We recently connected with Stacey Gilfillan and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Stacey, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I always believed that quilts are the quintessential symbol of comfort. I’m a nurse by trade, and now that I’m officially retired I love knowing that I can continue to provide comfort to folks who have experienced the loss of a loved one by helping to transform articles of clothing into memory quilts–something that can provide tangible and long-lasting comfort.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
My personal quilting philosophy: The person who asks for a quilt is better served being taught how to make one. .
How/Why did I become a T-Shirt Quilt Whisperer? Most quilters I know, myself included, will assure you that the #1 requested item we get asked to make is (insert virtual drum roll)…a t-shirt quilt! Some of us know how to make them while others of us do not–and some of us have absolutely zero desire to put ourselves through that particular stretchy-knit-fabric-stabilized/unstabilized-thick-plastic/vinyl graphics Quilty Hell that is (or often can be) described as the making of a t-shirt quilt. I’m not ashamed to admit that I personally found very creative ways to GET OUT of making them for folks–but mostly because I, like most quilters, have what seems like an ever-growing list (25-50?) of quilts I wish to make during my lifetime. So many quilts, so little time. Alas, t-shirt quilts FOP (for other people) weren’t on that list. But then I retired and thought, you know what? I should just LEAN INTO this very popular thing that folks seem to want. A lot. My epiphany: Give the people what they want! Thus I’ve made creating and longarming “unstabilized” t-shirt quilts my specialty.
As luck would have it, I was a nurse by trade and education and teaching are a big part of what we nurses do. Add to that I had been making quilts for friends and family members for more than 30 years, so I had accumulated a certain level of knowledge and expertise– not to mention a massive fabric stash, a collection of Bernina sewing machines, and equipment and notions…Oh MY!
And so, Little Gilly Quilts was born in late 2021 as I was preparing to retire from my 25-year nursing and pharmaceutical sales careers. I just wanted a little side hustle to supplement my retirement income, but with a few added happy “bonuses,” those being: I wanted to create more quilters. I wanted folks to have an enhanced understanding of what it is we quilters do–and WHY quilts are (or should be) very expensive. And lastly, I wanted folks to have the experience of making a quilt, a future heirloom to be passed down through the generations. Hence, Little Gilly Quilts offers weekend T-Shirt Quilt Workshops at my studio in Williamstown (MA) where participants repurpose their collection of souvenir t-shirts & sports uniforms, AND save 30% on the overall cost of their quilty masterpiece!
Incidentally, I highly encourage t-shirt quilt workshop participants to work in teams of two–encouraging them to bring a friend or family member along so they can share the experience together. I don’t know who’s having more fun at these workshops, me or these fledgling quilters? It is such an absolute thrill for me as I watch and listen to folks as they learn how to safely use rotary cutters; learn how to compose a visually enticing layout of the t-shirt blocks; learn how to operate a sewing machine, wind a bobbin, thread a needle. And I absolutely love to hear their laughter as they chat and share the stories behind each of their beloved t-shirts/sweatshirts/sports jerseys and caps, etc. My students are embarking on this very special and unique quilt journey, and I get to be a Quilty Fairy Godmother of sorts–taking out my “magic wand” (often a seam ripper) and providing remedial assistance when necessary. It’s my superpower! What’s better than that?
Although T-Shirt and Memory Quilts are our most popular offerings, Little Gilly Quilts also provides longarm and finishing services, including digital Edge-to-Edge (E2E) and custom machine quilting to other quilting enthusiasts looking to finish a special project. My rates are competitive, and my studio is well-equipped with cutting-edge equipment and technology that help me get their treasured heirlooms back to them quickly! LGQ longarm services are here to help quilters of all skill levels finish their quilt project, bringing ito life with the assist of a brand new Bernina Q24 and their choice from a collection of hundreds of modern, geometric, and traditional digital pantograph quilting designs to choose from. I want this to be fun for my clients and not overwhelming, so there’s always the option to have LGQ make all of the necessary decisions, including which panto best accentuates the quilt top’s vibe, the best thread color, which batting to use, etc. Once a client has finished their beautiful quilt top, longarm machine quilting can help them to complete their quilt masterpiece and give it the finishing touch it deserves! And the best part? That client now has freed up some time to move on to the very NEXT quilt project on their ever-growing list of quilts to make during their lifetime!
Why do I have this desire to make so many quilts, you ask? Like many quilters, my goal has always been to make certain that each of our children (6 of them) and grandchildren (currently 9 of them) have at least one of my quilts. Quilts are the quintessential symbol of comfort, and I’m not going to be around forever, right? My hope is that my family members will be able to wrap themselves in a quilt I made especially for them–like a tangible hug from Mom/Grammy Gilly (GiGi).
