My Fabric Rep Trek: Pins and Needles Quilt Shop

For all you local Chattanooga quilters, you'll be thrilled to know there is a new quilt shop, called Pins and Needles Quilt Shop, opening this month "north of the river." In fact, it's right up/down the road on Hixson Pike from where the Choo Choo Quilters (my quilt guild) meets.

Pins and Needles Quilt Shop, 6245A Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN

Stacy Slockbower, the owner, has lots of ideas and plans to make the shop warm and inviting to new and long-time quilters alike. To accommodate quilters with day jobs, the shop will be open until 6:30 pm (Tuesday through Friday) and is also open 10-5 on Saturday. Stacy is planning "Girls Night Out" programs and projects as well as classes, sit-and-stitch opportunities and other events. Rumor has it that she is an accomplished cook, so program attendees might be in for some "non-fabric treats," too.

Pins and Needles Quilt Shop also wants to encourage youngsters to get interested in sewing and quilting. Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups are invited to host a meeting at the shop. Requirements for earning a Textile Merit Badge can be found through a link on the shop's web site.

The quilt shop's logo on the wall behind the cutting table.

Earlier this week, the new shop—with its fresh paint aroma—was still a work-in-progress with the goal of a "soft opening" this Friday, August 2. The official Grand Opening is planned for Saturday, August 17, with demonstrations, door prizes and an opportunity to win a Quilters Retreat Weekend at Spring Creek Retreat.

Here is friend, Jen, painting the quote on the classroom wall.

Jen paints "When life gives you scraps... make a QUILT" on the classroom wall.

Store fixtures begin to fill with fat quarters, patterns, books and acrylic rotary rulers...

A wall of notions, needles and cutting tools.

Ideas, quilts and quilting inspiration will grace the walls...

What a cute baby quilt this will be!

Giant wooden spools are awaiting bolts of fabric...

Fabrics continue to arrive...

Fabric, fabric, fabric...

And the full collection of Honeybell is on its way! The sophisticated black/brown/gray color scheme of this fabric collection is beautiful for fall. Be sure to download the FREE quilt pattern so you're ready for Honeybell's arrival.

The Honeybell collection by Blank Quilting.

There is easy parking at the Valley Brook Plaza where the shop is located, and there are no steps or curbs to the shop's entrance door—making it so easy to roll in your sewing machines for class. If you are traveling north on Hixson Pike, look for the large Appalachian Quilt Trail painted wooden quilt block on the side of the building. Pins and Needles Quilt Shop is one of the waypoints along this southern scenic trail. 

Look for the Appalachian Quilt Trail quilt block on the side of the building.

So, whether you're traveling the Appalachian trail from out of town, or you're a local Chattanooga quilter (or quilter-wanna-be), make your way over to Pins and Needles Quilt Shop where you'll be greeted with a friendly smile and a warm welcome.

Stacy, the owner of Pins and Needles Quilt Shop.