Good friends are like quilts, they never lose their warmth.

Karen opened Bless My Stitches Quilt Shop in November of 2005.  It had been her long-time dream to open a quilt shop.  So after a career in education as an elementary school teacher and an E.S.O.L. (English for Speakers of Other Languages) administrator for 22 years in the state of Florida, she was blessed to be able to realize that dream.  

After 5 years the shop has out grown it's original location and is now in a beautifully renovated historic building with TWICE the space!  Still located in historic downtown Murphy, we are only across the street and down a few doors.

They say, "It takes a village to raise a child", well Karen says, "it takes a warm, wonderful, loving, caring, knowledgeable, creative staff to make a quilt shop and that is what I am blessed to have, I could not do this without them!"   

Get to know Karen- When Karen was eleven years old, her grandmother taught her to sew.  Both her mother and grandmother were talented seamstresses, so she learned from the best.  She was introduced to quilting in 1981 during a trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to meet her future in-laws.  Quilting soon 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 books and patterns, she branched out and started creating her own and was soon commissioned to make original quilts for others.  So in the summer of 2005, with the love and understanding of her husband Brad and their youngest daughter Rebecca (their oldest 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 mountains of Western North Carolina in 2005.  She is the mother of two grown children and has two adorable granddaughters.  She learned to quilt by taking classes at the shop and soon got the "quilt fever".  She is now a very talented teacher, specializing in T-shirt quilts, fabric bowl making and paper piecing.  She is always up for a challenge and enjoys making many of the samples for the shop.  Come by on Tuesdays and Thursdays and you will see her hard at work, assisting customers with fabric choices, cutting fabric and working behind the register. 

Get to know Ardell- Ardell and her husband Bob are recently 're-retired'...this time from Murphy Medical Center.  They love to travel, especially to see their family in Tennessee.  Ardell has always loved to craft and felt that quilting was a 'natural' fit.  She is formally trained and certified by Betty Cotton of The Cotton Yard to teach Cotton Theory Classes.  Ardell is a patient and skilled teacher and is our resident Cotton Theory Artist.

Get to know Helen- Helen learned to sew in elementary school and it soon held a special place in her heart.  She always made her children's clothing.  Her son always appreciated it as he was very tall and she could make clothes just right for him.  Her daughter often brought home new patterns for her to create.  So needless to say, Helen's kids were the best dressed kids 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, she was hooked and now loves ever minute of quilting.  Helen is an award winning quiltmaker and teaches many classes at the shop including, hand and machine applique, garment making and machine quilting.  She also keeps busy making shop samples and leading clubs.

Get to know Margie - info coming soon

Get to know Mary- Mary is a retired Murphy Elementary school teacher.  Her love of quilting comes from her mother.  She loves making quilts and garments for her granddaughters.  Mary keeps busy by volunteering at several places around town including her church.  In her spare time she is also active in most of our charity events including, Quilts For Kids, Victory Junction, The Pillowcase Challenge and Quilts of Valor.  Mary teaches our Toothbrush Rug classes, makes shop samples and helps make our Second Saturday Sampler run smoothly.

Get to know Roxanne- Roxanne first came to Bless My Stitches in 2005, while checking out the new shops in downtown Murphy.  After getting to know Karen (the shop owner and only staff member), she decided to sign up for a class.  Well, let's just say that the quilting world has never been the same (or run at the same speed).  Roxanne has made well over 100 quilts for family, friends and various charities.  Her kind spirit and gentle teaching skills turn non-sewers into quiltmakers!  She teaches Beginner Quiltmaking ever Monday, makes shop samples and is a part of our Second Saturday team.

Get to know Russ & Rhonda- Russ started sewing in high school when he worked in Andrews for a large "jeans" factory.  After joining the Army, traveling the world and serving in Desert Storm, he returned to factory sewing and put himself through college.  He came to visit the shop when a friend gave his wife Rhonda a gift certificate to Bless My Stitches.  He and his wife have two daughters that keep them very busy, but together they run a very successful Longarm quilting business called The Back Porch Quilters.  They quilt all the shop samples, help out in the shop and teach classes.

Get to know Tami- Tami comes to us from Florida by way of Roxanne.  She learned to quilt at the shop while making a 'widow' quilt for herself.  She took naturally to quilting and has made close to 100 in the past few years.  She is a semi-retired EMT but still works locally as a CNA.  Unfortunately that means we only get to have her a few Saturdays a month but her warm and welcoming smile will always make you feel at home.

About the shop- Bless My Stitches located in historic downtown Murphy.  The shop is 3000 square foot and is full of the newest lines from RJR, Michael Miller, Lakehouse, Westminster, Free Spirit, Robyn Pandolf, Marcus Brothers, Maywood Studios, Timeless Treasures, Moda, Quilting Treasures, Elizabeth Studios, 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 Miriam- "The first time I opened the front door, I just gasped with joy, it is so bright and cheerful and the quilts inspired me.  Everyone there was extremely courteous and helpful." 

from Barb- "I just love the new shop, Karen and her crew have made it a perfect quilter's delight.  It's a great building with great displays and great lighting and something you don't see often in downtown...great parking!" 

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."