must have patterns...

oh my goodness. we truly had no idea just how many phone calls and emails we would receive after being in the quilt sampler. we are so sorry we have not had the chance to get back to everyone personally just yet. in the meantime, there are a few very popular items that have been highly sought after. so we are going to provide you with the links to go directly to the sources of the fabulous creativity.

Looking straight ahead: http://www.etsy.com/listing/157955454/large-block-quilts-16-quick-and-easy?ref=shop_home_active

On the left wall: http://www.etsy.com/listing/109777601/sale-pdf-quilt-pattern-pinstripe-layer?ref=shop_home_active

Sitting on the left table: http://www.etsy.com/listing/106290522/pdf-quilt-pattern-supernova-carlene?ref=shop_home_active

Inside the right cubby: http://www.etsy.com/listing/88685980/quilt-pattern-pdf-rough-terrain-charm?ref=shop_home_active


On the right table: use any log cabin pattern using just solid white strips on the light side of the square.

 

And our NUMBER ONE selling pattern of all time: http://www.etsy.com/listing/85532601/quilt-pattern-pdf-swirled-christmas-tree?ref=listing-shop-header-0

 

The kits for our quilt are sold out.  You should be able to put your own kit together by purchasing Kate Spain's Sunnyside by Moda in your local quilt shop.

it's hit the paper...

i quickly turned the pages. then i just sat and stared at it for several minutes. the heading seemed so formal...

yet made it seem so real. surreal might be a better description. i'd already seen the magazine, read the article, yet seeing it here in the newspaper, gave it a new energy.

just in case you can't see the fine print...

JEllen’s house of fabric has been chosen as one of the 10 featured shops across the US for the Fall 2013 issue of Quilt Sampler magazine published by Better Homes and Gardens.  Competition to be included is keen. Nearly 3,000 quilt shops were eligible to apply for this honor. JEllen’s and the other nine shops chosen were photographed and interviewed by a team from Quilt Sampler and a multi page profile of the shop appears in this issue now for sale in this shop and on newsstands September 3rd.

The art of quilting has changed dramatically since the days of quilting bees in church basements, with quilting enjoying a major renaissance across the country.  Chosen shops are inundated with visitors and requests for the shop’s quilt patterns and fabric. Quilters are known to try and visit all the shops in each issue, getting the signature of each shop owner in their copy of the issue.  This is the first time in the eighteen year history of the magazine that a mother/daughter team has been chosen who advocate for hiring young adults with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.

it's finally here...

"it was an emotional day when joyce ely and her daughter, sarah, opened a quilt boutique..." writes allison engel.  i will share it was equally as emotional, if not more so, the day we received the phone call from jennifer keltner informing us we had been selected as a better homes and gardens sampler shop.

the days that followed were filled with excitement along with many sleepless nights as we prepared the store for a photo shoot. then we had to coordinate the fabric selection for our quilt, consult with our pattern designer, and rush the quilt around town at lightening speed to have it arrive in des moines in time for the quilt shoot.

then we patiently waited for the big reveal to happen at quilt market in portland.  we had hoped to be in attendance, but sarah's breathing issues the week leading up to the trip necessitated us to cancel our plans. we were grateful for our friends who cheered us on in our absence and sent us pictures.

then we waited, followed by more waiting, and still more. finally on august 20th, the fed-ex truck pulled up to the side door...

as i sliced the first box open, that same emotion returned. the one where you are not sure whether to laugh or cry, so you do both. 

and for me, it's a double dose of a fluttering heart, for sarah is still standing right beside me. oh how grand that feeling is! THANK YOU so much to everyone who helped make our fantasy a reality. it's finally here!!

the news is out...

...drumroll please

we have been waiting for months to share this news...

finally the public announcement just happened at the American Patchwork & Quilting booth at Quilt Market in Portland, Oregon...

JEllen's house of fabric and Sarah's Sewcial Lounge has been selected...

as one of the...

 Fall 2013 Quilt Sampler Shops!!!

we had hoped to be there in person today, but the next best thing is to be standing in a window full of beautiful quilts made by loving creative souls in fabric designed by our dear friend Kate Spain.

THANK YOU to everyone for helping us make our fantasy come true. It is only because of our wonderful customers that our story continues to be shared.