Batesco Quilting Workspace Products

We spent many years in the Motion Picture Industry as Property Masters and Set Decorators before moving to San Luis Obispo, the hub of the Central Coast of California.

After settling in an area totally different than the “Hollywood Scene” JB heard about a quilt class, and although she had never sewn before, the idea intrigued her and she decided to enroll in the class. Well, that was the beginning.

Once she became hooked on this art form there was no stopping her. From that point on she just wanted to learn more and more. Then one day after class she was setting up her sewing machine and I saw her put a door-stop under the back edge of her sewing machine, tilting it forward, and I asked her why? She said that it forced her to sit up straighter and would relieve the muscles in her shoulder and neck area. I pondered the idea of some kind of tool to serve that purpose and I designed an acrylic platform (The Wedge) that her machine could sit on to make the ergonomic correction without the use of a door-stop, plus I designed it to be adjustable in height so you can change your position from time to time. Little did we know that this was to be the birth of Batesco Quilting Workspace Products!

There is a family business in San Marcos, Ca., called Custom Acrylics, owned by our nephew Greg Bates. Whatever I design, Greg makes it, sends it to us, we assemble it, label it and put it in stock. With a manufacturer of our ideas, we were off and running.

After talking to JB and her quilting friends about how they dreamed of having an ironing board large enough for quilts, and large pieces of fabric, I came up with the Quilter’s Portable Dream-Board, what we now affectionately refer to as the Portable Dream-Board..

My biggest challenge was to have it fold without having any obstruction in the middle. I felt it was necessary to fold, so that it would be easier to handle, and more portable and easy to stow away behind or under furniture. Then I designed the Versa-Table, an extension table for multiple machines. My desire to be innovative, and to help my wife enjoy her quilting more, has led our little business to our current growing success. Now it’s about 10 years later, so stay tuned, because I have more ideas for future products, and always with the thought in mind to make things easier for the quilter, or sewer, and design tools that can all work together to create a well-connected sewing environment. We would love to hear from you about how our products enhance your quilting or crafting experience, and any continuing needs that we might help you meet.

Thanks for the visit

JB and Bill