Today I’m sitting down with Abigail Vargas, a contemporary textile artist based in Winters, California, whose work is vibrant, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in storytelling.

Abigail creates quilts inspired by nature, science, and family to name a few—often combining contemporary fabrics with vintage and repurposed materials to add layers of meaning and texture to her work. Her quilts have been exhibited at shows like QuiltCon and Quilt National, the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles as well as international exhibits in Taiwan. 

Abigail brings together so many influences—modern art, folk art, collaboration, even science—and turns them into quilts that feel emotional and alive. I first saw her work at QuiltCon when I interviewed her for Quilt National and I was instantly drawn into her quilt Bumblebee Jasper to look at every detail. She’s also the creator of the collaborative Exquisite Quilt Project, inspired by the Surrealist “Exquisite Corpse” game, where multiple artists contribute without seeing the full design ahead of time. 

Abigail Vargas Designs - https://www.avargasdesigns.com/

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My guest today is Karla Overland from Cherrywood Hand-Dyed Fabrics, a company with a beautiful history that started over 35 years ago. From humble beginnings, Cherrywood has grown into a globally recognized name, known for its rich, luminous colours and that signature soft, almost suede-like texture. Karla Overland is the colourist who creates and maintains 200 formulas for gorgeous colours. She is also a quilt designer, pattern designer and graphic designer. Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics is known worldwide in the quilting industry, and employs ten women in Brainerd/Baxter, Minnesota.

Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics - https://cherrywoodfabrics.com/

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Today I’m chatting with quilter, teacher, shop owner, author, and community builder Jean Wells of the Stitchin’ Post in Sisters, Oregon. From opening her quilt shop over 50 years ago to helping build Sisters, Oregon into a quilting destination known around the world, Jean has spent decades bringing quilters together through creativity, education, and community.  Jean opened Stitchin’ Post back in 1975, making it one of the very first quilt shops in the United States. Over the years, she’s become one of the most respected voices in quilting through her 30 books, her classes, fabric collections, and her huge influence on the quilting world.

Find the Stitchin" Post Quit shop right here: https://stitchinpost.com/

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My guest today is Cornelius Quiring, a Canadian garment maker, educator, and one of the most thoughtful voices in the sewing world right now. Cornelius is known for his deep understanding of pattern drafting and garment construction—but what really makes his work stand out is the why behind it. Cornelius has been on a journey in garment making that has grown into a whole platform where he teaches others how to draft their own patterns, sew their own garments, and rethink what clothing can be. From online courses to collaborations in the sewing industry, his work is all about empowerment through making.

Visit Cornelius' website here - https://cornelius.ooo/

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My guest today is Toni Smith – we all know her as Quiltoni! Pixelated quilts that make you smile and fabric for everyone especially if you like video games, comics, pop culture and more.…if you want to enter a world full of smiles, geekiness, some crazy antics as well as be inspired by some massive action with heartwarming charity work then it’s time for you to meet QUILTONI! Phew! Today we will have an action packed episode talking about all the wonderful, weird and geeky things Toni brings to the sewing and quilting world. Her smiles and laughter are contagious, and her heart explodes all over everyone she meets in her charity work. Listen in to hear her story. 

Find Toni's website here: https://quiltoni.com/

Link to donate to Starlight here: https://quiltoni.com/collections/50k-for-50q

Quilter on Fire Website - https://quilteronfire.com/

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My guest today is Tami Jones, the creative force behind Hometown Quilt Company. She has built a huge following by simply being real. Tami has this incredible gift for taking the ups and downs of quilting like the bobbin drama, the wonky seams, and the moments we all quietly struggle with, and turning them into something we can laugh about and learn from. Her content has reached hundreds of thousands of makers because it feels honest, relatable, and refreshingly human. She doesn’t just teach techniques, she teaches mindset. Tami is bursting online with creativity, curiosity, and permission to not get it perfect every time.

You can find Tami's website Hometown Quilt Company right here: https://hometownquiltcompany.com/

Quilter on Fire Website - https://quilteronfire.com/

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My guest today is Bianca Springer of THANKS I MADE THEM, SEW CAN YOU! She has been touted as a Black Change Maker by Love Crafts for “her passion for sewing and her talent as a maker to spark change in the craft world!” I’ve seen her vendor booth in the past at big shows like QuiltCon From pattern weights to DIY Kits to sewing-themed jewelry, her  product line features refreshing, quirky and inspirational designs. Bianca Springer is well known as a vibrant, trendy garment maker, instructor, embroidery artist and the author of her inclusive embroidery book, “Represent!" Grab a cup of tea and check out her Instagram feed because you will be there for a while! 

Find her website here: https://biancaspringer.com/

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My guest today is Tina Craig of Seaside Stitches! has been stitching since 1990 — when a beginner sampler class turned into a lifelong passion. After moving to a seaside town in Rhode Island, she launched Seaside Stitches. Tina is known for teaching quilters how to master precision piecing — especially foundation paper piecing and English paper piecing — along with domestic machine quilting. Her work has won awards at regional shows, been exhibited internationally, and she’s even taught at major events like the International Quilt Festival in Houston. And we’ll also chat today about her recent appearance on theQuiltshow.com. So settle in…this is a good one. 

Go to Tina's website right here: https://seaside-stitches.com/

Quilter on Fire Website - https://quilteronfire.com/

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My guest today is Ursula McClintock. She is half of the team also comprised of Roy Zhao the owners of LDH Scissors in Toronto, Canada. Their scissors are designed for makers—quilters, sewists, textile artists—anyone who appreciates a tool that works beautifully and feels good in your hands. From traditional fabric shears made with industrial-grade carbon steel to specialty snips and pinking shears, their tools are built to cut through layers of fabric with precision and comfort.

Ursula's Website: https://ldhscissors.com/

Quilter on Fire Website - https://quilteronfire.com/

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My guest today is Carson Converse, an artist and designer whose work lives right at the intersection of dynamic modern sensibility and grounded in tradition. Carson originally studied sculpture at Boston University before going on to earn a master’s degree in interior design from the New England School of Art and Design. That mix of artistic training and design thinking shows up beautifully in everything she creates—from hotel interiors to award-winning modern art quilts her work is thoughtful and bold, with a strong sense of form, beautiful materials, and a real attention to detail. And if that does't get you to listen in, she has won more ribbons at QuiltCon than any other quilter.

Carson's Website: www.carsonconverse.com

Today's advertiser is Qraftful (AccuQuilt). Discover your next favourite quilting must-have like the GO! Bolt Electric Fabric Cutter RIGHT HERE.

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Today I’m chatting with Monika Henry from Penny Spool Quilts, where bright colours, bold shapes, and simple, fuss-free patterns help you build confidence—one block at a time. Today we’ll talk about her Quilt the North Boxes, which are a fun way to bring beautiful regional themed and Canadian designed projects right to your doorstep.

If you love traditional quilt patterns with bold fresh fabrics, FPP block patterns, and printable tutorials —and you’re ready to feel a little more ease and joy in your quilt making—this episode’s for you.

ORDER you Quilt the North Box today: FIND OUT MORE

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