Collaboration Over Competition

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In this episode, I emphasize the importance, as I see it, of collaboration over competition. It's a beautiful thing when our quilting community shares knowledge, celebrates others' successes, and seeks help without fear. I advocate for giving proper credit to original ideas and designs, ensuring a supportive and vibrant and sustainable creative industry. 

Tune in to learn how generosity can form a strong foundation for a prosperous, creative business. When we work together, it not only improves our projects but improves the entire community!

00:00 Introduction to Season 5

01:03 The Power of Collaboration in Quilting

02:20 Overcoming the Fear of Sharing

03:58 Honoring Originality and Giving Credit

05:27 Fostering a Collaborative Community

07:16 Conclusion and Call to Action

Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.

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Episode Transcript

(00:04):
Welcome to Season 5 of MeasureTwice, Cut Once.
This whole season is anexploration into behind the
scenes of not just quilting, butbuilding a creative business
that truly lights you up.
As someone who's navigated theexciting, sometimes bumpy world
of turning a passion into aprofession, I'm excited to pull
back the curtain and share myown experiences.

(00:26):
Some episodes will be just me.
Diving deep into my personaljourney, while others will
feature guests who are alsonavigating the world of creative
entrepreneurship, will explorethe nitty gritty of building a
creative business, the lessonslearned and the unexpected
challenges that come withtransforming your craft.
Into a thriving enterprise.
And don't worry, I'm not leavingstorytelling behind.

(00:48):
Instead, I'll be weaving theminto the conversations about
what it takes to grow a businesswhile staying true to your
creative spirit.
So whether you're dreaming ofstarting your own business, or
you just love hearing aboutcreative entrepreneurship, this
season is for you.
Hi there, and welcome back tothe podcast.
Whether you're sewing,stitching, or simply savoring a

(01:10):
cup of coffee, I'm so gladyou're here today.
I'm Susan Smith, a quilter,crafter, and firm believer that
a life surrounded by creativityis a life well lived.
Today we're diving into a topicthat's near and dear to my
heart.
Why our industry.
This wonderful, colorful worldof quilting and crafting thrives
when we choose collaborationover competition.

(01:31):
So grab your favorite project orjust a comfy chair and let's
chat.
Have you ever noticed how muchmagic happens when creative
people come together?
Whether it's a very traditionalquilting bee or.
Or a crafting retreat, or even acasual chat at your local quilt
shop.
There's something about sharingideas and tips and inspiration

(01:53):
that just lights a fire underyour creativity.
It's like the difference betweensewing in a dimly lit room and
flipping on all the lights,everything gets brighter and
clearer and more fun.
When we work together and shareour knowledge, it's not just our
own projects that improve, it'sthe entire community.
Techniques evolve.
New trends emerge.

(02:13):
And let's be honest, we all saveourselves a few headaches when
someone shares how not to sew aY seam, am I right?
Now let's talk about the flipside, the mindset that keeps us
from sharing our skills or ideasas though creativity is some
kind of limited and finiteresource.
You've probably seen it or maybeeven felt it yourself, that

(02:34):
little voice that says, If Itell people how to do this, then
I'm not the authority anymore.
Or if I share this design slashtechnique, someone's going to
copy it and sell it.
More on that last one in amoment.
But here's the point I want tomake today, keeping our
techniques or ideas or tipslocked away, doesn't help

(02:55):
anyone.
Not us, not the community, andcertainly not the next
generation of makers.
Instead, it isolates us.
It's really rooted in, in fearthat there's not going to be
enough and not in connection.
And let's face it, honestly,none of us invented quilting or
crafting, right?
We're all standing on theshoulders of those who came

(03:16):
before us.
So I do need to be clear.
I'm not suggesting that we needto give everything away for
free.
How then could we make a livingin our industry?
I'm simply saying, Be asgenerous as you can be with your
knowledge, your experience, yourhelp.
In fact, I believe generosityforms the strongest possible
foundation for then being ableto sell a product.

(03:38):
Folks will be so confident ofthe value that you have to
offer.
I love the saying, a rising tideraises all ships.
That visual is just sodescriptive.
When we share what we know, itlifts everyone in the community,
including ourselves.
New ideas are sparked,conversations flow, and we all
grow together.
Sharing and collaboration arepart of a two sided coin,

(04:01):
though.
There's a flip side we have tokeep in mind, and that is giving
proper credit.
for ideas and designs.
Sharing knowledge is one thing,but using or exploiting someone
else's original work withoutacknowledgement, that's a whole
different story and it does notbelong in our community.
For example, you've probablyseen Facebook pages or social

(04:23):
media accounts that are nothingbut collections of other
people's work, often sharedwithout permission or
attribution.
It might seem harmless at first,just a bunch of pretty pictures,
right?
But to the person whose work isbeing posted, it feels like
theft, and it is.
They've poured their heart andsoul and time into creating
something unique, and to see itstripped of context or

(04:46):
recognition really stings.
So let's make it a point tohonor originality.
If you created a project with apublished pattern, Give the
details and credits.
If you used a certain fabricline, mention the artist.
And certainly if you're sharingsomeone else's post, make sure
you tag them or give veryvisible credit back to the

(05:06):
source.
If you're using someone'soriginal tool or product, or in
my case, perhaps quiltingsomeone else's design, give that
credit and context.
Every time that's all part ofsharing by crediting value to
the person who shared in thefirst place.
Wouldn't you want the samecourtesy extended to you?
I know I would.

(05:27):
So how do we make sure we'refostering collaboration and not
competition?
Here are a few ideas.
Share your knowledge freely.
If you figured out a shortcut ora technique or a tip that makes
your life easier or favoritetool, don't keep it to yourself,
post it, share it.
Teach it, or just tell yourfriends at your next quilting
retreat.
You never know who might needthat exact tip and will really

(05:50):
appreciate it.
Number two, celebrate otherswins.
Did your friend finally tackleher first quilt?
Or maybe someone you followonline just mastered free motion
quilting, or published their ownfirst original pattern.
Cheer them on like they justfinished the Boston Marathon.
Their success doesn't diminishyours at all.

(06:10):
It adds to the collective joyand number three, ask for help
without fear.
Sometimes we hesitate to ask foradvice because we don't want to
look like we don't know whatwe're doing and we don't want to
ask people to give freely, buthere's a little secret.
Nobody knows everything.
Reaching out for help andopening those conversations, it

(06:34):
really can lead to some of themost rewarding connections ever.
One of the things that I lovemost about quilting and crafting
in general is that it'sinherently about generosity.
I mean, think about it, how manybaby quilts or charity quilts or
other handmade gifts have youstitched up over the years?
Our work as creators is rootedin the idea of giving, whether

(06:58):
it's a physical gift or even thegift of encouragement and
support.
We just have a generouscommunity.
So let's really lean into that.
Let's.
Be the kind of crafters who lifteach other up, who share ideas
and who make this industry awelcoming, vibrant place for
everyone.
Well, friends, that's all fortoday's episode.

(07:18):
If this chat sparked somethoughts, or if you've got a
story about collaboration inyour crafting life, I'd love to
hear it.
Post a review, drop me amessage, maybe share on social
media, or come find me atstitchedbysusan.
com.
And remember, crafting isn'tjust about what we create, it's
also about the community webuild along the way.

(07:40):
So keep stitching, keep sharing,and let's keep creating a space
where everyone feels at home.
Until next time, may yoursorrows be patched and your joys
be quilted.