Welcome! I'm Leah Day, and my mission is simple: to make machine quilting accessible to passionate quilters of all skill levels through affordable equipment and expert teaching, so everyone can create beautiful quilts.
Love at First Stitch
Since I was a kid, I wanted to be a quilter. I was lucky to grow up in a home with a closet full of soft, handmade quilts, created by grandmothers and great-grandmothers from my family. Lone Star, Baskets, and Sawtooth Star were some of the traditional quilt blocks I saw every day.
The patchwork seemed like a mystery – how do all these pieces come together so perfectly?
Many times I tried making my own quilt - cutting pieces and sewing them together – but my interest never sustained long enough to create even a lap-sized quilt. This is a time-consuming and complex craft and having a teacher is essential to learn the basics.
Things changed in 2005 when I finally put my foot down and set a firm goal to make my first quilt that year. I joined a quilt guild and attended workshops and classes with great teachers like Sally Collins to learn the basics. Quilting is an amazingly innovative craft and new inventions like rotary cutters and self-healing cutting mats made fabric cutting much easier and faster.
My very first quilt still took over a month to cut out and piece together:
This simple nine patch quilt makes me smile because even though I was a beginner, I was already a designer. I drew the quilt blocks on graph paper and planned the layout of the blocks. But I was intimidated by many steps like basting the quilt. How in the world do we get all the layers smooth and flat?
Rather than take the risk of a lumpy quilt, I quilted each block separately, then put them together with a zigzag stitch– so technically this was my first quilt-as-you-go quilt too! While the technique I used was far from perfect, it created a double-sided quilt that I still love snuggling with today.
Are there steps to quilting that you find confusing or stressful? Click Here to contact me. I love teaching quilting online and I might already have a video or online workshop to guide you through that step!
I Can’t Wait to Run a Business
So how did I also become an entrepreneur? This was also an inspiration from childhood. A woman named Wanita at my church taught me how to fold origami boxes. Kids at school liked these boxes and bought them for 5 and 10 cents each.
I can still remember the day in first grade when I opened my pink pencil box and counted all the nickels and dimes and realized – I have enough money to buy hot pizza and ice cream. As a girl who packed lunch every day, this was a big deal.
From that moment, I wanted to run a creative business. When I first heard the word “entrepreneur” in seventh grade, I knew it described me. I didn’t know exactly how it would work, but I’ve always had that goal in mind.
When I took those first stitches on my first quilt, in my heart was a dream to possibly turn this craft into something more. And that’s exactly what I did!
From Beginner to Award Winning Quilter
During the first four years I quilted, I made a wide variety of quilts, mostly gifts for family and friends. Things changed when I found Karen McTavish, a professional quilter and author of multiple machine quilting books. Her book, Quilting for Show, inspired my socks off and I decided this was how I’d start a creative business – by winning awards in quilt shows.
That idea didn’t end up working out, but it transformed my quilting ability in two short years. Learning how to make a show quilt was like re-learning the craft on an entirely different level. My machine quilting skills were adequate at that point, but making The Duchess, my first show quilt, took those skills to the next level.
And for a 24-year-old girl needing validation, receiving that first blue ribbon felt like the greatest gift in the world. I needed that nudge to believe I was good enough, that I had the skills to succeed.
While working on my second show quilt Release Your Light, an inspiration for a quilting blog popped into my head. I knew how to quilt a few popular free motion quilting designs: Stippling, Paisley, Pebbling, and McTavishing from Karen McTavish’s books.
I’d reached the borders of Release Your Light and stitched Stippling and McTavishing for hours, so I was heartily sick of them. The flames in the borders needed a different design. Pebbling and Paisley didn’t feel like the right texture for these spaces.
A quilting friend asked the right question, “Why don’t you take Paisley and change it into the texture you need?”
