Make and Decorate with Stephanie: Sew, Quilt, Knit & Home Decor
Host Stephanie Socha, a residential interior designer and maker presents a creative lifestyle podcast for those who love to sew, quilt, knit, decorate and make things for the home. This podcast is for the maker who loves to dabble in many types of hobbies, mainly sewing and quilting, but also knitting, paper crafts (Cricut) gardening and interior decorating. There are a mix of guest interviews and solo episodes where I present an informative topic and/or educational "how to" on specific maker techniques.Join my Patreon to get a bonus episode every month, year round (even during show hiatus).
Meet Melodie Harding - Sew Harmony; Quilt stencils, marking tools and more!
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S8 Ep 129
In this episode, I chat with Melodie Harding who shares her journey from traditional quilting to designing innovative stencil tools for machine quilting.
Our conversation covers practical tips for quilting, the benefits of using stencils, and how to overcome challenges in free motion quilting. Melodie shares her insights on combining different techniques and encourages quilters to experiment and find their unique style.
For 20% off one order of Sew Harmony stencils, enter Promo Code "MakeDecorate20" at checkout. https://sewharmony.com/collections/all
Chit Chat: How to pattern match fabric for quilt backings, Foundation Paper Piecing Tips & Audioook Reviews
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In this episode:
Chit chat: life update, H+H this week, and birthday party decor projects.
Mini Topics Pattern Matching fabrics for quilt backings (or for any project) My process for Foundation Paper Piecing the Fairytale Forest BOM by DuckadillyAudiobook Reviews
AudiobookBook reviews on "Local Woman Missing" by Mary Kubica, "The Diamond Eye" by Kate Quinn, and "She's Not Sorry" by Mary Kubica, covering themes, character analysis, and author backgrounds. Movie commentary comparing the "The Housemaid" series book and film, exploring differences and s...Quilting your own quilts with Christa Watson & her new fabric line with Riley Blake
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Returning guest, Christa Watson is back to talk about her new partnership with Riley Blake Designs. Christa's is now a fabric designer with Riley Blake and her first collection with them will be available in Nov 2026.
We also chat about practice quilt sandwiches you can make and use with what you have on hand. I am super excited about Christa's practice quilt panels that will be available in Nov 2026!
Links:
christaquilts.comRiley Blake Designs - Quilt in Color by Christa WatsonYouTube: Christa Quilts99 Mac...I took a break, my Sewing Machine did not! Let's chat about sewing dolls, quilts and more!
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In this episode of Make and Decorate, host Stephanie reflects on her unplanned break from podcasting and shares her excitement about returning. She discusses her creative projects over the past year, including a cathedral window quilt for her parents' anniversary and a commissioned king-sized quilt. Stephanie also shares her experiences at a quilting retreat, innovative tools she discovered, and cozy holiday projects. She highlights new patterns and classes she's excited about, and outlines her plans for the future of the podcast, including a shift to monthly episodes and...
E125: Guest Byrd Wadhams - Sewing and Fashion for All Ages and Skill Levels
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You can watch the video of this podcast on my YouTube channel @makeanddecorate
Stephanie welcomes guest Byrd Wadhams to the podcast. Byrd is a curvy sewist who loves Colorful eclectic clothing. She believes style should not be defined by age, size, or gender. Byrd started her sewing journey a few years ago and it is her goal to show people it’s never too late to pick up a new skill or passion.
Links:
Byrd’s IG: @yogabyrdsews
YouTube Channel Byrd...
Atsushi Futasuya, Sashiko Story - Ep. 124
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My guest on this episode is Atsushi Futatsuya, a Sashiko artisan and educator. Atsushi shares his Sashiko story, its cultural significance, and its evolution over time. He discusses the relationship between Sashiko and Boro, the importance of storytelling in preserving the craft, and the impact of Western trends on the perception of Sashiko. Atsushi emphasizes that Sashiko is not just about technique but also about the cultural context and the stories behind the stitches.
Show notes Links:
https://upcyclestitches.com
...
YarnCon 2025 and Final Shopping Trip to JoAnn’s - Ep. 123
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This is a solo episode with host, Stephanie Socha. The two main topics are YarnCon 2025 and my final trip to JoAnn Fabrics.