Last few fun facts about me…
-I’m a military spouse and I offer a 10% Military Discount for all Active Duty/Retired Service Members and their families.
-When I’m not quilting, I’m usually traveling around the USA with my husband and our two Shih Tzus in our 30-ft RV “Elvira.”
-You can also find me as a member of the cast (and Chief Seamstress) in Seasons 1 and 2 of “Inn The Works”–my daughter Lindsey Kurowski’s popular reality TV hotel/motel renovation show on the Magnolia Network/HBO Max.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Eight years ago I had the opportunity of a lifetime to volunteer for two weeks in northern India as part of a 10-person team tasked with collaborating with several local NGOs on a diabetes-related research project. My employer, a large pharmaceutical company, had selected me to participate in this event and the experience–and the subsequent aftermath of the trip proved to be life-changing events. During my return trip home to the USA, I had a layover in London, and my husband and two of our friends flew out to join me for a week’s vacation. This was an especially welcome occasion because, following 2 weeks in some very rural parts of India, I was happily reunited with wine, ice cubes, and European toilets again— but not necessarily in that order!
Several days into that London vacation, I was sipping a Gin & Tonic in a British pub when my cell phone rang. It was my boss calling to inform me that my Orlando (FL) sales territory had just been eliminated. Salesforce headcount changes happen all the time in the Pharma Industry, so this was not something new. However headcount changes were not supposed to occur during this round—or so we were told that fall. However that wasn’t entirely accurate this time, and that phone call from my boss essentially meant that I had just lost my job. But what was worse was the fact that I didn’t have my corporate iPad with me at the time, which meant I couldn’t begin the process of looking for another suitable and “open” position within the company ASAP, like the other 30+ folks who had also been “displaced” during this round of corporate reorganization. Those other displaced employees all got a jump start on looking for a new gig while I was trying to enjoy what was left of my vacation in London. I won’t lie. I wasn’t a whole lot fun after that phone call. But the G&T helped. Lol
Returning “home” from that trip was forever changed for me, especially as it began to sink in that I would likely have to be “geo-flexible” if I wanted to stay employed with my current employer. I had 8 years with the company at that time, and I really wanted/needed to get to 10 years to ensure certain retirement/benefits, etc. My wonderful retired military spouse stepped up to the challenge, telling me it was my turn for a “deployment,” reassuring me that he’d support me in any way I needed—including relocating if necessary. A week later I was hired for a position in San Antonio, TX, which was really awesome because our son and grandkids were living there! A month after that we had purchased a home in Texas, packed up the house in Florida, and moved everything cross-country. Everything was happening so very quickly, and it was often stressful. But my partner was my absolute rock, and we worked really well together while being under considerable stress. We divided up the “missions”—he managed everything to do with the “old” house in Florida, and I took the reins of everything having to do with the “new” house in Texas. We spent that Christmas in our new home surrounded by moving boxes from floor to ceiling. Although it was truly painful to be uprooted so abruptly from our beautiful home and all of our dear friends in Florida, the silver lining was getting to spend 8 glorious years making memories with our grandkids in Texas. I had no idea Texas was in my Master Plan…but apparently it was! I couldn’t have been any happier if I’d tried. Now I’m retired from corporate life and living my dream of owning my own longarming and quilting business here in Williamstown, MA—which was another abrupt move. But that’s a whole other adventure. Never a dull moment here for The Gillys!
Bottom line: Sometimes life throws you curveballs, right? Sometimes things happen, or perhaps don’t happen for reasons we cannot fully comprehend in the moment. Sometimes you don’t have all the answers and you have to live the questions now. (Head nod to Rainer Maria Rilke)
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Once I established my LLC, I then partnered with Red Thread Financial Group, the sister company of American Financial Partners, regarding the funding for my new Bernina Q24 + Q-Matic. Since 2011, RTF directly serves the creative services markets. They have funded millions of dollars in machines to existing businesses and have helped countless customers (like me) get their businesses up and running. RTF worked directly with my Bernina Dealer to ensure the funding was in place once the purchase order was submitted. The application process was very straightforward, and the RTF/AFP folks have always been super accessible and very helpful over the course of the last 18 months. When my machine took longer than anticipated to arrive due to supply chain interruptions, RTF/AFP worked with me regarding my financing, deferring one of my payments until after my longarm arrived and was installed. I am very happy to recommend their services to anyone in the quilting, embroidery, and creative services sectors. They totally get what we do, and they are here to assist!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.littlegillyquilts.com
- Instagram: @littlegillyquilts
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/littlegillyquilts/