I looked at the quilt and remember thinking, “Is that allowed?” With that simple permission, and a bit of doodling, I transformed Paisley into Flame Stitch. This simple act – modifying a design and coming up with something new to fit my quilt – was to become the inspiration for my quilting blog.
The Free Motion Quilting Project
Free motion quilting on a dense scale is slow and boring work. While quilting Release Your Light, this gave me a lot of time to think about free motion quilting. At the time, this technique was known but not widely taught. During my first machine quilting workshop, we spent far more time learning walking foot quilting and only played with free motion quilting for the last thirty minutes of class.
The ribbons I’d won in quilt shows bolstered my courage. Creating Flame Stitch was easy and fun. How many more designs could I create? Around this time, the movie Julie and Julia came out, and the idea of daily creative blog posts sounded perfect.
I doodled a bit and came up with ten free motion quilting designs. Only ten! I chuckle at this now because I only had a handful of designs and set a challenging goal of creating and sharing 365 free motion quilting designs in a year.
I needed this push, this audacious goal. I wanted an excuse to quilt every day and commit to my passion.
The first post went live on August 14th, 2009, but things didn’t start to rock and roll until Day 14 when I posted the first video, teaching quilters how to quilt Circuit Board.
Almost immediately, quilters wanted a book of designs, and in 2015, I released the first edition of 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs. This book is headed back to the printers for a 4th edition, coming out in 2026!
The Free Motion Quilting Project launched my quilting business and helped me fulfill the dream of running a successful, creative business. My focus was stationary home machine quilting – with my sewing machine in a table. I shared thousands of videos over the years, guiding quilters through quilt along projects, free quilt patterns and taught hundreds of quilting designs.
Click Here to browse the original 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs.
Evolving As a Quilter and Entrepreneur
I believe curiosity is one of our most essential drives, especially for creative people. When you see something new and interesting, give yourself permission to learn more, even if it requires different tools or equipment than you have right now.
In 2017, I grew curious about walking foot quilting, a simpler quilting method I hadn’t tried in years. My exploration turned into a book, Explore Walking Foot Quilting with Leah Day and the 2018 quilt along. We pieced and quilted three quilts together from the book and it was a challenging adventure to play with this different style of quilting.
I even designed and quilted a wholecloth quilt entirely with walking foot quilting:
But I admit, all the years of sitting and pushing quilts through my home sewing machines had worn on my back and shoulders. A lot of quilters were expressing interest in longarm quilting, a subject I’d previously rejected because it “wasn’t for beginners.”
Embroidery was also an interest, especially being able to digitize a design that I could stitch free hand, but that other quilters might struggle to master. I gave myself permission to play and be open minded and curious – all necessary elements to an evolving creative business.
Thanks to a serendipitous meeting at Quilt Market, I began working with The Grace Company, a quilting frame and longarm machine manufacturer specializing in affordable machines for hobby quilters.
In 2018, I became a dealer for The Grace Company. Offering these machines and quilting frames on my website was a perfect fit. Qnique longarm machines won’t break the bank, and they will help you quilt your own quilts with far less strain on your body.
Since then, I’ve expanded my dealership to carry Singer Sewing Machines. I believe all quilters need a place to begin sewing and quilting and these machines are basic, affordable, and a great choice for beginners.
I’ve also expanded my abilities by learning digitizing, laser cutting, book layout, graphic design, and more. If there’s a skill needed for my business, I’ve learned how to do it. That’s just who I am.
Most recently I’ve been exploring new beginner quilting techniques with Singer Heavy Duty sewing machines and quilting with paper quilting stencils. I came up with these after years of teaching free hand free motion quilting and realized - it really does help to see the line we’re stitching.
See how to quilt with my new Mini Paper Stencils in this video:
No matter what life throws at me next, I know the one thing I’ll still be doing – making quilts, one stitch at a time, one piece at a time – and loving the process.
What I Do Now
I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to play and learn and teach and run this creative business. I focus on helping quilters master their craft through:
- Online Quilting Teacher: I’ve shared thousands of videos on YouTube, plus multiple quilt-alongs that guide you through every step to piece AND quilt beautiful quilts.
