Busy Bea

As a gal that used to make her living sewing, I wanted my kids to learn the basics from real professionals ... what I found was not only great instructors and fabric and quilting enthusiasts, but wonderful people. Mrs. Bea and Ms. Kathy taught my youngest a simple and fun denim quilt (rag quilt), and even gave me some great pointers as I sat along during this beginners' course. (I have been sewing/quilting for many, many decades, but knew I was not above learning something new! It also is really wonderful to sit in a class with folks from all walks of life!) When we were looking for some specialty fabrics (Japanese influenced), we found the most wonderful geisha girl panels and many complementary choices to add to our order ... when the call of country or western themes come up, we are always able to find just the right pieces in high quality ... and when our sewing machine needs a little bit of help after a long and strenuous season, Ms. Kathy's expertise is ready to help. more

The Busy Bea is not a bad quilt shop. The fabrics are plentiful and very nice. I went in the first time and bought quite a few yards of various fabrics for a quilt I was working on. No problem. Then a while later I noticed in the paper that the shop was offering a class on the Underground Railroad quilt design. Being interested in taking it, I phoned the shop and inquired about the course. The woman on the phone, who was also the owner, asked if I'd taken a beginner's class at their shop. I told her no, but I'd been a quilter for 10 years and I did not need to take a beginner's class. I kindly asked about the price and time of the class. However, the woman persisted in telling me that I needed to come to the shop and talk to her. She would not listen to me explain about my quilting credentials -- she hung up the phone while I was talking to her! I was very upset by this and have not set foot in the store since. This was a few years ago, but the ownership has not changed. more