As you might guess from the header, I am home from Illinois, having celebrated my great-grandson’s first birthday, and am doing some traveling in Pennsylvania. This shop is located about a mile from Interstate 99, and owner Robert Frye is the son of the founder; his sons (third generation) also work here. Mr. Frye senior started selling sewing machines and vacuums door to door in 1945, and opened the store in 1968, so there is a 77 year history of serving area sewists and homeowners, as well as business vacuum systems.
This store is not identical to the State College location – we’ll look at that one next Thursday. This is the larger of the two stores, with over 600 bolts of quilting fabric on hand. There are solids and blenders, and a nice selection of tone on tones in both white and ivory, and a shelf of dots and stripes. Plain Grunge is available, as are large prints suitable for Stack-n-Whack, and smaller prints. Northcott’s Artisan Spirit is on hand, and Christmas fabrics are available year round. Batiks are available here, as are 108″ wide backs and 60″ wide Minky and Cuddle. Don’t miss the panels and precuts, including layer cakes, charm packs, and jelly rolls. There are also sets of hanging towels with potholders and patterns to make your own if you wish.
The shop is a registered dealer for Janome and Baby Lock sewing machines, and they also repair all brands. Do take time to look at the machines while you are visiting. Mine is looking older every time I visit a new shop!
There is also a nice collection of samples on display, and completed quilts are available if you need a gift and don’t have time to make one. Samples generally have a pattern available, and many also have kits. The manger scene is actually embroidered in squares and then assembled, and the detail is exquisite!
| Frye’s Sweeper and Sewing Center, Inc | Hours: Tue-Fri 8:30 – 5 Sat 9-3 |
| 1400 Valley View Blvd. | Phone: 814-943-5001 |
| Altoona, PA 16602 | fryessc@aol.com |
| www.fryessc.com | Mail Order: Yes Fabric Online: Yes |
Stop back on Monday and see where the North American Shop Hop is visiting next!