The Five Favs Series with: Maggie of Snug & Stitch
Episode 12
The Story behind Five Favs
This series developed out of my love of movies, and specifically, movie lists. Critics and film geeks alike spend hours pouring over lists, ranking everything from best movies of the year (pretty standard fare) to top five music documentaries (getting a little more granular) to top five movie characters that shaped who you are (pretty personal and specific!). I thought it would be fun to play with this idea in the quilting world. Since we spend so much time in our sewing spaces, they contain interesting snapshots of who we are as creators, and can offer a sneak peek into other aspects of our lives, too. And so- the creation of The Five Favs Blog. This is a top five of the guests favorite items in their sewing space.
I am really pleased to have Maggie from Snug & Stitch on The Five Favs this month! I can’t remember how I first came across Maggie’s work (somehow through the Quilter’s Candy Quilt Pattern Design Course? Through IGQuiltFest? From seeing her stunning quilt at 2024’s QuiltCon??), but I’m so happy to have her in my quilty universe. Maggie is an amazing champion for other quilters and designers and I love her initiatives to foster community and create a fun, welcoming atmosphere. I can’t wait to see what she has upcoming in the next year!
Welcome Maggie!
About Maggie
“Hi! I'm Maggie Reno, a modern-traditional quilt pattern designer. I believe quilting is as much about connection as it is about creativity. I'm inspired by the timeless craft of quilting, and love to reimagine classic blocks using bold shifts in scale, generous negative space, and a distinct modern aesthetic. My patterns are carefully planned for both speed and simplicity, so quilters can enjoy the process and still create quilts that feel heirloom-worthy. My purpose at Snug & Stitch is simple: to inspire creativity and a community of collaboration.”
Where Maggie Works
“I have slowly shifted from sewing at a dining room table and storing my supplies in a closet, to a desk in my Master Closet, then a table in the toy room, and eventually I got my own dedicated space. Last year I moved from a small bedroom in our house to the basement. My husband moved everything and was absolutely shocked to discover just how much fabric and supplies I had in the closet. My studio is about 16'x20' with a small kind of hall leading into it where my storage resides. I would love a few more feet in both directions, since my longarm takes up quite a bit of space! It might seem like a unique layout, but since I’m a pattern designer, I have my computer in between my sewing machine and cutting station, making a perfect-for-me work triangle. I highly value both decor and function. You may also notice that unlike other studios, my cutting station is not raised. For several years I struggled with knee pain and limited mobility so I learned to do things a little differently. Last year I was diagnosed with Lipedema and while I have significantly improved my health and my mobility this year, I still sit to cut.”
Fav 1 - Organization
“One of my favorite things in my studio is actually the organization! I store my fabric by both size and color. I know it’s extra, but it really helps my creativity. I use tall shoe bins from The Container Store for my yardage (1/2 yard on up). Storing this way instead of mini bolts in a row I'm able to fit over double the amount of fabric on a shelf! I use clear Brightroom bins from Target for my Fat Quarters. I used to keep them all organized in bundles with the rest of the fabric line, but I rarely use the fabric as a bundle, so I just sort those in rainbow order too. I even organize my quilt remnants by storing them all in a basket and then every few months I cut them up into pre-cuts and crumb bags.”
Fav 2 - Design Wall
“I absolutely love my new design wall! For a few years I admired the Felt Right tile walls but not their price tag. I bought Decorita tiles on Amazon while they were on sale and my whole design wall came in just under $100. They have a few color options and their sizes were limited but these tiles cut easily with a rotary cutter. I specifically designed this wall to look like a quilt and have no waste so it was exactly two boxes of cream and one of blue.”
Read about how Maggie made her design wall here!
Fav 3 - Bernina 770QE
“My Bernina 770QE is my most recent machine addition. When I was upgrading a few years ago my requirements were: a larger throat, better lighting, an automatic threader, and a start stop button (for when I didn't want to use the foot). After trying out a lot of machines I found a few that I loved, but Bernina's larger bobbins were a deal breaker. I purchased a used Bernina 880QE+ and have enjoyed it for several years. In October, on the way for spa treatment, my Bernina had a tragic accident! Estimated repairs were more than it was worth. I patiently watched for a good deal and recently found a Bernina 770 for $1800. I was shocked it only had 1M stitches. While I am missing the automatic threader, the 770 sews better and the bobbin mechanism is so much nicer.”
Fav 4 - Framed Blueprints
“Both my Grandmas were quilters and I have such good memories of receiving quilts from both of them as well as quilting alongside my Grandma at her quilting frame made from these very blueprints. Learning to "pop the knot" as a young teen is a core memory! Originally, I was given my Grandma's quilting frame, but after years of sitting unused I knew I would never use the frame. I do very little hand quilting and passed that on to a cousin. However, I kept the blueprints, framed them and hung them in my studio as a reminder of my quilting heritage.”
Fav 5 - Liberty of London Tea Towel
“Recently I purchased this Liberty of London tea towel from In Stitch You and framed it using a string art design. It's a special reminder of my Mom. She was passionate about genealogy and her heritage. We're connected to Liberty of London and she wanted to take me there someday. That story is on my blog. I definitely took that information for granted as a little girl! Mom was super patient and nurtured my passion for sewing. She taught me to sew as a little girl, helped me make doll clothes, and then my own clothing, patiently helping when I ran out of fabric somehow fitting it all in anyways. She found sewing conventions to take me to and would drive hours to help me find the perfect fabric! She passed away to cancer in December 2014. I dream of finally visiting Liberty of London someday in her honor.”
