Reader photos first
Many of you told me how much you enjoyed the post last night written in 2000. Our historian box is huge and full but I went to the beginning and found several pages written about our very beginning in 1980. It’s been fun reading thru it and I’m printing some here and will have more pictures to come. Bear with me – I tried to increase the lettering for easier reading. If this doesn’t interest you, feel free to pass by.
More tomorrow!
So enjoyed the “pictorial” and history of your and Connie’s past years of your business. Best wishes for the future, I always enjoy the Country Threads posting.
Thank you for sharing the background of your pattern making enterprise. It was a very interesting story of two who shot for moon and were successful!
How nice that you have documented memories! You two had a busy life and your creativity and determination got you through it! I love the Goat Gazette! I also love your “blog about nothing”. Always interesting. Readers quilts are always an inspiration! Glad you are feeling better! Blessings.
Mary,
Oh, I loved the story of Country Threads beginning!! Loved the pictures too. The red and white quilts are wonderful and the Valentine quilts too. I think I need to make another one!
We had a gorgeous day today with temps around 45 with the real feel temp being higher!! Certainly not used to that. Scotch and I went for several walks of varying lengths. He goes home tomorrow and I will miss him but can visit whenever I want as he only lives two houses down!
I have a pull cart I use to take chicken treats, food and water to the chicken coop. Today one of the wheels fell off. I went to the Ace hardware store by me and was able to get a screw to fit and fix the cart. I was very happy about that. The lady who works there and who always helps me had fallen on the ice and broke her arm. She finds out Monday if she needs surgery. Such bad timing because today, nearly 75%of our snow has melted!
And my son and daughter-in-law were outside in tshirts today! Crazy weather.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! 🌻
I am loving reading the history of Country Threads!! I remember the first Country Threads pattern I bought was The Storm and I loved reading about the inspiration for the pattern. I was fascinated about a quilt shop in a chicken coop! I was able to attend Quilt Camp in the barn several years later and it was awesome!!! Thanks for sharing the history of Country Threads!!
Mary, thanks for sharing the history of your shop. What a treat to read it!
You and Connie had a vision and the energy to make Country Threads happen.
Carol McGarvey was my roommate right after we graduated from Iowa State in 1967. She was just beginning her distinguished career at the Des Moines Register and I was an Interior Decorator for Sears at Lindale Plaza. The next year I married and Boeing moved us to Seattle where we still live. Carol continues to do some consulting and writing. She has such a wonderful way with words. So many great memories. Thank you!!!
Mary, the Sears store was actually at Merle Hay Plaza in Des Moines.
Vicki – I knew you and Carol were roommates but had forgotten. She was a huge influence on our little business in the chicken coop.
I love reading all about your start. What true pioneers in the quilting world you were. Country Threads was always on my list of places to visit but just never made it. Thank you for sharing your story. Can’t wait to read more!!
Fun fun thanks for sharing memories
Another great post about Country Threads history. Wonderful to read! Though there are many things to comment on, the one I can’t believe is what your house looked like when you bought it. Really unbelievable work you’ve done from something that looks like it could fall down to what it is now! I remember you writing once something like your current neighbors couldn’t believe anybody would want the place. Now I understand! So, on top of your business you were also remaking your home. Just Wow!
Roxanne – yes, the neighbors simply couldn’t imagine that someone actually bought the wreck! It’s been thru 4-5 remodelings however and I’m quite sure there won’t be any more.
Loved reading about the history of Country Threads! In April 2009, my two sisters-in-law, my good friend, Mary Lu and I took a road trip to attend the quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky. One of the highlights of the trip was stopping at your shop in Garner! We didn’t get to meet because you and Connie were at the quilt show in Chicago. Your staff said the shop was really empty because you had taken a lot to the quilt show but we were all amazed at what was there and each of us purchased several things. I wore the Country Threads t-shirt until it was thread bare! We were gone a month! It was a great trip! Prior to that, I had subscribed(?) to your Starter Pack of fabrics and a pattern for a small quilt. Your style of patterns and fabrics are still my favorites. Thanks for continuing your blog.
