Quilting enthusiasts have a new headquarters in downtown Oxford ? Aunt Nan’s Fabrics.
Located at 40 S. Washington Street, the 1,800-square-foot store features a wide variety of fabrics, notions (thread, needles, pins, scissors, etc.), books and patterns for quilters of all experience levels.
By the time Aunt Nan’s Fabrics hosts its grand opening April 21-29, owner Dianna Griggs expects to offer customers more than 1,000 bolts of fabric.
‘That’s pretty significant for just starting,? said the Orion Township resident, who’s been quilting for about 15 years.
Griggs wishes to offer ‘things that other shops don’t have? to help quilters find exactly what they need, not compete against other shops.
‘Quilt shops don’t really compete with each other,? she said. ‘They should be complementing each other, not competing. That’s just my philosophy.?
In the fall, Griggs said her shop will begin offering quilting classes for every range of experience from beginning to advanced.
‘Almost everyone who comes through the door asks for classes,? she said. ‘I’ve hired some wonderful women and a lot of them want to teach, so we will be doing that in the fall.?
Griggs said it’s particularly important for young girls to learn how to sew.
‘Unfortunately, the schools don’t teach sewing to girls anymore, like in the home economics classes,? she said. ‘So one thing we want to do with our classes is teach young girls how to sew so we can develop those next generations of quilters.?
On Wednesdays, Aunt Nan’s Fabrics offers a ‘Sit and Stitch? period from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during which women can gather and do their quilting work.
‘I just want to create a comfortable atmosphere for women to come and share their ideas and share their projects,? said Griggs noting that quilting is both a creative and social outlet for women.
Opening a quilt shop in downtown Oxford is the realization of a longtime dream for Griggs.
‘I went down this path about 10 years ago and I got very scared, very quickly,? she said. ‘I was afraid of failing. So, I backed off.?
Then a higher power intervened.
‘About three years ago, I became a born again Christian. God brought the dream back to me,? Griggs said. ‘This is where I believe He wants me to be. This is part of His plan and purpose for my life.?
Griggs chose downtown Oxford because it’s a true ‘main street? in the traditional small town sense.
‘I wanted to be in downtown Oxford. That was always the goal because it still has the hometown feel,? she said.
With the nearest quilt shops in Canterbury Village and Ortonville, Griggs said Oxford will allow her to draw from a wide customer base.
‘It’s good location. I’ll draw from Oakland County, Lapeer County, maybe even Macomb,? she said. ‘My research said quilters will travel up to 25 miles.?
So why the name Aunt Nan’s Fabrics?
‘I’m Aunt Nan,? Griggs said. ‘My nieces and nephews when they were young couldn’t say Dianna. So I became Nan, Aunt Nan.?
Aunt Nan’s Fabrics is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and is closed Sunday.
For more information call (248) 628-5610.