Meet Kim Boisson of Prairie Patchwork Co.

This month in the Longarm League, we published a coaching call featuring Kim Boisson of Prairie Patchwork Co. I sat down with her to talk about reaching a milestone goal at the end of 2023, taking a new approach with social media, and how embracing discomfort and being a lifelong learner has helped her in her business.

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

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

Kim Boisson, Prairie Patchwork Co.

Located: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
In business: About 4 years
Machine and software: Handiquilter Infinity with Prostitcher
In the Longarm League: 3 years

Where to find Kim
Website: https://www.kimquilts.ca/
Instagram: @prairiepatchwork
Best way for someone to contact you for quilting? Filling out the Quilt Intake Form on my website to get the ball rolling or email me with any questions.

Q&A

Tell us a little about your business and the services you provide at Prairie Patchwork Co.
I am a longarm quilter that is addicted to digital patterns and to thread. I mostly do edge to edge designs but on occasion do some digital custom work. My goal is to find the perfect thread and design for your top while making sure to provide quality quilting.

Do you have any advice for someone just starting out with their business?
Be brave, be curious, and stay positive! I think an individual starting a new longarm quilting business should be pretty confident in your quilting skills. The business elements of your venture will be a learning curve so if you are pretty sure about the long arming process then you will have the time to focus on the business. I would also suggest you be a life long learner. You never know when a customer will teach you a new skill, or a fellow business owner will give you a "nugget" of important information that will improve your business.

How did you get started longarm quilting?
I got started long arming when my kids were small. I was producing a vast quantity of quilts but couldn't afford to pay to have all of them long armed. I was also very impatient and didn't have the energy or inclination to quilt them on my domestic. I started out with a little table top contraption that let me quilt with my domestic, moved to a Handiquilter 16, then to a Handiquilter Fusion, and now use a Handiquilter Infinity.

Could you tell us about a business "win" you've had?
I set a pretty large billing goal for 2023 and I beat that goal. A bit of a stranger "win" was when 5 different people told me they knew who I was because of my social media (which is my weakest skill) when I went to a Handiquilter Academy event. Like most long armers who work in isolation, it felt a bit strange to have people who I didn't know say they knew me!

What quilting designs have you been loving lately?
Oh my... Digital designs are my greatest weakness. I always love Jess's Wishbone, Birchwood by Patricia Ritter/Leisha Farnsworth and No Fuss Orange Peel by 627 Handworks.

What is your favorite notion for longarm quilting?
A needle with a loop on the end for burying threads: SnagMagic needle.

What's your favorite part of making a quilt?
I actually like all the stages of quilting: shopping, cutting (love), piecing, and then of course quilting.

Favorite snack while sewing?
I love sugar, so I'd say black licorice, but I am trying to switch to nuts!

What other hobbies do you enjoy aside from quilting?
I love to spin, walk, read, golf, and go to movies.

If you'd like to watch the business spotlight call with Kim, or are interested in being a guest, we'd love to have you join us! Whether you're interested in starting your own longarm quilting business, or wanting to improve your current 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 Kim!