This was my first time attending YarnCon, a trade show type event for the knitting, crochet, hand dyers and yarn community. Vendor booths from IL and surrounding states show their beautiful product, much of it hand made, hand dyed and all of it stunning! Below is a list of the vendors from the 2025 show that just took place last weekend (4/5 and 4/6) in Chicago.
...
Ep 122: Guest Jenny Kae Parks (Jenny Kae Quilts); Machine Quilting and Color for Quilters
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You can watch the video recording of this podcast on my YouTube Channel @makeanddecorate
In this episode of the Make and Decorate Podcast, host Stephanie interviews quilt designer and teacher Jenny Kay Parks. They discuss Jenny's journey into quilting, her experiences working at big box fabric stores and local quilt shops. Jenny shares her passion for teaching color theory to quilters and emphasizes the importance of finding joy in quilting projects.
Jenny Kae Parks shares her insights on the art of quilting, emphasizing the i...
Deborah Fisher, Ceramic & Textile artist - Fish Museum and Circus - S7 E 121
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This is the last episode of 2024! Happy Holidays to you and enjoy a very Happy and Healthy New start to 2025.
Check out my Patreon page for a few unlocked Bonus Episodes at patron.com/makeanddecorate
My guest on this episode is Deborah Fisher, a ceramic and textile artist with a background in fine art. She has an online shop called Fish Museum and Circus where she sells the most beautiful ceramic pin cushions, sewing patterns, miscellany hand made items and also her line of q...
Guest Gail Yellen, Gail Patrice Design
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On this episode, I chat with guest Gail Yellen from Gail Patrice Design.
Gail is a sewing educator, pattern designer and specialized in serger artistry. We talk about her journey in sewing and her love for sergers. She loves exploring the full potential of sergers beyond just finishing seams. Gail shares tips on choosing the right serger, the benefits of air threading, and the versatility of decorative stitching.
Gail offers in-person and online workshops, where she teaches various serging techniques. She also provides free YouTube videos a...
Ep 119: Guest Katrina Walker - Sewing, Quilting and Spoiled Sheep Yarn
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Katrina Walker, an industry sewing educator, author, and designer, shares her journey into the home sewing industry. Katrina has worked with various brands, including Pfaff and Sulky, and has been featured in magazines and TV shows. She is known for her expertise in silk and wool sewing, as well as her innovative techniques. She also raises sheep that produce wool for her yarn brand, Spoiled Sheep.
Guest Segment Chapters: Note time stamps start at guest segment
00:00 Introduction and Meeting a...
S7 E118: Guest Carina Gardner
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On this episode, my guest is Carina Gardner, a successful designer and entrepreneur, shares her journey and insights on how to make money as a designer. She emphasizes the importance of being a multifaceted designer and knowing when to pivot into different industries. Karina discusses her Design Suite program, which teaches designers how to make their design businesses profitable by offering a range of courses in various design areas. Carina highlights the misconceptions around building a brand and the importance of understanding distribution channels. Carina just launched...
S7 E117: Guest - Chris English Quilts
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Guest Segment: Chris English Quilts
My guest is Chris English, a quilter and fabric/textile designer in the UK. Chris is known for utilizing recycled fabrics in his one of a kind quilts. The past several years his quilts have been shown at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, UK.
We chat about Chris's creative background in textile design leading up to his love for finding previously loved and repurposed fabrics to make gorgeous and unique quilts. Chris often mixes...
Season 7 Premiere Episode! Guest Kristin Oldach, KraeO - Indie Hand Yarn Dyer
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S7 Ep 116:
Welcome Back! Season 7 of the Make and Decorate with Stephanie podcast is here!!
If you are new to this podcast, you will hear any and everything about making, aka sewing, quilting crafting, knitting and interior decorating. This first half of the season, I have a fabulous guest on almost every episode.
There will be a Chit Chat segment on this episode after the guest segment. For more episodes available only on my Patreon site, visit Patreon.com/makeanddecorate
My gu...
Episode 116 has been fixed - no extra music during our chat! 😳
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Apologies for the extra music drowning out almost 4 minutes of our chat! I forgot to remove that song from the music track last season!
The old version of the episode is now taken down and a new and revised version of episode 116 is now up!
Thank you - Stephanie xxoo
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Connect with Stephanie:
YOUTUBE: Make and Decorate YouTube Channel
EMAIL: info@makeanddecorate.com
INSTAGRAM: @stephanie.socha.design
WE...
