The Five Favs Series with: Katie of Zahm Co.
Episode 20
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 honored to have this month’s guest, Katie from Zahm Co, on the blog! I believe I first came across Katie’s work through a block sampler collaboration (the What Is Love? sampler from 2023!) I was immediately struck by her gorgeous designs (I am so in love with the Middle Sister and Grid View patterns!) In addition to her beautiful quilt patterns, Katie brings a wealth of knowledge to her numerous lectures and workshops. From precision cutting to hand quilting and everything in between, her courses help guide your projects from start to finish.
Welcome Katie!
About Katie
“Katie Zahm is a quilt designer, educator, and the maker behind Zahm Co., based in Denver, CO. While navigating hearing loss, she found solace in quilting and fell deeper into the craft. Inspired by her grandmother, whose last name she shares, she creates work rooted in nature, with a modern graphic twist and a muted palette. A devoted hand quilter, Katie loves the slow, intentional, therapeutic side of quilting and brings that spirit to her guild workshops and lectures. Her quilt Astra graced the cover of Quiltfolk's Colorado issue.”
Where Katie Works
“We moved into this house in May 2020, and my quilt room is tucked in the basement, sharing space with the washer and dryer. It's a good size, about 13 by 10 feet, and it's mine. Because we moved during COVID, my dad drove out from Michigan with my nephews and niece, a carload of tools in tow, to help us get settled. Together they built me a shelving unit and a big table that has become the heart of the room. I use it for absolutely everything: cutting, pressing, basting, designing, and yes, folding laundry too. I recently added a design wall, which has changed how I work. It usually holds a large quilt, typically my latest finished design, and scattered around it are smaller pieces from quilting swaps, little gifts stitched by other makers just for me. It's not glamorous, but it's full of good fabric, good memories, and the quiet hum of a space built by the people I love.”
Fav 1 - Passion Planner (and the pens that go with it)
“I'm a planner person through and through, and my Passion Planner is the command center of my quilting life. It holds everything: pattern timelines, workshop and lecture dates, deadlines, and the little ideas that pop into my head mid-seam. The pens and colors are half the fun. There's something so satisfying about looking back at a week and seeing it all mapped out in color. Running a small business means juggling a lot, and this planner is what keeps me grounded.”
Fav 2 - Hand Quilting Supplies
“If I could keep only one part of quilting, it would be hand quilting. There's nothing like the rhythm of the needle going in and out, stitch after stitch, and it's where I feel most at peace. My kit is simple but well loved, and every thread, needle, and thimble in it has earned its spot through trial and error. Hand quilting slows everything down in the best way. It's also a big part of what I teach, and I love watching students discover that same calm for themselves.”
Check out Katie’s hand quilting guide here!
Fav 3 - Blocks from Quilting Swaps
“Scattered around my design wall are small blocks and pieces I've received through quilting swaps. Each one was made just for me by another quilter, and I love seeing how different makers interpret the same prompt with their own colors and style. They're a daily reminder that quilting isn't a solitary craft, even when I'm alone in my basement. There's a real person and a real friendship behind every one, and that's what makes them some of the most meaningful things in my space.”
Fav 4 - Stripology Ruler
“This one is purely practical, but I'd be lost without it. The Stripology ruler lets me cut multiple strips without moving my fabric, which saves so much time and keeps my cuts accurate. Anything that makes cutting faster and more precise is a win in my book, and this ruler gets used on nearly every project. It's one of those tools that's hard to imagine working without once you've tried it.”
Read Katie’s tips on using a Stripology ruler here!
Fav 5 - Having a Space of My Own
“For years, my quilting lived in a closet. Every time I wanted to sew, I'd haul everything out, set up, and get going, and when I was done, it all went right back in. It meant I only sewed when I had a big block of time, and setup and cleanup ate into most of it. Now everything gets to stay. I can leave a project mid-step, walk away, and come back ten minutes or ten days later to find it exactly where I left it. I can start, stop, and pick back up whenever I please. It sounds simple, but it's changed how I create. After all those years of packing up, I still feel grateful every time I walk downstairs and it's all there, waiting for me.”
