The First Stitch: Every Quilter Has a Story cover art

The First Stitch: Every Quilter Has a Story

The First Stitch: Every Quilter Has a Story

By: Lisa Donnelly
Listen for free

About this listen

Discover the shared experiences that connect all quilters. The First Stitch is the podcast dedicated to celebrating the journeys of the craft's most passionate members: YOU! Host Lisa Donnelly of Wild Plum Lane brings you short, impactful episodes that prove we are all more alike than we are different, no matter where or when we picked up our first set of needle and thread.

Every week, you'll hear:
-A Quilter’s Story: Hear the unique, personal accounts of how quilters began to quilt, overcome creative blocks, and found purpose in piecing. These are your stories, read aloud, emphasizing the universal themes of creativity, challenge, and community.
-Finishing Focus: Practical, no-nonsense tips and actionable strategies for completing your quilt projects (WIPs/UFOs). It's gentle motivation to finish those beautiful quilts!
-Quilting Tidbits: Essential, quick-hit information on tools, new fabric lines, techniques, and the latest happenings in the world of quilting.

Join us to recognize your own journey in the stories of others, gain practical quilt project planning and organization skills, and feel more connected to the quilting community as a whole.

New episodes are released every Wednesday morning.

© 2026 The First Stitch: Every Quilter Has a Story
Art
Episodes
  • 4: Cynthia’s First Stitch Story + A Simple Step to Make Forward Progress on Your WIPs
    Jan 28 2026

    First Stitch Story: Meet Cynthia
    In this episode, we meet Cynthia, whose First Stitch story is rooted in generosity, tradition, and learning by doing. From being taught to quilt by hand, to creating deeply meaningful quilts for loved ones, Cynthia’s story highlights how quilting can carry history, love, and legacy forward in powerful ways.

    WIP-Finishing Tip: Make Progress in Minutes
    Today’s WIP-finishing tip is a simple one with big impact: set a timer. If starting feels hard or time feels tight, this small shift can help you get focused, build momentum, and move a project forward without needing a long sewing session.

    This episode includes a gentle challenge for this week to try it out and see what even a few minutes can do!

    From My Sewing Room: Cut-Resistant Work Gloves
    This week’s tool is all about quilting safely and protecting your hands. I’m sharing a tool I believe is essential to use alongside your rotary cutter (and important for kids who might be just learning!). It can help you avoid injuries that could keep you away from the sewing room longer than planned (no one wants that)!

    My favorite cut-resistant work gloves: https://amzn.to/4aYkIf0

    Share Your First Stitch Story
    Your story might be next! If you’d like to share how you got started sewing or quilting and be featured in a future episode, I’d love to hear it.

    Email: firststitchpodcast@wildplumlane.com

    Submit Here: https://forms.gle/pVT851vkt32YwRVa8

    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • 3: Mary’s First Stitch Story + A Simple Way to Prioritize Your WIPs
    Jan 21 2026

    First Stitch Story: Meet Mary
    In this episode, we meet Mary, a fellow Kansas City–area quilter whose creative path included early sewing lessons, a break for life, and then rediscovering sewing and quilting years later, Mary’s story touches on creativity, learning curves, and the joy of saying yes to something new.

    The Wind Blossom pattern that connected us: https://www.wildplumlane.com/shop/p/wind-blossom-pdf-quilt-pattern

    WIP-Finishing Tip: Prioritize What Matters
    Today’s WIP-finishing tip is all about prioritizing your projects. When everything feels important, it’s easy to feel stuck. I walk through three-step process to narrow your focus so you can decide what to work on next…and then actually make progress!

    I also mention a couple of free tools that support this process, including one especially helpful for quilts that are headed out the door as gifts.

    Quilting Freebies All-Access Pass (Includes the Simple WIP Inventory and the Quilt Care Card): https://www.wildplumlane.com/quilting-freebies-sign-up

    From My Sewing Room: The Postcard Club
    This episode’s feature from my sewing room/studio is a little different…and all about connection! I’m sharing about my Postcard Club for Quilters, which is a low-effort, high-joy way to stay connected with the people you care about while celebrating quilting all year long.

    Postcard Club for Quilters: https://www.wildplumlane.com/postcard-club

    Share Your First Stitch Story
    We want to feature you on the show! Whether it’s your journey into quilting or a favorite project-finishing tip, your story might be read in an upcoming episode.

    Email: firststitchpodcast@wildplumlane.com
    Submit Here: https://forms.gle/pVT851vkt32YwRVa8

    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • 2: Dot’s First Stitch Story + Simple Organization Tips to Move Your Projects Forward
    Jan 14 2026

    First Stitch Story: Meet Dot!

    In this episode, we meet Dot, whose First Stitch story spans decades of making. From learning to sew as a child to a lifetime of creative work, Dot’s story is a beautiful reminder that creativity evolves…and that there’s no single path to becoming a quilter.


    WIP-Finishing Tip: A Simple Way to Get Unstuck

    If you’re feeling stalled on your works in progress, today’s WIP-finishing tip focuses on gentle organization…not perfection. I share a small, doable shift that can help you regain momentum without pulling everything out or overhauling your space.

    I also mention a free tool that helps you clarify what to work on next. You can access the free Simple WIP Inventory or read more about how to use it using the links below.

    Simple WIP Inventory: https://www.wildplumlane.com/quilting-freebies-sign-up

    How to use it (Guest blog post): https://quilterscandy.com/tips-progress-on-quilt-projects/


    From My Sewing Room

    This episode’s favorite tool is a surprisingly simple storage solution that’s become a go-to for managing my works in progress. It keeps projects visible, contained, and ready to pick back up when time allows.

    My favorite WIP storage containers: https://www.target.com/p/12-39-39-x-12-39-39-x-2-34-all-purpose-storage-tray-brightroom-8482/-/A-83279859#lnk=sametab


    Share Your First Stitch Story

    Your story might be next. If you’d like to share how you got started sewing or quilting, I’d love to hear it and feature YOU in a future episode!

    Email: firststitchpodcast@wildplumlane.com

    Submit Here: https://forms.gle/pVT851vkt32YwRVa8

    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
No reviews yet