This week my Stitchogrphy interview is with Christa Watson. Christa is a powerhouse machine quilter and wants us all to "not be afraid" and empowers us with her books and classes.
Please introduce yourself (actual and professional name) and describe your areas of expertise
Hi! I'm Christa Watson of Christa Quilts and I've been quilting for over 20 years but some days I feel like I'm just getting started, LOL!! My area of expertise is teaching others to successfully machine quilt on their regular home sewing machine, using both walking foot and free-motion techniques. I've written 2 books on the subject so far and my third book, "Piece and Quilt with Precuts" comes out in August - I can't wait!
What is your background and how did you arrive at your current job(s)
I've always loved being creative and wanted to be an artist and a performer when I was little but I couldn't draw or sing. It's taken me a long time to realize that I could be a "performing artist" by creating textile art and teaching my skills to others. I've been teaching quilting workshops locally since the late 90's while raising a family, but it wasn't until the last 4 years that I took my show on the road by writing books and teaching nationally.
How many hours a week do you devote to your job?
Do I have to give an honest answer?? Let's just say it's a lot. When I'm awake I'm quilting. Or thinking about quilts. Or planning new quilts, or talking about quilts. I quilt for my work AND my hobby so it consumes most of my daily life.
Where do you physically work?
I work from home in a large open loft upstairs. My husband also works with me but in a different room. He does the boring stuff (back end computer stuff, accounting, etc.) and I get to do the "fun stuff" - designing, teaching, sewing and writing.
What do you sell and how do you sell it? (It can be a service)
We have two main focuses of our business. My husband Jason runs ThePrecutStore.com where we sell fabric precuts and my thread collections with Aurifil. I do all the designer stuff: writing books and patterns, and traveling around the country teaching workshops at quilt shows, guilds, and shops. I self-publish my patterns and sell them wholesale to shops and distributors. My books are published with Martingale/That Patchwork Place. I also have a couple of brand new Craftsy classes and it's been fun to explore teaching online to reach a wider audience.
My books are published with Martingale/That Patchwork Place. I also have a couple of brand new Craftsy classes and it's been fun to explore teaching online to reach a wider audience.
What are you working on now
My latest big project is my first fabric line with Benartex. It's called "Modern Marks" and while I can't share too much yet, it will be in stores this November. I'm currently in the process of making a whole bunch of samples to show off the fabric at quilt market this fall.
What do you do when you are not working?
Um... quilting??? I actually do have a couple of other hobbies. I love playing board games and doing outdoor things with my family. It's really too bad I don't do much hand piecing because that would really come in handy while going on road trips, camping etc, LOL!!
My latest big project is my first fabric line with Benartex. It's called "Modern Marks" and while I can't share too much yet, it will be in stores this November. I'm currently in the process of making a whole bunch of samples to show off the fabric at quilt market this fall.
What do you do when you are not working?
Um... quilting??? I actually do have a couple of other hobbies. I love playing board games and doing outdoor things with my family. It's really too bad I don't do much hand piecing because that would really come in handy while going on road trips, camping etc, LOL!!
Perhaps an indelicate question, but people starting out want to know - what are your income sources?
Our income comes from our precut store sales, book and product royalties, online class commissions, pattern sales, and teaching. To make a full time living in this industry, you have to wear a lot of hats!!
Our income comes from our precut store sales, book and product royalties, online class commissions, pattern sales, and teaching. To make a full time living in this industry, you have to wear a lot of hats!!
If you could give one suggestion to someone starting out, what would it be?
Don't expect to become an overnight success. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Keep in mind that most people in the quilting and sewing industry aren't making a full-time living, so it can sometimes skew one's perspective on who's actually financially successful.
Where can people find you and/your products?
You can find me here:
Don't expect to become an overnight success. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Keep in mind that most people in the quilting and sewing industry aren't making a full-time living, so it can sometimes skew one's perspective on who's actually financially successful.
Where can people find you and/your products?
You can find me here:
Website: christaquilts.com
Pattern store: shop.christaquilts.com
Instagram @christaquilts
Facebook: Quilt with Christa
Precut store: ThePrecutStore.com
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Subscribe to my blog so yu don't miss any Stitchography interviews or my regular blog posts. Coming up is how to draft a Mariner's Compass type block and the importance of llamas!
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Thanks for the fun interview!
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