Episode #297: Marianne Fons

Episode #297: Marianne Fons

Author: Abby Glassenberg September 15, 2025 Duration: 1:06:18

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about living the life of a quilter and writer with my guest Marianne Fons.

 

Marianne Fons co-hosted “Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting” on public television nationwide for many years, first with Liz Porter and later with daughter Mary Fons.

 

With Liz, she co-authored Quilter’s Complete Guide, one of the best selling quilting books of all time. Marianne Fons and Liz Porter were the 2019 inductees into the Quilters Hall of Fame.

 

Marianne served on the board of directors of Quilts of Valor Foundation for eight years. She helped establish the Iowa Quilt Museum in 2016, and in 2017 reopened The Iowa Theater, both in her hometown of Winterset, Iowa. In 2021, she was named Madison County Citizen of the Year.

 

Her literary life includes writing novels and assisting the Washington Island Literary Festival on Washington Island, Wisconsin, where she has a summer home.

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This episode is sponsored by Amy Barickman.

Are you looking for a special gift for a friend? Take a look at Amy Barickman’s new book. Love You to Pieces is a heartwarming, whimsical, lyrical celebration of friendship featuring a charming cast of 40 vintage fabric characters set amidst a backdrop of 60 heirloom quilts. This book is perfect for makers and those who appreciate handmade treasures, as well as anyone nostalgic about the fabric pals that comforted them as children!

Visit  amybarickman.com/loveyoutopieces to learn more and order today.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.


Abby Glassenberg hosts Craft Industry Alliance, a space where the practical realities of running a creative business meet the deep personal satisfaction of making things by hand. This isn't just about inspiration; it's a grounded conversation for anyone who has turned a craft into a career or dreams of doing so. Each episode feels like a candid chat with a fellow maker, where Abby and her guests pull back the curtain on their processes, discuss the tools and materials they truly rely on, and navigate the unique challenges of entrepreneurship in the creative sphere. You'll hear specific, actionable recommendations-from sourcing sustainable materials and mastering a new technique to marketing your work and managing a studio's finances. The discussions are rooted in the real world, covering everything from the joys of the creative process to the logistics of wholesale trade shows and online sales. Tune into this podcast for an honest blend of education and community, designed to support your journey whether you're knitting, painting, pottery throwing, or designing textiles. It’s a resource that acknowledges creativity as both a passion and a profession, offering the kind of nuanced advice you’d normally only get from a trusted mentor within the tight-knit world of crafts.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 332

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