From the Studio to the Sky: Custom Cuddle Quilts for a Private Jet

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Hi Bestie,

Before the holiday season swept me away, I had the opportunity to work on a project that perfectly blended craftsmanship, creativity, and a little bit of luxury.

My brother, who is a professional corporate pilot, reached out to let me know that the company he flies for was interested in having custom quilts for every seat on their jet. The goal was simple: warmth and comfort while flying. But if you know me at all, you know I wasn’t going to stop at “simple.”

Choosing the Perfect Fabric

Working alongside my mom, they explored the incredible catalog from Shannon Fabrics, and ultimately selected Shannon Cuddle Luxe Galaxy Crème. The fabric is soft, substantial, and absolutely stunning. Perfect for a refined cabin environment where comfort and aesthetics both matter.

They requested the quilts be double-sided Cuddle for maximum warmth while flying, which immediately presented a design decision: how to finish the edges cleanly without adding bulk.

A Seamless Finish (Literally)

Instead of traditional binding, I chose a self-turning construction method. I placed the Cuddle fabrics right sides together, stitched around the perimeter with a 5/8" seam allowance, and intentionally left a small opening. This allowed me to turn the quilt inside out, giving it a beautifully finished edge without binding.

I hand-stitched the final few inches closed using an invisible stitch, creating a seamless start and stop! Clean, polished, and incredibly satisfying.

Quilting for Function and Beauty

As the project came together, one thought kept nudging me: Cuddle is heavy. Without quilting, there’s a risk of stretching and shifting over time... especially in a high-use environment like a jet.

So onto the longarm it went.

I loaded the quilts onto my INNOVA Longarm and quilted a large chevron design using gold metallic thread from Superior Threads. The owners love gold, and the subtle sparkle tied beautifully into the cabin’s interior while adding stability to the fabric.

Custom Details Matter

The company takes immense pride in what they’ve built, and I wanted that reflected in every detail. We ordered custom leather patches with their logo embossed, and once quilting was complete, it was time to attach them.

For this step, I turned to my JUKI TL-18 QVP, a true workhorse. I stitched the patches on using Fusion thread from Hab+Dash by Fil-Tec, opting for a thicker thread to give that premium, high-end stitched look you’d expect in a luxury setting.

Seeing Them in Their New Home

The final and most rewarding part? Getting to step onto the jet and photograph the quilts styled in their seats. Seeing handmade work move from the studio into a real, functional, and elevated space was incredibly inspiring.

This project reminded me that quilting isn’t just tradition... it’s design, engineering, and storytelling. And honestly? It inspired a whole new wave of ideas for custom gifts for family and friends.

Because if you’re going to give a gift… why not make it unforgettable?