The End of an Era…

My mom forwarded me an email message the other day that told of some sad news.  The Gardener’s Quilts, my LQS, is closing its doors.  For some odd reason, I never made it on their email list and my mom always forwarded their messages on to me.  The sale started on Monday morning at 10 am and (I am told) die hard quilters lined up for over an hour to get into the store to shop one last time.

I wasn’t able to get there until Tuesday.  By then, it seemed just a shadow it its former glory.  It was largely stripped to the bare walls.  I did pick up a Moda rectangular precut, a beautiful kit for a Christmas quilt with Santa, and a pattern that I had my eye on for the longest time (Bento Box–I figured it would make a great “guy quilt” for my son).  I paid $20.07 total for over $78 in quilty goodness.  But, instead of being happy at my good fortune, I was twinged with sadness for the end of this quilt shop–my quilt shop.

The first quilt store I ever knew was called The Quilting Bee in Fayetteville, GA.  It was about a 45 minute drive from me.  The staff was so wonderful and friendly.  It didn’t take long before they knew my name and the types of projects I had been working on.  They always asked if I had brought anything to show them.  It felt really good to be there.  It was more than a store, it was made of friends and relationships.

I took my first classes there.  I learned hand quilting, machine quilting, and knitting.  I loved the classes and the people who gave them and took them with me.  I was devastated when they closed.

Other stores eventually took their place.  But, the closest, and the one that I had developed the strongest relationship with (if that is the proper word) is my LQS.  It wasn’t large, but the staff was friendly and knew me by name (It didn’t hurt that my name was the same as the owner’s name–Jan).  They were all experienced quilters and would gladly give advice and help with techniques.  They would help me draft a pattern on the back of a receipt so I wouldn’t forget the plan!  The staff did hand quilting, hand piecing, applique, machine quilting, and machine piecing, so there was always someone who had experience in whatever project you were working on.  They understood and respected both modern techniques and those of us who chose a slower, more meditative path for some projects in between the quick ones.  I took many classes and purchased many kits there.

There is another store that is a bit farther away.  It is huge and holds a dizzying array of fabrics.  It is well decorated and has an impressive classroom space.  If it involves machine quilting and fast projects and a funky fresh attitude, it is there.  I love it, but for different reasons than I loved my LQS.  Come to think of it, this store has just become my new LQS.  They have notions for hand quilting, but not many as there just isn’t as much call for it.

I am sure that I will adjust just fine.  I have taken a couple of classes at this larger, mega-store and have found the instructors and staff knowledgeable and pleasant.  It just doesn’t have the same feel, the same personality as the other store.  Each one is different and that is why this particular one will be sorely missed.