Well then there’s Charles, Candy’s Quilting manager. Totally loved working with him at the other shop when it was open. He’s been working with Candice to get Candy’s Quilting open. Check out their facebook page and instagram.
They’ve curated a selection of books for the Modern Quilter, and the quilter who enjoys precut fabrics. Some of the shelves are glass and steel giving a clean fresh look and a lovely way of displaying books, and the some fabric.
Here’s part of the fabric selection: Me+You batiks, Allison Glass, Northcott Toscana, some lovely plaids and stripes. On another shelving unit live the solids, and Shannon Cuddle.
Classroom space galore! This is a space for local teachers to have private lessons for up to three students. A quilter can go use this space to work privately.
There are two other classrooms: The first has 10 machines, each with it’s own table and power outlet.. There are currently 6 cutting stations (a few more coming soon), and four ironing stations.
The final classroom is for handwork.
So there’s lots of space and there will be classes to choose from later on. As of August classes to “work on your own project” with Charles will be available. Quilting and other classes will start in September.
Local teachers now is the time to reach out to Candice and Charles to get on the schedule for fall. Send a class description, supplies list, and photo of your project giving them all the information they need.
Here’s Candice, the owner, speaking with Mary and Jamie, the Candy’s Quilting staff. Mary is the tallest of the three.
Candy’s Quilting location: 140 West 22nd St. between 6th and 7th, close to the subway and some really good restaurants. And let’s not forget Trader Joe’s is nearby.
Oh! They carry Aurifil thread located behind the main counter!
They’re open:
Tue – Fri: 11 – 7
Sat – Sun: 11 – 5
CLOSED MONDAY
Happy Quilting!
Teri
Good friends, like good wine are a rare gift and a distinct pleasure.
Here’s a better shot of all of the fabrics from Christie’s shop. I love the fabrics, her enthusiasm. Christie carries the hardware for bags and totes. I was able to pick up some d-rings to make either a couple of totes or key rings. Not sure which yet, but oh the possibilities.
Quilters have a great capacity for being community for one another. We are stitched together with fabric, needle, and thread. Quilt shops are our classrooms, our places for learning, gathering, and growing as quilters, and as friends. As we wander about a quilt shop we often strike up a conversation with the shop staff or other customers about how to choose fabrics, thread, quilting patterns, batting and patterns. Our early ventures into the quilt shops or quilt guilds we feel like strangers and outsiders until we get to know the lingo, the people, and the different styles of quilting.
The shop or guild hosts charity events, let’s the guilds meet there, if they can they’ll donate batting, thread, or classroom time. When tragedy strikes, tsunamis, hurricanes, fires, floods, national tragedies…quilters head to their stashes and then the shops to mae quilts for oh so many causes. The outpouring of love knows no boundaries. Quilters respond with the one thing they do best, the offer through their time and talent, a little bit of comfort to those who are deeply hurting. When quilters are in need they respond by donating part of their stashes, notions and hard earned cash to help meet the needs of the other members of the community, whether they know them or not.
As you know the shop I currently work in is closing. This has been public for quite some time. Every day quilters express their grief, and heartache. The loss to the greater quilting community is going to be tough. Yes, we’re New Yorkers we’ll be fine. Not the point. These are people who seek refuge with just inside our doors. Inside there is inspiration, creativity, support, help, comfort, and friendship. Even when the sales staff is having a difficult moment (because we know that they are human and are doing their best!), somehow the quilters know deep down that they are loved.
And I’m adding here if I had the money I’d probably open a shop in lower Westchester. Oh do I have some ideas swirling inside my head. People have asked why I didn’t purchase the shop I’m working in. Please refer to the first part of this paragraph – if I had the money. I really wouldn’t purchase a shop owned by someone else as it has it’s own personality, it’s own shape, and way of being. It’s not that I want to start something new…oh wait, yes I do. I don’t want to reinvent the wheel. I simply have ideas.