Quilters will delight in A Quilting Affair

By ELLEN KOLMAN - Staff Writer - ekolman@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

June 08, 2009 11:58 pm

— AUSTINBURG TOWNSHIP — Jane Wallace, of Ashtabula Township, walked inside A Quilting Affair on Thursday afternoon with a smile on her face.
“There can never be too many quilt shops,” she said. “I will be coming here regularly.”
Wallace is a quilter who has been practicing her craft for 15 years.
A Quilting Affair, 2115 Route 45, is a colorful, cozy quilting supply shop owned by Paulette Sheeley of Trumbull Township.
Sheeley, who has been sewing since age 9 and began quilting five years ago, decided it was time for a career change.
“I am a registered nurse and a manager at a dialysis center, and I decided it was time to do something fun in life,” she said.
Sheeley chose the Austinburg location to capitalize on the quilting traffic that had been established by a previous quilting store that moved to a different location about a year and a half ago.
“I used to come to the store that was here all the time — I loved it — so I thought it would still be a good location because I know a lot of people who have missed having a quilt shop here,” she said.
A Quilting Affair offers quilting supplies, including a huge variety of colorful fabrics, thread, rulers, cutters, patterns, books and more to meet the needs of the beginning and advanced quilter.
In July, the shop will offer classes that will teach basic quilting skills for the beginner, and intermediate classes for the more confident quilter.
“I will also offer classes geared towards specific themes like the ‘block of the month,’” Sheeley said. “In the future, I would like to offer classes for children.”
Kathy McCarty, of Ashtabula, has been quilting for more than 20 years and is an experienced custom machine quilter.
“I am helping Paulette one day a week here at the shop,” she said. “It gives me an opportunity to greet other quilters face to face. It is nice to see old friends, because when you are a quilter, you get to know the other quilters.”
Sheeley will be hosting a grand opening celebration on July 24 and 25.
“I am looking forward to watching the business grow and getting more people introduced to quilting,” she said.
People who quilt quickly discover there are many personal benefits.
“Quilting is a great stress reliever and a creative outlet; plus, it allows you to give wonderful gifts to family and friends,” Sheeley said.
Through Sheeley’s shop, customers will find fabrics to create traditional or contemporary quilts.
“I appreciate that Paulette is so eclectic in her taste in fabrics. She is wonderful,” McCarty said.
“The sky is the limit on creativity with quilting. It is my hope that more young people will discover this art form,” Sheeley said.
A Quilting Affair is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays, and is closed Sunday and Monday. For further information, call the shop (440-275-1942).

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