It’s funny how life changes. 5 years ago I never would have imagined wanting to own a quilt shop. Today, owning a quilt shop is all I can think about.
I learned to sew in my high school sewing class; starting with a simple drawstring backpack with hand written directions. As my skills grew, I made t-shirt blankets for extra credit during class and I quickly finished any project that came my way! My sewing class is what started my future career as a Family and Consumer Science teacher, which I have been teaching for 9 years. How am I old enough to be teaching for 9 years?! How time flies!
I have always loved fabric and crafts. I remember being a kid and browsing Joann Fabrics or Michaels with my mom, wanting everything in sight. I could browse fabrics for hours, even then. As an adult I can still browse for hours, but now I have a scary credit card that encourages to browse and buy!
A few years ago I went to a quilt show and was re-introduced to the wonderful world quilting. My craft and fabric game has always been on point, but now quilting has absolutely taken over! I love the entire quilt making process. First meticulously picking out the pattern and the fabric. Then the of cutting each piece to the correct sizing, making sure the ruler doesn’t slip. Chain piecing and ironing and chain piecing some more. Finally the blocks are ready to be pieced and before you know it, the quilt top is finished and it’s time to quilt! This is where it gets hairy; I have a closet full of quilt tops and a deep dread of having to machine quilt them. So much fabric to quilt, so little space!
Enter the Longarm! After a ridiculous amount of research, I have added a Handi Quilter Amara with a Prostitcher to the mix. I no longer dread the quilting process, but cannot wait to get the quilt tops out of the closet and loaded on the longarm! The digital pantographs make the quilting process quilt and painless…usually!
I look forward to providing you with amazing fabric selections and longarm services! I dream of the day when my shop and home overlook nature on a Montana ranch, but until then I will be offering these services in the suburbs of Chicago, where I am born and raised.
Follow along as I brave the adventure of being a full time teacher and quilt shop owner. It’s bound to be a fabulous ride!
Francine
Ps. I also love to travel! There is nothing more exciting than experiences new places, trying new food and seeing what this fabulous world has to offer! Even fall flat on my toosh at a waterfall in Iceland was a memorable experience!
