🌿 Notes from Sue's Studio

Let Them. Let Me.

It’s hard to believe that September 11 was 25 years ago.

Like so many of you, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. My kids were still little, and every instinct in me said, Go get them. Bring them home. Hold them close.

But I didn’t.

I resisted that mother-bear urge and let them stay at preschool and elementary school. They were safe. Their teachers were taking care of them. And I knew that rushing in to pull them out wouldn’t make them any safer—it would only introduce them to a fear they were too young to understand.

So I let them stay.

Today, I’m thinking about the people who didn't get to go home that day, the families whose lives changed forever, and the first responders, members of our military, veterans, and so many others who served in the days and years that followed.

Twenty-five years later, we remember them.

And strangely enough, I've been thinking about that decision I made with my children through a different lens lately.

Have you read Mel Robbins’ book The Let Them Theory?

The basic idea is wonderfully simple: Let them.

Let people do what they're going to do. Let circumstances unfold when you can't control them. Stop using so much of your energy trying to control other people's choices, reactions, and opinions.

But I think the most powerful part is the second half:

Let me.

I can't control them. But I can decide what I do next.

And goodness, quilters, don't we need this sometimes?

Let them ooh and ahh over your quilt.

Let them love your fabric choices—or wonder why on earth you put those two fabrics together.

And yes, let the Quilt Police find that point that doesn't quite match or that stitch that wandered off course.

Let them.

Then comes the important part:

Let me.

Let me decide whether that comment gets to change how I feel about something I created.

Let me look at my quilt and see the beauty before I see the mistakes.

Let me say, “Yep, I know it isn't perfect. But I still love it.”

Let me remember that this quilt will still keep someone I love warm at night. That I learned something while making it. That I enjoyed creating it. And that one imperfect stitch doesn't get to erase everything that's wonderful about it.

I'm still working on “Let Them.” I suspect I always will be!

But “Let Me” is where we get our power back.

I get to decide how I respond.

I get to decide what matters.

I get to decide whether something needs to be perfect before I'm proud of it.

And I get to decide what brings me joy.

If you haven't read The Let Them Theory, I recommend it. And if you have, maybe we quilters need to remind one another of those four little words from time to time:

Let them... Let me... this is my peace.

Happy Appliqué!

​sue@SuePellandDesigns.com​

🍃 Ahead of the Curve This Week

A Lovely Week of Learning—and Connecting

We had such a productive Hearts & More Techniques Workshop this week! And we’re only halfway through.

If you weren’t able to join us live, no worries. I’m working on the replay today so you can catch up and be ready for Part 2 next Wednesday. And remember—you don’t have to have everything finished before you come back. Come as you are!

I had another special AOTC moment this week when I visited the Ninigret Quilters Guild. I got to see two of our members, Lisa and Debbie in person.

As wonderful as it is to quilt with all of you on Zoom, there’s something pretty special about getting to give an AOTC member a real, live hug!

And it got me thinking…

How many AOTC members live near YOU?

Wouldn’t it be fun to meet another member for coffee? Or even better, meet up at a favorite quilt shop?

You don’t have to wait for me to organize it. YOU can make the first move!

Jump into our Facebook group and ask:

“What state does everyone live in?”

“Anyone near me want to meet at a quilt shop?”

Or just start a conversation: “What’s your favorite local quilt shop?” “What sewing machine do you love for blanket stitch?”

Ask anything!

You never know when someone you’ve been chatting with on Zoom might turn out to live 20 minutes away—or when an online quilting friendship might become an in-person one.

Give it a go!

And mark your calendar for Appliqué School, September 22–24. You’re always welcome to join me again. We’ll be welcoming lots of new quilters and showing them how Rotary Cut Appliqué works for fusible appliqué, hand appliqué, and Quilt First, Appliqué After.

If you haven't had a chance to look through our 2027 AOTC Workshop Schedule, it's ready! Janie and I have planned a wonderful mix of favorite projects, new workshops, and opportunities to keep building your appliqué skills.

​See the 2027 Workshop Schedule HERE.​

Dates to Remember

Friday, September 18 — CreativiTEA/Sit & Sew​
11:00 AM–4:00 PM Eastern

Monday, October 5 — Appliqué Design Club​
Our next Design Club session! Mark your calendar and come ready to play with appliqué design.

