The Quilt-A-Way

The Quilt-A-Way in Great Falls, Montana, encompasses a bevy of quilting patterns and fabrics, as well as a gift loft and classroom.

Growing Selection

In 1996, The Quilt-A-Way started in Toni Eckart’s garage in Great Falls, Montana, with just 30 bolts of fabric. Over the next few years, it developed into a full-blown retail shop, complete with a gift loft and classroom.

Meet the Staff

Front row, from left: Toni Eckart (owner), Denise Shortridge, and Cathy Koteskey; second row: Mary Luinstra and Shirley Johnson; third row: Colleen Garness and Hazel Rafferty; fourth row: Kathy Bates, Annie Neiffer, and Lynn Nelson; fifth row: Mary DiLello and Diane Brien.

Plenty of Choices

Patterns, samples, and kits for aprons, bags, throws, table runners, wall hangings, and more fill the expanse at The Quilt-A-Way.

Wool Room

Wooly delights, such as Fall Pleasures table runner and Favorite Seasons 1 pillow by Waltzing with Bears, Victoria Knitting and Sewing Tote by Sue Spargo, and Brownstone Boulevard pillow by Indygo Junction, are samples in The Quilt-A-Way wool room.

Plenty of Options

The Quilt-A-Way carries many nature-inspired patterns, including Waterfalls by Judy Niemeyer.

Rustic Yet Refined

The Quilt-A-Way manager Denise Shortridge designed Rustic Yet Refined for Quilt Sampler Fall/Winter 2010 magazine.

Machine-Quilting Details

Denise secured each flower and leaf appliqué by machine-quilting 1/4-inch inside the edges. She also stitched loops in the flower appliqués, a swirl in each block center, and veins in the leaves. In the tan check border, she quilted a vine-and-leaf motif that mirrors the flowing design of the stem and leaf appliqués.

Rustic Yet Refined Color Option

Take Rustic Yet Refined from sweet to sassy with colorful Boutique Batiks from P&B Fabrics. To add to the rainbow effect, quilt tester Laura Boehnke cut two border strips from a blue batik and two from a green batik. She shortened the stem appliqués and used fewer leaves so the vines wouldn’t overtake the smaller 12-block version.

Contact The Quilt-A-Way to purchase a copy of the Fall/Winter 2010 issue of Quilt Sampler magazine. Issues are also available at your local quilt shop, on newsstands, and online.