Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Boon, Smith, Blake
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/28/2016
Sharing the Love of Quilting (One Stitch at a time – 2016)
Sharing the Love of Quilting (One Stitch at a time – 2016)
Kristine Boon (left) and Brenda Boon (right) of Christie opened the doors of Christie Country Quilts (CCQ) Sept. 13, at 423 Hewett Street in Neillsville. CCA offers a beautiful array of quilting fabrics and notions, including patterns, thread, needles, rotary cutters, cutting mats or anything else needed to finish a project. It will also offer sewing and quilting classes to all ages and all skill levels. (Photos by Nancy Curtin/Clark County Press)
By Nancy Curtin
Rev up those sewing machines, wind those bobbins and thread those needles. Christie Country Quilts LLC (CCQ) opened for business Sept. 13, at 432 Hewett Street, next door to Schmitty’s on Main.
Flipping the switch to a colorful neon open sign was a pivotal point in making a dream come true for Kristine Boon and her mother-in-law Brenda Boon, both from Christie.
These ladies lightheartedly tossed around the idea of opening their own quilt shop after Heart to Hands on STH 10 went out of business roughly six years ago.
Since then, the timing just never seemed right. After the closing of the Hancock stores in Marshfield and Eau Claire earlier this year, Kristine and Brenda figured maybe now was the time to pursue their dream.
They worked with a representative from Indianhead Community Action Agency to develop a business plan and get things rolling.
They also spoke with Shari Smith, former owner of Heart to hands, for advice and information on potential vendors.
CCQ offers a beautiful array of quilting/sewing fabrics and notion, including patterns, thread, needles, rotary cutters, cutting mats or anything else needed to finish a project.
It offers all cotton fabrics and some flannels, mostly by Moda and Riley Blake, and a wide variety of backing.
Sewing and quilting classes from beginners to advanced, will be conducted in the loft area of the shop, which will also accommodate private lessons or parties.
If there is enough interest, long term plans include long-arm classes for machine quilting.
Kristine and Brenda have received a lot of positive feedback from the community and the local quilt guild and those in the surrounding communities.
Their passion is “providing others an opportunity to learn the craft.” The first class offered is a youth sewing class for ages six and up to five youth an opportunity to learn the skill and become interested in creating their own project.
They are excited to offer adult beginner classes for those who have expressed interest in quilting but didn’t have a clue on where to begin.
These classes will teach basics of sewing, learn how to use a sewing machine and help people build their skills and their confidence to work on their own projects.
This past weekend, CCQ hosted a birthday sewing party. A small group of pre-teens leaned how to create a simple and stylish headband.
Kristine also plans to provide video tutorial ranging from how to use a rotary cutter to simple tips and tricks.
Brenda started sewing roughly 25 years ago when her son Brad, Kristine’s husband, was about 6 years old.
She fondly remembers the day he brought home his school picture. While sitting at her sewing machine, he gave her the picture and matter-of-factly said, “You can hang this right here, Mom, because this is where you sit all the time.”
To this day, a picture of him continues to sit in front of her sewing machine.
Kristine also grew up in a family of sewers and started sewing while in middle school. She has fond childhood memories of her grandmother’s quilts and handmade items given to her.
She advanced to quilting in high school and looks forward to handing down the tradition to her own children as well as her nieces.
“This is a great hobby for all ages,” Kristine emphasized. “There are a variety of patterns available for quick and easy projects to more advanced and detailed ones.”
A grand opening will be held Saturday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cookies and coffee will be served. One give-away basket will be drawn each day.
The Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce will welcome them with a ribbon-cutting Saturday.
A youth class for ages six and up is scheduled for Oct. 15. An introduction to sewing for all ages is scheduled for Oct. 26.
Within the store, one can find handmade country crafts by Carla’s Creations for purchase.
Store hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Satruday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information or to register for a class, call 715-819-1299 or visit www.christiecountryquilts.com or like them on Facebook. Don’t forget to sign up for the monthly newsletter.
