Meet Emily Denkers of Sew Em Quilting

Each month in the Longarm League, we hold a coaching call with one of our members to talk about their business. This month I sat down with Emily Denkers of Sew Em Quilting. We talked about her success in  building up her longarm quilting business over the past year while working another full time job, her plans to eventually move to longarming full time, quilt photography, and more.

While League members have full access to the recording of the call, we asked Emily to share a little more about herself and her business with our blog readers.

Without further ado, let's meet Emily...

Emily Denkers, Sew Em Quilting

Located: Fielding, UT 
In business: 1 year
Machine and software: Babylock Crown Jewel 3 with Pro-Stitcher 
In the Longarm League: Since January 2023

Where to find Emily
Website: https://www.sewemquilting.com/
Instagram: @sewemquilting
Facebook: Sew Em Quilting
Best way for someone to contact you for quilting? Through the intake form on my website or by email.

Q&A

Tell us a little about your business and the services you provide at Sew Em Quilting.
I provide professional longarm quilting for both edge-to-edge and digital custom quilting. I also provide sewing backing together, trimming the quilt & binding services (machine and hand). I drive to have short lead times because I know you want your quilts back fast for a number of reasons, and with the highest quality of work. 

Do you have any advice for someone just starting out with their business?
Facebook classifieds has helped me get my name out there. Just be willing to learn and try a lot of things.

How did you get started longarm quilting?
I've watched my mother in law quilt on her longarm for 13 years and it has always intrigued me, so I've known I wanted a longarm for years. After putting my husband through college and finally getting to choose what life-long career I want to do, I got my longarm last year after my current employer told me he was looking at retiring and selling his business. I can now build the career I always wanted to enjoy and have a healthy state of mind for me and my family.

Could you tell us about a business "win" you've had?
I recently had a 2nd time customer message me and told me she wants me to do a show quilt for her! This is truly a dream come true that someone feels that they can trust me with this. It makes me feel like I really "won" in doing the best job for her to impress her with the first quilts I did for her.

What pantograph(s) have you been loving lately?
Oh man.... All of them? Haha 😂 I recently did a quilt with Sunrise Skateland by Julie Hirt and it was just a perfect fit on the quilt! The added texture had me on cloud nine with how well it turned out!

What is your favorite notion for longarm quilting?
I love ironing spray by Mary Ellen. It is a staple in my quilting room for wrinkles and wavy borders.

What's your favorite part of making a quilt?
Seeing the end results? Haha I love most all of it really from picking the fabric and pattern to the binding. But I love piecing the blocks together, and seeing it come together, and then of course doing the quilting and seeing the quilting change the top from just a top of fabric to a fully functional quilt of love.

Favorite snack while sewing?
S'mores Costco snack and pistachios for sure. Depending if I want sweet or salty.

What other hobbies do you enjoy aside from quliting?
Riding my motorcycle in the canyons of Utah. Seeing the gorgeous views. Along with riding in the SXS with my small family, my husband and pup. I really just love being outdoors when it is warm out. But if it is winter I am normally indoors sewing. 

If you'd like to watch the coaching call with Emily or are interested in being a guest, we'd love to have you join us! You can learn more about membership here. And if you're interested in starting your own longarm quilting business, check out our Rookie Season course! You can see all the details, read about how the course has helped previous students, and get started here.

Thanks so much for talking with us this month Emily!