Country Quilt Creations: Custom and ReadyMade Products Are Available at Local Quilt Business

Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photography Provided

Delores Schwartz, owner of Country Quilt Creations, is happy to be a source for quilting supplies as well as finished quilts.

Schwartz was widowed only months after purchasing an existing quilt shop and relocating it to her family home in Bremen in August of 2012. She had visited a local shop to purchase fabric and found out the shop would be closing. The owner was interested in selling it.

Her husband Jacob, whom she met in 1992 when her mother and Jacob’s father married, passed away in November of 2012. He supported her idea of buying the shop’s inventory and establishing a quilt shop at their home.

Jacob and Delores renovated an area of their home to accommodate the shop, replacing cabinets with open shelving, removing walls and a pantry, and making other alterations in the space.

“[Jacob] put this in place so I would have something here, something that was home-based,” Schwartz says. Schwartz celebrated eight years in business this August. The store features many different fabric choices, backing and batting, sewing notions, patterns, rotary cutters and thread - just about anything a quilter would need.

There are also several quilts created by a pool of 10 local quilters, which are available for purchase. Sizes range from a throw or lap quilt up to a king-sized bed covering.

Schwartz also offers opportunities for customers to preserve memories by ordering a custom-made quilt. One customer needed some repairs done on a quilt that her husband’s late mother made, so the woman could give it to her husband as a gift. A memory quilt made from a deceased loved one’s clothing is also a popular way to remember a departed friend or family member.

These special orders take at least four to six months according to Schwartz.

“I already have 10 on the waiting list,” she says. “It is a timeconsuming process to put these together.”

Schwartz says presenting a quilt as a gift is an important gesture, whether it is made to order or complete and ready to purchase.

“You don’t give a quilt to just anybody,” she says.

Those in need of a ready-made gift idea for someone who appreciates the art of quilting can find many items for sale in the shop. Some popular quilted gift items include bags, hot pads, wall hangings, rag dolls, and dolls with Amish-styled clothing. There is even a selection of quilted coasters, mittens, and ornaments to hang on a Christmas tree.

Schwartz learned how to make quilts as a child.

“It was something that we learned to do,” she recalls. “I like to get together sociably [with other quilters], but it’s been so many years since I have had time to do that.”

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Schwartz has offered classes for four to six people. She also hosts a monthly sewing circle in her kitchen, which she calls Sit and Sew. At this monthly meet-up on the second Tuesday of each month, those attending can work on quilts, do their mending or simply devote time to another sewing project. Some do their work by hand and others bring along a sewing machine. The Sit and Sew events are a throwback to the past.

“I remember going to sewing circles when I was out of school,” Schwartz says. “That was the social thing.”

While a small shop like hers has to compete with online businesses, Schwartz offers her customers the opportunity to provide input on the creation of their heirloom quilt. She can also help beginner quilters find the right tools and material to work with, such as precut quarter panels, which make it easier to piece together a quilt design.

Her favorite quilt pattern is the Lone Star pattern.

“I love stars,” she says.

Schwartz hopes customers will find their way to her small business despite the pandemic.

“It has been hard this year,” Schwartz says.

“People are not out as much anymore.” Country Quilt Creations is located at 1611 3rd Road in Bremen. For more information, call 574-546-5747.

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