This creative shop is located just under 4 miles from Interstate 40. Owner Rita Smith has been serving the local community from this shop for over 20 years, and describes herself as “a master quilter, wife, mother, grandmother and business woman.” She is easily all of that and then some. She also designs quilts and writes patterns for them, and has a wonderful eye for colors. The shop is located on a corner; Google Maps was a bit confused as the where the parking lot entry was, but by then I could see the building and figure it out easily.
Fabrics include solids, tone on tones, large and small prints, and some wonderful blenders to go with them. Gingham and homespun are also available. Homespun is great because the patterns are woven in with dyed threads rather than being printed on a plain color. This means you don’t have to worry about right and wrong sides something that I messed up at least once every time I used tone on tones until I started putting a pencil mark in the seam allowance on the wrong side as I cut the pieces out! There are also some Pima Cottons that are 60″ wide, perfect for backing lap sized quilts without piecing. In addition to the 500+ bolts of fabric, there are Charm packs, Jelly Rolls, and Layer Cakes available. Rulers and other notions are also on hand. Don’t miss the wide backs, some of which are in wonderful prints to allow a reversible quilt.
There are plenty of samples on display, made by Miss Rita herself. The one at the right is her own design, and a pattern is available. The process is really slick (retired Manufacturing Engineer speaking here), so I bought the pattern. I may not do it with hearts, but the technique is worth having!
One on one classes are also available; fabric has absorbed the previous classroom space. This is a lady I could learn a lot from, and I have been quilting for almost 50 years. If I lived closer I would certainly be spending some time learning from her.
Please plan to spend 20 to 30 minutes here – unless you get to chatting as I did, then it’s open ended!
| Quiltsmiths | Hours Mon – Fri 10-6 Sat 10 – 5 |
| 1150 Dexter Lane, Suite 103 | Phone: 901-624-9985 |
| Cordova, TN 38016 | shop@quiltsmiths.com |
| http://www.quiltsmiths.com/ | Mail Order: Please call Fabric Online: No |
Stop back on Thursday and see where the North American Shop Hop is visiting next!