Oct 14, 2025 | 4:00pm PT | Replay Included

Give me 60 minutes and I'll save you hours of frustration.

Learn exactly what makes a great stitch, how to diagnose poor ones, and how to fix them—based on insights from 1,500 quilts’ worth of experience.

Tired of wondering what went wrong with your stitches??

Inside Stitch Clinic, you’ll learn:

  • What makes a beautiful stitch—and how to actually achieve it 
  • what factors affect stitch formation, and why "tension" is too simplistic a description

  • how to recognize the symptoms of an ugly stitch, and get to the root of the problem

  • tips for treating and fixing hose symptoms - we'll talk through thread, needles, fibers, and machine adjustments

  • when to adjust tension—and when not to

  • proactive steps you can take to avoid some common problems altogether

You’ll walk away with more confidence, better stitches, and less time spent unpicking .

PLUS a bonus ebook "Tension Headache, Anyone"? It's a printable resource of all the workshop tips (and many more) organized for you to refer to as often as you need.

What's got you frustrated?

Perhaps keeping you awake nights?

  • burning question #1

    What factors influence pretty stitches? Or wreck them?

  • burning question #2

    How can I pinpoint exactly what's wrong? And then, how do I fix it?

  • burning question #3

    Are there ways to avoid common problems before they happen?

I’m Susan Smith - quilter, teacher, and host of quilting's first reality show, "Live & Unscripted".

In the past decade, I’ve machine quilted 1,500+ quilts and taught thousands of students how to create beautiful quilted texture with confidence. My teaching style is super practical - no fluff, no filler - just clear, real-world guidance you can actually use.

I’ve seen just about every stitch issue you can imagine. After holding my head in frustration...and then dealing with them time and again, I’ve catalogued simple, effective ways to diagnose and solve what’s really going on.

Honestly, I collect tips the way some women collect shoes, and I'm bringing them to this workshop for you!

If you’ve ever stared at your machine thinking, “Why does this keep happening?”—this workshop is where it finally starts to make sense.

What students are saying:

  • Kathy B

    I had a longarm for 10 years and was so scared I was going to do it wrong or not the right pattern. Your teaching has gotten me over this fear and I feel so confident. I am just binding my 3rd quilt.

  • Sandy B

    I was a teacher for 40 years and your teaching style, voice, and explanations are absolutely amazing. (You may have missed your other calling!) I have loved every minute of these classes - definitely money well spent!

  • Jan

    I have to say, Susan, your videos/lessons are the best I've ever watched. As a fairly new longarm operator, your attention to detail is most helpful. I look forward to each new posting of your work!