I come from a long line of sewists. My grandmother, Nettie Magnolia, the mother of 14 children, my dad being the baby, was phenomenal with the sewing machine and her hands. My Mom said she would take the dress I had on, and before I left, she would have another made just like it. She quilted, made our clothes, and embroidered; she was always busy. My Mom is also a great seamstress and taught me to sew around age nine. I have always enjoyed working with my hands. My hobbies include crocheting, cross-stitching, embroidery, photography, reading, and sewing.
I was born and raised in Dalton, Georgia and worked in the automotive industry since 1983. I have lived in Columbus, GA, Charlotte, NC, and Columbia, SC. In 2020, due to a Heart attack at a very young age of 55, I moved back home to spend the rest of my life enjoying my family. Then COVID-19 happened! Like many people, I started my quilting endeavor as a hobby. One of my co-workers showed me a few sites to watch, and I got hooked. When I’m passionate about something, I’m all in. I am now the proud owner of a Gammill Statler Longarm sewing machine.
I decided to start a quilting business to finish quilts for other people, and that is where The Longarm Stitcher was born. I created an Instagram, Facebook, and webpage. I now work full-time in my Controller job at a local Ford dealership and quilt for others part-time.
My Associate and Partner in crime, Jeanne Williams, showed up one Saturday at my house and asked if I was the longarm quilter. I was so tickled to have a new customer that I invited her in. We toured my upstairs studio and soon became fast friends. She is an incredible piecer and was looking for a new quilter to finish her quilts.
Jeannie does most of the piecing; I do the quilting. I also love to piece, but she enjoys that part of quilting the best, making us the perfect pair. Jeannie is teaching me better piecing skills, and I am teaching her longarming.
We have also teamed up to make custom baby quilts, memory quilts, table runners, pillows, bowl cozies, and everything else in our online shop. I also crochet and will make this service available should you need a custom crochet baby blanket. We have also rented space at a local antique store in Tunnell Hill, GA, to display our treasures. We will offer all things quilty, including precuts, sewing supplies, and quilts galore.
I didn’t fall in love with quilting until a co-worker introduced me to it in 2020 during covid, and I needed something to occupy my time. Well, that leads to an obsession with everything quilting, and I am now the proud owner of the Gammill Statler Longarm Sewing Machine. By the way, I have named my Gammill “Nettie Magnolia” after my grandmother.
Contact Dana:
Jeannie Williams started quilting during the pandemic as well and it was love at first stitch, she loves all things quilty and usually pieces a new quilt top every couple of weeks.
Contact Jeannie:
jw121070@gmail.com
(706) 483-8097
Instagram: @nofiltersquilter
