MQResource

Our first machine quilting teacher in the spotlight is Kim Stotsenberg. Kim is well known for her beautiful leaf designs, and she is the author of a machine quilting design book called Just Leaf It.

If you would like to leave a comment, ask a question, or congratulate Kim on her gorgeous work, you can head on over to the forum (you do have to have a forum account. A post can be found here for discussion about this article.

MQResource: Please tell us about your family!

Kim Stotsenberg: I will be married 18 years this May to my husband Dan. No kids… I guess it just wasn’t in our cards. We have 2 dogs both are Australian Terriers that are our kids. We got Waco when he was 7 weeks old and is now 8. Bear is a 3-year-old rescue that we got last year.

MQR: Where do you call home?

KS: We live in Aberdeen, WA, which is just off the Pacific Coast. It’s less than a 30-minute drive to the docks where we can purchase fresh seafood right off the boats. We also have property on the East Fork of the Satsop River where we plan to build our dream house.

MQR: How long have you been quilting? How did you get into it?

KS: I started piecing in 1991 right after Dan and I got married. He had his hot rod hobby and would spend every Saturday working on his car with his buddies. Instead of sitting home by myself I decided to sign my Mom and I up for a Trip Around the World strip piecing class. We were both instantly addicted. After a few years we both had over 50 unquilted quilt tops between the two of us. So in 1999 my Mom and I purchase our first longarm. The word got out that I was getting a longarm and people started showing up with quilts they wanted quilted before it was even delivered, and that’s how my business began. We still have most of those 50 unquilted tops waiting to be quilted…

MQR: Do you still do much piecing, or are you all about the quilting?

KS: I still piece, but not as much as I’d like to. I keep telling myself to set one day a week aside for piecing, but it never works out that way. I’m also really good at planning a new quilt, buying all the fabric but then the next new idea comes along and the process starts all over again.

MQR: Do you have a quilting business? If so, what is your favorite part of quilting for other people?

KS: Yes. My most favorite part of quilting for others is how many wonderful people that I’ve met that have become not only loyal customers but also good friends. I also really enjoy the look of joy that comes over a customers face when they first see their quilt after I’ve quilted it.

MQR: How long have you been teaching? How did you get into it?

KS: I started teaching my leaf designs in 2005 after much encouragement from my Internet friends.

MQR: What is your favorite part of teaching?

KS: When someone comes up to me after class and tells me how excited they are to try my designs on their own quilts.

MQR: What is the most challenging part of quilting for you?

KS: Not enough time in the day or week to do all that I want.

MQR: What are your favorite quilting tools?

KS: The Internet is my favorite tool in quilting. We are in a profession where we spend many hours by ourselves working and the Internet gives us a place where we can connect with other quilters that know what we are talking about.

MQR: What hobbies do you have (beyond quilting)?

KS: Besides quilting I enjoy reading and gardening. I also like to do beading projects. With my husband we enjoy camping and kayaking. We are also involved with his car club.

MQR: Anything else you’d like to tell us about quilting or your teaching business?

KS: My book Just Leaf It made its debut this last September at Innovations in Tacoma, WA, where it has taken off like gang busters. I’m excited to be teaching at MQX in New Hampshire this April and MQS in Kansas in May. I’m also looking forward to teaching a hands on workshop in Spokane, WA in March.

MQR: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

KS: Chocolate Chip Mint

MQR: Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks?

KS: Sweet

MQR: What is your favorite beverage?

KS: Lemon Drops

MQR: What is your least favorite food?

KS: Thai

MQR: What are your favorite books/authors?

KS: I mostly read murder mysteries and thrillers, but some of my favorite books are The Secret Lives of Bees, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Cider House Rules.

MQR: What are your favorite movies?

KS: To Kill a Mockingbird, Mask, and The Shawshank Redemption.

MQR: What is one of your goals for 2008?

KS: One of my goals for 2008 is to finish a few of my own quilts including one for shows.

Contacting Kim: Kim can be reached via her e-mail address (thatsewnsew @ yahoo.com) (take out the spaces!) or her website: www.kimstotsenberg.citymax.com

Her book can be ordered from her website. If you are attending MQX or MQS this spring, you should consider taking one of her classes!

Don't forget, you can visit the forum here if you would like to comment.

Thanks for letting us get to know you a little better, Kim. Stay tuned for future Teacher In the Spotlight articles at MQResource!