Where creativity and heart are stitched together
Quilt patterns, custom and commission quilts, longarm quilting and quilt finishing services for quilt enthusiasts.
Quilting, patterns and finishing in one place
Heather Spence Designs brings together pattern design, longarm quilting and quilt finishing, along with a shop of patterns, quilts, quilting fabric, quilt kits, storage and quilt labels.
Patterns are offered as PDF downloads and as paper versions. The shop also carries quilts, fabric collections, kits and small accessories, and the blog shares updates, tutorials and free patterns.
If you have a quilt top waiting to be finished, the longarm service covers pantographs and custom quilting, with pricing based on cents per square inch.
What the studio offers
Longarm quilting
Pantograph and custom quilting priced from $.02 to $.06 per square inch, depending on the type of quilting desired.
Custom & commission quilts
Commissions are accepted for custom quilts, whether for gifts or personal projects. Appointments are arranged by email or phone.
Patterns & shop
Quilt patterns in PDF and paper, plus quilts, quilting fabric, quilt kits, storage and quilt labels.
In the shop
Categories include Patterns, Quilts, Quilting Fabric, Quilt Kits, Storage and Quilt Labels.
Patterns
Quilt patterns such as Jack of Hearts and Dan's Climb, available as PDF downloads or paper patterns.
Fabric & kits
Quilting fabric collections and quilt kits, including the Kind-ly Pinwheels Quilt Kit using Tree Party fabric from Riley Blake Designs.
Quilts & labels
Finished quilts, plus storage and quilt labels, including a downloadable PDF of Simple You-Print Quilt Labels.
Mystery Quilts & retreats
Mystery Quilt projects come with retreats for participants, with registration and details shared through the site.
Mystery Quilt participants can follow along with a project and join a retreat. The Mystery page explains how it works and how to take part.
Free patterns and resources are also available for quilters who want to try something new before starting a larger project.
Who we are
Heather Spence is the designer and operator behind Heather Spence Designs, working across longarm quilting and pattern design.
The studio's approach is simple: creativity and heart, stitched together. That shows in the patterns, the quilting and the finishing work.
Quilting pricing and timing
Pricing is based on cents per square inch (p.s.i.) and starts at $.02 p.s.i., going up to $.06 p.s.i. depending on the type of quilting desired.
| Quilt size or style | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Small (crib size) to small queen | Can be finished in a day |
| Larger queen to king, pantographs | Can take two days |
| Custom quilting | Two to four days or longer, depending on complexity |
Questions about backing size or how a quilt will be quilted are covered on the FAQ page. To schedule, get in touch by email or phone.
Read the FAQ · Contact the studio
Quilting is one of those crafts that rewards patience and curiosity in equal measure, and it welcomes makers at every stage of the journey. Some people arrive having never threaded a machine, drawn in by the idea of turning a stack of fabric into something warm and lasting. Others come with years of stitches behind them, looking for fresh inspiration or a new way to finish a project that has been waiting in a cupboard. Wherever you begin, the appeal is the same: fabric, color, and the quiet satisfaction of piecing something by hand and by heart.
Patterns are often the doorway into a new project, and a well-written pattern does more than list cutting instructions. It explains the order of steps, shows how blocks come together, and leaves room for a maker to choose their own fabrics and make the design their own. Beginner-friendly patterns tend to keep shapes simple and seams forgiving, while more involved designs invite quilters to stretch their skills with star blocks, chevrons, and crossed elements. Reading through a pattern before cutting is a small habit that saves a great deal of unpicking later.
Star motifs hold a special place in quilt design because they can feel traditional and modern at the same time. A classic star block set against a calm background reads as heritage, while the same block in bright, unexpected colors feels entirely contemporary. Floating stars, charm pack friendly layouts, and rainbow arrangements all play with the same underlying geometry, shifting the mood through color and placement alone. Designers often return to stars again and again because the shape is generous, forgiving, and endlessly open to reinterpretation.
Fabric choices shape a quilt as much as the pattern does, and the relationship between the two is worth thinking through carefully. A busy print can hide a multitude of quilting lines, while a solid or low-volume background lets piecing and stitching take center stage. Charm packs and pre-cuts make it easy to sample a whole collection without committing to large cuts, and they suit patterns written specifically for those sizes. Building a palette slowly, pulling fabrics from a stash and adding a few new pieces, often produces the most personal results.
Longarm quilting is the stage where a finished top becomes a quilt with texture, drape, and personality. The stitching can be simple and all-over, letting the patchwork speak, or detailed and custom, with motifs that respond to individual blocks and borders. Many makers finish their own quilts on a domestic machine and love that process, while others prefer to hand a top over for professional quilting. Either path is valid, and the right choice usually comes down to time, space, and the look a maker is hoping to achieve.
Quilt finishing services exist for the many projects that stall just short of completion. A top might be pieced and pressed but still need layering, quilting, and binding before it can be used or gifted. Having someone else take on those final steps can turn a long-postponed project into a finished quilt without requiring a maker to own specialized equipment or find the hours. Finishing is often the least glamorous part of quilting and the part that makes the biggest difference to a quilt's life.
A quilt shop is really a collection of possibilities, and the range of items reflects how varied the craft has become. Patterns in both digital and paper form let makers choose how they like to work, printing pages at home or keeping a printed copy at the machine. Fabric collections, kits that gather everything needed for a project, and small accessories round out the shelves, alongside finished quilts for those who admire the craft without making it themselves. Storage and labels help keep finished work organized and documented.
Digital patterns have changed how quilters discover and collect designs, offering instant access and the freedom to print only what is needed. A PDF can be zoomed, annotated, and reprinted if a page goes missing, and it travels easily between devices and workspaces. Paper patterns remain a favorite for many, with the pleasure of a physical booklet to flip through and mark up. Offering both formats recognizes that makers have different habits, and that a good pattern should fit the way someone actually sews.
A blog is a natural extension of a quilt studio, a place to share progress, explain techniques, and offer free patterns to the community. Posts can walk through a block step by step, show a design in several colorways, or simply document what is on the cutting table this month. Tutorials help newer quilters build confidence, while notes on quilting decisions and fabric choices give experienced makers something to consider. Over time, a blog becomes a record of ideas and a way to stay connected with people who share the same enthusiasm.
Good quilting resources are built on clarity and generosity, whether that means a pattern with clear diagrams, a service that respects a maker's vision, or a shop that stocks what people actually need. Policies around shipping, printing rights, and use of designs exist to keep expectations clear on both sides, and reading them before ordering or downloading is always worthwhile. The craft is social at heart, sustained by people who share what they learn and take pleasure in seeing others finish something beautiful. That spirit is what keeps a quilting community thriving.
Get in touch
Hours are by appointment only.
- General email heather@heatherspencedesigns.com
- Phone 253.534.5734
- Longarm machine service or sales noltingnw@heatherspencedesigns.com · (253) 310-7480
- Patterns & online store patterns@heatherspencedesigns.com
Explore the site
- ShopPatterns, quilts, quilting fabric, quilt kits, storage and quilt labels.
- QuiltingLongarm quilting services, pricing and scheduling.
- CustomCommission and custom quilt services.
- MysteryMystery Quilt projects and retreats.
- AboutThe designer and the studio.
- BlogUpdates, tutorials and news.
- FreebiesFree patterns and resources.
- FAQAnswers on pricing, timing and process.
- ContactEmail, phone and appointment details.