The quiet challenge of being a one-person handmade shop
A few days ago, my sewing machine—my daily partner in creativity—started acting up. At first it was a small issue, but it quickly snowballed into something that looked serious. For about 24 hours, I thought I’d have to send it out for service… and wait five weeks (or longer) to get it back.
And I panicked. Not just because I love sewing, but because this machine is the heart of my business. Without it, the quilt work stops. Orders pause. New products go on hold. For a one-woman shop, there's no backup production line.
Thankfully, I was able to fix the issue before things escalated—but it was a very real reminder of how vulnerable small businesses can be behind the scenes. You see the finished quilts. The stacks of fabric. The joyful color. What you don’t always see is how dependent it all is on a single piece of equipment, a single person, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work.
Unfortunately, most modern sewing machines aren’t built for the owner to easily service them. Unlike older machines, which you could open up, clean, and repair with a little know-how, today’s machines are often sealed systems. I’m completely dependent on finding a qualified technician—and then waiting weeks while it’s out of my hands. It’s one more way the right to repair doesn’t just affect big industries. It affects makers like me, too.
There’s no “team” of quilters here at SQ Squared Creations. It’s just me, some strong coffee, and a machine that I now appreciate even more than usual.
So if you’ve ever wondered why I only have one of each quilt, why restocks take time, or why everything I make is truly one of a kind—this is a big part of it.
Every quilt I send out into the world is not just a product. It’s a labor of love, stitched on a machine that works as hard as I do (most days). And while I hope we both keep humming along for a long time, just know: when you buy from a handmade business, you’re not just supporting a craft—you’re trusting a real person to do their best with what they have.
And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
— Suzanne
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