Plus our September workshops listed below.

SNOWY SERENITY October 7 @ 11am-3pm (ET) ​ ​ Capture the quiet magic of a New England winter in this charming Christmas Tree Snowman Workshop! In this workshop, you’ll create this whimsical winter scene while learning techniques you can use again and again in your appliqué projects. Keep your tree simple and classic, or make it sparkle by adding hot-fix crystals for a festive finishing touch! REGISTER ENOUGH LOVE TO GO AROUND October 19 & 26, 2026 @ 1-4pm (ET) ​ This will be a four session project. Three sessions to make the blocks, and one session to put it all together. ​ We'll meet twice this month to get you to the finish line faster! REGISTER

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🧵 Sewing in Slippers with Sue

Tuesdays at 11 AM Eastern!

I was LIVE again on YouTube Tuesday, and I’m loving having Sewing in Slippers back!

This week we worked on a heart-shaped fusible quilt label. Then on Wednesday, I recorded the stitching portion so I could show you how I finish the label and make it a permanent part of the quilt back.

Now comes the time-consuming part—putting all those pieces together into one complete step-by-step tutorial!

I’m working on it, and I’ll let you know when the finished video is ready. You’ll be able to follow along from beginning to end and learn how to make your own heart-shaped fusible label and incorporate it right into your quilt so it isn’t going anywhere.

In the meantime, Sewing in Slippers is LIVE every Tuesday at 11 AM Eastern on YouTube!

Come spend a little time sewing with me. Bring whatever you’re working on, bring your questions, and yes—slippers are encouraged!

See you Tuesday!

September 22–24 — Appliqué School is in Session!

Have you ever looked at an appliqué quilt and thought, “I love it…but I’m not sure I want to do all that prep work?”

Or maybe you’ve tried appliqué before, but you’re still looking for a method that feels easier, faster, or simply more enjoyable.

That’s exactly why I created Appliqué School.

Join me for three FREE live classes, September 22–24 at 6:00 PM Eastern, where I’ll show you three different ways to approach appliqué—and help you discover which techniques fit the way you like to quilt.

Day 1: Rotary Cut Fusible Appliqué See how I use a rotary cutter and my specialty templates to cut smooth appliqué shapes quickly—no scissors required! If all that prep work is what has kept you from enjoying appliqué, you’ll want to see this.

Day 2: Hand Appliqué Love the look of hand appliqué? I’ll show you how I use my Rotary Cut Appliqué techniques to prepare beautiful shapes for hand stitching, too.

Day 3: Quilt First, Appliqué After Yes, you can quilt your project before adding the appliqué! I’ll show you how this approach works and how I use glue appliqué to add beautiful details after the quilting is already finished.

Appliqué School isn’t about convincing you that there is only one “right” way to appliqué. It’s about giving you options.

You’ll see the techniques demonstrated, learn when I use each approach, and have plenty of opportunities to ask your questions live.

And if you’ve been to Appliqué School before, come again! Sometimes seeing a technique one more time is exactly what makes it click.

Three evenings. Three approaches. Lots of possibilities.

I’d love to have you in class!
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🎄 Sugarplum Quilt Along

A New Sugarplum Episode Comes Out TODAY!

Our next Sugarplum Quilt Along episode premieres today at 2 PM Eastern!

As soon as I finish this newsletter, that’s my next job—getting everything ready for our 2 PM release.

So keep an eye on the Sue Pelland Designs YouTube channel this afternoon, and when you watch, stick around all the way to the end so you don’t miss the best parts!

And can I ask you a favor?

If you’re enjoying the Sugarplum series and the other free quilting tutorials I’m sharing on YouTube, please like the video and subscribe to my channel. It really does help more quilters discover my videos—and helps me continue bringing you more free quilting lessons and inspiration.

And if you know a quilting friend who would enjoy Sugarplum, share the video with them, too!

Thank you for helping me spread the word. I can’t wait for you to see today’s episode!
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Here are my Sugarplum blocks in progress!

You might notice the mismatched points...and the seam ripper sitting nearby.

Apparently, I get to be my own Quilt Police! Do I rip it out, or leave it?

I get to decide.

Let me RIP!

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