Twisted Scissor in Sparks, NV

I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT THIS SHOP HAS CLOSED.  WE WILL MISS IT!

Twisted Scissor Quilt Shoppe

1360 Disc Drive

Sparks, NV 89436

(775) 626-7017

Click here for the:

Twisted Scissor Facebook Page

Hours:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am - 5pm

Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm

Sunday, Monday: CLOSED

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Welcome to the Twisted Scissor Quilt Shoppe, owned and operated by Karen Smith!

Karen has an absolutely lovely shop located just outside of Reno in Sparks, NV. (For those not from the area, Reno and Sparks have no clear division and one city melds into the other.)

When you meet Karen you will be instantly won over by her friendly, warm smile. She is a true people person and has created a fun, exciting quilt shop!

Karen is the shoppe's one and only employee and if you ask her what she does for a living she'll tell you, "I run with scissors!"

This joke extends beyond quilting because in a shared next door space you'll find Karen's hair salon!

She's not kidding when she says she spends her days "running with scissors"!

Karen carries a great line of current patterns and likes to showcase various designers.

Twisted Scissor has a wonderful display of quilt samples hanging on the walls.  On the day of my visit there were quite a few 3-D samples where the designs were literally jumping off the quilt!  Absolutely adorable child quilts! 

This is a small shop but Karen makes use of every bit of space.  The displays are darling and the merchandise is easy to see.  As Karen says, she's paying for every square inch so she's going to use it!!

When I asked Karen to define her shop she said that people could expect to find lots of color, bright fabrics and clean, crisp prints!  I would definitely agree!

Above is a picture of the quilt they designed for this year's

Pony Express Shop Hop 2010. 

What a beautiful quilt!

Although this was only the shop's second year participating, the Shop Hop was a huge success!!  Word is spreading about our local Shop Hop and people are coming!  Can't wait until next year! 

Karen makes pricing extremely easy. 

Unless a fabric is specially marked all of her fabric is $9.50/yd.  In addition she has a large selection of sale fabrics and is constantly getting in new fabrics!  There is always something new to see!

Here you can see another example of her beautiful 3-D quilt samples!  I LOVE the pink and black!!

Every bit of space is cleverly used.  The displays are cute, fun and fresh!

One of the nice things about Karen's shop is that not only can you buy fabric off the bolt in whatever yardage you need but she also precuts

 1/2 yard and 1 yard bundles. 

 I LOVE the convenience of this and I usually find that I spend much more money than normal with the precut bundles!  It's just TOO easy to shop!  :)

Below is a picture of Karen and her daughter, Dani, at this year's Shop Hop. 

Thank you so much Karen for your hospitality!! 

You have a beautiful shop and I can't wait to come back!

Don't forget to visit her on Facebook at: Twisted Scissor Quilt Shoppe

Thanks for stopping by!

Heather

Sierra Sewing Center in Reno and Carson City!

As formerly promised in an earlier post it is time to discuss another Reno Quilt Shop-Sierra Sewing Center!

Sierra Sewing Center

Reno, NV

Hours:

Mon-Sat: 10-5:30 pm

Sunday: Closed

Sierra Sewing Center has two locations in Nevada.  Their largest store is located in Reno and a slightly smaller version can be found in Carson City.  (In fact, it is currently the ONLY quilt shop in Carson City!) 

In the Reno store, you will find the employees hard at work.  Owner, Linda Lakso and manager, Lori Whitworth, devote countless hours to keeping their shop ever evolving and exciting! 

This is one of several aprons on display in the store showcasing the hot, new apron patterns!

Lori has a famous way of greeting each and every customer and wants to make sure that every customer leaves the store having had a truly enjoyable shopping experience!  As a matter of fact, I think you could say that customer satisfaction is one of their highest goals.

They say that one of the most rewarding aspects of their business is to match the right person to the right sewing machine.  A good functioning sewing machine makes the quilting experience SO much more enjoyable. 

I've heard people say that they sew on their mother's/grandmother's/aunt's old machine from 19...(fill in the blank).  I'm sure that they're functioning fine but there really is nothing to compare with a new sewing machine.  The technology of the new machines will take your breath away.

And...it's very affordable with Sierra Sewing Center since they even offer Lay Away!! 

If you're at all in the market for a new machine consider buying from Sierra Sewing Center at the upcoming Quilt, Sewing and Craft Expo coming to Reno at the end of June, 2010.  

Sierra Sewing Center will be supplying ALL of the sewing machines for the Expo and will be offering some "dynamite prices" (as Lori says) on all of the machines.  They will be offering Pfaff Express 4.0's and Viking Sapphire 875's.  Each machine will come with a full warranty and free instruction in the store!!  If you need a machine, now could be the time!!

What is unique about Sierra Sewing Center?

