Quilt’n’ Things Fiber Arts – Not Just a Quilt Shop Anymore

As many of you many have noticed, there are lots of changes going on in the Montrose Shopping Park. Many longstanding businesses are leaving and being replaced with new ones, vacant storefronts remain and some businesses have moved from one place to another within the shopping park. It is due in part to the changing times we are all experiencing relating to the increase of online sales. But at Quilt’n’  Things, which has been in the Montrose Shopping Park for decades, we have a success story. Read what the new owner has to say.

Just a month before Quilt’n’ Things was going to close its doors, new owner Lana Norton stepped in with a vision. Her desire was to create a space that catered to all fiber arts enthusiasts – quilters, knitters, felters, embroiderers, etc. – and to those who appreciate the traditional arts that have been passed on from one generation to the next. With the advent of the internet, online shopping, and a point-and-click culture, these arts, which have been part of the fabric of our lives for millennia, are waning as are the neighborhood shops that cater to them. Lana’s vision is to create a vibrant store, atelier and community space where fiber arts and artists can thrive. The store will be offering two to three classes per day to include quilting, knitting, felting, embroidery, crochet, repurposing and more. Tina Wince, who has worked at the shop for several years, will continue teaching her popular classes and will be store manager.

The store will be a feast of colors and textures featuring fabric lines from top designers, and sumptuous fibers including silks, woolens, yarn, floss and roving.  Artists will also be selling their creations so those who enjoy purchasing handmade gifts will have a tempting place to shop. Lana attributes her inspiration for the shop to her mother Betty, who taught her all of the traditional fiber arts throughout her life.

Raised in L.A. during the Depression, Betty shared stories about resourceful women who created dresses, dishcloths and quilts from flour sacks. The nostalgic aesthetic of Lana’s shop is a nod to her mother and to those women and to bygone days.

Quilt’n’ Things Fiber Arts hopes to open its doors in time for Oktoberfest and will be celebrating its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The day will feature demonstrations, door prizes and a special sewing challenge. Lana is thrilled to be carrying on the Quilt’n’ Things legacy and be part of the Montrose Shopping Park community.

Please stop by Quilt’n’ Things and say hi to Lana and see what she has done with the place. We are so glad that we will continue to have Quilt’n’ Things in the Montrose area.

Please join us for our Oktoberfest kick off mixer at Citibank in Montrose from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 2350 Honolulu Ave. There will be bratwurst, sauerkraut and potato salad provide by Schreiner’s Fine Sausages and Samuel Adams Oktoberfest beer poured to drink. This mixer is always a lot of fun and is one of the largest we have throughout the year. Then join us on Oct. 1 for the 39th Annual Oktoberfest in Montrose from noon to 11 p.m. For all the details follow us on Facebook or log onto www.montroseoktoberfest.com.

Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce: Your source for all things local! Our mission is to actively support and enrich the community, vitality and pride of Montrose, to help preserve the historic district and small town atmosphere, to promote economic stability and positive, productive relationships within Montrose and the surrounding communities.

Upcoming Events
Community Services & Parks Annual Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at Pacific Community Center, 501 S. Pacific Ave. in Glendale.
Oktoberfest kick-off mixer on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Citibank Montrose, 2350 Honolulu Ave., Montrose.
Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 1 from noon to 11 p.m. in the 2200, 2300, 2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue in Montrose.

  melinda clarke