Urban Spools Sewing Lounge

Dec 2014: Dallas Observer - Best of Dallas 2014

Dallas Observer

Best of Dallas 204

Best Place for Crafting Co-Dependence - Urban Spools

December 2013

Someone keeps telling us that sewing is not a talent; it's a skill that's learned with lots of practice. We hope that's true, because it's becoming pretty clear that we were not blessed with an innate ability to load a bobbin or sew a straight line. And man, we need to know how to sew — clothes aren't made to hold up forever anymore and if we could fix the shoulder seam on that Forever 21 blouse on the fly, we'd be so ahead of the game. Michelle Kitto's Urban Spools wants to get us there — it's a veritable wonderland for beginner sewers, perfect for the under-confident newbie. Not only is there a range of classes for every skill level, but Kitto offers monthly "Sew"-cials, where those of us struggling to complete projects or thread needles can bring our machines and enlist the assistance of sewing pros and their seam rippers. One day, we'll spread our seamstress wings and fly, but for now, we'll take the help. Check the online calendar to RSVP or drop in and check out the inspiring collection of fabric and patterns always in stock.

1152 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, 75218
214-324-5755
urbanspools.com/

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Sept 2012: Dallas Morning News - Modern quilters think outside the box with bold, bright colors

The Dallas Morning News

Modern quilters think outside the box with bold, bright colors

Gardening
Sep 2012

Free motion stitching is seen on Abby's Quilt, a modern quilt by Michelle Kitto of Urban Spools Sewing Lounge.

(Tom Fox)

Michelle Kitto of Urban Spools Sewing Lounge cradles a modern quilt she made and named after her daughter Abby.

(Tom Fox)

Pieces of My Heart, a modern round robin quilt started by Sarah Huechteman of McKinney. Photographed at Urban Spools Sewing Lounge.

(Tom Fox)

A portrait of Belinda Gelhausen who made quilts (in background) at Citycraft in Dallas, TX.

(Kye R. Lee)

Backside of a quilt made by Belinda Gelhausen.

(Kye R. Lee)

A detail of a quilt made by Belinda Gelhausen.

(Kye R. Lee)

Shari Lidji cutting fabric for a commissioned quilt she's creating for a client at her home studio in Dallas, Texas.

Quilt designer Shari Lidji cutting fabric for one of her modern quilts at her home studio in Dallas, Texas.

Michelle Kitto of Urban Spools sewing lounge displays some of the modern quilts she and her others have made.

(Tom Fox)

Today’s quilters aren’t afraid to think outside the boxes of their grandmothers’ designs. Forget about muted pastels and dainty calico prints. Instead, modern quilters go big and they go bold.

This generation is fearless when it comes to choice of fabrics, piecing, stitching — sometimes throwing out all the rules.

"The modern quilter is less afraid of what she uses and what she does," says Dallas crafter Belinda Gelhausen, who has been quilting for decades but has recently embraced today’s trends.

What makes a quilt modern? While there is not a definitive feature, modern designs are often asymmetrical, rely less on repetition, can be minimalistic, frequently showcase improvisational piecing and, more often than not, use lots of solids.

The love of solids as well as a new challenge drew Michelle Kitto, owner of Urban Spools in White Rock, to try modern quilting. The brighter colors, big blocks and random piecing also were attractive to Kitto, who has since started a business that quilts other sewers’ quilt tops.

One of the biggest perks of modern quilting over traditional quilting, which Kitto also does, is the time it takes from start to finish. "You can be done in a jiffy."

Dallas quilter Shari Lidji of Red Llama Studio designs couture quilts in modern styles. For 10 years, customers have sought her custom work, which combines modern, clean design with personal details, such as stitched pet names, nicknames or favorite vacation spots.

For Lidji, a self-taught quilter, a modern quilt simply means it features a design you’ve never seen before and showcases unique, unexpected fabric combinations. "That’s the beautiful thing about modern quilts,” she says. “There isn’t a template that you have to follow.

Lidji, whose quilts start at $1,500, creates a pattern on her computer, has the pattern printed to the full size of the quilt, and then organizes the process to figure out in what order to sew components and which fabrics to use where. Each commission requires about three months. Her process includes detailed and careful organizing on the front end, which she says helps each work “come together like a jigsaw puzzle.”

The modern movement has caught on in North Texas. Already, the 2-year-old Dallas Modern Quilt Guild has outgrown several meeting spaces and lists 120 members. The guild, which was co-founded by Kitto, promotes the art through workshops, swaps and challenges. The group meets monthly and is open to all levels of the craft.

Fabrics in solid colors, rather than the traditional printed scraps used in earlier centuries, are so popular in modern quilts because they allow the intricate patterns and stitches of the genre to shine. While quilters have historically done that work by hand, few do so anymore. It’s almost all machine work.

“It’s now OK for the quilting to show, and show in major ways,” says Gelhausen, who says what keeps her quilting is watching fabric transform into something beautiful.

Gelhausen and other modern quilters don’t just transform the fronts of their projects into something beautiful, they take full advantage of the backsides, too. The reverse features more graphic piecing, although usually not as much as on the front.

While the techniques, fabrics and technology have changed, the fundamentals of modern quilting are borrowed from traditional quilters. “It still takes the same skills to put a quilt together, but just in a different way,” Kitto says.

Modern quilting movement

There are a variety of places in North Texas to connect with other crafters, learn to make a quilt or buy a custom quilt.

