Let’s Make Windows Reaches Wider Audience Thanks to Using a Custom Die
About LET’S MAKE WINDOWS
Inspiration strikes at any time, and for Billie Kay Cuter, her idea came from a quilt.
“The history of this quilt design inspired me to try my hand at a Cathedral Window quilt many years ago,” Billie Kay started. “There are many options for my Cathedral Window technique. After learning the basic technique, you can keep the traditional look or jazz it up for a more modern look. The background can be a single fabric, a patchwork, or used individually in the sashing of almost any quilt. Windows can be fussy-cut, laced, or embroidered. There is a myriad of combinations.”
All these possibilities are available because of Billie Kay’s determination to find and teach the best and easiest method, allowing anyone to create a stunning design through hands-on classes using her patterns.
Today, Billie Kay’s business, Let’s Make Windows, has a wider reach, but originally, it did not. Billie Kay had a perfect idea but did not know how time-consuming the execution was.
“I had big plans,” she described. “I cut over 100 muslin 9” backgrounds and small jewel fabrics. I only made four window squares. Discouraged, I set it on a back shelf and forgot about it.”
Yet keeping these pieces out of sight did not keep them out of mind for Billie Kay. In 2015, she was given the chance to offer a demonstration on how to create Cathedral Windows at the Twin Falls Sewing Center. However, before she could do this demo, she had to find the most efficient and simplest way to make Cathedral Windows.
Challenge
During her experimentation process, Billie Kay tried various techniques, but none of them were satisfactory.
“Some techniques resulted in bulk under the window center, which is more difficult to assemble and offers less versatility in design,” Billie Kay expressed. “I wanted to keep the size of the traditional window without the bulk.” Additionally, she spent hours hand-cutting octagon shapes for her classes, which took time away from teaching more people and offering new patterns to more experienced creators.
Since Billie Kay could not find the right technique, she sadly could not provide a demonstration at her local sewing center, leading to five long years without a solution.
Solution
Billie Kay was reasonably frustrated until she found Custom Shape Pros.
“I found Custom Shape Pros through AccuQuilt,” she explained. “I searched through AccuQuilt’s catalog for an octagon shape to match the size I was working with and then I saw an option for creating a custom die. I sent my dimensions to Custom Shape Pros and they made my custom-made die exactly as I needed.”
With Billie Kay’s custom die, more and more individuals interested in making their own Cathedral Windows can do so.
“My Octagon Custom Die totally streamlined my process,” Billie Kay gushed. “It has saved me time and I now have developed my technique into easy, illustrated patterns to share through more local classes and in my quilt kits. This die makes much easier, quicker, and more professional finished quilt blocks.”
From one small business owner to another, Billie Kay had this to say: “Custom Shape Pros looks at every detail of your design and makes sure it is workable before they finalize the order. They are easy to work with, and there was great communication all through the order process. Look at your options and design a die just for you.”
More customer success stories: Creative Arts
Company
Let’s Make Windows
Location
Twin Falls, Idaho, USA
Customer Since
2019
Die-Cutting Machine
AccuQuilt GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter
Custom Die Type
Standard Steel-Rule Die
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