This month, we’re thrilled to introduce Sara, the heart and soul behind Binded with Love, a charming online fabric shop based in Appleton, Wisconsin. Sara’s journey is one of creativity, resilience, and a deep love for quilting. Balancing life as a mom, an OB nurse, and a business owner, she has cultivated a space where makers can find carefully curated modern fabrics and inspiration for their projects.
Sara’s shop features a delightful selection of high-quality fabrics, perfect for bringing your quilting visions to life. Head over to QuiltInk to explore her collections and experiment with mock-ups, combining fabrics to plan your projects with confidence and ease.
Join us as we explore Sara’s quilting story, her vision for Binded with Love, and how QuiltInk has become an integral part of her shop. Discover what makes Sara’s selections unique and see how her passion sparks creativity in the quilting community!
Personal Background
Sara, could you tell us a bit about yourself? (location, age, educational background, …) Who is behind Binded with Love?
Hi QuiltInk Community! I’m Sara, the heart behind Binded with Love, an online fabric shop based in Appleton, Wisconsin. I’m a mom, quilter and OB nurse of 15 years, a role that fills my heart in such a different but special way. When I’m not sewing or helping makers find their perfect fabrics, you can usually find me outdoors, camping with family and soaking up the beauty of nature.
Quilting Journey
How did you first get into quilting? When did you decide to turn this passion into a business by opening your shop?
My quilting journey began in 2010, when my mom introduced me to the wonderful world of quilting, something I’m forever grateful for. My oldest was little, and I fell in love with the process of turning fabric into something warm, meaningful, and lasting. Quilting quickly became my creative outlet and my happy place. In 2014, my mom and I ventured into selling handmade baby quilts. After taking a break to focus on family and careers, we restarted the shop in late 2019, just before the pandemic. When the pandemic hit, we shifted our focus to making masks, which reconnected me with the joy of working with fabrics and eventually inspired the transition to a fabric-focused shop.
Shop Story and Style
What’s the story behind Binded with Love? When did it start, and how would you describe its personality, style, and size?
Binded with Love is truly a labor of love, born from a shared passion between my mom and I. After creating over 2,000 masks during the pandemic, my appreciation for beautiful, high-quality fabrics reignited and set me on a new path. The shop’s style is rooted in modern fabrics with carefully curated color palettes. Though small in size, it’s big on heart, with every bundle and yard selected to spark creativity and inspire makers. Whether someone is just beginning their quilting journey or has years of experience, I want Binded with Love to feel like a trusted and welcoming resource.
Product Offerings
What types of fabrics do you focus on? How do you offer them to customers—by the yard, as kits, or with custom options?
At Binded with Love, I focus on modern, high-quality fabrics from some of the best designers and brands out there. I offer fabrics by the yard, as well as curated bundles designed to make it easy for customers to start a project or build their fabric stash. While I don’t offer custom bundles as much anymore due to time constraints, every collection in the shop is chosen to inspire!
Special Collections and Products
Are there any collections, brands, or unique products you’re especially proud to carry?
I’m especially proud to carry fabrics from brands like Fableism, Art Gallery Fabrics, FIGO Fabrics and Cotton + Steel. I love discovering and sharing fabrics that have a story or spark creativity.
Inspiration and Trends
What inspires you when choosing fabrics or products for your shop? Do you follow any specific trends or themes?
I find inspiration everywhere, from nature and art to trends in quilting. When I’m choosing fabrics for the shop, I think about what I’d love to create with them, but I also try to imagine how they’ll fit into the projects and stashes of our customers. I love modern prints and textures that stand out in the best kind of way.
Additional Services
Do you offer any other quilting-related services, like pattern design, long-arming, or classes?
While I don’t offer pattern design or long-arm quilting, I’m always happy to help customers brainstorm fabric combinations or offer guidance for their next project. If someone has a specific color scheme or vision in mind, because I can understand the difficulty of online shopping, I am more than happy to offer photos of the actual fabrics they have in mind. My goal is to make the creative process easier and more fun!
Online Presence
Where can people find your shop online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces). How do you use online platforms to connect with your audience and fellow quilters?
You can find Binded with Love on Instagram and Etsy, where I’ve had the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful makers. Social media has been such a great way to share my love of fabric and quilting, and I love seeing what my customers create with their purchases!
Etsy Shop: Binded with Love on Etsy
Instagram: @bindedwithlove
Upcoming News and Projects
Are there any exciting new projects, events, or collaborations coming up that you’d like to share with the community
I’m always looking ahead to the next collection or idea, but for right now, I’m focused on making the shop the best it can be. A goal for this coming year is getting an official shop website out there!
QuiltInk Experience
How has QuiltInk been useful for your shop or customers? Any favorite tools or ways it’s made things easier?
QuiltInk has been a game changer for my shop and my customers! It’s such an amazing tool for planning quilts and experimenting with fabric placement before making that first cut. As a shop owner, it lets me showcase my collections and even offer kits for QuiltInk patterns, which makes the shopping experience so much easier. I love being able to collaborate with customers in a way that feels interactive and inspiring!
Favorite QuiltInk Options
What features or options in QuiltInk do you love the most? Anything that stands out to you or your customers?
One of my favorite features is the ability to create mock-ups using my shop’s fabrics, it’s like getting a sneak peek of a finished quilt! The app’s easy to use design tools really stand out. It gives customers the confidence to choose fabrics they’ll love together. QuiltInk has been an incredible tool and I’m excited to see how it continues to evolve!