Homespun With Misty

Missouri Star Quilt Co
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Welcome to Homespun! Join Misty Doan and as she chats with designers, makers, and influencers in the world of fabric, quilting and fiber arts. Meet the people who have a hand in creating the items that inspire you and spark your creative fire! Hear their stories, learn their processes, share in their joys and challenges, and see their creations.

  1. 08/29/2025

    Patchwork Paths: Amber Elliott’s Colorful Career Switch

    In this episode of Homespun, host Misty Doan chats with Amber Elliott, the talented pattern and fabric designer behind Alderwood Studio. Amber shares her inspiring journey from a decade-long career as a software engineer to running her creative business full-time. Key Episode Highlights: Amber’s childhood sewing with both grandmothers—one focused on mending, the other on formalwear. Why exploring multiple creative outlets fuels her inspiration. How she transitioned from software engineering to full-time quilt and fabric design. Her philosophy that success comes from consistency, learning from mistakes, and playing the long game. Why being “bad” at something can be freeing and creatively healthy. The importance of experimentation and only developing a fraction of your ideas into finished patterns. Insights from her new book on gradients, color theory, and adapting patterns for ombre quilting. Excitement for new fabric collections, pottery exploration, and finishing her current knitting project.

    25 min

  2. 08/28/2025

    Quilt It, Crochet It, Love It: Inside Jemima Flendt’s World

    In this inspiring episode of Homespun, host Misty Doan welcomes Jemima Flendt — quilt pattern designer, teacher, author, and founder of Tied with a Ribbon. From her early days as a home economics teacher in Perth, Australia, to becoming an internationally recognized quilting educator, Jamaa shares how she turned her love for textiles into a thriving creative business. Key Episode Highlights Shift from teaching high school students to designing patterns and books. Why imperfect first projects are milestones worth honoring. How her nan and mom nurtured her love of sewing, crochet, and textiles. Designing matching quilt and crochet patterns and how it built unexpected community connections. Encouraging creative freedom and personal methods in quilting. Building a global quilting audience from Perth to the US. Creating beginner-friendly patterns with detailed, supportive instructions. Advice for anyone considering turning their craft into a business.

    21 min

  3. 08/27/2025

    Living Creatively: Natalie Doan’s Adventures in Making

    Join host Misty Doan on Homespun as she chats with her sister-in-law Natalie, a talented and multi-faceted creator. From her earliest sewing memories inspired by her mother and the San Francisco Ballet, to building her own creative hobbies in stained glass, painting, crochet, and clay, Natalie shares how she nurtures creativity, finds inspiration, and approaches both challenges and joy in her artistic journey. Tune in to hear practical advice for new quilters, tips for staying motivated, and the magic of turning hobbies into a creative career. Key Episode Highlights: Natalie’s first sewing memories watching her mother create ballet costumes. Early experiments with making her own clothes and buying her first sewing machine. Exploration of multiple creative hobbies: painting, stained glass, crochet, knitting, woodworking, and clay. Tips for staying inspired and motivated, including prioritization and time-blocking strategies. The importance of embracing mistakes and understanding that creativity grows through practice. Advice for new quilters: patience, good tools, and perseverance. How hobbies turned into a creative career through experimentation, sharing, and teaching. Upcoming creative projects Natalie wants to try: pottery, making clothes, and clay pin toppers.

    19 min

  4. 08/26/2025

    Sewing Without Fear: Lessons from Teresa Coates

    Join host Misty Doan for an inspiring conversation with Teresa Coates, founder of Crinkle Dreams and renowned sewing educator. From making her first dirndl skirt in church class as a child to becoming the go-to expert for cuddle fabric and quilt coats, Teresa shares her remarkable journey through the sewing industry. In this episode, Teresa opens up about her transition from English major to fabric industry insider, her eight years educating sewers at Shannon Fabrics, and her recent leap into entrepreneurship with Crinkle Dreams. Discover how she conquered her fear of new materials, traveled to 46 states teaching in an RV, and developed techniques that make intimidating projects accessible to quilters everywhere. Key Episode Highlights: How Teresa became Shannon Fabrics' cuddle expert despite never sewing with the fabric beforeThe student who held scissors for 10 minutes, too afraid to cut her grandmother's crossstitch quiltWhy experienced sewers are more intimidated by new techniques than complete beginnersTeresa's "first one's practice" rule—always plan to make at least two of any projectThe 46-state RV teaching adventure that happened during the pandemic lockdownHow a pattern company sat dormant for years until the quilt coat revival brought it back to lifeThe grandmother's quilt that lived in a trunk for 70 years until it became a wearable jacketWhy Teresa separates creative studio days from administrative work for better productivityHer "we'll make it work" philosophy that prioritizes flexibility over perfectionHow living in Utah's natural beauty directly influences her quilt color and texture choices

