Glass Thimble

Sadly, it looks as though this little gem has closed. No signage to say where they’ve moved to, and the phone number has been changed to an undisclosed number. So sad =(

Decent thread selection. Lots of older fabric, civil war. The folks who work there are very friendly and helpful and if you like traditional fabrics you’ll be happy. They hardly had any batiks last time I was there.
One note: The lighting is really off. If you are looking for an EXACT shade you’ll want to take it to a window to double check — when picking out fabric in some of the back rooms I“ve been really surprised by the color I ended up with when I got home.
I haven’t taken their classes but heard they have fun teachers.

If you are a crafter or aspiring seamstress of any type, this place will both float your boat and rock it. I think of it as the Book Loft of the independently owned fabric shops. There’s a room of fabric here, and another one here, and another one, and another one… there really is a lot here to look at. Civil War Reproduction print fabric is a really interesting item they sell here. Lots of 30s/​40s repros as well. Perfect for the faux-​vintage look. The staff here are super helpful and friendly without being overbearing. I’ll be back!

PARKING: I had to laugh at the other review– there have been HUGE signs for years and years on the front of the building stating there is parking in the back (alley parallel to High St– enter from Oakland Park Ave). AMPLE safe parking right in front of their main entrance in the back. Or you can park on any of the streets for free as well. Or take the bus. Or ride you bike.
LOCATION: This store is located in Clintonville– with easy access to both 71 and 315– very easy to get to. Only out of your way if you live in the nose bleed burbs and never venture into the «inner city» where all the great stuff about Columbus is.
THE STORE: Large selection of high quality quilting fabric. NOT the cheap, itchy, ugly crap they sell at the mega stores. You are looking around $ 10/​yd. Small selection of Amy Butler fabrics and books (and some of her bags all put together) and other cute vintage inspired prints as well as traditional quilting choices (go to Sew to Speak for more design inspired fabric). Also some holiday themed prints. Also machine and hand sewing thread, notions, fabric bundles and fat quarters. For some reason there is a small selection of beading supplies.
CLASSES: Look around– there are samples of techniques taught in the classes and partial and finished projects — made with in store fabric. And ask for more information– I have not taken any classes– but I’m sure they have all levels.
Very nice staff. They’ll greet you, ask if you need help then leave you alone to look, but are around for any questions or if you need fabric cut. I’ve never had a bad experience and I’ve stopped in the store from time to time since… the ‘80s? Early ‘90s?
Its a solid traditional quilting store.

I’m new to Columbus and took myself on a self-​guided quilt shop hop; the Glass Thimble was one of the shops I visited.
It was a little difficult for me to find, being unfamiliar with the area, but I found it and also figured out how to get to the back-​of-​the-​shop parking lot. (That was the *real* challenge for me – LOL.)
I went in the back door and was immediately welcomed by the 2 ladies working that day. They told me a little bit about how the shop was laid out, asked if I was looking for anything in particular, and then let me shop in peace. Every once in awhile one of them would come find me to see if I had any questions, and I found her timing to be perfect for me – non-​intrusive, and yet I didn’t feel ignored or abandoned.
This shop has a lovely selection of fabrics, patterns, tools and BEADS. There were probably other products I just missed because I was so enchanted with the fabric selection: civil war reproductions, ’30’s feedsack reproductions, lots of brights for children’s quilts/​gifts, contemporary fabrics, and — best of all — a very good selection of batiks.
All in all, I was very pleased with this shop, will be back often, and highly recommend it if you’re a dedicated quilter or bead-​diva.

Let me start this off by saying… PARK IN KROGERS PARKING LOT. If you park in the drive, and die coming out, I fully intend to blame you.
This is one of those places that is out of your way to drop in to, and really not worth it if you’re not in to the whole quilting scene. It’s a really uncomfortable shop. I spent the whole time terrified of being too clumsy.