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Completely Quilted Bernina Sewing Center is located at 315 E. Grand Avenue in the heart of downtown Ponca City. Owned and run by Paul and Suzy Taylor and their daughter Nancy Laffy, the store celebrates 17 years in business this year. Of the journey so far, Nancy says, “We’re really thankful for how much support we’ve gotten over the last 17 years. It’s wild that we’ve got customers that are our friends and we’ve met so many people. Helping people make things that are beautiful that they give to their family – that’s just so fun. We’re really thankful to be able to do that. We just want people to have a good experience when they come in here.”
Suzy says she began quilting when her children were young and soon became very passionate about the craft. She joined the Pioneer Area Quilters Guild and began attending show & share type events where attendees would take quilts they’d finished and share the finished projects with other members. Suzy was soon approached about finishing quilts for other members. What started as a way to help support her quilting hobby eventually morphed into a family business.
Suzy went from finishing quilts on a regular sewing machine to finishing them on a long arm machine. As work continued to pour in, the family began to discuss turning Suzy’s talent for quilting into a business. Paul Taylor realized from the beginning the family would need to diversify their offerings in order to be successful. After some research, the Taylors decided to become an authorized dealer of Bernina sewing machines. Completely Quilted not only sells the machines, but Paul is also a certified Bernina technician and can repair Bernina machines as well as work on other brands of machines. Along with the Bernina product line, the store also carries fabric, notions and other items needed for sewers and quilters. The shop is both product- and service-oriented, with each family member focusing on a service. Paul works on machines. Suzy specializes in finishing quilts, and Nancy does custom embroidery.
One fascinating thing about quilt shops is that the fabric carried at each shop is a unique reflection of both the owners and the customers that shop there. Shop owners are purchasing fabrics that inspire them and fabrics they believe their customers will love. The combination of the two creates a one-of-a-kind mixture that varies from shop to shop. Completely Quilted also buys from quilt shop exclusive fabric companies, meaning companies that are only selling to quilt shops and not big box stores. You won’t find any of the fabrics they offer at your local hobby store.
When you walk into Completely Quilted your eyes immediately set upon bright bolts of fabric in every direction. It’s like being hugged by color. The store sells Bernina sewing machines that range from the very affordable entry-level machines to the more expensive machines. Price points range from $400-$20,000. There are floor models available that customers can test out to determine which machine is the best fit for them. Suzy and Nancy both believe it’s very important to talk to customers and learn their particular sewing needs when it comes to matching a customer with a machine. They also sell sewing machine cabinets, allowing customers to get their entire set up in one stop.
Completely Quilted hosts Beginner Quilting Classes where Nancy and Suzy walk attendees through all the steps of creating a quilt. The class lasts four weeks and there’s no experience required. At the end of the four weeks, each student has a bound and finished quilt and has acquired the skills necessary to make their own quilts. Since they began keeping track in 2014, the shop has hosted over 130 first-time students in their Beginning Quilting Classes. Suzy says,
“When people come in, we want to make sure we greet them like old friends, even if it’s their first time in the shop. We try to make everybody feel like they’re the best thing that’s happened to us today with them walking through the door.”
The store also sells patterns, scissors, thread, rulers and other items needed for quilters and sewers alike. As well as carrying patterns from various lines, Suzy and Nancy have both designed their own patterns which can be found in the store. Also showcased around the store are sample items like bags and quilts made to give customers a preview of new fabric lines. These items are typically for sale as well as being useful guides to what to do with that fabric you’ve been wanting to use.
Each year, Completely Quilted participates in statewide Shop Hop events. Two smaller events take place in the spring and fall (April and October, respectively), with the bigger Shop Hop happening from June 1-July 31 each summer. These events encourage attendees to visit participating stores around Oklahoma and create quilt squares at each location with the goal of creating a quilt with all the coordinating squares at the end of the event. Though every shop does their finished quilt differently, Nancy and Suzy enjoy the challenge of creating a unique piece that incorporates the squares from each participating location. These events bring quilters from all over the state into Ponca City each year, making a positive impact on our community’s economy.
Whether you’re thinking about learning to quilt or sew, or just need a little color therapy in your life, Completely Quilted is worth the visit. You can find out more about Completely Quilted Bernina Sew Center by following them on Facebook. You can also sign up for their monthly email newsletter via their website at https://cqsew.com. Visit them in store at 315 E. Grand Avenue or give them a call at (580) 718-9300.
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