<p>Host Wendy Solganik interviews quilting instructor Heather Kojan, a modern quilter with traditional roots, founder of the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild, and Willa Workshops instructor behind Threaded and Sewn, The Modern Improv Pillow, and the upcoming in-person retreat Fodder School Live (sold out; August 2026). Heather recounts growing up crafty (crochet, sewing), studying business, working in radio, restaurants, and a small catering business, then making her first quilt in late-80s colors and quilting casually while raising kids. She describes discovering modern quilting through blogs/Flickr, starting a guild to build community in Baltimore, and “faking it till you make it” into lecturing and national teaching, patterns, publications, and retreats (including a large Lancaster retreat). Heather explains her income streams, extensive travel, and plans to reduce travel while creating more Willa Workshops content that merges mixed media and textiles, including future collaborations and a planned co-taught Fodder School 7 lesson. </p><p> </p><p>00:00 Meet Heather Kojan </p><p>02:05 Podcast Premise and Intro </p><p>03:39 Why Heather Now </p><p>04:44 From New York to Virginia </p><p>10:02 Early Craft Obsessions </p><p>12:46 College and Career Detours </p><p>16:26 Radio Restaurants and Catering </p><p>19:48 First Quilt and Family Life </p><p>23:03 Modern Quilting Awakening </p><p>25:06 Starting a Quilt Guild </p><p>28:23 First Lectures to Full Time </p><p>30:56 Income Streams and Recognition </p><p>33:35 How She Booked Teaching Gigs </p><p>34:32 Cold Email Breakthrough </p><p>35:53 Applying and Getting Noticed </p><p>37:04 Taking Over the Retreat </p><p>38:55 What Happens at Retreats </p><p>41:14 Finding Fodder School </p><p>46:13 From Student to Collaborator </p><p>50:57 Building Online Courses </p><p>59:08 Planning the Next Chapter </p><p>01:01:38 Travel Burnout and Ego </p><p>01:06:15 Slowing Down and New Hybrids </p><p>01:11:34 Recruiting Teachers and FS7 </p><p>01:14:24 Wrap Up and Thanks </p>