Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Tucker.
Hi Kathy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
There are two parts that encompass the beginning of my story. The first is in education. I was a classroom teacher in music, early childhood, and mainly special education. I pursued my doctorate and moved to higher education as a professor in special education, teaching future and current teachers.
The 2nd part of my journey started 35 years when I was pregnant with my 1st child. I began learning the art of quilt making. This passion has continued to grow. I embrace the practice of learning and delving into new styles, techniques, and patterns through quilts. I have made quilts for my own use, family gifts, fundraisers, Quilts of valor, charity donations, and custom projects.
The marrying of these passions has evolved. I retired from being a full-time professor to part-time status. My newest endeavor includes a quilting business that encompasses memory quilts, t-shirt quilts, custom quilts, long-arm quilting, quilt rejuvenation, and teaching quilt classes. My classes are unique because I not only teach the art of making quilts and inspirational design, I include the history of each pattern and how these have evolved over time. As a long-time educator, I am able to offer instruction that allows the student to be successful at their level of expertise and ability.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No journey is void of struggles and certain pitfalls. The most recent struggles with my business has been the Covid pandemic and a battle with metastatic melanoma. I was incredibly fortunate to participate in an immunotherapy trial at MDA Anderson. I am currently cancer-free and the treatment for the cancer was successful. I will deal with lymphodema issues for the rest of my life, but that isn’t stopping me. I follow the suggested protocol and keep on going.
The pandemic has slowed the enrollment of some of the classes. These are growing as my business grows and more individuals get vaccinated and feel empowered to reach out. It has not slowed down the custom quilt opportunities. I have made many memory quilts as well as rejuvenated quilt tops that family members created but have been left unfinished.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I teach about and create quilts. I specialize in classes that are supportive and educational and meet the needs of each individual learner and skill level. My quilt-making classes are unique because I research each design and pattern. Quilts and patterns have a story and rich history. My students gain new knowledge about this history along with inspirational design insight.
The second part of my specialty is custom and memory quilts that include t-shirts or clothing of family members and even pets and quilt rejuvenation of quilt tops that were left unfinished by family members. Because I am a longarm quilter, my quilts possess a professional quality, unlike many others. Additionally, I consult with my clients to learn the history of the items and the purpose of the quilt. Color choices and quilt patterns are created from the stories of the shirts and clothing and unfinished quilt top of the individual that is being honored. Pantographs, quilt design, quilt patterns, and construction are developed after careful consultation and discussions about the honoree and their legacy. The quilt is much more meaningful, unique, and powerful for the recipient and giver.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice is to look at your own gifts, skills, the market, and what sets you above the rest. Focus on what you have to offer and how you can use that skill and interest to meet an unmet need. The other advice is to accept that some things take time, especially during certain obstacles. Additionally, staying laser-focused on only one avenue could limit yourself and what you can offer. If I offered only longarm services, I would not have had the chance to develop teaching and custom and memory quilts.
Don’t over diversify either. For example, I offer embroidered labels for the quilts with a special message for the recipient as an option. I could do monogramming of all sorts of things, but that takes me away from my focus on quilts. Finally, keep learning, growing, developing, and learning new skills, new tools, and new avenues for promoting your business. Seek out the advice of others and follow your intuition.
Pricing:
- T-shirt quilts are $24 per shirt.
- Longarm services start at $.02 per square inch.
- Group classes range from $20 to $40 per session.
- Individual classes are available at $35-$50 an hour.
Contact Info:
- Email: kandsquilting@gmail.com
- Website: https://kandsquilting.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KandSQuilting