Dallas Modern Quilt Guild: Open to all skill levels, the group meets monthly for education, swaps and more. 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday. Community Room, Half Price Books, 5803 E. Northwest Highway, Dallas. dallasmodern quiltguild.blogspot.com

Modern Patchwork Mini Quilt Club: CityCraft’s monthly meet-up lets club participants shop, socialize and share their work, all while making mini quilts of each of the patterns in Modern Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman. Next meeting: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19. CityCraft, 5460 W. Lovers Lane, Dallas. citycraft.online.com

Learn to quilt

A four-class series will cover quilting basics, such as fabric selection, rotary cutting, piecing, layering the quilt, machine quilting and binding. At the end of the series, you will have completed a small quilt. 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6 and 13.

Urban Spools: 718 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas. $150. urbanspools.com

Red Llama Studio: Shari Lidji, Red Llama Studio. 214-215-3049, redllamastudio.com

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Dec 2018: Dallas Observer - Best of Dallas 2018

Dallas Observer

Best of Dallas 2018

Best In Sewing - Urban Spools

December 2018

It's hard to walk into Urban Spools without being drawn to the colorful fabrics lining the walls. But past the bright, quirky patterns is a classroom with sewing machines where beginner, intermediate and advanced students work on quilts, embroidery, clothing and more. Classes often teach trending projects, such as the atomic starburst quilt or the jelly roll rug, but there are also introductory lessons for various techniques, as well as classes and camps for kids. If you'd like to learn a new craft but had a bad experience in middle school, home, etc., patient, friendly teachers are there to help.

1152 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, 75218
214-324-5755
urbanspools.com/

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Sept 2017: D Magazine - September Classes in Dallas for Your Inner Creative

D Magazine

September Classes in Dallas for Your Inner Creative

September 6, 2017

Maybe it's the start of a new school year, but September feels like the perfect time to learn something new. Luckily, Dallas is brimming with opportunities to dabble in new hobbies. Always dreamed of being a ballerina? BAD Ballet's no-pressure drop-in classes are for you. Want to step up your cooking game? Sur La Table will get you rolling at a make-your-own-sushi lesson. Here are the 20 classes we'd love to try this month.

Fine Arts and Crafting

...

Urban Spools
Intro to Sewing: For true beginners: you'll get acquainted with sewing machines, learn basic skills, and create a craft along the way.
Sunday, Sept 17, 9am. or Sunday, Sept 24 at 9am. $45

...

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June 2013: Advocate Magazine - Ribbon cutting: Urban Spools moves to Casa Linda from Lake Highlands

Advocate Magazine

Ribbon cutting: Urban Spools moves to Casa Linda from Lake Highlands Village

Lakewood / East Dallas
June 28, 2013

Today Urban Spools, a darling sewing lounge that recently moved to Casa Linda Plaza from Lake Highlands Village, is hosting its official ribbon cutting.

Owner Michelle Kitto opened the store at 1152 N. Buckner, a level lower than Another Broken Egg Cafe, in mid-May.

Urban Spools offers several services. They host sewing classes from beginners to advanced, as well as offer private lessons. Neighbors can rent out the sewing lounge by the hour, or host “Take and Make” parties where guests can make things like baby shower or wedding gifts and then take them home. Also, Kitto makes custom quilts.

Learn more about Urban Spools on their website. Or you could always do things the old-school way, and drop by to say, "Hello."

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June 2014: Dallas Morning News - Small Business Spotlight: Michelle Kitto; Urban Spools

The Dallas Morning News

Small Business Spotlight: Michelle Kitto; Urban Spools

Small Business Spotlight
East Dallas, June 2014

Michelle Kitto owns Urban Spools Sewing Lounge, which is located in Casa Linda Plaza, near Another Broken Egg Cafe.

Did you always want to be an entrepreneur/small business owner?

A: Yes.

What steps did you take in your previous jobs or training to prepare you for owning your own business?

A: I have had a lot of different jobs in my life and worked for many different types of businesses. I think I learned a bit from each of them; both in what to do and what not to do.

What is the best advice you received when you were looking into opening your own business?

A: My husband was my biggest supporter and cheerleader. He kept encouraging me to just take the leap. I also worked with a business coach. She had some great tips for planning and strategy.

How long have you owned your own business?

A: It’s been two years this month.

Do you use social media or networking groups to grow your business?

A: Yes, we are Urban Spools on Facebook, @UrbanSpools on Twitter and Instagram, and UrbanSpools on Pinterest. We also have a blog and an e-newsletter.

How does your business give back to the East Dallas community; are there ways you volunteer?

A: We have donated to several of the neighborhood school auctions and have been a supporter of the White Rock Home Tour.

What are some of the ways East Dallas is good for small businesses?

A: I think East Dallas is one of the best areas of town in which to own a small business. This part of the metroplex is especially loyal to small business and is extremely supportive. For Urban Spools, it has also been a great fit since there are so many creative residents!

Looking ahead, what do you feel are some of the challenges your type of business will face?

A: I think we will face some competition from the big-box stores and from online-only retailers. In the end, I think that it is vital that small businesses provide outstanding customer service and activities that foster a sense of community, and I firmly believe this is what will help us to survive.

Anything else you’d like to share?

A: I count myself very lucky to own a business doing what I love. And I can’t think of a better place to be in business. East Dallas is a friendly, welcoming part of the city and I have had so much support from local residents. We are currently gearing up for another summer of kids sewing camps, and can’t wait to meet all of our new students.

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