Ruth's Stitchery
Colorado Springs, CO
Needlework
at Ruth's Stitchery is ALIVE and WELL! They are in the midst
of their 15th Anniversary Celebration which began July 15th and
many exciting things are in the works. In need of ideas? Reliable
sources confirm that when you visit Ruth's Stitchery, you'll
always walk away inspired.
Ruth opened her Stitchery on July 2, 1984 in Colorado Springs,
CO starting with only 600 sq. ft; the shop now covers 4,800 sq.
ft., having gone through 5 expansions - an average of 1 expansion
every 3 years! Ruth has obviously been doing something right,
all along. With over 3000 bolts of fabric and over 1000 books,
Ruth's offers plenty of choices for every talent level in several
handwork pursuits. Having taken over 4 storefronts, Ruth has
been able to allocate separate areas exclusively to various pursuits,
such as a sewing room, book room, a space for cross stitchers
and a wonderful room for classwork. 
The
shop's primary focus is on quilting but they also specialize
in instruction and supplies for beading and silk ribbon embroidery,
counted cross stitch, Hardanger, tatting, soft sculpture, wearable
art, Temari, smocking, needlepoint, applique and wool rug hooking.
Samples executed in the many techniques are displayed all over
the store. Ruth's is an extremely comprehensive needlework venue.
As most quilters engage in other needle crafts as well, they
can find materials at Ruth's to meet all of their creative requirements.
Education
is an ongoing priority at Ruth's Stitchery. The class schedule
is extensive and covers the gamut: from basic beginner sewing
skills, to elaborate beading, luscious silk ribbon embroidery,
challenging quilting techniques and innovative applique projects.
Beginning in September, they will be set up for 12 monthly quilt
block parties! Some classes focus on wearable art: jackets, vests,
jumpers and even baby bonnets and others on soft sculpture dolls
from the sublime to the outrageous. There is a monthly ornament
class and four clubs run throughout the year: the "America
Sews Club," the "Embroidery Club" and the "Doll
Club."
In
addition Ruth's is an authorized dealer for Husqvarna sewing
machines and sergers. These tools are supported with numerous
"know-how" classes in all levels spanning "I Want
to Sew," "Urge to Serge," to "Heirloom Techniques."
During summer and school breaks their "Kids Can Sew"
is a big hit and high on the agenda. Other special events punctuate
the calender: a lecture and trunk show by Lynette Jensen of "Thimbleberries,"
"Sew Spectacular," a sewing frenzy event presented
by a National Viking Educator, classes with guest teacher Cheryl
Phillips and a "Sulky Seminar," by one of Sulky's educators.
This enterprise flourishes under the guiding hand of Ruth
Warren, assisted by 9 employees and several freelance teachers.
Each brings a special talent to the mix. Even their regular customers
are an accomplished lot including the likes of Robyn Pandolph,
who recently designed "Folk Art Wedding," a line of
reproduction fabrics for MODA, Carolyn Sherman, who teaches wearable
art for both the quilting and embroidery world, Ruth Mosher and
Nancy Offutt, who have a line of quilt wall hanging patterns
and Charlotte Miller and Mary Ellen Searcey, who are involved
in designing innovative dyes, fibers and fabrics.
Though not every regular customer is a recognizable name in
the industry, they are all personally known by Ruth and her staff.
She emphasizes, "We would be nothing without our phenomenal
and extremely loyal clientele. We know each by name and give
them all the individual attention they deserve." Handworkers
who find their way to Ruth's door come from all over the world
and include regular clientele from Saudi Arabia, England and
Alaska. This customer base has evolved through extensive advertising
campaigns and word of mouth, not to mention the distinct advantage
of having as a neighbor, a Triple-A office.
None
of this fervor or magnanimity would be possible without the vision
of Ruth Warren. Her commitment to the community is paramount
and evident in the many educational programs and charity events
she initiates, contributing her own time, energy, space and other
resources to worthy causes. One such occasion planned for September
is a "Sew-A-Thon" for the Comfort Cap program. Another
happening during the year takes place each March when the "National
Quilting Day Celebration" features a day-long "Quilt-A-Thon."
