Day 1 at The Handmade Collective: Stories, Stitches & Sweet Projects

Welcome to Day One of The Handmade Collective - Where Creativity and Community Come Together!
We're kicking off this 3-day celebration with a full lineup of inspiring makers, thoughtful projects, and a powerful look at how craft connects us across time and space. Whether you're here to sew along, try something new, or simply soak in the inspiration, you're in the right place.
It’s not too late to join the fun!
Register now for a FREE Creative Pass - you’ll get access to all the sessions and be automatically entered into our giveaways! Want even more? Upgrade to the Creator’s Pass for bonus Zoom meetups, exclusive content, and extra goodies to take your experience to the next level.
Here’s what’s happening today:
Loose Ends: Carrying Love Across the Finish Line
Q&A with Jen
We’re honored to begin our event with Loose Ends, a nonprofit that steps in when life interrupts the work of our hands. When illness or loss prevents a crafter from finishing a handmade gift, Loose Ends quietly picks up where they left off ensuring that each stitch, full of love and intention, still finds its way home.
Join us for a heartfelt Q&A with co-founder Jen to hear how this mission came to life - and how you can get involved.
Learn more about Loose Ends here.
Sew a Story with Jennifer Long – Quilted Balloon Cover
Join educator and designer Jennifer Long of Sew A Story for a feel-good project that’s as fun to make as it is to play with. She’s teaching us how to sew a fabric balloon cover. This project is sweet, simple, and packed with purpose, just like everything Jennifer designs.
You’ll also get to see how she uses the CutterPillar Glow Mat to trace and cut pattern pieces with ease and precision.
Grab your scraps, your scissors, and maybe a kiddo or two - this is family-friendly sewing at its best!
Learn more about Sew a story with Jennifer Long here.
Sewing by Sarah – Binding & Collage Quilting with Allison Kelley
Allison Kelley of Sewing by Sarah turns quilting “what ifs” into “heck yes! She is bringing a two-part session full of both practicality and play.
First, she’ll introduce some of her most popular quilting tools like Alpha Clips, Perfect Binding, and her Wash-Away Hand Sewing Panels and show how she uses them to simplify her workflow.
Then, she’ll shift into a colorful mini project using her Wool Press ’n Lock tiles to create a collage quilt butterfly. It’s freeform, relaxing, and packed with possibilities - from wall art to pillows and more!
Learn more about Sewing by Sarah here.
Live from the Studio: Chelsea Porter – Bowl Cozy Tutorial
Coming to you live from the CutterPillar studio, Chelsea Porter is bringing the cozy - literally. In this feel-good, 45-minute session, she’ll walk you through how to make a microwave-safe bowl cozy that’s as practical as it is charming. Whether you're heating up leftovers or dishing out comfort food, this project adds a handmade touch to your everyday routine.
Learn more about Chelsea Porter here.
Demo: CutterPillar Tools with Melodee
Get up close with the tools that bring precision and glow to your creative setup. Melodee will walk you through CutterPillar favorites and how they work behind the scenes of your favorite projects.
Giveaways, Specials & Today’s Featured Deals
Don’t forget to stick around for today’s featured deals and a giveaway drawing at the end of the day. We’ve got prizes, surprises, and event-only discounts you’ll want to grab while they last!
We’re just getting started, and the inspiration is already flowing. Whether you’re stitching along or watching with a warm cup of coffee, we’re so glad you’re here.
Stay tuned for Days 2 and 3 - more makers, more magic, and more handmade moments await.
VIP Creators Zoom: Step Inside the Circle
When the livestream ends and the chat quiets down… VIPs head somewhere entirely different.
Welcome to the VIP Creators Zoom - a private, come-as-you-are gathering where the day’s presenters pull up a virtual chair and the real conversations begin.
For Day 1, that circle includes Bethany, Chelsea Porter, Jen from Loose Ends, Jennifer Long, and Allison from Sewing by Sarah. They’re not on stage. They’re on Zoom, ready to share stories, answer your questions, and connect with you in a way that just doesn’t happen during the main event.
It’s not scripted. It’s not recorded for the world. It’s just for us.
Already have the Creator’s Pass? Check your email for the Zoom link and come join the conversation.
Can’t make it live? No worries, VIPs get exclusive access to replays of every after-hours session.
And if you’re not VIP yet?
This is your sign. Because it’s not just about watching, it’s about belonging.