Season 7 Premiere! Guest Kristin Oldach - Indie Yarn Dyer
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S7 Ep 116:
Welcome Back! Season 7 of the Make and Decorate with Stephanie podcast is here!!
If you are new to this podcast, you will hear any and everything about making, aka sewing, quilting crafting, knitting and interior decorating. This first half of the season, I have a fabulous guest on almost every episode.
There will be a Chit Chat segment on this episode after the guest segment. For more episodes available only on my Patreon site, visit Patreon.com/makeanddecorate
My guest today is Krist...
S6 E115: Jenni Grover, Wellness Coach
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Hello and welcome everyone! If you are new, I am Stephanie and this podcast is a long conversational format with alternating solo and guest episodes. There is a chit chat segment that is after the guest segment where I chit and chat about everything and nothing in my world of being a maker and interior designer. This episode will probably be the last one for season 6, however, I may pop back in with an episode or two over the summer, so keep your notifications on for the Make and...
Aims - Indy Bindy Fabrics
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S6 Ep 114
Guests segment: Aims, Indy Bindy Fabrics https://www.indybindy.com.au/shop
Aims is the owner of Indy Bindy Fabrics, an independent online fabric shop based in Australia. She works with independent fabric artists and designers. A lot of these fabric artists are in Japan and are small businesses and their fabrics are unique and amazing!
The Indy Bindy Sewciety is a private sewing membership group for garment sewists. Aims programs guest speakers, monthly live zooms along with group chats with...
S6 E113: Sewing Fashion and Quilting Trends 2024
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The main topic for today’s episode is “Sewing Fashion and Quilting trends of 2024”. It was fun to research this topic and to present my thoughts on them as well as resources for you to check out to make some trendy fashion including patterns, fabrics notions and more.
Stephanie's recommendations for sewing patterns on trend for 2024:
S6E112: Christa Watson, Christa Quilts
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Christa Watson is back to chat with us about none other than machine quilting, her new Dazzle Dots fabrics with Benartex, Sewing table with Arrow, quilting notions sold in quilt shops and her new book with C&T Publishing.
Links:
https://christaquilts.com/
Christa's Books
Dazzle Dots Fabric Collection
CT Publishing Creative Spark
Christa Cabinet Sewing Table
Christa's 2024 Teaching Events
Make and Decorate Podcast Links to Ep. 25, 32 and 81 with Christa Watson
https://stephaniesochadesign.com/search?q=christa+watson
Belle Brunner: Seams Sew Me | Chit Chat: Tips for Pattern Matching Seams
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Patreon.com/makeanddecorate Patreon has recently added a free membership feature available where you can join in chats with me and everyone in the group. Paid subscribers receive a new bonus podcast episode every month.
Guest Segment: Belle Brunner with Seams Sew Me
Belle is a quilter, quilt pattern designer, quilt guild consultant and trainer. Her popular quilt pattern, Winsome Windows, uses a technique where there is no curved piecing, but results in a cathedral window style quilt! The links below are whe...
Naomi Fata, Love Stitches: Sewing, Alterations and Slip Covers
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Welcome to the Make and Decorate Podcast, for makers who love to sew, quilt, knit and decorate....and do all the crafts!
Today's guest is Naomi Fata from Love Stitches by Naomi at naomifata.net. Naomi does bridal alterations and makes custom slip covers for upholstery furniture. She also does in person and virtual sewing classes. You can get 25% off of pdf tutorials and sewing lessons with promo code MAKEANDDECORATE.
Links to Naomi:
Website: Naomifata.com
YouTube: Sewing with Naomi Fata
IG: ht...
Bag Making with Sara Lawson, Sew Sweetness
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Season 6 Ep. 109
Sara Lawson from Sew Sweetness is back to talk about making bags. Sara is a bag pattern designer and sells bag making supplies and beautiful cork fabrics at https://sewsweetness.com
Sara also has a YouTube channel with tutorial videos on bag making techniques and her live Sewcial Sunday show where she gives information on new and upcoming patterns, book, fabric and notions reviews and answers viewer’s questions.
This is a link to the recent pattern bundle releases Minikins 4 and...
Knitting with Willie Nillie Knits!
