Cristin Lantz, Redfield Quilt Shop

Cristin Lantz, Redfield Quilt Shop, Redfield, Iowa. Cristin has been in business for three years and has one full-time and one part-time employee. Redfield quilt shop specializes in batiks and also offers gift items sold on consignment by local artists. The shop offers a variety of classes for children and adults, including painting, sewing, and general crafting. Cristin is a recent recipient of a small business grant that will help her expand the shop’s classroom space.

Through the shop, Cristin has helped to bring two quilt shows to her small town for the first time. She also supports charitable causes including Quilts of Valor Pieceful Projects.

“In our town, we are starting a Chamber of Commerce. I hope to be able to learn new things during the event that will help any business grow so that I can share during upcoming meetings,” she says.

Cristin is especially looking forward to taking classes at h+h americas. “Any chance to learn something new helps to energize me,” she says. “I take every opportunity I can to continue to grow to become a better business owner.”

Melissa Byrnes, Paisley Duck Quilting and Design

Melissa Byrnes, Paisley Duck Quilting and Design, Kelso, Washington. Melissa has been in business since 2009. Paisley Duck has over 3,000 bolts of fabric in stock including Tilda and Tula Pink, an 800-square-foot classroom space that is rarely empty, and they’re an authorized retailer of Featherweight Shop products. A recent innovation is buy online, pick up in store, a convenience many customers really appreciate.

“I purchased the shop September 2024 and while the previous owner was gracious with her own experiences, there are aspects of the job that I would like to grow- pattern writing, class offerings, business management and growth, to name a few,” Byrnes explains. “ It seems like shop owners who attend shows on this scale have an understanding of the industry that the rest of us are missing by just staying in our own community.”

Shawna Stombaugh, Knit Ewe Together

Shawna Stombaugh, Knit Ewe Together, Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Shawna describes Knit Ewe Together as a place “where creativity and community come together.” Knit Ewe Together is more than just a yarn store. It’s a place to belong. Shawna learned to crochet as a teenager from one of her aunts. Later, that same aunt taught her to knit. The shop offers “Make and Mingle” groups on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, as well as other sorts of classes for various levels. The shop carries some unique items, including handmade yarn bowls, and participates in the Kansas City Yarn Crawl.

“Attending H+H would give me the chance to meet suppliers face-to-face, discover new products, and learn about trends that will keep Knit Ewe Together fresh and relevant,” Stombaugh says. “I believe in collaboration over competition, so I’ll share insights with other small makers in my region. Whether it’s through social media posts, local meetups, or simple conversations with others, I want to spread what I’ve learned so we can all grow stronger together. The goal is to bring that creative spark from H+H back home—and keep the excitement and inspiration going long after the show ends.”

Lucia Holtclaw, Fat Tuesday Fabrics

Lucia Holtclaw, Fat Tuesday Fabrics, Monroe, Louisiana. Lucia has been in business for four years and is Fat Tuesday Fabrics’ only employee. The shop carries a large collection of Louisiana-themed and Mardi Gras-themed fabrics. Although right now, Fat Tuesday Fabrics doesn’t have room for classes, they are hoping to expand in the future.

Lucia is Mexican-American and is fluent in Spanish. She is excited to attend an international show for the first time. “Chicago from Monroe, La, is quite a distance and a big cost, but we’re willing to give it a try,” she says. “We believe this show would be great for our store.”

Laura Long, Yarning

Laura Long, Yarning, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Customers describe Yarning as a “small, intimate yarn shop with a great selection that maximizes space available.” Yarning focuses on carrying indie dyed yarns, including many from New Mexico. They describe the staff as friendly and super helpful. Laura says that Yarning is “a gathering space of inclusivity that combines fresh ideas with yarn and fiber.” She says she’s always been an entrepreneur at heart and, after falling in love with knitting in 2000, she’s never looked back.

Yarning offers unique classes such as “Sound and Stitching” which provides participants with a sound bath experience while they stitch. The shop also collaborates with a local movie theater to offer craft at the movies events.

Long is especially excited about the Conference pass included in the scholarship. “Even if I were to attend h+h on my own, I would never be able to afford the business classes which seem invaluable,” she says. “I would only be able to walk the show floor. I would love to take as many classes as possible.”

Allison Kemner, My Timeless Day

Allison Kemner, My Timeless Day, Canton, South Dakota, a town of less than 3000 that sits on the edge of a thriving and growing city of 220,000. Customers describe My Timeless Day as “the happiest quilt shop” and say that Allison and her staff are welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable. The shop participates in the Quilting Across South Dakota Shop Hop and offers lots of classes as well as Show and Tell events for local customers to show off their latest makes.

“I would love to attend h+h americas 2026 because I want to learn how to make my quilt shop better for right now and the years to come,” Kemner says. “Twenty years from now, I want my shop to be still as fun, exciting, and creative for people to come in as it is toda,y and I want it to be a financially stable business.”