EPISODE
53
Season 2, Episode 14: Inside Ida Mae Home
EPISODE LINKS.
SHOW NOTES.
McFarland Minutes: Touring Ida Mae Home’s Texas-Made Quilt and Lifestyle Production Process
Host Natalie McFarland introduces McFarland Minutes and records a different episode on location at Ida Mae Home in Texas, touring the facility with Rashanda and founder Kristen. They walk through the end-to-end, in-house process: sublimation fabric printing on large-format equipment, heat transfer to fabric, multi-needle quilting machines, cutting tables, and a sewing department using specialized machines for details like zippers, handles, and snaps to finish quilts, jackets, bags, shams, and pajamas. Kristen explains Ida Mae was started in honor of her grandmother Ida May and to move production from overseas to Texas during 2020–2021, enabling faster speed to market, unlimited design flexibility, quality control, and American job creation. They discuss minimizing fabric waste by turning scraps into new product categories, sources of pattern inspiration, easy-care durability, and the brand’s growth through process refinement, community, and customer relationships.
00:00 Welcome to McFarland Minutes
00:36 Touring Ida Mae Home
00:53 Print Room Sublimation
01:56 Heat Transfer Step
03:02 Quilting Machines Up Close
03:58 Cutting Table and Scrap
05:10 Sewing Department Finish
06:41 Showroom and Engineer Prints
07:11 Kristen on Ida Mae Origins
08:38 Speed to Market Advantage
09:43 Keys to Growth and Quality
10:57 Community Keeps Us Going
11:14 Ida Mae’s Legacy
11:43 Patterns That Remember Her
12:40 From Quilts to Jackets
13:49 Finding New Pattern Inspo
14:52 Hand Drawn Art to Fabric
15:36 Easy Care Everyday Quilts
17:31 Building the Brand Process
19:07 Choosing Stitch Patterns
20:00 Gratitude and Wrap Up
ABOUT THIS EPISODE.
Enhancing Creativity and Heritage: A Visit to Ida Mae Home
Introduction
Welcome to our behind-the-scenes tour of Ida Mae Home, a creative sanctuary nestled in Texas that embodies the spirit of American craftsmanship. In collaboration with Rashanda and Kristen, we set out to explore the intricacies of their production process. Our journey through their facility offers profound insights into their innovative approach to fabric printing and product creation—cornerstones of their remarkable brand.
Innovative Production at Ida Mae Home
Upon arrival, we were greeted by Rashanda, who introduced us to the heart of their operation, the print room. Every piece of fabric starts as a blank canvas and is transformed using sublimation printing. Rashanda explains this unique process, where designs are printed on paper before being transferred onto the fabric via heat transfer machines—resulting in vibrant, limitless colors. These meticulous steps define the Texas-made ethos that Ida Mae passionately champions.
The Sewing and Quilting Process
As we continued our tour, we were guided through the various stages of production, including quilting and sewing—a seamless merge of technology and tradition. The advanced machines house multiple needles, expediting the quilting process. From quilts to jackets, the precision and efficiency of the Ida Mae team ensures each product receives the time and care it deserves.
Sustainability and Innovation in Fashion Design
Ida Mae stands out in more than just their production quality; they are committed to sustainability. Kristen detailed how utilizing fabric scraps helped them evolve into a comprehensive lifestyle brand, producing items like pajamas and jackets. This innovative use of excess material minimizes waste and offers customers unique products that are as practical as they are stylish.
A Tribute to Heritage
The legacy of Ida Mae Home is deeply personal for founder Kristen. Named in honor of her grandmother, the brand started out as an international operation before shifting production entirely to the United States in 2020. This decision was driven not just by a desire to ensure product quality, but also to sustain and create American jobs. By doing so, Ida Mae has created an authentically local brand synonymous with creativity, tradition, and community support.