Quilts are assembled by a group made up of customers, teachers
and employees to benefit the Department of Social Services for
the less fortunate children in the community. In 1998 this event
resulted in 128 quilts being produced in a single day! Ruth's
Stitchery also currently underwrites "America Sews"
with Sue Hausmann on a local PBS channel. Her involvement and
commitment do not end there however. Ruth's is actively engaged
with educational projects for the local school district by sponsoring
a booth for "National History Day" as well as several
sporting events. Even in the middle of their last remodeling
last fall, Ruth's held training classes for Girl Scout leaders
to guide their troops in quilt making for another charity project.
July and August of this year are months Ruth has set aside for
the "Horizon of Hope Basket" project, to help raise
money for breast cancer research. Sponsored by the Longaberger
Company, consultants and customers have raised almost 3 million
dollars for research to date. If there is a worthy cause to devote
her energies to, Ruth is in-on-it, on the ground floor.
An especially gratifying opportunity presented itself when
Sara Pittenger, who created an unique needlework curiculum for
an exploratory class at a local middle school, approached Ruth
about lending support and guidance to her students. Ruth, as
always, rose to the occasion, resulting in a memorable experience
for a group of new stitching enthusiasts. (Tune into this month's
Online Class to find out more about Sara, her students and the
projects they worked on.)
Ruth's
easygoing and sociable manner translates to a shop which reflects
her priorities. One notices that setting up shop on Carefree
Circle was an apt choice of address! The prevailing atmosphere
is as happy, friendly and mellow as appropriately befits this
locale, which is why customers so quickly become friends. One
customer exudes, "The staff is the friendliest anywhere
and they have the best choice of supplies in the area!"
Another asserts that the best thing about Ruth's is the feeling
one gets when entering the store: "There is always a welcoming
hello which gives you a warm feeling just being there. You can
be totally comfortable even when you don't want to buy anything
- just come in, eat your lunch there or sit and talk or browse
to your heart's content. It's as good as a therapy session; when
you leave you just feel better. There are few shops that can
boast that!" And many regulars do stop by to do just that!
If the classrooms are not occupied, they are available to whomever
would like to just "take a load off" and stitch or
sew. Ruth also welcomes independent stitchers' groups to use
the class space for their own meetings on a monthly basis to
indulge in stitching, sewing and rug-hooking for the sheer joy
of the craft and the company. 
One
of these is the "Pikes Peak Rug Hooking Group. "Anyone
is welcome to wander in just to get the feel of what these "hookers"
do! (No Comment!) Ruth unstintingly supports the local craft
guilds. As Jonnie Nottingham, President of the Colorado Springs
Quilt Guild, maintains, "Having the support of local shops
is very important to the success of our group, we owe a lot to
Ruth and the gang." Jeannette Stewart, known as the "Wool
Lady" who teaches wool applique and rug hooking at the shop,
proclaims: "Ruth is so generous to everyone - teachers,
sales people and customers and goes out of her way to help anyone
with a problem or questions. This and the good feelings in the
shop, put her way out front." All these unsolicited accolades,
straight from the heart, tell the true success story of Ruth
and her Stitchery!
Ruth's Stitchery is located at the base of Pikes Peak, the
front range of the Rockies forming a dramatic backdrop. Many
attractions draw visitor to the area, such as the beautiful "Garden
of the Gods." Colorado Springs is also home to the U.S.
Air Force Academy and the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Sounds
like a perfect mecca for over-achievers and over-achiever wannabe's
of all kinds! Many tourists find their way to Ruth's Stitchery
when just passing through. Hopefully, if you're in the vicinity,
you will too!
Ruth's Stitchery, 3517 N. Carefree Circle, Colorado Springs,
CO 80917
phone: (719) 591- 1717 or (888) 591- 8803
fax: (719) 591-5356
e mail: [email protected]
website: http://www.where2getit.com/ruths/
- STORE
FOCUS ARCHIVES
(For
previous month's features)
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