Our Staff

LINDA CHILDS—Shop Guru

I began quilting in 1989 when I joined a guild at the Country Hutch quilt shop in Geneva, Ohio. I learned the basics from Alberta Taft and this included making my own templates from cereal boxes, hand piecing and, of course, hand quilting, but I soon found that I preferred rotary cutting and machine piecing.

Over the years, my taste in fabrics and colors has changed, and consequently, I have an abundant stash. I often make feeble attempts to use up this stash but find that I have little resistance when a new line of fabrics arrives at the shop.

I have attempted numerous times to master free motion quilting but to no avail. I remain hopeful that the machine quilting fairy will touch me with her magic needle. In the meantime, I know a good long-arm quilter.

JERI CIRAOLO—Shop Guru

I'm a recently retired HR professional.  I'm married, have 2 grown children and 2 absolutely beautiful grandsons.  Since childhood, I've enjoyed  a wide array of hand crafts, including sewing, English paper-piecing, cross-stitch, knitting, crocheting, stained-glass and card-making. I cross-stitched a quilt top at age 12, which my mother had hand-quilted by a group of Amish women and returned to her as a wedding gift.  I am primarily self-taught, reading and trying out various techniques. 

Since retiring in September of 2009, I've completed 13 quilt tops.  After machine quilting my first quilt top, I decided to let Quilts and Sew Forth machine quilt the others so I can concentrate on my passion—turning my stash into works of arts rather than just pieces of fabric!

PENNY HUGHES—Shop Guru

I'm originally from Western PA. We moved to the Mentor area in 1987 when my husband was transferred by his work.

My quilting experiences started many years ago with my Great Aunt making quilt tops and me quilting them. I have always found quilting to be a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Nowadays, I spend most of my time making and quilting bed coverings for my family and friends. I always felt handmade anything is a gift of love.