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S6 E108: Knitting with Willie Nillie Knits
Links: https://www.instagram.com/willienillieknits/
Link Tree - all the links to find Willie Nillie Knits
Support the show
Connect with Stephanie:
YOUTUBE: Make and Decorate YouTube Channel
EMAIL: info@makeanddecorate.com
INSTAGRAM: @stephanie.socha.design
WEBSITE: https://stephaniesochadesign.com/podcast-make-and-decorate
Quick and Easy Fall and Halloween Sewing, Crochet and Knitting Projects
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S6 E107: Quick and Easy Fall and Halloween Sewing, Crochet and Knitting Projects
Make and Decorate Patreon Group - Free membership option!! Patreon finally added free memberships to their platform. Head on over to Patreon.com/makeanddecorate and join free, and if at a later point you wish to upgrade to a paid tier you can easily do so. For the month of October, I will unlock a few of the premium level posts for the free members to try out.
Hall...
MND 106: Season 6!! Karla Gerome, Grace Company; New Little Rebel Machine
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Season 6 is here!!!
Consider joining my Make and DecoratePatreon group for a new bonus episode every month.
I did record a great interview with Karla Gerome from the Grace Company, unfortunately you will not be able to listen to that conversation due to technical issues. I do, however have our recording notes that I share with you on this episode. Grace Company has a few new products coming out in late fall, and currently is running amazing promo pre-order deals that will end after September 30, 2023. This...
New! Sew Tites and Off the Wall Quilt chats from H+H Americas
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I am surprising you with a new episode in the middle of summer...yay! The main reason for this episode is to share a couple of chats I had with a couple of quilting companies I met with at the H+H Americas show in June.
*Affiliate Link to Sew Tites: STEPHANIESOCHA to receive 15% off any SewTites purchase via the "STEPHANIESOCHA" promo code link.
Jessica and Jamie are sisters and the owners of SewTites the makers of the famous magnetic sewing pins. Coming out at t...
Replay: Sewing with Liberty Fabrics, History of Tana Lawn & Lasenby Cotton
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This episode is a replay of Season 4, Episode 84.
In this episode I present a history of Liberty Fabrics. Find out how the fabrics are designed, and what makes Tana Lawn so special. I also give ideas and tips on sewing and quilting with Tana Lawn and Lasenby Cotton.
Show notes are here
Support the show
Connect with Stephanie:
YOUTUBE: Make and Decorate YouTube Channel
EMAIL: info@makeanddecorate.com
INSTAGRAM: @stephanie.socha.design
...S5 E104: Simple Summer Decor; Season 5 Finale
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Simple Summer Decor
Below are the links to resources I talk about in this episode:
Home Dec fabrics: Onlinefabricstore.com : Look for fabric lines like Premier Prints, P.Kaufman, Kravet, etc.
Quality scented candles. My summer favorite is Aloha Orchid. Volcano is also a year round favorite. Capri Blue
Classic Belgian Linen Drapery panels from Pottery Barn: https://www.potterybarn.com/products/spo-classic-belgian-linen-drape-dark-flax/
Sheer drapery panels with Pom pom trim: I have not tried these yet, but have seen t...
S5 E103: Minki Kim, Sewing Illustration
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My guest on this episode is Minki Kim from Sewingillustration.com. In our chat, we learn about Minki’s passion for sewing, designing her patterns and her fabrics with Riley Blake Designs. Along with her sewing patterns, Minki shows how to make them with tutorial videos on her YouTube Channel, Minki Kim
In the Chit Chat segment: I share updates on quilting, knitting, gardening and new YouTube video recommendations.
Support the show
Connect with Stephanie:
YOUTUBE: Make and Deco...
S5 E102: AI in our Maker World; ChatGPT, DALL-E
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Artificial Intelligence, what exactly is it and how we can utilize generative ai in our maker lives? I will answer those questions and more in this episode.
I will present two types of GAI (generative intelligence) programs; ChatGPT and DALL-E.
Also, I address the “sew-bot” addition to the apparel manufacturing industry. Who is using sew-bots, how it impacts the industry and how we can avoid this fast fashion craze.
Chit Chat:
Sew Sweetness new Minikins 4 releases April 16th. See some...
S5 E101: Jennifer Moore, Mona Luna
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My guest on this episode is Jennifer Moore and her company is Mona Luna. Jennifer is a surface pattern designer and has designed and produced her own line of organic cotton fabrics, Mona Luna fabrics.
Recently, Jennifer partnered with Windham Fabrics and has her first line of organic cotton fabric shipping to quilt shops in July 2023. Her collection is called In the Garden.
