Bobbing for Bobbins

Welcome back, everyone! We're diving in and this one was a festive mix of holiday chaos and serious stitching insights! The girls kicked things off with a wild discussion about the Elf on the Shelf and that age-old dilemma of needing last-minute gifts, which led to a brilliant hack for turning Moda quilt panels into personalized pillows—genius! They also got real about the ups and downs of long-arm quilting, including an epic tale of accidentally quilting a bobbin into a custom project, proving even the pros have "oops" moments. But hey, managing mistakes and mastering tension with a new gauge just means more lessons learned!But the fun didn't stop there! The group zipped right into planning mode, catching up on the latest buzz about QuiltCon—fire and all—and sharing exciting details about upcoming retreats, including one in sunny Hawaii. Also get the scoop on some heartwarming personal stories, like the quilter who unexpectedly picked up three new custom jobs after attending an hour-and-a-half-long San Antonio wedding! It's not all business, though; they wrapped up with cozy talks about family holiday traditions and the highly anticipated unboxing of a charcuterie-themed quilt board! Get ready for a fun episode of Christmas chaos!For your ultimate quilting experience, check out our sponsor, Osage Hills Retreat Center for upcoming retreats, classes and so much more! It is Oklahoma's premier craft destination. Relaxation and fun await!Send us a textFollow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

Hey quilting enthusiasts! The Inappropriate Quilters brought their A-game to this week's meetup, sharing everything from winter weather woes to exciting sewing projects on the horizon. The crew swapped stories about pets, discussed an upcoming July retreat, and explored creative ideas for decorating a 6-year-old's sewing machine with custom stickers. They dove deep into quilting techniques, with special mentions of Carolina Moore's templates and the joys of foundation paper piecing, while also supporting each other through personal updates including Patty's upcoming heart surgery.The conversation took some wild turns when Leslie revealed she'd sewn through her finger with a Juki needle (ouch!) and kept it there for four days before removing it herself—talk about dedication to the craft! Rochelle couldn't contain her excitement about scoring an embellisher machine during a Black Friday sale, while they unpacked Day 4 of their mystery boxes featuring adorable cat and dog mug rugs. Between decluttering tips, football game stories, and heartwarming tales about Peyton Manning's airplane kindness, this episode proved once again that this quilting circle stitches together way more than just fabric!Send us a textFollow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

Get ready to dive into the creative heart of the quilting community, kicking off with Hawaiian quilt projects and the exciting world of needle felting. Rochelle shared some fantastic tips, including using dollar store dog brushes to blend wool roving and noting that higher-numbered needles achieve a finer felt. They both highlighted a great mix of detailed crafting techniques, personal project updates, and shout-outs to local shops and fellow quilters.It wasn't all just thread and wool—we also got some wonderful personal updates, from hemming pants for grandchildren to Leslie and Rochelle's hair updates. The team celebrated new projects, like a 3D gift bow pillow kit from Foxy's Kits and Quilts and shared a funny story about a 2:30 AM credit card crisis while registering for a ShipShawana event. The discussion wrapped up with a focus on community, covering everything from the benefits of Fix It Adhesive for wool appliqué to heartfelt reflections on gratitude, mentorship, and the importance of sisterhood. It was a beautiful reminder of the passion and support that makes the Tulsa-area quilting world so special.Send us a textFollow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