- Machine Dealer: Authorized dealer for Grace longarm machines and frames, plus Singer home machines - demonstrating affordable options that let hobbyists create professional-quality quilts.
- Books & Resources: Multiple self-published quilting books and online workshops, designed to teach you valuable skills from the comfort of your home.
- Custom Tools: I design and laser cut quilting templates designed to cut quilts accurately. I also offer handmade Quilt Caddies and create a beautiful place to store tools near your machine.
- Innovator: In 2024 I came out with Printable Quilting Stencils to help beginners master free motion quilting designs. In 2025, I’ve released Mini Paper Stencils, which fit better on small home sewing machines.
How I Work
LeahDay.com is currently a solo operation – I’m the only gal behind the scenes, doing everything from teaching and filming videos to packing orders and customer service. I’m located in Shelby, NC in this pretty brick building, but I’m only open for private classes at this time. Get in touch if you’d like to book a private class and learn more about quilting.
I have goals for expansion in 2026, so if you’d love to work for a creative, passionate quilting business, please check out my help wanted section below.
My Philosophy
Today I live a sober, balanced, creative life. Quilting isn't just about collecting tons of fabric or piecing dozens of quilt tops. I want to help you QUILT – put the stitches through all three layers so the quilt is finished and can be used and enjoyed.
I do not think there’s a single right or wrong quilting method. I bring creativity, open-mindedness, honesty and willingness into every aspect of this craft. If you’ve been feeling stuck, uninspired, or lost in your craft, it may be time to give yourself permission to do it all “wrong” and in doing so, you may find your fun again.
I also believe in keeping it simple. Yes, I’ve been using the same thread for machine quilting since 2009. If it works, why change it?
Even after quilting for 20 years, I continue to feel inspired, brimming with new ideas. This is truly a craft with no end, no finish line, no stopping point.
But within that passion, there must be balance. There was a time I lived and breathed my business from the minute I woke up to the minute I fell asleep. That lifestyle simply isn’t sustainable.
Today I endeavor to live a balanced life with time to be still and rest, exercise and move my body, and lots of time for family and friends. My two amazing children, James and Betty, are my greatest blessings and my time with them is precious.
Let's Connect
Whether you're just starting your quilting journey or looking to master longarm techniques, I'm here to help you create beautiful quilts.
Click Here to browse my online quilting classes
Find past quilt alongs and tutorials here
Browse the collection of 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs
Shop for a new home sewing machine
Make machine quilting feel easier with a sewing table
Shop for a longarm machine and quilting frame
Reach out to ask questions about quilting – you may just inspire my next video!
Let’s go quilt,
~ Leah Day
LeahDay.com Help Wanted
I have goals for expansion in 2026 to better serve quilters and create more educational content, so if you'd love to work for a creative, passionate quilting business, I’d love to work with you! I’m currently seeking qualified applicants for the following positions:
Piecer – This job is open to anyone in the continental US. I’m needing help piecing quilt tops for demonstration and creating “step-outs” for videos. Applicants should love to:
- Prewash and starch fabric before cutting
- Know how to square and cut straight, accurate strips and pieces
- Understand how to read and follow a quilt pattern
- Know how to piece with an accurate and consistent ¼-inch seam
- Feel confident with most piecing methods, or willing to learn with scrap fabric if needed
- Be able to piece on a schedule and ship materials back in an organized way
- Be a great communicator!
Videographer – This job is open to anyone living in or around Shelby, NC. Applicants should be able to:
- Film videos in 4K with multiple camera angles using your equipment
- Edit videos shot from multiple angles
- Arrive on time with equipment ready
- Edit in Adobe Premiere
- Deliver edited content according to an agreed schedule
- Be a great communicator!
Do either of these positions interest you? Click Here to get in touch and let's start the application process.
