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Suzi Smith

@mystudioq

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Traditional hand quilter, reproduction fabric addict (still not seeking help), and antique quilt lover. Quilts = instant road trip plans.

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A great day in the studio, followed by one of those fall evenings you wish you could bottle up.
9 p.m., 70 degrees, a gentle rain on the tin roof… and nowhere I’d rather be. Life is good. #lifeisgood #quiltingcommunity #studioday by @mystudioq

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15 days ago

Accountability post #2 - the stitching begins. 😁 #handquilting #middlebororoad #quiltingcommunity #accountability by @mystudioq

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a month ago

Sisters in stitches!

Meet the sister quilt to the 1845–47 album quilt I shared earlier—also made by Elisa Kern Steel in the 1840s.

And what an accomplished quilter she was! This Turkey Tracks beauty showcases her remarkable skill, with exquisite quilting, beautiful trapunto work, and a collection of absolutely amazing early fabrics.

But perhaps the most special part of their story is what happened after Elisa’s needlework was finished. These quilts were cherished by her family, carefully passed down through generations, and kept safe for nearly two centuries. And then, thankfully, the family made the wonderful decision to donate them to the (@visitmsv) Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, ensuring that Elisa’s extraordinary work can now be admired and appreciated by all of us.

Two quilts. One remarkably talented maker. Generations of caretakers. And a story that continues. ❤️ #quilthistory #quiltstudy #antiquequilts #museumoftheshenandoahvalley #quiltingcommunity by @mystudioq

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a month ago

Some quilts are beautiful. Some quilts are time machines.

This exquisite 1845–1847 quilt from the Museum of the Shenandoah (@visitmsv)collection is the kind of antique quilt that makes a quilter’s heart skip a stitch. In mint condition, with astonishingly beautiful early fabrics—and the real treasure? Signatures and dates on every single block. Apparently, I have more in common with an 1845 quilt than I realized.

This exquisite quilt, made right here in my own little hometown between 1845–1847, is an absolute showstopper. The fabrics are remarkable, the condition is nearly unbelievable, and every block is signed and dated—what a treasure trove of quilt history!

But then I found it…

My birthdate.
On a quilt block.
Dated 1845.

And because apparently one family connection wasn’t enough, my son’s birthdate is there too—also dated 1845!

Nearly 180 years apart, and somehow our birthdays ended up on the same quilt made in the same small town we call home.

I came to admire an antique quilt and left wondering if it was waiting for us all along. #museumoftheshenandoahvalley #quilthistory #quiltstudy #signaturequilt #quiltingcommunity by @mystudioq

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a month ago

Through the Studio Door…

This is what’s happening behind the door these days.

A little hand piecing. A little appliqué. A lot of time.

Just a few more finishing touches, and then comes the really important question…

What to do about those borders? 😉 #throughthestudiodoor #handapplique #reproductionfabric #handpiecing #quiltingcommunity by @mystudioq

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a month ago

Two trips. One exhibit. And one 1845 quilt I simply cannot stop thinking about.

Apparently, I have a rule: if there are antique quilts involved, one trip is never enough.

Round two of the quilt exhibit at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (@visitmsv) did not disappoint. In fact, it was so good I made two trips just to study these beauties properly. Because “looking at quilts” and “studying quilts” are two entirely different activities. 😉

The quilts are fabulous—beautiful fabrics, wonderful workmanship, and enough history to keep me happily wandering from one to the next.

But then there was the 1845 signature quilt.

It stopped me in my tracks. There is something about a quilt filled with names, connections, and nearly two centuries of stories that makes you want to stand there and read every single stitch.

That quilt deserves its own post, so stay tuned.

The second rotation is on display through mid-October, when the quilts change again for the third and final rotation.

