Quilting Fellowship, Long Arm Finishing, and More Await at The Angola Quilt Shop
At the Angola Quilt Shop you will discover a community of quilters, as well as creativity, knowledge, and sewing affirmation. Bring all your projects and receive help if you need it and fellowship to brighten the day.
Tammy DiPasquale, a life-long quilter, has wanted for many years to open a quilt shop. In August of 2018, her goals came to fruition, and the result is a delightful addition to one of the main streets of Angola. Already the shop has become a vibrant destination in the heart of town.
At the Angola Quilt Shop you will always find something new and different. With 3000 square feet of retail, classroom, and workshop space and 2000 bolts of 100% cotton fabric, there is something for everyone. There are many different designs from traditional to modern, and all fabric is high-quality, far better and longer lasting than what is offered in a regular craft store.
The shop is a member of QuiltingHub.com.
A full array of notions, precuts (along with “recipes”), pattern ideas, and the Accuquilt await you. At the shop are 14 foot and 10 foot long arm quilting machines along with several sewing machines. You can, of course, bring your own sewing machine if you would like.
A classroom is at the back of the workshop, where forthcoming classes will take place and Basic Quilting classes are taught. These classes last 1½ hours, and one of the highest compliments received is “that one tip you gave me was worth the cost of the class.” Often with anything we are learning, one gem of wisdom opens up a whole new world.
Tammy has been teaching for over 20 years. A dedicated, talented group of ladies also share their love of quilting, time, and talents with all who enter the shop. Mary, Claire, Diana, Vicki and Sheila teach and work with Tammy, and their combined efforts foster a warm and welcoming environment. Quilting is about piecing something valuable together. Thus it is with people who gather to quilt. At the Angola Quilt Shop you will not only benefit from their expertise, you will also be a part of their quilting family.
Tammy’s work as a quilter is truly a calling with her excellent skills and dedication. She began long arm quilting 25 years ago and her quilts have won many awards for their exquisite designs. Her quilt patterns and designs have been featured in Cindy Brick’s books.
One of her joys are her miniature quilts. She creates 6” blocks and within that 6” block she has sewn up to 84 tiny pieces of fabric. Then she sews the blocks into a larger quilt.
A very valued skill and service Tammy offers is quilt finishing. She still uses a hand-guided long arm machine, and it was only in 2008 that she had stitch regulation added to it. Through the last 25 years she has evolved into an artist for whom thread and fabric are as paint and canvas. She literally “draws” free hand with her long arm quilting. Tammy discusses with the customer what quilting design they would like. It can be as basic as you’d like or as elaborate as you would like. Pricing starts at 2 cents per square inch for basic quilting and goes up from there depending upon what the customer wants.
Because of her excellence and well-earned quilting reputation, her work is in demand. Presently, if you would like a quilt completed by Christmas, you would need to have the pieced top to Tammy by August. Often people arrive with unfinished sentimental quilts, perhaps something that a grandmother or aunt began. Sometimes customers bring t-shirts which Tammy prepares and then pieces them together like a quilted puzzle. Also there are memory quilts, where someone brings a loved one’s clothing, and Tammy creates a quilt.
It was in this way that Sheila came to be a part of the Angola Quilt Shop. She brought her husband’s clothing to make a quilt and wanted to help sew it. She ended up piecing the entire quilt and now brings quilting joy to others.
Above the shop in the upstairs 3000 square feet a quilting retreat space is under construction. With plans to open at the end of March, the area will include accommodation for 12 ladies to enjoy a respite from the world and quilt together. With four resting rooms (three beds each), workshop with 9’ sewing area per person, television/sitting area, two full private shower rooms and a full kitchen, a delightful experience awaits you and your friends. Sewing machines and irons are provided, but you can bring your own if you prefer. Schedule your quilting retreat soon. You can also enjoy shopping the many antique and specialty shops of Angola.
There is Saturday Tea Time from 10 am to 2 pm. Bring in your projects, receive help and inspiration. Enjoy a hot or cold beverage and savor a relaxing time of quilting fellowship.
Also a Civil War Block of the Month is 2019’s project, and the group meets the second Saturday of every month at 10 am.
At the Angola Quilt Shop, quilting brings creativity to life, fosters a therapeutic healing through sewing, and truly is a gathering of friends. Like Tammy’s miniature quilts, the seemingly small things make all the difference and ultimately cover us with joy.
The Angola Quilt Shop is closed Sunday and Monday and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.
The Angola Quilt Shop is located at 206 Maumee Street, Angola, IN 46703. Call 260-668-3888 for more information or go to www.angolaquiltshop.com. They are also on Facebook.
