Quilt Beginnings

Just wanted to let people know this store is closed. Sign on door tells you to visit their Sawmill location.

I usually go to the Sawmill location, so coming over to the Bexley store always seems like a treat.
Although the two stores have a similar vibe, the management makes sure the inventory at each store is different. I don’t want you to think that means more than it does– despite slightly different designers, both stores have a similar price point and flavor. In fact, it can be a pain, because the two stores are far enough away from each other that I doubt the customer base overlaps much.
Both stores always have a lot of sample quilts on the walls. I love looking at these– 99% of them aren’t my style, but inspiration abounds.
The Bexley shop’s book collection is a little more robust than Sawmill’s, I think. They’re off in their own nook, and it’s easy to see everything and get lost in the pages without being in anyone’s way.
Either QB store is my go-​to for my fabric basics: backs, particular shades to supplement my project, or fat-​quarter bundles of the same collection for quickie projects. Don’t write-​off QB if you walk in and feel like it’s your mother’s quilt shop. It’d be a shame to ruin your gorgeous Sew to Speak purchases with crappy JoAnn fabric, so keep up the good quality materials and shop here. There’s something for the modernists, too! It just won’t be pre-​packaged for you.
I wish they had a bigger bake shop collection (by Moda). My only other significant gripe is that QB seems to cater to a relatively narrow skill-​level of quilter. All the classes, projects, etc are designed for an (early) intermediate level. From a business plan perspective, it’s probably smart. True-​beginners may not get through many projects (and the supplies they require), if any, and the advanced set may be working for long periods of time on a single intricate project. QB’s projects (both offered for sale, and in classes) are built for speed and consumption. I guess that’s kind of where I am right now– not really interested in spending years on an intricate appliqué or thousands of tiny blocks. BUT! If I were to want to advance to the next level, QB wouldn’t be the place to foster that growth. I just wish QB had more beginner programs (so I can rope some friends into this hobby with me), and maybe include some higher-​level classes and inventory to keep things moving forward.
Service is admittedly hit-​or-​miss. Most of the employees know me or my mother, so it’s usually not too bad. Remember that these employees are mostly hobbiest quilters, looking to fund their quilt-​making ways, and not highly-​trained customer service specialists.

I love Quilt Beginnings East location. The staff is always friendly and willing to help. I always need assistance with choosing fabrics and they never fail to help me make my quilts a work of art. I also highly recommend their classes to learn new techniques or just to spend a few hours with nice folks and even learn from them as well as the instructor. I am always inspired by the lovely sample quilts hanging in the shop.

Quilt Beginnings has two locations in Columbus — this shop on Broad St., and another on Sawmill in Dublin. This review is ONLY for the Broad St. location as I have not yet been to ther Sawmill location.
The shop is surprisingly large; its appearance from the outside makes one think the shop will be pretty small. It isn’t — they’ve got an excellent selection of fabrics, notions, tools, patterns, samples … lots of inspiration here if you’re into a primarily self-​serve situation.
I must admit to being somewhat disappointed in the lack of welcome that I felt in this shop; I was in the shop for at least 5 minutes before anyone bothered to come see who’d come in, and to say anything to me. I was there for a good half-​hour, maybe 45 minutes, and no one ever said another word to me until I checked out — and even then, I felt like I was interrupting something much more important than giving them my hard-​earned cash.
That being said, if the location is convenient for you, you’ll find an excellent selection of quilting/​sewing supplies and inspiration here, especially if you don’t want/​need help from the staff.