Sharing our love of quilting and sewing with our customers is the best part about owning a quilt shop! Our team of passionate employees work hard to create a welcoming environment, and if you've visited our shop in beautiful Lockport, IL, we hope you've experienced this first hand.
In our previous Staff Spotlight, we interviewed resident Kimberbell expert Joyce Beenes. Today, get to know one of our first employees who has been working here since 2004, Kara Harris. Kara's official title is Sales Manager, but she wears many hats: in addition to coordinating our website and class schedule, she is our resident color specialist, and she's also a longarm quilter!
Q: How long have you been quilting?
A: I took my first quilting class at the age of 24 and have been hooked ever since. My grandfather was a Tailor for Hart Schaffner Marx and my mom was always sewing clothes and making us Halloween costumes. Seems like sewing is in our blood!
When I’m not at the shop working I’m at home quilting quilts on my Longarm (that's her machine below!). I have been quilting since 2001 and started Longarm quilting in 2004. I really love to bring the added dimension of quilting to customer's quilts.
Q: What are some of your favorite summer projects to make?
A: I still love to make quilts in the summer! If you ask me, quilting is something you can do year-round...what better way to prepare for fall and winter?! Here are a few of my favorite quilt projects:
Q: How do you spot trends and/or decide which products to bring into the shop?
A: I try to use social media to our advantage by following lots of sewing and quilting accounts to take notes on what's popular, and where the trends are headed. I also read FabShop News magazine and keep tabs on the Pantone color of the year - and of course, it helps that I am a die-hard quilter as well!
Q: Do you have any tips for new quilters?
A: Patience and wine! Remember, quilting is just like a puzzle - so if you take your time, cut correctly and use a ¼” allowance when sewing then, it will all fit together beautifully.
Q: What are your can't-live-without sewing tools?
A: I love the 2 ½” x 6 ½” ruler, magic pins, wonder clips (shown below), Aurifil thread and a ¼” foot for my sewing machine.
Kara is always happy to answer your burning questions about longarm quilting, or any other quilting questions you may have. You can contact us online, give us a call at (815) 836 - 8735, or stop by the shop - we’re open 7 days a week for all of your quilting needs.
Like this post? Pin it!
