Meet Ligia Colello of Dearly Quilted

This month in the Longarm League, we published a coaching call featuring Ligia Colello of Dearly Quilted. I sat down with her to talk about her quilting journey, which started in 2018 as a way to honor her late mother. Fast forward to 2025 and she's started her longarm quilting business and is transitioning to focusing on her business full time. We talked about her passion for branding and marketing, the strategies she's using to build her online presence and mail-in work, design collaborations and more.

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

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

Ligia Colello, Dearly Quilted

Located: Illinois
In business: Since March 2025
Machine and software: Bernina Q24 with QMatic
In the Longarm League: Since February 2025

Where to find Ligia
Website: www.dearlyquilted.com
Instagram: @dearlyquilted
Best way for someone to contact you for quilting? Through my website.

Q&A

Tell us a little about your business and the services you provide at Dearly Quilted
I provide E2E longarm quilting services as well as custom (by appointment only). I also make T-shirt quilts.

Do you have any advice for someone just starting out with their business?
Do not doubt yourself, be bold and courageous. Go for your dreams. You can do more than you know.

How did you get started longarm quilting?
I started by renting a machine at my local dealer for a while. When I heard about the Longarm League I felt more confident considering owning my own longarm business. I found a good deal on the floor model at my local Bernina dealer and went all in. 

Could you tell us about a business "win" you've had?
I was afraid of joining a local guild after I started my business. I feared judgment and rejection but I was surprised by a welcoming community of quilters. They said there is always room for one more longarmer.

Another win was for me to go to H+H Americas 2025, which was right around the corner for me in Illinois. I got to meet a lot of quilters, pattern designers I love and fabric designers. So much fun. I felt like it was a great boost of energy right when I started my business.

What quilting designs have you been loving lately?
I absolutely love Shields from the Longarm League and Honey, Honey from Melissa Kelley of Sew Shabby Quilting.

What is your favorite notion for longarm quilting?
SewTites®️. Those magnets are saving my life!

What's your favorite part of making a quilt?
I really enjoy piecing and pressing. I was never a fan of quilting on a domestic machine.

Favorite snack while sewing?
I am not a snacker - but I do drink a ton of sparking water and Coke Zero.

What other hobbies do you enjoy aside from quilting?
I love caring for my plants, reading (audio books) and snuggling with my dogs.

If you'd like to watch the business spotlight call with Ligia, 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, Ligia!