There are few things more comforting than snuggling under a homemade quilt while the wind whips outside on a cold winter night. If that quilt was a gift, someone has shown how much they care by using their talents and spending dozens of hours to create a gift filled with love and thoughtfulness. The beginning of this creative process typically begins at a local quilt shop.
The fourth Saturday of January every year is set aside to celebrate the contributions of local quilt shops to quilters and their communities. Local Quilt Shop Day was created by The Fabric Shop Network to recognize the over 3,000 quilt shops across the US. Local quilt shops serve their communities by providing a source of learning to quilters of all levels, keeping supplies accessible and helping the local economy.
Devils Lake is fortunate enough to have a quilt shop named one of the ten best in the nation by the Better Homes and Gardens Magazine Quilt Sampler in the Spring/Summer 2021 issue. Shops must submit a detailed application on their history, charitable work, and design philosophies to be considered for the honor. Katie Myklebust, owner of Quilt Essential in Devils Lake, says her favorite part of the business is the ability to give back to the community. Her favorite event every year is the Great Fabric De-stash, an event that she created to help provide quality quilting supplies to the Devils Lake Middle School FACS class. Every summer, quilters are encouraged to bring in fabrics they are no longer in love with. These fabrics are then organized, priced, and put up for sale for a week, with all the proceeds going to gift cards for the FACS class. Mrs. Wahl then brings in her students to pick out their own fabrics during their quilting class and each student leaves with a green bag filled with the fabric they need for a project, at no cost to them or the school. Last year over $2000 worth of gift cards were donated from this event.
In addition to the event for the FACS class, Quilt Essential gives away 5-8 quilts each year with their non-profit raffle application. Local non-profits and organizations are encouraged to apply to potentially win a quilt, of their choosing, as a raffle prize. Applications are available in the early spring and quilts have been donated in the past to churches, St. Joseph’s School, Bismarck Cancer Center, and more.
Quilting not your passion? Quilt Essential also has finished quilts and runners for sale and Jack in the Box Toy Shoppe is located inside the store. Jack in the Box carries educational toys from Learning Resources, Hape, Do-A-Dot Art, and many others. Plus, a large selection of novelty toys.
Stop in to Quilt Essential this Local Quilt Shop Day, January 28 or anytime you are looking for a bolt of inspiration.