Chit Chat Segment:
Brooklyn Haberdashery: Cohana Sakura Collection
Kate’s Aurifil Thread Box, 12 wt.
Support the show<...
S5 E100: Puff Quilts: Historic to Contemporary
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100 Episodes!!! What a great milestone for the Make and Decorate with Stephanie podcast, and I couldn’t have done it without all of you listeners and Patreon patrons. Thank you!
Chit Chat: I will chat about current sewing and quilting projects and my clothing sewing plans for spring and summer. A few new “what I am watching” Netflix and Disney + show recommendations.
Main Segment: Puff Quilts: Historic to Contemporary. A look at the origin of Puff quilts which were then called Biscuit Quilts. The resurgence o...
S5 E99: Sewing Room Design and Organization
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Make designing and organizing your sewing or craft room easy with a step by step process to guide you through start to finish so that you can spend more time sewing and crafting.
Support the show
Connect with Stephanie:
YOUTUBE: Make and Decorate YouTube Channel
EMAIL: info@makeanddecorate.com
INSTAGRAM: @stephanie.socha.design
WEBSITE: https://stephaniesochadesign.com/podcast-make-and-decorate
S5 E98: SewNaturalDane, #BHMPatternDesigners
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The following are links to find SewNaturalDane and links to other things we talked about,
SewNaturalDane website
YouTube Channel: SewNaturalDane
#BHMPatternDesigners
SewNaturalDane’s Spoonflower Shop
Monthly Makes Calendar
Fiber and Cloth Studio Agave Top and Dress Pattern
Rebecca Page Patterns: The Strappy Cami
Brother 1034D Serger
Janome HD3000
The CardiZen knitting pattern by Bayron Handmade that Stephanie is making for the #BHMPatternDesigners challenge
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<...
S5 E97: Kristin Esser, Simple Handmade Everyday; Task Lighting 101
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This is the mid-season finale episode. New episodes will resume in February 2023
My guest on this episode is Kristin Esser from the Simple Handmade Everyday podcast. We talk about Kristin’s Master Bath Reno project she completed this year…with a little design help from me. Of course we also chat about all the crafty things like quilting, knitting , cross stitch and our love for tea!
In the Chit Chat segment I share a quick lighting 101 lesson and talk about the three main categories of ligh...
S5 E96: Wendy Chow, The Weekend Quilter
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My guest today is Wendy Chow, the founder of The Weekend Quilter. You may also know her from the podcast, Quilt Buzz, https://the-weekendquilter.com/
Find more links and details at my podcast blog. https://stephaniesochadesign.com/podcast-make-and-decorate
Support the show
Connect with Stephanie:
YOUTUBE: Make and Decorate YouTube Channel
EMAIL: info@makeanddecorate.com
INSTAGRAM: @stephanie.socha.design
WEBSITE: https://stephaniesochadesign.com/podcast-make-and-decorate
S5 E95: Returning Guest Heidi Parkes: Arne & Carlos Chicago Meet & Greet Recap
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On this episode I welcome back Heidi Parkes to the show. Heidi is known for hand quilting, art quilts and diary quilting as well as hand yoga. If you missed Heidi on Episode 31, you can find it here. We continue our conversation and catch up on all the fun and exciting things that Heidi has been working on since our last chat.
Check out Heidi’s website at https://www.heidiparkes.com/. You will find her online shop with art quilts, fabric vases, online classes and more...
S5 E94: Fall and Winter Decorating Checklist; Quilting Book Review
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The main topic of this episode is making a checklist for your fall and winter decorating for holidays and entertaining. The time to start is early November or earlier if you are planning to do renovation projects.
I also review a quilting book by Christa Watson, How Do I Quilty It? Modern Machine Quilting.
Plus, I announce the winner of the Free Spirit Fat Quarter bundle of Spirit Winds, by George Mendoza!!!
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...S5 E93: George Mendoza, Artist & Free Spirit Fabrics Designer
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On this episode, I talk with George Mendoza, a blind artist living in New Mexico. George’s art has been printed on fabrics with Free Spirit Fabrics for years. His art is abstract and full of color, movement and light. You can find his newest fabric collection, Spirit Winds, in local quilt shops. Here is a link to Free Spirit Fabrics to see his newest collection. https://freespiritfabrics.com/fabric-lines/shipping-now/spirit-winds/
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YO...
