About Quilt as Desired
Article in the Winnipeg Community Newspapers, spring 2006
"With more than 2500 bolts of quilting cottons and a wide array of patterns, books, notions and classes, Rob and Kelly Truthwaite’s Quilt as Desired store is a treasure trove for quilters."
Located at 661 Pembina Highway., Quilt as Desired was formerly known as The Sewing Gallery. The new name is a reflection of expanded offerings for quilters, but sewists will still find general sewing notions, patterns and basic sewing classes at the shop. What hasn’t changed is the Truthwaites’ commitment to excellent customer service. Whether a customer is choosing fabric for their next project or looking for their next dream sewing machine, personalized, one-on-one customer service and a welcoming environment enhance the customer’s experience. Kelly and Quilt as Desired staff, Robin, Marj, Diana and Tima, all have a passion for sewing and quilting and are always happy to assist customers who are looking for advice about a project in progress.
Operating the store is a perfect collaboration for the Truthwaites because it combines Kelly’s love of sewing and quilting with Rob’s entrepreneurial spirit. Quilting provides limitless opportunity for creative expression and can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of skill level. Projects can range from quick and easy to sew raggy flannel quilts to heirloom quilts to be given as gifts to celebrate milestone occasions. This has led to the tremendous growth in the popularity of quilting and was the catalyst for the recent change in the store’s direction. Customers were asking for a greater selection of quilting fabrics, patterns, and notions as well as the opportunity to participate in quilting classes. Especially popular is the Beginners Sampler Quilting Class taught by Wanda Steiner. At the completion of this eight week class, new quilters (or quilters wanting to brush up on the basics) will have completed a twelve-block sampler quilt and will have gained the skills required for achieving success in their future projects.
Those who want to learn more about quilting, sewing or machine embroidery can sign up for one of the many classes offered through Quilt as Desired. Basic classes are always ongoing with a new selection of project specific classes offered every few months. The Truthwaites also offer unique events at the shop in which quilters join together for a fun night of quilting and refreshments followed by a limo ride home. In addition to fabric, notions, books and patterns, the Truthwaites also carry Janome sewing, quilting and embroidery machines. Janome is known world wide for its unsurpassed stitch quality. In addition to being known as the number one sewing machine manufacturer in the world, Janome has always been on the leading edge of technological advances in home sewing and embroidery machines. The MC11000 and MC6600 are Janome’s newest and most advanced machines of their class on the market. Rob and Kelly offer at no charge a series of Machine Mastery classes to anyone purchasing a new Janome sewing machine at their shop.
“We want all of our customers to be able to use their machines to their fullest potential so we encourage all new owners to take advantage of the Machine Mastery Series of classes that we offer.” says Kelly. Horn Cabinets and Sylvia Design sewing cabinets are also available at Quilt as Desired. Quilting frames are also available by special order. Visitors to Quilt as Desired will see a variety of creations adorning the walls of the shop. Table runners, quilted wall hangings, quilts for babies, embroidered creations, quilted handbags are on display to inspire customers.
In addition to serving quilters from Winnipeg and Manitoba, the Truthwaites have many rural customers and have shipped to customers from as far away as Australia. Over the course of the next year, the Truthwaites are looking to expand their web site to make it easier for their out-of-town customers to shop at Quilt as Desired via an online shop. Quilt as Desired keeps its customers up to date on new products and classes through its Newsletter published four times a year. The newsletter is also available online.
To find out more about the products and services at Quilt as Desired, visit the shop at 661 Pembina Highway, check out the shop’s website at www.sewinggallery.com or call 942-0035. Hours are 9:30 – 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday with the shop staying open until 8:30 on Thursday evenings. The Truthwaites will also arrange special appointments outside of those hours where possible.