We love taking peeks into other people's quilting studios! Each month during our Quilted Joy Clubhouse live meetings we tour the quilting studio of one of our QJ Clubhouse members. Today, let's take a look back at our tour with Jess Zeigler of the Longarm League! Watch the video below to see Jess's Looky Loo Studio Tour!

The first thing that stood out to us about Jess's studio was how bright and airy it is! And doesn't the fireplace make it look so cozy? Jess set up her quilting space in a bonus room off her home's living room. She has an APQS Millie on a 12 foot table and it fit perfectly in her space! She has her machine's table set up the same way we like to - with one end of the table pushed up against the wall. Jess has an Intelliquilter computerized system attached to her machine, so she only goes behind her table to load her quilts. She gave herself just enough breathing room by the wall to sneak behind and load her quilts. Her room is also long enough to set up her sewing machine and computer desk at the farther end.

We wanted to get to know Jess a little bit more, so we asked her a few other questions before we recorded our tour.

Quilted Joy: How long have you been quilting?

Jess: I’ve been quilting for over 15 years! My journey started when my oldest son was an infant.

QJ: How long have you been longarm quilting?

Jess: Since the summer of 2012, so 8 years now.

QJ: How have you grown your skills?

Jess: When I was just learning to quilt on a domestic machine, I took in-person classes and also devoured any quilting book I could get my hands on. Practice was essential in mastering the free-motion quilting designs. I was curious and looked up blog posts and videos online to learn more over the years.

When I first “went digital”, Angela’s online course was so helpful in getting me started using my Intelliquilter. I’ll still search forums, Facebook groups, and other video tutorials to learn more.

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

Jess: Time efficiency! I tend to take my time. I’m always underestimating how long to allow for tasks.

QJ: What do you love about your quilting space?

The windows and great lighting.

QJ: What would you change about your space if you could?

Jess: I’d make it wider with a wall of closets.

QJ: What advice would you give a new longarm quilter?

Jess: Jump in! You learn so much by doing. Don’t let any perfectionism hold you back from making progress.

QJ: What quilt project are you currently working on?

Jess: I have a quilting pillow project for a magazine that I’m currently working on. Otherwise, I’ve been spending time digitizing new designs - mainly pantographs.

QJ: What quilt project is on your bucket list?

Jess: I’ve always wanted to make the Single Girl quilt by Denyse Schmidt. With lots of negative space, they are fun to quilt.

QJ: How would you describe your quilting style?

Jess: Texture-focused. I love simple designs that are repeated to lend lots of texture. I like it when the quilting texture is a noticeable element of a top without totally overpowering it.

QJ: What is your favorite batting and thread?

Jess: I love Quilters Dream and keep that stocked in my studio. My favorite is their wool batting. Magna-glide prewound bobbins are a must-have no matter what the top thread is. For the top thread, I either use So Fine, Premo-Soft or Glide.

QJ: What is your current favorite quilting gadget?

Jess: It’s probably the Soft Touch Thread Pic by Clover to “fish” stray & highly visible threads out from under a quilt top.

QJ: Do you quilt for others? If yes, what is your business name and where can people find you online?

Jess: I still quilt for others occasionally. My business is Threaded Quilting Studio. My main job now is running a membership site called the Longarm League. “Piecers” can find a network of longarm quilters to work with on our site from all over the US and Canada. In the Longarm League, we come alongside other longarm quilters who are growing their businesses. We provide education and ongoing support on the quilting and business side.

QJ: What are three things you're loving that you'd recommend to your bestie?

1. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz! It’s a book about managing business finances that I’m telling everyone about. It’s been so helpful!
2. Home Chef meals - my family gets a box of 3 meals each week and I never want to be without this service again. Wholesome meals with the ingredients & recipe/instructions sent automatically.
3. The Longarm League! It’ll only be applicable for certain quilters. Those who have digitized machines and who are interested in quilting for others as a business.

Thanks again to Jess for letting us take a peek into her quilting studio! If you'd like to catch up with her and everything she's working on you can find her on Instagram, @threadedquilting. Or check out her websites, Threaded Quilting Studio and the Longarm League.