Kaitlyn Howell designs patterns, offers longarm services, and manages an online shop. Her favorite? Designing patterns, dreaming up new ideas, and seeing others bring them to life.
How long have you been quilting and designing? How did you get started?
I started quilting when I was 11 years old. My dad gave my mom a sewing machine, and thankfully, she wanted to share her time and patience with me! She took me to the fabric store, let me pick out a pattern and fabric, and helped me make my very first quilt. We learned to quilt together, and it’s been the best journey ever since.
My mom went on to manage a quilt shop for over 15 years, and I had the chance to work there too. That’s where I learned all my longarm quilting skills. Working in that shop gave me so much more than experience—it gave me lifelong friendships and relationships that have shaped so many parts of my life and career.
I officially started my own business almost 9 years ago as a longarm quilter and sewing/quilting pattern designer. What began as a special mother-daughter hobby has turned into a full-time creative life that I’m so grateful for.
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How do you keep all the balls in the air? You design patterns, offer longarm services, and manage a shop. Is there one you wish you could drop? Which one will you never give up?
This is such a great question—and honestly, one that made me pause and reflect in the best way. I’m incredibly blessed to have wonderful employees who have supported me throughout the years. I absolutely couldn’t do everything I do without the amazing people who’ve helped me grow this business.
Right now, I have two incredible women who help with longarm quilting. I still stay closely involved—I choose the pantograph designs, scale, thread color, and approve each quilt before it’s loaded—they execute the quilting beautifully. I love being a part of that process, and it’s something I truly enjoy.
When it comes to pattern development, that’s the one thing I know I’ll never give up. I actually started longarm quilting as a way to create income so I could pursue my real goal—writing patterns. Over the years, that part of my business has grown into my biggest passion. Designing patterns, dreaming up new ideas, and seeing others bring them to life brings me so much joy.
Our shop is a small online one where I carry my favorite tools and supplies for bag-making and sewing. I’ve truly loved curating it—but if I had to pick one area I get most caught up in, it’s definitely the shop. I recently realized I want to simplify and focus only on the most important and useful items. Space is limited, and streamlining our offerings is something I’m actively working on right now.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
The Violet Backpack is one of my patterns that means so much to me. Its inspiration came from two meaningful moments in my life—a trip to Disney and becoming a first-time mom. I remember noticing all these cute, small backpacks people were carrying at Disneyland. Then, after having my first child, I found myself wanting something small and lightweight to toss in the stroller or carry with ease—something practical but still really cute.
So I started looking up dimensions of mini backpacks and sketched out an average size that felt just right. One night, I pulled out some quilted scraps I had around the studio and made the first prototype—and it came together in just one night! I still think about that evening and how magical it felt, like everything just clicked.
From there, I fine-tuned the details and worked through construction methods that would be simple but polished. It’s now one of my most-loved patterns, and seeing others make it their own—with different fabrics, fussy-cut pockets, or playful linings—feels like a full-circle moment every time. I am currently hosting a Backpack Sewalong that has over 1100 people sewing along. This is magic.
Is there an overarching theme that connects all of your work?
For me, this has always felt like a journey—not just a career. I remember when I made the decision to step away from college to fully pursue quilting and pattern design. It wasn’t easy. I’ve wrestled with self-doubt, wondering if I was smart enough, accomplished enough, or if this path would really be fulfilling in the long run.
But if you know anything about me, you know I really love people. I love connecting, serving, and building relationships—both near and far. I’ve been involved in humanitarian work in Africa and, more recently, Ukraine, and those experiences changed my life. They opened my eyes to the power of human connection.
Over the years, I’ve discovered that the quilting and sewing community offers that same kind of connection. Through Knot and Thread, we’ve built something beautiful together—a community that not only creates but gives back. We’ve helped fund the building of two homes for families in Ukraine, donated hundreds of Patchwork Duffle bags to children in foster care, and raised awareness for so many meaningful causes.
That’s the heart of what I do—using something I love as a vehicle for good. Yes, it’s about design and creativity, but more than anything, it’s about people. That’s the thread that ties it all together.
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Interview posted July 2025
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