Featured Quilt Shop: Sew Nice in Norwich, NY

Located in Norwich, NY, sits a fabulous quilt shop owned by Diane Marvin which she opened in June 2005. Jackie O'Brien, a former Quilters Dream employee (we miss you) recently moved to New York. She was sweet enough to stop by Sew Nice and ask Diane a few questions for us. We're pretty sure she got her shop on while she was there too- who wouldn't?

Diane’s career was in education. Her mother was a career woman that made her own stylish suits to wear to work.  Diane had no interest in sewing until she made her first quilt around 2000 – it was love at first stitch!

 Diane holding up her almost finished quilt top “Northern Neighbors”.

The quilters that gather at Sew Nice refer to it as their “Quilting Playhouse” and as a “Cheers” for quilters. Quilters lovingly refer to Diane as “The Pusher”, (quilt pusher that is). You go to see Diane at Sew Nice to get your quilt fix!  Diane gently pushes you to always keep learning and try new quilting techniques.

Diane is a Studio 180 Design certified instructor. As is Donna Hanley who also teaches there. 

Sew Nice is a “Certified Bernina Classroom Shop”.  They carry fabric lines from Moda, P&B, Marcus, Benartex, Timeless treasures, Kona, the list goes on.  I love that they have a whole aisle devoted to polka dot fabric.

Sew Nice offers a 24 seat classroom.  And if that is not enough, they also offer general sewing machine repair and maintenance.

Sew Nice only sells Quilters Dream Batting (QDB). When I asked why, Diane said:

     * It’s made in the USA

     * NO other batting can compare with QDB quality.

     *There is no minimum order.

     *Diane’s favorite is Dream Wool!

     *And last but not least “QDB Customer Service!" Diane could not    praise their customer service enough. She feels QDB is one of the    best companies she has dealt with. 

If you live in the area and are looking for a quilt home you will be so welcomed at “Sew Nice” because they are so nice!

Sew Nice 

6142 State Hwy 12 

Norwich, NY 13815

(607) 334-2477

 www.sewnicenorwich.com

Like Sew Nice on Facebook, Click HERE!

Thank you again Jackie for thinking of us and supporting your local quilt shop! 

Stay tuned for more about Jackie O'Brien in our upcoming Featured #battgirls January blog!  

Jackie's Blog: www.ifthesethreadscouldtalk.com

Quilt Guilds and Quilting Bees

One of the best things about quilting is the quilting guild.  I remember my mother joining together with a group of about a dozen ladies from her church, laughing, praying, and quilting in what, at that time, was called her Quilting Bee.  Sometimes they would meet at the church but often it was held at someone’s house – food was pot luck and the hostess would provide wine, “pop” (I was raised in the North), or other brews, and I would sometimes be present to witness this wonderful group of ladies who quilted love, fun, and laughter into every quilt they made.

The bees in this vintage ad look
like they are having a good ole time! The quilt
reminds me of CandyLand!

At church this past weekend, we had a “ministry fair” where people tried to recruit workers for their particular project.  I work with the senior high youth group so I made up flyers and posters about the youth and the fun events coming up.  As I walked around the ministry fair, I found a signup sheet that said, “Come quilt with us this Saturday to finish a quilt and pray for Rebecca who will be graduating this year.”  I froze, shocked, and tears came to my eyes – Rebecca is my daughter!  While I will be camping out this weekend with Rebecca and other youth from my church, a group of wonderful women will be quilting love and prayers into a quilt made special for her. 

Here at Quilters Dream Batting, we know how important quilt guilds are to the life of quilting.  It is a place of bonding and fellowship, where much more than the love of quilting is shared.  We want to support all quilt guilds, from the hundred member well organized groups to the small gathering of ladies who get together once in a while for fun.

  
In return, we receive many thank you notes from quilters who are so grateful and appreciative! We love the modern quilt guilds with their eclectic “out of the block” styles and we adore the traditional guilds as well as the informal bees!  We love that ladies (and more gentlemen it would seem) are getting together and keeping this artwork thriving for the next generations to enjoy.

 

Do you have a special guild or bee that you belong to?  Please let us know about your guild, and we will be thrilled to send free “door prizes” and samples for your next meeting!  Share with us what your guild has been working on and what makes your group special – we would love to hear your stories, and we may even feature your group on our blog!

 

Email QuiltersDreamBatting@juno.comwith your name/guild, phone number, shipping address, date needed by and active member count for your box of goodies (let us know when your next couple meetings so we send them in time!)

 

Happy Quilting,

Jane

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Sew Much Fun in Gloucester

What do you get when you combine a small town, locally owned quilt shop with amazing people, lots of fabric, a Twilight movie marathon and food?  Seven (7) new and wonderful quilts that will brighten the hearts and laps of persons living with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) daily.

Quilting for ALS at Fields Quilt Shop in Gloucester,Va.