Walking into Fabric Affair in Troy, Michigan, feels like walking into owner Michelle Strassburg’s living room. The coffee is always on, and there are fresh cookies available every day. When we were talking about the shop, she referred to her guests coming in to visit. Even the birds nesting above the sign are made welcome!
Fabric Affair is the top Bernina dealer in the district, and has a wide selection of machines available. Take some time to look and see what these machines can do – the gold sewing machine pictured is made entirely from machine lace, including the buttons to assemble it, and it is adorable.
There is also a technician on site, so if your machine needs to be serviced, call and see when you can bring it into the shop.
Miss Michelle really enjoys Paris, so shop is decorated like a Parisian street cafe, and the ambiance carries throughout. This includes the classic striped awning, which Michelle made herself.
The owner is also a published author – one of her patterns is in a book that she will be happy to show you. I must admit that I took a picture of the book cover – but unfortunately I was not exactly holding the camera steady! You’ll just have to stop in and see for yourselves… Road Trip!!
Michelle had a great explanation when we were talking about people who don’t understand the craft of quilting. She called quilts “Fabric Soup.” Just as we cut the meat and vegetable in many different ways to make soup, we cut fabric and combine it in new ways to make quilts. It’s a great explanation for folks like my mother, who doesn’t understand why someone would cut up perfectly good fabric just to sew it back together again. Wouldn’t meals be boring if we never cut and combined ingredients into soup? By the same token, plain blankets would be much less fun!
For embroidery enthusiasts, the shop is partnering with OESD Embroidery. This company carries a lot of free-standing designs, as well as hoop and surface patterns. Check out the website for a link to this resource.
Are you looking for a unique gift for the quilter or seamstress in your life? Pick up one of the Thread Spool Stools – I haven’t seen these anywhere else! They come is several thread colors.
There are several Block of the Month Clubs in process, as well as classes. Check out the schedule on their website. They shop are also a drop off point for Ryan’s Case for Smiles. This charity provides pillow cases for children undergoing cancer treatments.
Stop in and browse all of the fabric – there are well over 1000 bolts in stock. You will notice a long-arm system by the front window. It is available to rent. You will need to take a class on how to use it first, but once you are trained you are able to complete your own quilts.
Please plan at least an hour to and hour and a half enjoying this shop.
| Fabric Affair | Hours: M-W 10-6, Th 10-8, F 10-5, Sat 10-4 Closed Sunday |
| 4972 John R. Road | Phone: 248-457-9320 |
| Troy, MI 48085 | Email: PM on Facebook |
| https://www.myfabricaffair.com/ | Mail Order: Call and ask Fabric Online: No – Machines are |
Stop in on Wednesday and see where the North American Shop Hop is visiting next!