About Happy Stitches, LLC

Owned and operated since 2005 by Chris Liebel

I’m so happy you’re here.  I want to share my love of quilting with you. It all started when I was eight years old….

It all started when I was eight years old. My mom was an excellent sewist, making lots of matching outfits and dresses for me and my sister.  The first dress I made myself was a simple, sleeveless shift with a ruffle at the hem.  It was white with black dots. 

I was a Certified Public Accountant for many years, after which I needed a hobby.  I made one quilt and was blown away by how much I loved quilting--the colors, the process, the sense of accomplishment. I know this is what you love about quilting too.

I bought my first Gammill Statler in 2005.  It was the best machine available and I was almost hypnotized watching it stitch.  It seemed magical.  I couldn’t make tops fast enough.  I started quilting for others and now I have a Gammill Stater Ascend, still the best machine available.

I see myself as the facilitator of my clients’ wishes for their quilt projects.  You do all the hard part of deciding (I know deciding is the hardest part) on patterns, colors, fabrics, arrangements, and methods.  Then there is the (almost as) hard part of cutting, sewing, pressing, pressing, and pressing.  Plus, you have to make decisions on the backing, sew it, and press it.  Whew!

I have quilted thousands of quilts of all kinds.  I have some clients who have brought me hundreds of quilts.  I also have thousands of patterns available.  Choosing a quilting design is the last big decision, but I can narrow down your selection to as few as you would like.  I do only edge-to-edge quilting.   

Personally, I was born and have always lived in Farmington, New Mexico. I have a daughter who is a Navy Aerographer, currently in the reserves, and going to college to be a civil GIS specialist. My son never left school. He is a professor of International Studies at Colorado State University. They have each given me one grandchild, whom I force into sewing with me. I also love chocolate, flowers and beagles, having had three over the years. My husband and I have been married 50 years. We owned a company called Desert Sports Co, which was the local Yamaha, Harley Davidson, Suzuki dealership. I used to ride motorcycles, play the piano and golf. Now I like baking and cooking, reading historical books, painting, walking the dog and, oh yeah, longarm quilting.

Now that you know a little about me, give me a call and tell me about the quilt you’re working on. I want to leave you with Happy Stitches in your hands.

  • I can’t tell you how happy I am every time I pick up anything you have quilted for me. Everything looks like a magic wand that you have applied and directed to change patterns and fabric into a work of art. My family and I enjoy the large and small creations after you add the quilting. I admire and treasure everything I have pieced by you and share with the family. I have to admit it is sometimes very difficult to part with many of “our” original pieces of art, Chris. I don’t have much more wall space. I thank you so much for the “Happy Stitches to You” mug. Of course the quilt is one that required patience and is a “keeper” for a while. The mug is a reminder for me to be patient when sewing a large quilt. It is an attention grabber I believe. Thanks for being so generous and thoughtful, Chris. I love everything you do. Lucky for you, the paper is running down, but I thank you so much for all you do and I treasure all!

    Bev

  • “I have been remiss in sending you confirmation I received the absolutely beautiful quilts. Thank you so much. The gold thread on the big quilt and the leaf quilting is perfect. I love the pattern you used for the red and white quilt too. You always do such a great job selecting thread colors and patterns. I really appreciate the work you do, as well as your quick turn-arounds. The Chadron Quilt show is the last week of April, so I have plenty of time to get the bindings and labels done. Your quilting is the ‘icing on the cake’!!!”

    Carol

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