Step inside the buzz and excitement of Linda Z’s inaugural Fall Festival of Sewing, Embroidery, and Quilting! In this episode, we take you back to Fall 2024, where a brand-new event made waves in the sewing community. From October 17–19, 2024, in Glenview, IL, this festival brought together industry experts, top educators, passionate vendors, and enthusiastic attendees for a weekend packed with learning, inspiration, and creativity. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, exclusive interviews, and a front-row seat to the festival’s highlights, including insights from some of the biggest names in the industry.
Join us as we uncover how this one-of-a-kind event came to life and why it’s already a must-attend gathering for sewing, embroidery, and quilting enthusiasts.
Episode Highlights:
(1:18) Meet Linda Z – Hear from Linda herself as she shares how the idea for Fall Fest was born and what it took to make it happen.
(4:20) Family Legacy – Linda talks about her daughters Tracy and Debbie, her grandson Nick, and how they’ve shaped the future of the business.
(5:41) Behind the Scenes – Tracy and Debbie reveal the planning process, unexpected surprises, and standout features of the festival.
(10:43) Key Takeaways – What did they hope attendees would gain from this event?
(11:50) Educators Spotlight – Meet Sylvain Bergeron and Alexis Galloway, two of the top industry instructors.
(15:14) Ricky Tims Interview – The legendary quilter and musician shares why he felt compelled to participate, his unique Locomotion technique, and what’s next for him.
(18:50) Attendee Voices – Hear firsthand experiences from festivalgoers Nita Davis, Lisa from Ontario, and Loretta Turner.
(19:50) BERNINA’s Commitment – John Carr, BERNINA’s District Manager, explains why this event was a must for BERNINA and previews their exclusive courses.
(17:51) Vendor Insights – OESD’s Barb Michielicheck and Laurastar’s Emily Dunlop discuss their latest products and why Fall Fest was the perfect venue to showcase them.
(23:14) Ricky Tims’ Closing Thoughts – How did he sum up the magic of this event?
(23:48) The Big Question: Will There Be Another Fall Fest? – Linda Z reflects on the success of the event, shares her biggest takeaway, and teases what’s next.
Linda Z’s first-ever Fall Festival of Sewing, Embroidery, and Quilting was a labor of love, embraced with gratitude, and a memory to last a lifetime. A heartfelt thank you to Linda Z and her incredible team, as well as the educators, vendors, and attendees who made this event truly special.
If you’re already dreaming of Fall Fest 2025, mark your calendars—the countdown has begun! For more information on the 2025 Fall Fest, go to www.lindazs.com