A beautifully made quilt brings warmth, joy and comfort for friends, family and strangers.
For the quilter in your life, there are two great quilt shops in the South Valley each offering great gift ideas. Gift certificates take the guesswork out of holiday gift-giving, and both stores offer classes to help encourage new and experienced quilters alike.
Nimble Thimble located in historic downtown Gilroy may look quaint, with exposed brick and aged linoleum, but it is a mecca for fabric, with 5,000 bolts.
Store owner Linda Williams suggests BabyLock quilting machines and sergers, a Coronet long-arm with a 10-foot frame, Arrow sewing furniture or Floriani’s Embroidery software for quilters. Nimble Thimble also offers a broad selection of holiday-themed panels, table runner patterns and a variety of project kits. Its extensive collection of threads, including Floriani Encore sets, Genziana wool thread and Valarini threads, are great gifts for those who enjoy embroidering the top sheet or embellishing wool appliqué.
For a traditional quilting shop known for its large selection of baby flannels and Minky fabric selection, Morgan Hill’s Quilts and Things owner Laurie Perez offers personalized service.
Making quilts for charity such as Sew Quilts for Veterans “has been a gratifying experience,” says Caren Hanson of San Jose. Hanson a member of three local chapters Embroidery Guild of America.
Seasoned seamstresses will fawn over a hard-to-find cordless double-pointed iron or an Eversew sewing machine, complete with quilting capabilities.
Owner Laurie Perez also recommends Cuddle Minky baby quilt kits, holiday panels, jigsaw pattern quilt kits, jelly rolls, layer cakes and rug making supplies are great gift ideas.
High-quality traditional flannels fabrics are great for those who would like to sew flannel shirts for one or the whole flock.
With more than 5,000 bolts of fabric at Nimble Thimble and top-quality quilting fabrics offered at Quilts and Things—including such reputable brands as Robert Kaufman, Moda, Marcus, Michael Miller, Rowan, Timeless Treasure, Alexander Henry and Studio E fabrics—no quilter will go without.
If you like to give back during the holidays, Williams at the Nimble Thimble organizes charity block get-togethers to benefit St. Joseph Family Center. Tiles and a selection of gifts for non-quilters are also available. “If you want downtown Gilroy to thrive, then shop local,” Williams says.
Quilts and Things 16985 Monterey St. #316, Morgan Hill. Visit: quiltshopmorganhill.com or call: 408.776.8438.
The Nimble Thimble 7455 Monterey St., Gilroy. Visit: nimblethimble.com or call: 408.842.6501.