I LOVE their Moda Bake Shop!  They always have a great selection of charm squares, layer cakes and jelly rolls.  They carry the newest fabrics not to mention those that you might have missed the first time around.  When I'm looking for Moda Bake Shop, I always try them first.  (And pssst....their prices are great!)

Also according to Lori, they just got in 100 BOLTS of blenders from Moda.  They have the full spectrum of colors!!  Whoo-Hoo!!!!  I know I'll be checking this out soon!

I love their new patriotic display.  Who doesn't LOVE red, white and blue!!

When I asked Lori and Linda what sets them apart as an independent quilt shop from the other chain stores they were quick to respond.  They pointed out that in their store you will always get Personal Attention.  Whatever you may need, they are there to help.  Not to mention, they know what they have in terms of merchandise and they can (drum roll please) FIND it!!

Linda said she is pleased to know that her customers think they have a great selection of fabric and a nice variety.  It is a compliment she often gets.  Their goal is to appeal to as many people as possible, she says.

Below is a quilt that can be taken as a class as part of the monthly "Scrap Therapy" program. 

Come September, Sierra Sewing Center will be participating in the Sierra to Sage Shop Hop as it prepares to celebrate its 3rd year this September 23rd-26th.  This year's theme is the Pony Express.  Their block will be featuring Applique and they will have a store sample representing their block.

There's no end to the creativity as you can see from the adorable quilted figures above.  It's not just about quilts! 

Lastly, don't forget that SSC offers a Fabric Punch Card.  Each yard of regular priced fabric is worth a $1 punch.  The first Saturday of the month is usually Double Punch Day (this day is subject to change so be sure and ask before you line up for your double punches)!!  On these days you'll earn $2 in punches for every yard of fabric.

Filling up your card means you've earned $20 in free fabric!  I don't know about you but I'm a fan of earning free fabric just from purchasing more fabric.  (Oh- the sacrifices I must make!  :)

Below is another adorable project from their Scrap Therapy classes.  They also offer monthly purse classes in the "Bag Ladies Club".  Too fun!

Their class schedule comes out quarterly so consider taking one in their comfortable classroom.  Here's a peek of their room...

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you've been inspired to stop by Sierra Sewing Center soon!  If we're going to keep our local quilt shops alive, we've got to give them our business!  

Take care!

Heather

Windy Moon Quilts in Reno

Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-5:30pm

 Sun: 11-5 pm

Quilt shops may come and go but Windy Moon Quilts located in Reno, NV has a long tradition of providing quality service to its customers.  

Mike and Sandy Sullivan purchased "the Moon" more than 20 years ago.  As Sandy likes to say, "In my former life, I was a nurse". But with a love for sewing, Sandy made the decision to change careers and dive headfirst into the world of quilting.

After several local moves they finally made their permanent home in a repurposed bank building complete with a walk-in bank vault!

Sewing Machines!

Windy Moon is the local Brother and Janome sewing machine dealer.  Check out there WIDE selection of machines!

Classes!

They also have a full calendar of classes that can be found both on their website and in their print newsletter which can be picked up in the shop.

Among the many classes offered at Windy Moon, Sandy is known for her "History of Women and Quilting" classes. For 2010, she is offering a series of classes called "Women's Voices-The Women of the Suffrage Movement". Each class focuses on the history of this era, the women who lived it and a coordinating 12" block.


Additionally, they offer classes on how to use EQ6. Each class lasts for 5 weeks and in it you learn the fundamentals of using EQ6 software. Bring a laptop and start designing your own quilts!

 Longarm Services!

Windy Moon offers Long Arm Quilting services! As you can see here, they have a dedicated space for their long arm and an experienced individual ready to help you finish those tops!

 Retreat!

Every March they hold a quilting retreat in Virginia City, NV.  Participants look forward to staying in a completely renovated Civil War era hospital.  They stay in the patient's old rooms and gather to sew in a former ward.  

Windy Moon rents out the entire building and up to 25 people can join in the fun over a Fri, Sat and Sunday each March.  

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When I asked Sandy what makes an independent quilt shop better than a bargain chain she hit on three important points: 

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  Quality-Although you can often find the same fabric pattern in a bargain chain, the quality of cotton is different.  You're always going to get a higher quality of fabric in an independent store.  That means it will wash better and last longer!
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  Quilting Specialists- Your local quilt shop is dedicated to the art of quilting.  They eat, sleep and breathe it.  They know where all of their supplies are, they know who Mark Lipinski is and they probably can even know the exact location of that bolt of fabric to match that scrap you bought there 3 months ago!
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  They Care- They take the time to get to know you personally.  It's a place to hang out and feel comfortable.  They're going to ask about your latest project as well as your family.

Windy Moon carries a WIDE variety of fabrics from Civil War to Thirties to Bright Novelties to Batiks.

Keep in mind that our local quilt shops will only be around as long as we continue shopping in them!

Thanks for stopping by!

Heather