    29 min

  5. 08/25/2025

    Who Cares How Long Cute Takes: Building Kimberbell with Kim Christopherson

    Join host Misty Doan as she sits down with Kim Christopherson, the creative force behind Kimberbell Designs, to explore an inspiring entrepreneurial journey that began with personalized pillows sold on eBay and evolved into a recognized brand in the crafting world. In this heartfelt conversation, Kim shares how a nickname from her dad became a business name, how her husband's simple suggestion changed everything, and why staying curious has been the key to her success. From her early days as a fourth-grade teacher sewing next to her baby's crib to leading a team that spans machine embroidery, quilting, and now punch needle crafts, Kim's story is a testament to trusting yourself even when you don't have all the answers. Key Episode Highlights: From selling personalized pillows on eBay to building Kimberbell brandHusband's pivotal question: "What about teaching people instead of selling finished products?""You do what you do best and hire out the rest" - scaling philosophy"Who Cares How Long Cute Takes" - company motto prioritizing joy over speedHow a half-finished quilt became the signature "bench pillow" productExpanding from machine embroidery into punch needle and handwork"Stay curious" - key advice for business and creative growthMaking instruction feel like guidance from a best friend

    25 min

  6. 08/22/2025

    From London Fashion to Global Quilting: One Designer's Unexpected Path

    Join host Misty Doan as she sits down with Nicola Walton, the innovative mind behind Daisy and Grace and the revolutionary quilt-as-you-go templates that have transformed how quilters approach their craft. Nicola shares her fascinating journey from being a fashion designer in London to becoming a quilting innovator whose techniques have captivated makers worldwide. Named after her two beloved grandmothers—creative Daisy and glamorous Grace—her company represents the perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Key Episode Highlights: Fashion designer in London transitioned to quilting entrepreneur after traveling the world with her husbandNamed her company "Daisy and Grace" after her two grandmothers - one creative, one glamorousCreated quilt-as-you-go templates because existing methods didn't allow proper positioning of materialsTemplates work for both hand sewing and machine quilting, making the craft more approachable for beginnersDesigns entirely in her head and with fabric - never uses digital design toolsTaught her mom to quilt, completing a full circle from her mom making all her childhood clothes"Be brave, have faith in yourself" - took 3 years before she realized it could be a proper businessWorking on her own fabric line and expanding beyond quilting into dollhouse projects and jewelryFewer quilters and shops than the US, many closed during COVID, but younger generation showing interestViews sewing as a form of adult play that releases and fulfills her creatively

    28 min

  7. 08/21/2025

    From Ballroom to Bloom: Amy Latta’s Story of Making Things Happen

    Join host Misty Doan as she sits down with Amy Latta of Amy Latta's Creations, a remarkable creative entrepreneur whose journey spans from ballroom dance instruction to becoming a bestselling craft book author and fabric designer. Amy shares how a simple desire to stay home with her young son led to a thriving creative business built on the philosophy that "practice makes progress." Key Episode Highlights: Amy's journey from ballroom dance instructor to bestselling craft author and fabric designer"Practice makes progress" philosophy - why perfectionism kills creativityOvercoming rejection: First book rejection led to 125,000+ bestseller and 9 more booksBlessing Bears Ministry: Son's compassion sparked nationwide effort delivering 575 bears to people in needFirst fabric collection "Bloom" launching with Andover Fabrics in summer 2025Teaching quilting across three generations and breaking gender barriers in craftingCreating for others brings the most fulfillment - "we're all created to create"

    42 min

  8. 08/20/2025

    Three Fabric Collections and a Podcast: Elizabeth Chappell's Multi-Faceted Success

    Join host Misty Doan as she sits down with Elizabeth Chappell, the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Quilter's Candy. Elizabeth shares her unique journey from spotting a business opportunity at Quilt Market to becoming a successful fabric designer with Art Gallery Fabrics, podcast host of "Craft to Career," and educator helping other quilters build sustainable creative businesses. Key Episode Highlights: Discovered quilting as a business opportunity, not a hobbyAsked to become Art Gallery Fabrics socialite - emphasizes asking for opportunities despite rejectionPat Bravo's feedback helped her find her authentic creative voice in fabric designOvercame self-doubt through therapy and shifting from scarcity to abundance mindsetTeaches pattern writing courses using Adobe software and offers free resourcesProtects creativity by saying no more and taking "playdates with yourself"

    30 min
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About

Welcome to Homespun! Join Misty Doan and as she chats with designers, makers, and influencers in the world of fabric, quilting and fiber arts. Meet the people who have a hand in creating the items that inspire you and spark your creative fire! Hear their stories, learn their processes, share in their joys and challenges, and see their creations.

Information

  • Creator
    Missouri Star Quilt Co
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Missouri Star Quilt Co
  • Show Website
    Homespun With Misty

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