Featured Shop: Quilter's Square of Lexington, Kentucky (2024)

Written by:

Linzee McCray

Published:

Jan 7 2016 - 06:00

Not a lot of quilt stores can claim threegenerations of ownership. And if quilting continues to run in the Quilter's Square family, a fourth generation may be waiting in the wings.

Featured Shop: Quilter's Square of Lexington, Kentucky (1) Kayla, Kaia, and Chana

The original owner of Quilter’s Square, which opened in 1982 wasn’t a family member, but the shop was purchased by Allen and Mary Charles and eventually sold to their daughter, Chana, and her daughter, Kayla. Now it’s only a matter of time before Kayla’s daughter, Kaia, joins the crew (although she’s got a little growing up to do, first).

Featured Shop: Quilter's Square of Lexington, Kentucky (2)

When she does, she’ll be learning from people with loads of experience. Chana says she first got involved in the shop when she was pregnant for Kayla in 1993. “I started doing machine repair, but gradually worked everywhere,” says Chana. In addition to being a Bernina dealer, the shop offers longarm services to customers and does quilt repair, makes quilts on request, and even does binding—actually, Kayla says her grandmother and grandfather do the binding. “Our whole family sews—I have six uncles and at least three or four of them quilt,” says Chana, who notes that this part of the business “keeps us about as busy as selling fabric.”

Featured Shop: Quilter's Square of Lexington, Kentucky (3) Yellow Brick Road pattern pieced with Perfectly Seasoned by Sandy Gervais

And that’s saying a lot, since the shop is hopping with classes, including beginning quilting, (which uses a churn dash quilt from Camille Roskelley of Bonnie and Camille), Block of the Month (a recent offering was Simply Sampled by JeniBaker), and others. Quilting Squares offers a free borders and binding class quarterly, so class participants who have pieced tops can learn to finish them, and one unusual class offering is smocking.

Featured Shop: Quilter's Square of Lexington, Kentucky (4) Paradiso by Kate Spain

Kim Polson is the Moda rep for Quilter's Square. “I’ve been here for six years and she’s been here at least that long,” says Kayla, who started working in the store when she was just 16 years old. “She’s good and she knows her stuff. We know the quality of Moda and know that what we see in a photo will be good, but it’s nice to get that personal touch and see it in person. She does a great job.” Kayla says Moda fabric's popular with customers. “When Bonnie and Camille’s Miss Kate arrived, it was in the store for less than a week—it was crazy!” Edyta Sitar, Holly Taylor, Sweetwater, and Three Sisters are all big sellers. “Kate Spain is one of my personal favorites,” says Kayla.

Featured Shop: Quilter's Square of Lexington, Kentucky (5)

Both Kayla and Chana have designed quilts and sew samples for the shop. While they love being around fabric all day, both say that working with customers is their favorite part of owning Quilting Squares. “I don’t always get to sew and so I enjoy getting to have a part in other people’s quilts—I like helping them find that one fabric that makes things pop,” says Kayla. “Quilters are the nicest people in the world.” Chana echoes that thought. “Our customers are like family, and I just love them,” she says. “We get to know them and share in their joys and sorrows. It’s rare to meet anyone who sews who isn’t a nice person.”

Featured Shop: Quilter's Square of Lexington, Kentucky (6) Custom quilting

Posted in:

Featured Quilt Shop

Tagged:

, Edyta Sitar, Holly Taylor, Kate Spain, Sweetwater

Comments

8 comments

Karen Gleim

Comment:

Congratulations! Hope I can get to Lexington soon!

Mon, 2016-01-11 19:39

Crystal Daniels

Comment:

This is an awesome shop and they make you feel like family and are great to help in any way the can. This is a shop most definitely worth your visit....you'll love it!!!!

Mon, 2016-01-11 20:03

Juanita Graves

Comment:

So proud of Chana and Kayla's feature, they are truly wonderful people. Love the shop and the service.

Mon, 2016-01-11 20:04

In The Boon Docks

Comment:

Oh they are the sweetest people! I love their store and go there anytime I can!

Mon, 2016-01-11 20:21

Suzanne

Comment:

I love the way these ladies take a personal interest in my projects. They have helped me gain confidence in my fabric choices. Great advice and awesome fabrics!!!

Mon, 2016-01-11 20:53

Judy Ridings

Comment:

This is a great story and great shop! I bought sewing room furniture from Chana 19 years ago and she always calls me by my name when I come to the shop. Sweet, dear family. Congratulations!

Tue, 2016-01-12 04:37

Linda Jennings

Comment:

I started going to QS when Mary and her husband were running the shop. I love this store. It's my "sweet treat" shop and I try to visit often. Chana and Kayla are awesome people -- so friendly and helpful. I feel like a family member. Great story! Congratulations.

Tue, 2016-01-12 05:47

Susan Eldred

Comment:

This is my "go to" quilt shop in Lexington. Chana and Kayla are so helpful in choosing just the right color combos and products to go with quilts I make. They are always friendly and glad to see you whether it's for a complete project, class, or spool of thread! Congrats on being selected by a great company for exciting fabrics.

Tue, 2016-01-12 08:47

Featured Shop: Quilter's Square of Lexington, Kentucky (2024)

FAQs

What is the quilt capital of the world Kentucky? ›

Anchored by long-lasting traditions and year-round quilt and fiber art experiences, Paducah is known as Quilt City USA®.

How many quilt shops are in Missouri? ›

A rich history of quilting is represented here, and with over 100 quilt shops, Missouri is a great place to locate the supplies you need for your next project. Find Missouri quilt shops from the Missouri quilt shop directory below, the most accurate and trusted community source you will find.

What is the best city for quilters? ›

Nicknamed the “Quilt City,” Paducah is home to The National Quilt Museum, the world's largest of its kind.

What is the quilting capital of the USA? ›

Norborne calls itself the soybean capital of the world, and the charming small town of Hamilton, Missouri has earned props as the quilting capital of the world. Every year thousands of quilters from around the United States, and the world, make the pilgrimage to Hamilton, the quilt capital of the world.

What is the most famous quilt? ›

A Google search for “Dear Jane Quilt” results in of thousands of hits—it is arguably one of the most famous nine- teenth-century quilts in any museum collection. Several years ago I visited the Bennington Museum and spent two hours in the presence of the quilt.

How many quilts does the average quilter make a year? ›

The average quilter today is comfortable with technology, has been quilting for over 10 years, and starts 10-12 quilt projects each year, mostly lap quilts or queen-sized quilts, in a traditional style. The average quilter spends more than six hours per week working on quilting projects.

Which city is famous for quilts? ›

The City Limit sign of Hamilton, Missouri also known as Quilt Town U.S.A. Nestled in the Northwest corner of the Kansas City metropolitan area is the town of Hamilton, Missouri.

What is the craft capital of Kentucky? ›

Berea is the Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of Kentucky. The College and the town are famous for working artists producing unique, handmade items and for teaching others how to make them.

What Kentucky city is known as the horse capital of the world? ›

Lexington, Kentucky: Horse Capital of the World®

Is Louisville the bourbon capital of the world? ›

Bardstown is the Bourbon Capital of the World, with the greatest concentration of Bourbon distilleries in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

What state is known for quilting? ›

Hamilton, Mo

It is known as the hometown of James Cash Penney, who built a large apparel-related business, J. C. Penney, and the hometown of Jenny Doan, who has built a large quilting-related business, Missouri Star Quilt Co.

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