Learning How To Advocate for Yourself - With Christa Watson

Learning How To Advocate for Yourself - With Christa Watson

Author: Sam Hunter April 29, 2026 Duration: 1:10:37

Christa Watson join the pod in this episode, and we talk about the long journey to “overnight success.” She spent a lot of years thinking she had to get older to be “allowed” to do more with her business, and eventually became a hard working advocate for HERSELF, while being a kind resource for others.

We talk about how she has used that power to negotiate better contracts for herself in both book writing and pattern design. We also discuss how she has gone about learning what she wants to know (she’s tenacious about finding the right classes!) and where it has led her.

Show Notes

Website - https://christaquilts.com/

Instagram @christaquilts - https://www.instagram.com/christaquilts/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ChristaQuilts

Asana - https://app.asana.com

Trello - https://trello.com/

QuiltCon - https://www.quiltcon.com/home

Christa’s books:

*Machine Quilting with Style - https://amzn.to/3NZj3wo

*The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting: Long-arm and Sit-down--Learn When, Where, Why, and How to Finish Your Quilts - https://amzn.to/3NMcHQR

*Piece and Quilt with Precuts - https://amzn.to/4sZVbaO

*99 Machine-Quilting Desings: Ideas & Options for Walking-Foot & Free-Motion Quilting - https://amzn.to/4bJSOBR

*How Do I Quilt It? Learn Modern Machine Quilting Using Walking-Foot & Free0Motion Techniques - https://amzn.to/4uQWvyo

Sara Lawson - https://sewsweetness.com/

Tula Pink - https://www.tulapink.com/

Alison Glass - https://alisonglass.com/

Pat Sloan - https://patsloanquilts.com/

Benartex - https://multisite.benartex.com/news/

BERNINA - https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Home-United-States

Riley Blake - https://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/

Bonnie Christine - https://www.bonniechristine.com/

Elizabeth Chappell Pattern Writing Class - https://quilterscandy.com/

Luke Matjas - Professor - https://www.lukematjas.com/

Sarah Watts - https://www.sarahwatts.com/

Ruby Star Society - https://www.rubystarsociety.com/

Craftsy - https://www.craftsy.com/

Moda - https://my.modafabrics.com/

Terry Atkinson - https://atkinsondesigns.com/

BERNINA 770 - https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Machines-US/Series-Overview/BERNINA-7-Series/BERNINA-770-QE

Christa’s Batting Scissors - https://christaquilts.com/2014/04/22/favorite-tools-batting-shears/

*Atomic Habits - https://amzn.to/4uLrWdL/

*Affiliate link - I might make a commission but you don’t pay more

How to Own a Revolutionary Craft Biz is a hand-made, never AI, reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Where to find Sam Hunter:

How to Own a Revolutionary Craft Biz - www.revcraftbiz.com

Hunter’s Design Studio - www.huntersdesignstudio.com

Embroidered Journey - www.embroideredjourney.com

Sam Hunter Art - www.samhunterart.com

The RevCraftBiz Podcast is a Quilt Talk™ product

Thanks for reading How to Own a Revolutionary Craft Biz! This post is public so feel free to share it.



Get full access to How to Own a Revolutionary Craft Biz at www.revcraftbiz.com/subscribe

Sam Hunter has spent years running her own craft business, and in The Rev Craft Biz Podcast, she pulls up a chair with fellow quilters and makers to have the conversations they usually save for retreats or late-night texts. This isn't about abstract theory; it's the grounded, sometimes messy reality of turning a passion into a sustainable livelihood. Each episode feels like eavesdropping on a frank discussion between friends who understand the unique pressures of the creative marketplace. They dig into the practicalities of entrepreneurship-from pricing and production to marketing and mindset-while never losing sight of the art that started it all. You’ll hear honest stories about juggling creative work with administrative demands, strategies for avoiding burnout, and how to protect the time needed to actually make things. More than just business tips, this podcast explores how these individuals are actively working to reshape their corner of the craft industry into something more inclusive and supportive. For anyone who has ever felt alone at their sewing machine or workbench, wondering how to make it all work, Sam’s conversations offer camaraderie, actionable ideas, and a reminder that the path is always being stitched together one thread at a time. Tune in for a blend of solid business insight and genuine artistic community, all from voices who live this work every single day.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Rev Craft Biz Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Stitching for Self Care - with Melissa De Leon Mason [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:22
054 - Melissa De Leon Mason joins the pod and we had such a great convo! We talked about how teaching has become her favorite part of the industry, and how she decided to teach foundation paper-piecing design - something…
Activism, Art, Craft, and Craftivism - With Betsy Greer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:31
#053: Betsy Greer joins us to talk about the activism inherent in making art and craft. I’ve followed Betsy for several years and have always admired her consistent voice around how art can be used for activism (I happen…
Creating Community at the Quilt Shop - with Gael Boyd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:23
#052 - Gael Boyd is the owner of Blue Bar Quilts in Middleton Wisconsin. We talk about quilt shops as important spaces, not just for learning quilting and supplying quilters, but also for creating community. I love this…
From Hobby to Business - with Sue Pelland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:33
051 - Sue Pelland talks about her journey from teenage teacher to business owner.Show NotesWebsite - https://suepellanddesigns.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/suepellanddesigns/Facebook - https://www.facebook.c…
Building a Community Around Personal Values - with Kitty Wilkin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:52
#049 - Kitty Wilkin talks about building a community for her customers, and the challenges of marketing gently in a world of hard sells.Show NotesWebsite - https://nightquilter.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/n…
Helping others create successful businesses - with Karen McTavish [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:40
#048 - Karen McTavish of long arm quilting fame shares the story of grabbing her courage and jumping into quilting for other people years ago, and what she does to help new long arm owners create profitable businesses.Sh…
Leveraging Your Best YOU For Your Business - With Maghan Haggerty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:28
#046 - Maghan Haggerty, who is a Gallup Clifton Strengths coach, takes us through how to interpret any types of personality testing in order to leverage the best you for your best business, and she also points out that o…