In this episode of Quilting Business Success, we sit down with Patti Ackerman of Cobalt Quilting in Alexandria, Virginia. Patti shares her 20-year journey in longarm quilting—from discovering quilting through a Bernina class after Desert Storm, to starting her business with a Statler in 2005, to growing a thriving studio that serves both individual quilters and commercial clients.Patti talks about why she chose a computerized machine from the start, how she balanced quilting while working full-time, and the strategies that helped her build her customer base—like partnering with local quilt shops and maintaining professional standards with a dedicated studio space. She also shares how she’s navigated challenges (including a broken foot that sidelined her for months!) and why she still gets excited about each new software update.Whether you’re just starting your quilting business or looking to grow, Patti's story offers inspiration, practical tips, and proof that with persistence, there’s plenty of quilting work to go around. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join us for this inspiring episode of Quilting Business Success featuring Kerrie Curtis, owner of Utah Valley Quilting. For the past 13 years, Kerrie has built and grown a thriving longarm quilting business in Springville, Utah—running up to four Statler machines in her busy shop!In this episode, Kerrie shares:✅ How she got started with longarm quilting✅ The steps she took to grow her business✅ Tips for managing multiple machines and a high volume of quilts✅ Lessons learned from more than a decade of quilting for othersWhether you’re dreaming of starting your own longarm quilting business or looking for ways to expand, Kerrie’s story is packed with valuable insights and encouragement.👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting business success stories! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Meet Nancy Davis Altman — a quilter with 50+ years of experience, over 4,000 quilts under her belt, and a passion for helping others succeed in longarm quilting! 🧵✨In this candid interview, Nancy shares how she grew a thriving longarm business, the lessons she learned (including when to say “no”), and why edge-to-edge quilting is her go-to. You’ll hear tips on pricing, building your customer base, and why it’s never too late to start your quilting journey!If you’ve ever dreamed of turning quilting into a business (or just want some inspiration from a seasoned pro), you don’t want to miss this conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Over three decades ago, when their youngest son was born, Martha made a life changing decision. With six children at home and a desire to be more present in their daily lives, she was determined to find a way to contribute financially without sacrificing time with her family. Her opportunity came unexpectedly. Martha’s parents owned a small fabric shop, and one day her father asked her to watch the store while he attended a golf event. At the time, Martha didn’t sew and had never quilted, but that quiet day in the shop changed everything. What began as a simple favor quickly became the start of a brand new chapter for both Martha and her husband, Doug. That moment led to a journey neither of them could have imagined, one that would shape their future and influence countless others along the way.Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lisa Totty is a seasoned quilt maker with over 50 years of experience and has spent more than 20 years specializing in longarm quilting. In January 2025, she launched her own quilting business, turning a lifelong passion into a professional endeavor. Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge, hands-on expertise, and insight into what it takes to build a thriving quilting business rooted in craftsmanship and dedication.Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Christine is the proud mom of three wonderful young adults. Bitten by the quilting bug in 2013, she began her journey with free motion quilting on a domestic machine. As her skills grew, transitioning to longarm quilting felt like the natural next step. Today, Christine is finally living the message she’s always shared with her children: if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Quilter, Author, Designer, and Lover of All Things Quilty!Linda Thielfoldt has been passionately quilting for over 50 years, earning national recognition with her work featured at major shows across the country. As a teacher and speaker, she encourages quilters to embrace the business of quilting, face machine quilting with confidence, and continually improve in every aspect of the craft—whether it’s piecing, appliqué, or quilting itself. With more than 20 years of pattern design experience, Linda loves bringing her original ideas to life through quilts and stitching patterns. Her greatest inspiration comes from teaching and hearing students say, “I can’t believe I just did that!” Linda’s journey is one of creativity, courage, and deep gratitude.Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Page Johnson is an award-winning longarm quilter and educator based in Minnesota, known for her expertise in both free-motion and computerized quilting with the Gammill Statler. Since 2001, she has completed over 17,000 quilts through her business, The Quilting Page, and teaches nationally and internationally, including on Gammill’s recent Caribbean Cruise. Page also designs digital patterns and shares her knowledge through online classes and tutorials.Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jerry is currently retired, following a successful career as a Software Engineer and Project Manager in the Aerospace industry. His interest in quilting began through his wife, a dedicated quilter, and in 2004 they decided to purchase a quilt store in Thousand Oaks, California. Now in its third location, their quilt store has been in business for 21 years. In January of this year, Jerry and his team acquired a Gammill longarm machine from a local quilter who had decided to retire. The machine is now housed in the store and operated by Jerry and three staff members to support their growing businessDo you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Brenda began her longarm journey five years ago when she moved to be near her father in-law, who was retiring from his own longarm quilting business. He passed down his skills and knowledge, sparking Brenda’s passion for quilting. Since then, she has continued to grow her expertise through classes and hands-on experience—and she hasn’t looked back! Today, Brenda runs a full-service quilting studio with her 14-foot Gammill Statler, offering both edge-to-edge and custom quilting, trimming, binding, and even creating T-shirt quilts. Her studio has become a vibrant hub for quilters in the Yuma area, with free quilting clinics on her patio drawing in 35–50 quilting enthusiasts at a time. Check out "Brenda’s Quilting Studio" on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and her website!Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Originally from Flanders, New Jersey, Doc’s journey into quilting began while pursuing a PhD in Theatre for Youth. What started as a single quilting project quickly turned into a deep passion—one that eventually led him away from the stage and into the studio.Now, through his quilting business, The Quilt Doc, he blends his love for teaching with artistic excellence, offering a full spectrum of quilting services, resources, and education. With a unique artistic perspective, Doc fosters a thriving community built on creativity, tradition, and innovation.Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Please note that there are a few instances where the audio briefly cuts out due to technical issues. We appreciate your patience and hope you still enjoy the valuable insights shared in this episode!We had a very special guest on our podcast! Denise has been passionate about quilting since 2004, but for years, she quilted by checkbook rather than machine. That changed in 2019 when she purchased her first Gammill Statler, sparking a deeper love for the craft. By 2021, she began quilting for customers, turning her hobby into a thriving business. Five years after her first machine, she added a Gammill Ascend. By day, Denise has spent 30 years as a dedicated physician assistant in long-term care, but in the evenings and on weekends, she brings quilts to life, one stitch at a time.Tune in to hear her amazing quilting story! Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We had a very special guest on our podcast! Sandy Kuhl has been married to her very supportive husband, Doug, for 38 years. Together, they have two children and one grandson. She has been sewing since she was a little girl and has been quilting for the past 18 years. In 2010, she purchased her Gammill, which has been an integral part of her quilting journey. Sandy owns and operates her business, Kuhl Stitches Quilting, where she brings her passion for quilting to life.Tune in to hear her amazing quilting story! Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We had a very special guest on our podcast! Don has been longarm quilting for over 20 years with a handguided machine. He joined the Gammill family in January of 2024 as a Service Technician and now has an Ascend. He enjoys all aspects of quilting and has began designing patterns for PatternCloud.Tune in to hear his amazing quilting story!Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This special episode takes a unique turn! Until now, we’ve exclusively interviewed quilters who run successful businesses. Today, we’re stepping behind the scenes to explore an essential part of those businesses: financing.We’re joined by two amazing experts from American Financial Partners (AFP): Carrie Radloff, Business Development and Marketing Director, and Jackie Paulsen, Director of Customer Finance.Carrie, with over 26 years in the industry, shares her wealth of knowledge about business development, marketing, and how to navigate financing options. Jackie, a finance pro with a passion for helping customers succeed, dives into the ins and outs of the process, making it accessible and actionable for anyone considering financing.In this episode, we’ll uncover how financing can transform dreams into reality, from starting a quilting business to upgrading equipment. Carrie and Jackie walk us through their expertise, offering invaluable tips and strategies to make informed decisions.Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just getting started, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on financing and why it’s a key piece of the puzzle for business growth.🎧 Tune in to this special episode and gain insights straight from the experts who help make quilting businesses thrive! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We have a very special guest joining our panel. Deborah is 69 years young and lives with her husband and Bichon Frise in an isolated community in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada. She has three sons and recently welcomed her third grandchild on September 21. Her passions include quilting, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her beloved grandchildren.Tune in to hear her amazing quilting story! Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We have a very special guest joining our panel. Donna started longarming in 2010 after being downsized from her computer tech job. After overcoming a stroke, she now has a successful quilting business where she prides herself in her custom work and t-shirt quilts. Tune in to hear her amazing quilting story! Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We have a very special guest joining our panel. Ava is a young quilter at heart, but full of experience! She resides in Louisiana where she recently bought a quilt store and purchased her Gammill in January. While juggling school, college, and managing another company, she shares how she succeeds as a longarm business owner! Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We have a very special guest joining our panel. Karma Lackey has had her Gammill since 2007 and has been quilting with it ever since. She currently owns a quilt shop and has been the proud owner since 2019. She talks about her tips and tricks to a great t-shirt quilt as well as how she has thrived as a business owner!Tune in to hear her amazing quilting story! Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We have a very special guest joining our panel. Kristi Drose has been quilting since 1998. In 2000, she purchased her first Gammill. She started by finishing her own quilts then started quilting as a business. This led to opening her own store, where she also teaches and lectures at guilds. She now quilts on a Gammill Statler. Tune in to hear her amazing quilting story! Do you need help with your quilting business? Check out Accelerate Your Quilting: https://info.gammill.com/accelerate. Everything you need to start or grow your quilting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.