In this hilariously chaotic quilting retreat, the Inappropriate Quilters gathered with special guests Lina Owens from Bluebell Designs and Dee Bushrod from Pixel Quilts for a spicy, laughter-filled conversation spanning cultural traditions, quilting projects, and plenty of inappropriate tangents! The group shared stories about their multicultural backgrounds, with Lina discussing her recently launched bilingual quilting book (the first in the industry) and Dee revealing how her pixel quilt of the Queen actually received a response from Buckingham Palace. Between fits of laughter, they discussed upcoming collaborations, including a joint retreat at Hamilton Quilt Retreats where Dee and Rochelle will be teaching pixel quilts and pet portraits featuring Winky, Dee's one-eyed rescue pug who apparently "rules the house."The conversation took numerous wild turns as the quilters shared Colombian New Year's traditions like running around the neighborhood with luggage at midnight, eating twelve grapes while making wishes, and wearing specific colored underwear for love or money in the coming year. Amidst all the quilting talk, the group couldn't help but veer into hilarious tangents about flat feet, googly eyes mysteriously appearing in underwear, and the dream of getting Dee's pixel quilts to celebrities like Post Malone and Jelly Roll. The meeting wrapped up with a heartfelt moment acknowledging the importance of friendship and collaboration in the quilting industry, ending with a Bob Ross-inspired quote: "The secret to doing anything is believing you can do it."Enjoy!Send us a textFollow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

The Inappropriate Quilters met at Cherry Springs Retreat Center in Texas, where they discussed their journey there, including Leslie's stop at Moda warehouse and Dee's experience with traffic in Waco. They shared stories about their current quilting projects, including Rochelle's pixel quilt of a Nutcracker and Dee's Elizabeth Hartman Show and Tell pattern featuring animals holding miniature quilts. They talked about Rochelle's handmade "Cowgirl Chic" outfit for an upcoming event, complete with needle-felted cats in cowboy hats, red fringe, and rhinestone-decorated boots. A highlight of their retreat was when Deb pranked Rochelle by placing over 200 googly eyes on her belongings, from her earbuds to her sewing supplies, which everyone found hilarious.The quilters enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere at the retreat, noting how everyone worked quietly on their projects for eight hours straight, which they attributed to the lack of noise distractions that typically plague other retreats. They appreciated Sarah Nichols' hospitality at Cherry Springs Retreat, mentioning amenities like instant hot water and comfortable accommodations for up to nine people. Before concluding, Rochelle shared an insightful thought about the "invisible guest phenomenon," reminding everyone that at social gatherings, most people are too concerned with their own appearance and behavior to judge others, which can be freeing when attending holiday parties. BIG Texas THANK YOU to Sarah and the local quilters who came to meet Leslie and Rochelle during their stay. What a great treat! Enjoy!Send us a textFollow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

In this episode, Rochelle and Leslie stitched together conversations as colorful as their fabric stashes! They shared exciting personal projects, with Rochelle completing a wedding quilt and diving into her label-making obsession, while both exchanged travel wisdom about the Mobile Passport Control app and Viking cruise adjustments. The crafty duo discussed upcoming retreats, Halloween plans with grandchildren, and fitness journeys, before unraveling conversations about shipping costs, quilt-making techniques, and the surprising history of ranch dressing. Their needle-sharp wit shone through discussions of buffalo wings, tomato soup preparations for Thanksgiving retreats, and the practical wisdom that UPS might beat USPS for heavier packages.The conversation took a heartfelt turn as Rochelle shared her involvement with suicide prevention initiatives and her touching experience giving quilts to unhoused individuals, emphasizing the importance of remembering loved ones for their positive qualities. Creative energy flowed through discussions of zipper bag projects, with Rochelle hunting for the perfect colored zippers and planning to bring her creations to an upcoming retreat. These quilting companions wrapped up their chat with sewing projects featuring directional chicken fabric, a Nutcracker-themed quilt class, matching family pajamas, and heartwarming stories of community support—including how Patty helped an unhoused woman named Barbara secure Social Security benefits, leading to Barbara's touching plan to donate underwear and socks for the holidays.This is a jam-packed episode filled with heart. Enjoy!*Please note: We are aware of the audio issues with Rochelle's microphone being too low. We will continue to work to improve this!For your ultimate quilting experience, check out our sponsor, Osage Hills Retreat Center for upcoming retreats, classes and so much more! It is Oklahoma's premier craft destination. Relaxation and Send us a textFollow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

