About Machine Quilting Magic
Machine Quilting Magic is our eBook that we first published back in 2012, and since then, we’ve distributed thousands of copies. It’s helped countless people master the art of machine quilting. Our goal with this eBook is to provide step-by-step training that not only helps the beginner quilter get started, but also gives the seasoned professional quilter new techniques to improve their craft. Whether you’re just starting with machine quilting or you’re looking to refine your skills, this guide is packed with tips to make quilting on a frame easier and more enjoyable. If you’re ready to take your quilting to the next level, Machine Quilting Magic is for you.
Introducing Kathy and Lynn Barlow of KathyQuilts.com and Kathy Quilts University:
If you’d told me when I was growing up that I’d end up making my living in the quilting industry, I would’ve thought, “What?” I always knew I wanted to own my own business, and I’m grateful to be living that dream, but I had no idea quilting would become such a big part of my life.
Kathy has been a huge inspiration to me with her entrepreneurial spirit. Her dad was a farmer who worked multiple side jobs to provide for the family, and Kathy followed in his footsteps, running several successful businesses over the years.
For a long time, Kathy had quilting frames that took up an entire room. When she got her first Grace Frame, it made quilting so much easier, and moving to a machine frame was an easy decision. Kathy has been sewing since she was seven, and she’s always been incredibly fast and accurate. It was no surprise that she took to machine quilting quickly, but even with her natural talent, she knew there was no substitute for practice. She quilted 27 quilts before she had the confidence to take on a customer’s project.
Today, Kathy owns a Grace Company Q’nique 21 Pro, and a Gammill Classic longarm machine and frame. When she bought her Gammill Classic over 27 years ago, serious quilting frames were hard to come by, and it was a huge investment—$10,000 was a lot to come up with. After the Gammill team set up her frame, she spent nights wondering how she’d pay for it. But her dedication and passion for quilting have made it all worthwhile.
Fast forward to 2014, and the Grace Company approached Kathy and me to help sell their new 15-inch long-arm machine. We named it the Block RockiT 14+, and before we knew it, we were traveling all over the U.S., doing quilt shows and selling our incredible machine. They sold like hotcakes, and we were having a blast.
Eventually, Grace started selling the Q’nique, which was the same machine, just rebranded so they could offer it to their dealers. It became clear that it made more sense to stop having our own branded machine and become Grace Company dealers, focusing on selling the Q’nique long-arm machines instead.
The pressure was on, so Kathy dove into quilting. There were challenges along the way, but she pushed through and started getting the hang of her longarm frame.
Kathy had the chance to take some classes from Linda V. Taylor, a well-known professional longarm quilter and teacher. Linda was in Texas at the time, but when she taught in Salt Lake City, Utah, the $300 for a full day of hands-on training was well worth it. Kathy took more classes whenever they were available, and they weren’t cheap! But those quilting classes, combined with Kathy’s hard work, had a huge impact on her success as a professional quilter.
Kathy has become a favorite quilter for many customers, with her reputation as a talented machine quilter spreading nationwide. She now quilts for people around the world. Kathy has a real gift for knowing how to place designs on a quilt, making sure it turns out as something truly special, rather than just looking like a generic bedspread from a budget motel.
As for me, I graduated from Utah State University in 1996 with a degree in business information systems. After bouncing around a few jobs, I landed a position selling computers for Gateway. That experience was invaluable in helping Kathy and me grow KathyQuilts.com into what it is today.
We partnered with Mike Carlsen from the Bernina Store in Logan, Utah, and together we found a niche just waiting to be filled. KathyQuilts.com has earned a strong reputation for offering the best customer service among dealers of Grace Company products.
Kathy and I have been selling Grace Frames for over 30 years, and the Grace Company has played a key role in our success. When we had design ideas or suggestions for frame features, Grace listened and made those ideas come to life. We only sell Grace Frames because, frankly, they’re the best we’ve ever worked with.
Kathy is the quilting expert, handling the actual quilting work, while I oversee sales and support at KathyQuilts.com.
We’ve had an amazing time working with thousands of incredible quilters around the globe. Kathy and I are truly grateful for all of you who are part of the Kathy Quilts family.
We live in Utah and spent most of our time raising our six children, remodeling our 127-year-old house, and occasionally writing quilting ‘how-to’ books. Now, as empty nesters, we focus on selling Grace Q’nique long-arm machines, frames, and accessories, with a big emphasis on creating training videos on YouTube and offering resources for quilters at every level.