Which means, naturally, I’ll be needing another trip. #quiltstudy #quilthistory #antiquequilts #museumoftheshenandoahvalley by @mystudioq

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a month ago

The rabbit lover in me has been wanting to make this Laurie Simpson @justlauriequilts pattern ever since I first spotted it in Quiltmania magazine in 2023. I usually like to keep my studio shelves neat and organized, but all bets are off when it’s time to choose fabrics.
Before I know it, there are fabric stacks everywhere—and I regret absolutely nothing. Is there any better part of quilting than pulling half your stash off the shelves just to find the perfect combination?
I’m about halfway there now, and I’m already looking forward to continuing this project. I can’t wait to see all those carefully chosen fabrics come together! #fabricstash #handapplique #reproductionfabrics #quiltingcommunity by @mystudioq

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3 months ago

Basting Day! It deserves capitals. Hallmark really ought to get on this.

Today’s the day I commit. Once this quilt is sandwiched, those neat little hand-piecing stitches disappear forever, destined to become the quilt world’s best-kept secret. Fortunately, I remembered to take a photo this time—proof they existed before they vanished into history.

This is also my accountability post. How long will the quilting take? I’d like to say “not long,” but this quilt has heard me make promises before.

The funny thing is, I love hand quilting… I just seem to love starting the next quilt even more. Surely I’m not the only one with a serious case of “Oooh… what if I made this next?” #handquilted #bastingday #holdmeaccountable #middlebororoadfabric #marcusfabrics by @mystudioq

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3 months ago

Headed out for a quilt-filled adventure in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley (@vashenvalley) with my quilting bestie today! Our first stop was the biannual quilt show presented by the Shenandoah Valley Quilters Guild in Harrisonburg. I’ve shared a few of the quilts that caught my eye, each followed by the maker’s details.
Next, we made our way down the Valley to (@stauntondowntown) Staunton and stopped by Belle & Me (@belleandme3) , where I finally got to see and feel Michelle Yeo’s (@michelleyeoquiltdesigns) newest collection, The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Wowza! The photos didn’t do it justice—it’s absolutely gorgeous in person. I love this shop! Naturally, a bag of fabric somehow found its way into my car. What can I say? Never abandon stray fabric—it deserves a loving home! 😂
To top it all off, the weather was picture-perfect, making an already wonderful day even more special. Great quilts, beautiful fabric, lots of laughs, and time spent with a dear friend—what more could a quilter ask for? 💕🪡 #quiltroadtrip #quiltingbesties #quiltshow #quiltshops #reproductionfabrics by @mystudioq

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4 months ago

A fabulous Saturday at the Virginia Quilt Museum (@vaquiltmuseum)!

The day kicked off with a delightful deep dive into the history of the Apple Pie Ridge Star pattern, presented by the wonderfully knowledgeable Mary Robare (@robaremary). Who knew a quilt block could have such a storied past?

The afternoon brought even more textile treasures with a quilt turning featuring stunning Shenandoah Valley quilts from the museum’s collection, expertly shared by Executive Director extraordinaire Alicia Thomas. History, craftsmanship, and enough quilting inspiration to keep my needle busy and my stitching list growing for months to come!

#quakerquilts #vaquiltmuseum #quilthistory #antiquequilts #quiltlove by @mystudioq

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4 months ago

I recently had the chance to visit the beautiful Museum of the Shenandoah Valley @visitmsv and explore its current quilt exhibition, Valley Quilts Comforts of Home. I’ve shared a few of my favorite pieces, but there’s so much more to see in person!
The exhibit runs through August, when a new collection of quilts will be displayed, and it will change again before Christmas—making it well worth more than one visit. Beyond the quilts, the historic house and stunning gardens are a delight to explore, and the museum itself is truly top-notch.
If you’re looking for a wonderful day trip filled with art, history, and beauty, this is a place I highly recommend!

#quiltlove #museumoftheshenandoahvalley #quiltlove #quilthistory #quiltstudy by @mystudioq

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5 months ago

Through the studio door… I think it’s finally finished! What a fun journey this has been—starting with an eight-pointed star and then deciding, row by row, what should come next. #throughthestudiodoor #middlebororoadfabric #handappliqué #handpiecing #quiltsofinstagram by @mystudioq

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6 months ago