Good friends are like quilts, they never lose their warmth.
Karen opened Bless My Stitches Quilt Shop in November 2005. It had been her long-time dream to open a quilt shop. After a career in education as an elementary school teacher and an E.S.O.L. (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Administrator for 23 years in the state of Florida, she was blessed to be able to realize that dream.
Get to know Karen-When she was eleven years old, her grandmother taught her to sew. Both her mother and grandmother were talented seamstresses, so she learned from the best. Karen was introduced to quilting in 1981 during a trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It slowly became a passion she could not deny. Taking quilt classes, joining the local guild and attending every quilt show around with her very talented quilter, sister-in-law, Laurie. After making quilts from patterns, she branched off to creating patterns and quilts of her own and was soon commissioned to make quilts for others. With the love and understanding of her husband, Brad and youngest daughter, Rebecca (their other daughter, Brittany lives in Orlando, Florida) they made the move to the mountains so that Karen could open a quilt shop in the world's greatest town, Murphy, North Carolina.
Get to know Ann- Ann and her husband Walter retired to the mountians of Western North Carolina in 2005. She is the mother of two grown children and has 2 adorable grand daughters. Ann started quilting at BMS and is now a very talented and patient teacher at the shop. She is always up for a challenge and enjoys making many of the shops samples. Her favorite quilting technique is paper piecing and she shares her love and expertise with her Starry Days Paper Piecing Club. Come in any Tuesday and you can see her hard a work, assisting customers with fabric choices, teaching a class or helping out behind the register!
Get to know Ardell- coming soon!
Get to know Diane B - coming soon!
Get to know Hallie-Hallie is the youngest member of the BMS staff, but don't let her youth fool you, she is a talented quilter! Hallie learned to quilt in 2005 from Karen, the shops owner. She now has made over 30 quilts, makes samples for the shop, teaches clubs and classes, has won awards (1st place for her Twisted Bargello quilt and 2nd place for her Double Wedding Ring quilt in the Apprentice Category of the 2007 Misty Mountian Quilt Guild Show), she and her friend have started their own baby quilt making business called Two Feathers and helps out on Second Saturday Sampler! Hallie's eye for color along with great helpful hints make her a great asset to the shop.
Get to know Helen- Helen actually learned how to sew in elementary school and it soon held a special place in her heart. As her children came along, a son and a daughter, she was soon making all their clothing. Her son always appreciated it as he was always tall and his mom could make clothes just his size, her daughter often brought home new patterns and fabric for mom to create from. Needless to say, Helen's kids were the best dressed on the block. Much later, Helen was introduced to quilting through a friend that invited her to the Jacksonville Quilt Show. Seeing all the beautiful quilts and the hard work that went into them, Helen was hooked and she now loves every minute of quilting she gets. Helen makes samples for the shop, teaches clubs, classes and helps out with our Second Saturday Sampler.
Get to know Kay- coming soon!
Get to know Linda- Linda is a Georgia native, a self-proclaimed techie and she loves zipper bags. She enjoys photography, technology (all things Apple), sewing, reading and knitting. After taking Beginning Quilting classes with Roxanne in March 2009, she completed 3 small quilts in 2009 for family members and so far in 2010, has completed 2 quilts for the "Quilts for Kids Organization". She loves bright fabrics and describes her future quilting style as wonky. When she's not sewing a zipper bag, she's probably zipping to Atlanta or over Blood Mountain to BMS! She makes zippered pouch samples, teaches and helps out on Second Saturdays too.
Get to know Mary- coming soon!
Get to know Roxanne- Roxanne first came to BMS in 2005, while checking out the new shops in downtown Murphy. After getting to know Karen, the shop owner, she decided to sign up for a class. Well, let's just say that the quilting world has never been the same! Roxanne has made over 50 quilts for family, friends, project linus, wounded veterans, school fund-raisers and others. She is our resident Monday beginning quilt teacher. Roxannane's kind spirit and gentle teaching skills turn non-sewers into quiltmakers! Along with being the shop Manager, Roxanne makes shop samples, teaches classes and helps our Second Saturday Sampler run smoothly.
Get to know Russ- Russ started sewing in high school, when he started working in Andrews for a large "jeans" factory. After serving in Desert Storm he returned to factory sewing and put himself through college. He and his wife, Rhonda have two young daughters and a long arm quilting business called, The Back Porch Quilters. Russ teaches night and weekend classes and makes samples for the shop. See his website at www.thebackporchquilters.com
Get to know Sue - coming soon!
Get to know Tami- Tami comes to us as from Florida by way of Roxanne. Roxanne brought her in the shop and taught her to sew. She took naturally to quilting and has made dozens of quilts in the past few years. She is a semi-retired EMT, but now works installing granite counter tops. Her warm and welcoming smile will make you feel right at home. Tami makes shop samples, teaches classes and helps out on Second Saturdays too!
About the shop-Bless My Stitches located in historic downtown Murphy. The shop is 2000 square foot and is full of the newest lines from Moda, Michael Miller, Lakehouse, Westminster, Free Spirit, Robyn Pandolf, Marcus Brothers, Maywood Studios, Timeless Treasures, along with Civil War Reproductions, Aunt Gracie's, Batiks and Lodge decor fabric. There are also great selections of homespuns and flannels. With Karen's education background, classes are always an important part of the Bless My Stitches experience. There are usually 50 or more classes offered each quarter. There is sure to be one that will meet your needs and if not, talk to Karen and she will try to arrange one that you desire. Her teachers are friendly and encouraging, making sure you learn the "old fashioned" basics but are always up on the latest tools and techniques to make your quilting lesson fun and easy.
What our customers say about us-
from Suzanne- "I always feel welcome the minute I walk through the door, Karen is always there with a smile. She cares about me and wants to see me grow as a quilter."
from Janet- "It (BMS) is just such a fun place to be. It's more than a shop, it's a social gathering of quilters!"
from Lynne- "There is a real feeling of warmth here, from the cozy decor to the friendliness of the staff."
from Angie- "Bless My Stitches is a great place to get the individual attention I want and need. Karen is willing to spend lots of time with me so that I can make just the kind of quilt I've always dreamed of."
from Margaret- "I am a part timer and I look forward to coming back to Bless My Stitches as much as coming back to the mountains. I can even special order fabric when I'm in Florida."