​
​

🌿 Notes from Sue's Studio:

​
​
​Hello ,
​

My son surprised me yesterday.
​

He didn’t ask me to iron his linen shirt. He asked me to teach him how to iron it.

Don’t you love those moments when you realize you’ve raised a capable, responsible adult?
​

It really made me stop and think.
​

He could have simply handed me the shirt and let me do it.
​
He would have ended up with a nicely pressed shirt either way. But instead, he wanted to learn the process—the right order to iron the collar, sleeves, and body, how to work around the buttons, and what spray helps smooth the wrinkles and bring back that crisp linen finish.
​

Those are little things I’ve learned over the years, partly through trial and error, and partly by watching my mother and grandmother. My aunt even had her own method. She would dampen the shirt, roll it into a ball, and put it in the freezer before ironing! We all develop our own techniques over time.

​
Isn’t it wonderful when someone who’s already walked the path is willing to share what they’ve learned?
​

This week, my mom is visiting Massachusetts, and I’ve decided to put work aside as much as I can. I’m looking forward to soaking up every bit of wisdom she has to offer.
​

Maybe this will finally be the week I learn to make a pie crust as flaky as hers instead of reaching for the store-bought one.
​

Maybe she’ll show me a few more of her incredible hand appliqué secrets. She truly does the most beautiful hand appliqué and mine has gotten rusty.
​

But more than anything, I just want to spend time together. Talking. Laughing. Visiting family. Making memories.
​

I hope one day my son remembers that afternoon in the laundry room and smiles when he thinks about his mom teaching him how to iron a linen shirt.
​

As I was thinking about all of this, it struck me that quilting is so much the same. We can certainly figure things out on our own, and many of us do. But having someone share the little tricks they’ve learned over decades can make the journey so much more enjoyable—and a lot less frustrating.
​

That’s one of my favorite things about our Ahead of the Curve community. Yes, we make beautiful quilts together, but we’re also sharing years of experience, answering questions, encouraging one another, and passing along the little tips that don’t always make it into a pattern.
​

Those shared moments of learning are what turn techniques into confidence…and classmates into friends.
​

I hope you’re finding someone in your own life to learn from this week—or perhaps someone who could learn from you.
​

After all, that’s how traditions continue, one lesson at a time.
​

Happy Appliqué,
​

P.S. Ahead of the Curve is open through July 31. Join now, and you'll receive all of our current new-member bonuses along with immediate access to your membership. After July 31, the doors close for several months while I focus on helping our newest members get off to a great start.

---

​
One of my favorite parts of Appliqué School happened quietly behind the scenes.

Several of you joined us for all three evenings. There really wasn't anything new for you to learn. You've already watched the demonstrations, made beautiful quilts, and know the techniques.
​

I never asked you to do that.
You just showed up.
​

While I was busy teaching, you were answering questions in the chat, welcoming quilters who were discovering Rotary Cut Appliqué for the first time, and making everyone feel right at home.
​

I noticed.​
​

And I want you to know how much I appreciate you.
​

You helped create the warm, encouraging atmosphere that makes Ahead of the Curve such a special place. Whether you answered a question, shared a tip, or simply cheered someone on, you were making a difference.
​

Thank you for representing our community so beautifully.
​

What's Coming Up This Week
​

This week is going to look a little different for me.
​

I'm spending an entire week with my mom, and I'm looking forward to every minute we have together.
​

I'll check in on Facebook, and I hope our Ahead of the Curve Facebook group will be buzzing with photos of your Season's Greetings and Mint Chocolate quilts in progress! One of my favorite things is opening Facebook and seeing what you're creating. Whether you've stitched one leaf or finished an entire block, I'd love to see it.
​

Please keep posting your progress and encouraging one another while I'm away. That's one of the things that makes this community so special.
​

And one more gentle reminder...

Do we have any more BINGOs out there? 🎉
​

I'm gathering prizes for our first group of BINGO winners, and I'll be mailing them out the week after my mom heads home.

If you've earned a BINGO, please do two things:

• Send me a quick email.
• Post your BINGO in the Facebook group so we can all celebrate with you!

I can't wait to see how many BINGOs we have.
​

Looking Ahead to August
​

August is packed with opportunities to quilt together!

Whether you're joining us for Sienna Rooftops, Enough Love to Go Around, Design Club, or CreativiTEA, I can't wait to see you back on Zoom after I return.
​

Until then, enjoy your stitching, keep those photos coming, and take good care of one another.

Happy Quilting!
​

Sue

---

🗓️ 🌿 Design Club:Monday, August 3, 2026 Design Club 6:00–7:30 PM Eastern
​🗓️ 🌿 Member Orientation and Q&A: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 6 PM Eastern

🗓️ 🌿 Friday, August 21, 2026 CeativiTEA/Sit & Sew: • 11:00 AM–4:00 PM Eastern​
​

Gold and Platinum Leaf members, if you have not yet signed up for August Live, Online workshops, now is the time!

---

SIENNA ROOFTOPS Aug 5 & 12, 2026 @ 11am-2pm (ET) ​ Create a stunning quilt while building confidence with Rotary Cut Appliqué. Sienna Rooftops is an approachable project that's perfect for newer members or anyone who wants to finish a quilt they've already started. You'll practice essential techniques, gain confidence, and enjoy making a quilt that's as fun to create as it is to display. (54” x 63”) FREE for Ahead of the Curve Gold & Platinum Members! If you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s the time. Membership gives you access to inspiring workshops like this one (and so much more) at no additional cost. REGISTER

​ ENOUGH LOVE TO GO AROUND |August 17, 2026 @ 1-4pm (ET) ​ ​ Ready for your next challenge? Enough Love to Go Around is a four-part workshop series that will strengthen your Rotary Cut Appliqué skills while creating a beautiful quilt filled with hearts, leaves, and eye-catching design elements. You'll learn techniques you'll use again and again as we build the quilt one section at a time in a fun, supportive environment. ​ ​ REGISTER

---

---

🌿 Ahead of the Curve is Open Through July 31

Over the past week, I had the pleasure of meeting so many quilters during Appliqué School.
​

Some were brand new to Rotary Cut Appliqué. Others had years—even decades—of quilting experience.
​

One thing they all had in common was a desire to keep learning.
​

That's why Ahead of the Curve exists.
​

Every month we explore new techniques, tackle fresh projects, solve problems together, and build the skills that give you confidence to make the quilts you've always dreamed of.
​

Of course, there are plenty of videos to watch.
​

But what makes Ahead of the Curve different is that your learning doesn't stop when the video ends.
​

You can join live workshops, ask questions as they come up, and get feedback while you're actually making your quilt. If you get stuck, you're never left wondering what to do next.
​

Something else happens along the way.
​

Quilters who joined for the education often discover something they weren't expecting—a community of people who celebrate their successes, encourage them through the challenging parts, and become wonderful friends.
​

That's the part you can't put into a course.
​

If you're ready to continue building your appliqué skills, I'd love to welcome you into Ahead of the Curve.
​

Membership is open through July 31. After that, enrollment will close for several months while I help our newest members get settled and started on their appliqué journey.
​

I hope you'll join us.

---

👉 Learn more about Ahead of the Curve

---

---

🎄 Coming Soon... Sugarplum Quilt Along!!

Something sweet is arriving on July 31!
​

Sherri Noel and I have been busy behind the scenes creating a brand-new Christmas Quilt-Along, and I can't wait to share it with you.
​

Our intro video premieres on July 31 on both of our YouTube channels.
​

If you love Christmas quilts, beautiful fabrics, and quilting along with friends, I think you're going to love this one.
​

Stay tuned...the big reveal is just around the corner!