The Little Wool Shoppe

This late-1800s building houses both the shop (main level) and pattern business (upper level). When renovating the space the couple pulled up the carpet and let the floors lead the way. "Owning the Little Wool Shoppe is just a dream for the decorator in me," Connie says.

From left:

Katie Graves, Charles R. Huddleson (co-owner), Connie Huddleson (co-owner), Carrie Jones, Bonnie Condon, Lynette DeBrey-Cota, Audrey Owens, Candy Smeltzer, Savannah Jones (granddaughter), Geniel T. Siggard, Yvonne Unrein, Dian Opperman Huss, and Michelle Tucker

The original wood flooring makes the vibrant prints and solids pop. Vintage dressers throughout the shop house project samples giving inspiration from the shops early days.

Wool is the focus fabric at The Little Wool Shoppe, but more than 1,500 bolts of traditional cotton quilting fabrics, patterns, and threads are also housed in the shop's high walls. This provides a perfect backdrop for many samples and kits that fill the stores interior.

In the shop's hallway, enormous blackboards offer the perfect spot to display small projects, with descriptions of the pieces written in chalk next to each one. It's a great way for Connie to showcase and celebrate the seasons.

Many one-of-a-kind items, such as this wool-embellished sunflower chest, are on display throughout the store. "I want to encourage women to do things they think are out of their reach," Connie says. "I remind them that each of us is a designer in some way."

Customers can't seem to get enough of bag patterns. In response, Connie adapted a block from another of her Starry Pines patterns to create the Flower Bouquet Purse (bottom). "Being a part of this network of people who love making things is so rewarding," Connie says.For more information about The Little Wool Shoppe, visit www.thelittlewoolshoppe.com.