Quilt shop a natural fit for business owner

October 16th, 2009 at 01:49pm Melissa Westphal

Longtime quilter Lesley Gebbie is doing her part to further the pastime with her new store Acorn Quilts, 6409 E. Riverside Blvd.

The store, which opened about three weeks ago, is about 1,800 square feet and features a large selection of fabrics that she says appeals to younger and more traditional sewers.

“I call it urban chic meets vintage charm,” Gebbie said of the contemporary fabric selection. “We also carry reproduction fabrics and more traditional fabrics.”

Gebbie has been quilting for more than 20 years. Her middle name is Alcorn, and “acorn” has been a nickname since childhood, so it was a natural fit for the store name.

She had been seriously considering opening a quilt store during the last five years.

“I had a job that I really liked, and there also were other quilt shops around,” Gebbie said. “But I got to a point where I wanted to do more than just shop, and I wanted to have my signature on things. Once you do (quilting), it’s in your blood.”

The store also carries laminated fabrics, which have become more popular for bags and aprons. Gebbie said she doesn’t carry any sewing machines in the store, but the store does host classes on topics like beginning piecing and machine quilting, and a wool club meets there.

Gebbie said wool appliques have become more popular for quilts or table runners.

The store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Call the store at 815-977-5275 or e-mail Gebbie at acornquilts2@gmail.com for more information. Gebbie’s daughter is also working on a Facebook page for the business, so look for that soon.

She’s hosting a grand-opening event on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 where selected fabric groups will be on sale, as will books. Light refreshments also will be served.

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