In this small town, with a population of just over 8000, there is a Fabric store. This store has been around for over 30 years and is loved very well by the towns people and the surrounding areas. Moving all of the world, through the military and landing in an even smaller town, I didn't always have a fabric store, so close. As you may know, my family and i moved here in just August of last year after my husband obtained his degree. I was okay with not going to a bigger city ONLY because, there was a fabric store in town. We were aware of the move for a whole year as my husband was offered a position during an internship. For a whole year, I kept looking at the owners silent blog and other silent social media accounts. All the while, I had an unsettling feeling that things were just a bit too quiet. What's going on her, I often wondered. Flash forward to almost a year later and after many visits house hunting, I landed in the fabric store. Nice, large store and lots of friendly helpers to boot. My kind of place, but why was everything so quiet on social media. I still don't really know. That day, I meet this lady. A lady how just so happened to look about my age. Thirty something. I remember telling my husband, how I had found a young quilter as I really hadn't seen to many, in person that is. I was just so excited. I secretly hoped we could be friends. You know, new town, quilting in common, similar age. I couldn't help but daydream. Fast forward to Septemeber 2015. I had been here not even a month and I received a message on facebook. "Are you the same girl that was in the fabric store........" Hmmmm, I thought, Who is this. Of course no picture, but I bit the bullet and responded. Looks like I could make a quilting buddy? Oh how that worked out. I met her in just a few days and , she was the same gal who I had gone home and exclaimed to my husband about. Our official meeting was great and since then, we have really flowered a really great friendship. One thing that sticks out, was her conversation about the fabric store. Yes....Do you know that the store is being sold? Umm, a sudden sense of sadness enveloped me. Oh no, I thought. I guess traveling to the city or just shopping online will have to work. Then a silly grin came across her face. "I'm buying the store!, she said." Oh my goodness, really? And it's true. As I really want to be selfish and be over the moon happy that there will continue to be a fabric store, a well establish fabric store. A well loved and appreciated fabric store.... I cannot help but be beyond happy for my new friend. A fabric store, now that's a fantastic dream and how lucky am I to have a partner in crime, sewing away in my studio, talking all things quilty, and being offered to quilt for the store? Pretty lucky and after moving everywhere and then here, I feel like I really can get used to it out here. I'm really excited to see my work hanging in the shop and being to teach there is just so great. She's a fantastic piecer and is pulling from all genres of the quilting world. She's also into making bags, and childrens clothes. The lines that she will be carrying are scrumptious and there will be something for everyone. Excited! Yes and if there is a bigger word, I am that too. I will leave you with one of her quilts, that i have been honored to do. I'm still waiting for my outdoor shot equipment and better weather, but theses shots will do for now and we all know, I'll have to get shots of the store and her quilts hanging in there, once it is officially her's. Closing is scheduled for later this month and she'll close the shop for a wee bit to update the look. I'm very happy for her and her wonderful adventure she's embarking on. To many, many more happy years with a local fabric store and online shopping from the comfort of your bath robe and slippers. Yes, count me in :)
She choose a variegated thread with a change of color occurring about every inch. She took this very traditional quilt and brought it into a more modern feeling without completely taking it there. She asked for straight quilting and Amish feathers and she absolutely loved it. It really was a fantastic quilt to work on. Every clients quilts are special. I love working on them as I become to attracted to more and more styles of quilts. This one is pretty sexy and apart from my whole cloth quilts, I don't usually choose tons of solids. I think I will maybe give it a go and try to incorporate more.
Happy Quilting!
xox ~ Lita
Happy Quilting!
xox ~ Lita