Get ready for some exciting updates from the Inappropriate Quilters! This episode was packed with discussions on colors and making sure everyone looks fabulous. Plus, there's a fantastic lineup of upcoming events, including a retreat, a Nutcracker retreat and even a painting retreat – so much to look forward to!We also heard some heartwarming personal news, including a positive update on Leslie's dad's cancer diagnosis and the importance of health advocacy. The Green Country Quilt Guild in Tulsa is buzzing with a sold-out quilt coat workshop and the growing popularity of handcrafts among younger generations. It's clear that creativity and community are thriving!Enjoy this episode with a hot cuppa tea! It's cold outside FINALLY!Send us a textFollow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

In this episode, Leslie and Rochelle cover everything from technical triumphs to fascinating personal stories. Rochelle shared her adventurous climbing experiences, including observing blindfolded homeschoolers and mastering "quiet feet" on the auto-belay. The group also delved into exciting crafting retreats, where one unexpected talent for sophisticated unicorn projects stole the show, proving that hidden skills can emerge in the most delightful ways!The conversation continued with exciting discussions about a potential world's largest needle-felted sculpture for Osage and a new sew-along with the "Wrap It Up" pattern. Leslie shared her enthusiasm for an upcoming interview with Jennifer Chiaverini, author of the Elm Creek quilt books, for a YouTube sew-along. They wrap it up with movie recommendations, quilting discussions, and a truly inspiring story of personal transformation, leaving everyone energized and ready for their next creative adventures! Enjoy!For your ultimate quilting experience, check out our sponsor, Osage Hills Retreat Center for upcoming retreats, classes and so much more! It is Oklahoma's premier craft destination. Relaxation and fun await!Send us a textFollow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

Hey quilting enthusiasts! In this cozy meetup, our fabulous quilters shared a tapestry of personal updatesthat had us all feeling the warm fuzzies. Rochelle dished about her Christmas quilting adventures at a recent retreat and Leslie talked about how her new Burn Boot Camp routine with Jon has been totally transforming her energy levels. The group celebrated Lina's Spanish quilt book publication while offering support through her recent job situation, showcasing how this amazing quilting community lifts each other up during life's ups and downs. Rochelle shared heartwarming stories about her grandson Peyton's birthday in Hawaii, sparking an important conversation about early intervention and lifelong support for neurodivergent individuals.The chat then stitched together vacation tales of beach adventures and the hilarious challenges of traveling with kiddos and all their sandy toys. Our quilters got down to business discussing their colorful shirt inventory and the not-so-fun rising shipping costs (thanks, postal service!). Leslie had us reaching for tissues when she shared the anonymous quilt kit donation from a podcast listener and her joy in gifting a sewing machine to young quilter due to the kindness of Lina. The group wrapped things up with some serious Pro Stitcher technique talk, sharing their quilting wins and challenges, before ending with a heartwarming lottery story that proved friendship and promises are the real jackpot. How's that for a patchwork of conversations?Send us a textFollow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

Get ready for an episode that is absolutely jammed with everything from serious health talks to the giddy excitement of a new outdoor adventure! We kick things off by putting on our serious hats to talk about cancer statistics, clarifying the difference between prostate and breast cancer risk percentages and stressing the importance of that second opinion on high PSA levels. But don't worry, the fun quickly returns as we swap wild anecdotes about cultural differences in male aging from Scotland to Wyoming. Plus, we're giving you a full rundown on Ro's new climbing gear purchases—think approach shoes and embracing that rugged "dirtbag" life, complete with discussions about the risks of sleeping out in the wilderness versus the perceived safety of a trailer!Adventure calls, but first, a few hilarious roadblocks! Rochelle recounts her battle with a damaged tire, which somehow led to accompanying Lance to his septum surgery, all while snagging a killer discount on new rubber—shout-out to the generosity of Hibdon's! We then dive into the cozy, crafting world of quilting retreats, where we're dreaming of Peter Pan and Anne of Green Gables projects, and share the joy of gigantic theater pretzels with beer cheese. Finally, we wrap up with the inspiring "law of the garbage truck," a crucial reminder to stay kind and not take others' negative behavior personally, proving that even the most chaotic weeks can end with a little bit of wisdom.Send us a textFollow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior