Podcast · Arts & Books

Loose Threads & Stitches: A Quilting Podcast

by ISeeStarsQuilting · English · Arts & Books

Love quilting? So do we! Loose Threads & Stitches is the cozy, fun, and slightly chaotic quilting podcast you didn’t know you needed. Hosted by Christen from I See Stars Quilting, this show is all about quilting, creativity, and finding joy in every stitch. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or just

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 13 min
Latest: 24 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

24 Sep 2026 · 10 min

Ep. 52: Stop Saving Your Favorite Fabric — Make the Quilt Just for YOU ⭐

Have you been saving that perfect fabric for the "right" project… for years? 👀 Friend, this one's for you. On this episode of Loose Threads & Stitches, we're talking about a rare kind of quilt: the one you make for nobody but yourself. It's not a gift, not a commission, not a guild swap. It exists because YOU wanted it to exist. I'm sharing the story of the Tula Pink collection I saved for way too long, what I realized I was really waiting for, and 5 reasons a quilt made just for you might be the most honest thing you ever make. (Spoiler: it's not selfish. It's allowed. 💕) ✨ This week's…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E50 · 10 Sep 2026 · 10 min
EP 50: How to Enjoy Quilting Again Without Pressure to Be Productive
Feeling behind on your quilt projects? If your relaxing hobby has quietly turned into another to-do list, this one's for you, sweet friend. Welcome to Loose Threads & Stitches — your calm corner of the quilting world. I'm Christen with ISeeStarsQuilting.com, and in Episode 9 we're talking about the Productivity Trap: what happens when tracking projects, saying "I need to finish this," and feeling guilty for just playing with fabric steals the joy out of quilting. In this episode we cover: - How the productivity trap creeps in — spreadsheets, mental tallies, and choosing what you "should"…
E49 · 3 Sep 2026 · 13 min
EP: 49 - The Quilting Frustration Spiral (and how to stop it)
One stubborn seam can turn into “maybe I'm just bad at quilting” surprisingly fast. In this episode of Loose Threads & Stitches, we're talking about the quilting frustration spiral—and four ways to stop self-doubt before it steals the joy from your sewing time. A seam that won't match or a quilt block that refuses to lie flat is frustrating. But it is not a verdict on your quilting skills. Christen shares why five hard minutes can suddenly feel like proof that you'll never get it right, why other quilters' mistakes are so often invisible, and how to reset before frustration becomes a story…
E48 · 13 Aug 2026 · 37 min
EP 48: How I Started Quilting (And Why I Bought a Longarm)
Welcome to Loose Threads & Stitches — your calm corner of the quilting world, where we talk about the real stuff, the fun stuff, and everything the quilt community is thinking but not always saying. I'm Christen from ISeeStarsQuilting.com. Let's talk. Today I'm sharing something I don't tell often — my actual origin story. It starts with two toddlers fighting over one blanket on movie night (true story), and somehow leads to a graphic designer with zero quilting background ending up with a longarm machine parked in her dining room. 😅 I'm walking through the whole thing: the Joann fabric run…
E47 · 11 Aug 2026 · 11 min
EP 47: Why I Finally Tried Foundation Paper Piecing — And What Happened
I always said I was not a paper piecer. Too rigid. Too rule-bound. So I just kept telling myself that story — for years. Until I tackled a Violet Craft abstract elephant foundation paper piecing project... and everything I thought I knew about myself unraveled. In the best way. This episode is about more than quilting. It's about all the things we've decided about ourselves that we've never actually checked in on. The beliefs that started as observations and quietly became identity. And the question I keep thinking about: What have you decided about yourself that might not be true anymore?…
E46 · 4 Jun 2026 · 18 min
EP: 46 | When You Gift a Quilt and the Reaction Isn't What You Hoped
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 talks about: gifting quilts. The hours, the love, the fabric chosen just for them… and the gap between what making it meant to you and what receiving it means to them. We'll get into the pressure of a gift…
E45 · 14 May 2026 · 22 min
Episode 45: What Joann's Closing Really Did to the Quilting World (One Year Later)
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 talking like two quilters at a retreat, staying up way too late because the conversation is too good to stop. In this episode I'm sharing:→ What Joann's actually WAS to so many of us (hint: it was more…