Design Inspiration and Artistic Approach
Inspiration for Ida Mae’s distinctive patterns comes from a variety of sources—Pinterest, fashion shows, and even Kristen’s teenage daughter. Collaborations with artists bring fresh perspectives to the table, allowing for hand-drawn designs that sidestep common color limitations in fabric production. This freedom in design selection ensures that every piece doesn’t just meet aesthetic standards but exceeds them.
An Enduring Legacy
Kristen’s vision and dedication have helped Ida Mae Home grow into a beloved brand, cherished by customers who value quality and thoughtful craftsmanship. Each quilt, jacket, or bag is a reflection of skill and artistry, representing the brand’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
The growth from Ida Mae’s quilting traditions to a modern fabric powerhouse is both a tribute to heritage and a testament to the unwavering passion behind the brand. We are honored to share this journey and look forward to seeing how Ida Mae continues to inspire.
Conclusion
Appreciating the process behind the art matters just as much as the art itself. Our visit to Ida Mae Home reaffirms the value of innovation, sustainability, and community—principles deeply woven into the essence of their creations. As we wrapped up our tour and conversation, it became clear that Ida Mae’s legacy is as vibrant and enduring as the colorful patterns their fabric tells.
IN THIS EPISODE.
Kristen Kiseljack & Rashanda Kelley
Ida Mae Home
idamaehome.com
https://www.facebook.com/IdaMaeHome
https://www.instagram.com/idamaehome/?hl=en
Ida Mae’s Story
Meet Kristin, the face behind the brand. Enjoy this glimpse of her story and how Ida Mae was created!
“I started Ida Mae Home in honor of my grandmother, Ida Mae Grant, a strong, creative, and feisty woman. Raised on a farm outside Waco, she grew up quilting and passed down stacks of well-loved quilts. Along with them, she shared her love for good stories on the porch and homemade meals from her garden. We know that we are living in uncertain times, but we hope to bring a little stability and happiness to our corner of the world with our Made in Texas quilted, handmade products. We hope you enjoy this heritage through our quilts and textiles.”
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS.
NATALIE MCFARLAND
PRESIDENT, FOUNDER
MCFARLAND PRODUCTIONS
After freelancing her way through college, Natalie established McFarland Productions in 2014, which has continued to grow rapidly over the last few years. Her passion and focus have always remained the same; capturing, understanding, preserving and promoting Ranching, Farming, Western Lifestyle and AgriBusiness. She has always had a love for the western culture and even at a young age it was unmistakably clear she would someday find a career serving the industry.
Natalie grew up on a small ranch, rodeoed, showed horses in a variety of disciplines, showed livestock, and participated in 4H and Oregon High School Equestrian Teams. She has trained herding dogs and started colts, worked with sheep and cattle and has had the experience of racing to finish up a hayfield before a rainstorm hit. She understands the joys, sorrows, wins, losses and hard work of ranchers and farmers. That’s why McFarland Productions can produce authentic marketing campaigns for the businesses, organizations, events, and brands of the western and agriculture industry – it’s who she is.
With a passion for building community surrounding brands, Natalie focuses on building real connections between companies/brands and the people that make up their community. Telling the stories of your customers and making them apart of the brand’s story is her main focus. Creating real, human, meaningful connections and strengthening community within the western and agriculture industry through strategic marketing services.
SCOUT FOSTER
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC STORYTELLING
MCFARLAND PRODUCTIONS
Scout’s faithfulness to the agriculture and western sports industry is rooted in tradition. Growing up in Central Florida, she stood by her family as they supported different sectors of the industry, including raising beef cattle, bucking bulls for local rodeos, and spending weekends with her grandparents who lived on Disney’s Wilderness Preserve.
Moving away from The Mouse, Scout graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Nation’s top agricultural communications college at Texas Tech University in 2022.
Now residing in Crockett, she and her husband, Lane, keep busy raising beef cattle and bucking bulls with her family. Scout also loves gardening, raising chickens, reading, and her two dogs: Rue and Dill.
