Trace Creek Quilting 2024 Recap

Over the past few Januarys we’ve rounded up some fun numbers to calculate our production from the year and have really enjoyed sharing those with you. It has given us some goals, allowed us to make important business decisions, and gives our whole team a moment of pride when we are able to quantify just how lucky we are to be working with so many of you and your wonderful quilts. Let’s see how 2024 went, shall we?

Quilts Quilted

A grand total of 1,401 quilts came into the studio this year which is fairly consistent for us. In 2023 we saw 1,441 and in 2022 we had 1,394. I still have a personal goal of quilting 1500 in one year so maybe 2025 is my year!

We quilted for 522 customers last year, of which 243 were new. This number means we’ve had the pleasure of quilting for over 1,100 people over the 9 years we’ve been in business. What an honor! It is truly humbling to work with so many of you and so many of your quilts. We know just how much work goes into each and every one and we are so honored to be a part of them.

Favorite Pantographs

Friends, you have excellent taste in quilting designs. Rosemary remains the #1 pantograph requested from our studio. That might be three years running for Rosemary. Ginger Snap moved up from last years #3 to this years #2 choice. And coming in at #s 3, 4, and tied for 5th are Suzy Quilt’s Boho Birds, Light City of Fountains, Abundance, and Modern Curves.

We continue to be dedicated to keeping things fresh and diverse. In doing so we added just over 90 new pantos in 2024 bringing the total of pantographs in our online library to just shy of 400.

Geographic Diversity

This year, our quilting clientele spanned across 47 states, which is one down from last year. The two states we were missing from 2023 are the same two holdouts in 2024. If you know anyone from West Virginia and Wyoming that needs a longarmer, send them my way. I’m pretty determined to get all 50 states this year!

I’ve got some regulars around the world and in addition to those we helped in the states I was able to ship things home to Canada, Germany, and Hong Kong!!

Instagram Favorites

It’s always fun to see which of our IG posts were most popular. Even with the squirrelyness of the algorithm, we have great interactions with folks on the platform and enjoy the opportunity to showcase your work. Here, in order, are the top 5 from 2024.

Crazy story, I actually photographed the Drip quilt upside down. Groooan. Imagine how much folks would have loved it if I had done it correctly. Another fun story for you; the #2 quilt, Winter Flurry, is one we quilted almost 3 years ago. We repost it occasionally because, well, I mean, look at it. Every time it lands in our top 5 IG posts of the year. You just can’t beat the classics! Check out our IG feed here for more of our content we think you are sure to enjoy.

Area, Length, and How Many Rolls??

If we laid out all the quilts you sent us in 2024, side by side, with no gaps, we would cover over an acre of land. And to make it even more impressive, we made enough binding to go around the perimeter of that acre TWICE. That’s 6,350,073 square inches and 7,975 ft of binding. Daaang!

TCQ used 6,715 linear feet of batting this year - or as it seems most impressive to me - 75 giant rolls of batting,. That’s right at a roll and a half a week! It holds true that the overwhelming majority of you prefer our cotton/bamboo blend (91%) though the wool lovers represent (9%).

TCQ Quilt Patterns

My pattern design work did not slow down last year, but my ability to write them all up and get them released definitely did. Almost Plaid was my only publication but no worries! I have some plans for 2025 and if all goes well you should see me pop up again with some fun things for you to make. The beauty of this part of TCQ is that it is just for fun. It comes with no stress, no strings, and that brings me a lot of joy in my career.

Whew! That’s a lot of wrap up! Clearly it was quite a year. As we step excitedly into 2025, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team, families and the vibrant quilting community that makes these milestones possible. The numbers tell a story of creativity, dedication, and the joy of turning fabric into cherished works of art. Here's to another year of quilting adventures, each one adding it’s own beautiful mark on the TCQ family tree. Thank you so very, very much. Happy quilting in this happy new year!!

-Lilo and the TCQ Family