E44 · 7 May 2026 · 11 min
Episode 44: - When a Project Becomes a Chapter, Not a Career
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 always — and will always be — the maker. Growth can be curious instead of critical. Improvement can be joyful instead of urgent. Evolution can be steady instead of frantic. And "enough" can be chosen…
E43 · 30 Apr 2026 · 11 min
Episode 43: It's Not a Flaw — It's a Mismatch
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 everything. This is a gentle, honest episode — perfect for stitching along or just having a quiet moment to breathe and think. 🧵 In this episode:→ Why struggle isn't always a personal flaw —…
E42 · 23 Apr 2026 · 18 min
Episode 42: You Are Allowed to Protect Your Attention
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 attention isn't avoidance — what if it's actually one of the most caring things you can do for yourself? In this episode of The Enough Chapter, we're having a gentle heart-to-heart about attention,…
E41 · 16 Apr 2026 · 16 min
Episode 41: When Quilting Starts Feeling Like a Job (And How to Make It Fun Again)
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 crept into our creative spaces—and it changed how we experience the things we once loved. Today, we’re slowing that down. This is your reminder that:✨ Not everything you create needs to be shared✨ Not…
E39 · 9 Apr 2026 · 13 min
Episode 40: Are You a "Real" Quilter? Let's Talk About Quilter Identity
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 letting go of the pressure to always be more productive, more capable, more together, and more “enough.” If you’ve ever said things like“I’m just bad at this,”“This is just who I am,”or“I guess I’ll always…
E40 · 2 Apr 2026 · 12 min
Episode 39: Finding Joy in Your Quilting Again (Even When Life Feels Heavy)
✨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 negativityHow “glimmers” can gently rewire your mindsetSimple ways to notice more joy in your everyday lifeAnd how creativity plays a role in all of it This isn’t about toxic positivity. It’s about learning to see differently…without ignoring the hard. So grab your project, settle in, and…
E39 · 31 Mar 2026 · 14 min
Episode 38: The Quilting Mindset Shift That Changed How I Create
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 but often invisible:The stories we tell ourselves when life gets difficult. Humans are natural meaning-makers.When something feels uncertain or uncomfortable, we instinctively build a narrative to make sense of…
E38 · 31 Mar 2026 · 12 min
Episode 37: How to Keep Quilting When You're Completely Running on Empty
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 for rhythm — for cycles of focus and rest — but modern life throws constant input, decisions, and expectations at us.So what happens when the load becomes too much?In this conversation we explore:Why decision…
E37 · 31 Mar 2026 · 13 min
Episode 36: Why Finishing a Quilt Never Feels Like Enough — And What To Do About It
✨ 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 wired? In this episode, we look at why our minds naturally lean toward the next possibility, why satisfaction fades faster than we expect, and how understanding this can give us something powerful: the ability…
E36 · 31 Mar 2026 · 11 min
Episode 35: The Quilter's Comparison Trap (And Why You're Already Doing Enough)
✨ 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 why “enough” feels like a moving target in modern life — and how shifting benchmarks might be affecting your sense of completion. This episode dives into: ✨ Why expectations accelerate over time✨ How innovation…
E35 · 26 Feb 2026 · 11 min
Episode 34: Are You Quilting for You — Or Everyone Else? Real Talk for Makers
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. ✨ In this episode: Why marketing is built around highlighting gaps How creativity gives us rest from comparison The psychology of perpetual improvement Why you get to decide when you’re done If…
E34 · 12 Feb 2026 · 10 min
Episode 33: How to Pick a Quilting Word of the Year (Without the Pressure)
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 quilts in a year. It’s about choosing a word that feels like a soft nudge, not a bootcamp command. Whether your word ends up being play, bold, scrappy, unfinished, or something totally unexpected —…
E33 · 1 Feb 2026 · 22 min
Episode 32: Quilting Lessons That Surprised Me | A Year of Making, Learning & Letting Go
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 you. We’ll talk about the value of unfinished work, the quiet power of community, and why your quilting journey doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. And if you’ve been craving a space to be seen,…
E32 · 21 Nov 2025 · 8 min
Episode 31: You Hate Your Quilt — Now What? Practical Tips for Getting Through It
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 and ready! 🎧 Listen/review on Apple/Spotify! 💬 Share your “I hated this quilt” story in the comments!📚 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED:🧵 Longarm Services & Instant Quote →…
E31 · 13 Nov 2025 · 16 min
Episode 30: What If You Only Quilted for Yourself This Year? (A Permission Slip for Every Maker)
Feeling holiday pressure to quilt your way into being enough? It’s time for a reality check—quilting burnout isn’t festive. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODEChristen 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 TAKEAWAYSThe truth about handmade guilt and emotional giftingWhy “not everyone gets a quilt” is the sanest mantra of the seasonTips for fast finishes (that still feel meaningful)How batching and drop-dead dates can save your holiday spiritA permission…
E30 · 7 Nov 2025 · 20 min
Episode 29: 6 Ways to Slow Down and Actually Enjoy Your Quilting (Instead of Just Rushing to Finish)
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 eyeing the peppermint mocha creamer or feeling behind on handmade gifts, this one’s for you. 💡 EPISODE TAKEAWAYS: Why a slow holiday is the best holiday How low-stakes quilting projects can be your…
E29 · 7 Nov 2025 · 9 min
Episode 28: What You Really Learn at a Quilt Show — And Why It Has Nothing to Do With Ribbons
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 celebrationWhy small local quilt shows are the heart of the quilting worldHow every quilt—flaws and all—tells a powerful storyA hilarious “flying goose vs geese” moment you don’t want to missGentle encouragement if you’ve ever felt like your quilt “isn’t good enough” 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION:What’s the most inspiring or unexpected thing you’ve seen at a quilt show? 🧵 JOIN THE STITCH SISTER INNER CIRCLE:Want more support like this in…
E28 · 7 Nov 2025 · 13 min
Episode 27: Easy Quilt Math Formulas for People Who Hate Math (Yes, You Can Do This)
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. 💡 EPISODE TAKEAWAYS: My sanity-saving formula for calculating backing fabricThe “lazy but reliable” binding math shortcutHow to measure borders accurately without overthinking itA reminder that perfection…
E27 · 7 Nov 2025 · 11 min
Episode 26: How to Build a Quilt Color Palette That Actually Works (No More Fabric Panic)
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 starting line. 💡 EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:The Anchor fabric method — and why it worksHow to make fabric “auditions” less overwhelmingWhy harmony is better than matching, and how to trust your gutA real-life…
E26 · 7 Nov 2025 · 13 min
Episode 25: Stop Feeling Guilty About Your Fabric Stash — Here's Why It's Actually a Good Thing
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 message for every quilter who’s ever side-eyed their fabric bins. This one’s for you if you’ve ever wondered, “Do I have too much?” 💡 EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:Why your fabric stash is not a problem—it’s a…
E25 · 7 Nov 2025 · 10 min
Episode 24: Finding Your Quilting Style — Why Your Creative Voice Matters Even With Imperfect Seams
🫶 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 look at your quilt and think, “This isn’t good enough to share”? Let’s rewrite that narrative — because your creative voice matters, just as it is. 🎙️ IN THIS…
E24 · 7 Nov 2025 · 16 min
Episode 23: How to Make Quilting Friends as an Adult (Without the Awkward Drama)
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 into a quilt guild and felt like you were back in the high school cafeteria—awkward and unsure where to sit? You are so not alone! 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:Christen shares honest stories, funny confessions,…
E23 · 7 Nov 2025 · 9 min
Episode 22: What Happens When You Step Away From Quilting (And How to Find Your Way Back)
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" creatively, this one's for you. 💡 EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:Why it's okay to press pause (even when it wasn’t planned)The gentle way quilting welcomes us backA reminder that creativity works in seasonsHow to…

About Loose Threads & Stitches: A Quilting Podcast

Loose Threads & Stitches: A Quilting Podcast is a English arts & books podcast from ISeeStarsQuilting. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: ISeeStarsQuilting
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 13 min
Latest episode: 24 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1851305010

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