Fabrics N More Store
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Fabrics N More, Rolla, Missouri, 2100 North Bishop, is a crafters delight. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Fabrics N More Store
Most communities have a variety of retail stores and one of the most sought-after for quilters and crafters is a fabric store. Luckily for me, our mid-Missouri small college town has a gem of a store in Fabrics N More at 2100 North Bishop, behind Big O Tires off Highway 63 North.
Open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 am. to 3 p.m., the store carries a nice range of fabrics from 100% cottons quilters love to fleece, flannels and specialty patterns. Since I buy Bluebird Gardens custom quilt fabrics from the same supplier, I can attest to the fabric’s high quality and good pricing.
For those just starting to learn how to select fabrics, Shelley Gregory notes the fabric’s manufacturer is listed on the edge of the fabric, along with the name, in case someone is trying to find an extra yard or two to finish a project.
One of the extra bonuses of shopping here is that there are large glass windows nearby so one can more easily match fabric colors by looking at them in natural light. I can’t tell you how many times I picked up a fabric under artificial lighting only to find it was just a tad off when I got it home.
Fabrics N More Store Owner Shelley Gregory also offers quilting services. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Shelley and her brother Gary opened the store many years ago. In addition to a wide variety of quality fabrics, Shelley also offers overall pattern quilting services for those wanting to get quilts machine quilted. That’s a great service to have since most quilters who piece their quilt tops don’t actually finish their own quilts by quilting but depend on others for the finishing steps.
Tables with fabrics have pricing posted in the center. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
The traditional way to finish a handmade quilt is to use white cotton on the back. For many years, Bluebird Gardens quilts have used other fabric colors on the back to make our custom quilts reversible, giving the quilt a double life. It’s not always easy to find potential quilt backing fabrics so Shelley currently has a selection of patterned floral fabrics that nicely fit the bill.
Today’s find, cotton fabrics perfect for quilt backing. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
For many beginning quilters, deciding what pattern to put on their first quilts also can be daunting. I’ve listened to Shelley over the years walk a customer through quilting options and make excellent recommendations on what quilting pattern to select.
One of the many overall quilt patterns available. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Machine quilting rates are as follows:
Crib $26
Twin $31
Full/queen $41
King $51
California King $56
Hand binding $20
Making a backing $5
Shelley notes to make sure backing is at least 5 inches bigger on all sides so there’s enough fabric to cover the quilt top as it is quilted. The stitching will take up some of those extra inches.
And one more surprise at this favorite fabric store of mine, Shelley carries a wonderful supply of embroidery thread. She said she bought out some other store inventories to keep her supply nicely stocked. I have a hard time not walking by not one but two sections and slipping a few pieces home with me, just in case.
Another treat, a wonderful source of embroidery thread. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
So as you get started on Christmas gifts - and maybe are finishing some you started earlier this year - add this fabric store as a go to place to check for fabrics, embroidery floss and quilting. And tell Shelley I sent you!
