because it’s YOURS. ✨ Tell me in the comments: What makes your quilts feel like you? (Color choices? Improv? Polka dot bindings?) Let’s celebrate the things that make your quilting voice shine 💛 P.S. Need a cheer squad? Come join us inside the Stitch Sister Inner Circle → https://stitchsisterinnercircle.com __________________________...

Ever felt like making friends as an adult quilter is awkward and weird? 🧵🙋‍♀️ Me too. But here’s your reminder: it’s also brave and so worth it. 💛 Which tip from today’s episode are you going to try first? Post the thing? Say yes to something awkward? Find your stitchy weirdos? Tell me below — I’d love to cheer you on. ______________________________________________________________ Ever walked i...

Ever felt guilty for stepping away from your sewing machine? Here’s your warm, heartfelt reminder that quilting—and your creativity—will always welcome you back. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE: I'm sharing a vulnerable and beautiful update on why I took an extended break from YouTube this summer, what I did instead and what it means to come back to quilting without guilt. If you've been feeling "behind" creat...