About us-
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 had out grown it's original location with 1500 square feet and moved in a beautifully renovated historic building with twice the space! Everyone loved the second location, but after only 3 years there were serious growing pains again and the search was on for a new, even larger location. In October of 2013, they moved into the perfect space at 498 Hill Street!
The new shop is 6000 square foot and is full of the newest fabric lines, notions, kits, books, patterns, Accuquilt cutters and dies along with Eversewn sewing machines. Inspiration will surround you when you walk in the shop and see the many quilts, purses, wallhangings and other creative and beautiful displays throughout the shop. The classroom is equip with six 6' tables, large ironing boards, two huge cutting tables, design walls, bright lighting and 2 large windows to let in natural light! There is even a full kitchen and open patio for your use during class time.
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.
They say, "It takes a village to raise a child", well Karen says, "it takes a warm, loving, knowledgeable, creative staff to make a successful quilt shop and that is what I am blessed to have, I could not do this without them!"
After 5 years the shop had out grown it's original location with 1500 square feet and moved in a beautifully renovated historic building with twice the space! Everyone loved the second location, but after only 3 years there were serious growing pains again and the search was on for a new, even larger location. In October of 2013, they moved into the perfect space at 498 Hill Street!
The new shop is 6000 square foot and is full of the newest fabric lines, notions, kits, books, patterns, Accuquilt cutters and dies along with Eversewn sewing machines. Inspiration will surround you when you walk in the shop and see the many quilts, purses, wallhangings and other creative and beautiful displays throughout the shop. The classroom is equip with six 6' tables, large ironing boards, two huge cutting tables, design walls, bright lighting and 2 large windows to let in natural light! There is even a full kitchen and open patio for your use during class time.
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.
They say, "It takes a village to raise a child", well Karen says, "it takes a warm, loving, knowledgeable, creative staff to make a successful quilt shop and that is what I am blessed to have, I could not do this without them!"
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. 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. 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. After a career of teaching, in the summer of 2005, Karen and her family made the move to the mountains so that she could open a quilt shop in the world's greatest town, Murphy, North Carolina. She has two married daughters, a grandson and two granddaughters.
Margie
Margie relocated from the DC area for work but is now retired and lives in Ducktown, Tennessee.
She has been sewing for 55 years and has been quilting for at least 12 of those. We like to call Margie our "Purse Guru", she has made all our shop purse samples and teaches purse making. She also enjoys machine appliqué and teaches Intro to Machine Applique. She always finds it interesting and fun to meet new people, so come on in and sign up for one of Margie's classes. |
Marlene
Marlene comes to us from upstate New York, when she and her husband retired. Before retiring she took a class but didn't really get into quilting until she moved to Murphy. Since then she has been bitten (hard) by the quilting bug and has made more than 100 quilts including many shop samples! She also enjoys kayaking, hiking and reading. You will see her smiling face in the shop every Friday and Saturday ready to help you find a perfect pattern, give you inspiration for your next quilt and find just the right fabric! Patty |
Victoria
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Alana
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