I am really enjoying reading about Country Threads start!!
I am at a quilt retreat so will read the history when I get home. I think I “met” you and Connie in the 1980’s. Somehow I saw a Goat Gazette and fell in love with it. I have several copies and many recipes still. I actually met you both at. Country living Fair in Columbus. You probably din’t remember, I even invited you both to stay with us and save the money on the hotel😃. It was fun show! Connie demonstrated Punch Needle. Love all the red and white quilts.
Loved the history lesson. I had to chuckle about the Dodge Colt! I had that car and loved the gas mileage! I could pack that car full when I moved from apt to apt!🤣
What a lovely walk down memory lane! I came late to the Country Threads party. I remember seeing your quilt store sign when traveling to Algona to visit a friend but just never stopped in-too much of a hurry to spend time with my friend. And after I really got into quilting, your shop had closed. Luckily for me, my friend also took up quilting and had no problems with going to your and Connie’s “yard sale” to buy fabric for the both of us. Silly me, I never knew that the “Goat Gazette” was your shop newsletter, I thought it was actually a gazette about goats. I second the notion of putting them online; I’d love to read them.
Loved seeing the red quilts. That is the first thing I do when I see a quilt is to re imagine how it would look in red.
Hi Mary… oh, I wish I had that star sweater again! I’m so glad you are sharing the Country Threads story- so we don’t have to argue over who has to tell it. Haha
Glad you are feeling better- I hope the shots continue to work. I’ve been sewing all morning…and will hit the beach this afternoon. Love ya XOXO Connie
Connie – soooo glad you chimed in – of course there are a million details and pictures I just can’t include – I’d be at this till Christmas. Ha! Having lived it, I got sick of telling it over and over but now when I read it I agree we were living the dream!
Connie – yes, I wish I had some of those clothes, too!
Lots of beautiful red and white quilts! I especially like the ones with the red work embroidery, so pretty.
Mary, it’s fun to read about the history of your business. I started quilting in the 1980’s, but somehow never heard about Country Threads, perhaps because I was on the west coast. I only learned about you and your blog maybe 5 or 6 years ago, after you were mentioned on Jo Kramer’s blog. I’ve been a reader ever since, so it was very interesting to read about and see the pictures of all I missed from your early years.
Sharon – I’ll just add that in 1980 they knew us in Norway but you didn’t in California? Amazing
What a fun trip down memory lane – thank you!!! And all the red and white quilts are so pretty!
I started visiting a local “dry goods” store in the mid-1980’s (they sold quilting supplies, cross-stitch items, tole painting supplies, hand-made items, etc.) and that’s where I first saw your patterns. I eventually worked for the gals who owned it and remember carrying several of your patterns over the years – they were a staple! (That was a wonderful time in my life – thanks for the opportunity/impetus to reminisce!)
Loved reading the history of you and Connie and your business of patterns and quilt shop. Thank you for perking up this dark, rainy Valentnines morning. Actually, I did get a box of chocolates from my dear old sweetie. I sent you a picture of a small heart quilt, but I guess my phone sending is acting up again. I shall try again. Happy heart day, Mary, and to all who read this.
Sue – evidently I didn’t get your picture – send it again, please.
Thank you!!!! So much fun looking back!!!!! Hope healing is coming along. Take good care!
Debbie – shoulders are much better!
Thank you for posting that article about the evolution of Country Threads. I did enjoy reading it.
Love it!
You are so blessed. But you have worked for it! I loved this read and the photos!
Thank you for sharing.
What a treat! Great read! Thank you!
❤️
I thought you are a busy person now of days, but when you and Connie had your business going there is no comparison. No wonder your mom would say Mary you create so much work.
Dee – during those years I swear I worked almost 24/7 and which didn’t hurt me a bit but I remember being overwhelmed. People would stop any time of the day and I would let them into the shop and finish the chores or the mowing or cooking. If they showed up at 4:45 I let everyone else leave at 5 and handled it myself. If they came early I might still be in my bathrobe. And on and on – it I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I can’t believe you remember that advice from my mom!!!
Oh my gosh!!! What a fun read and the quilts are so cute! All hearts are special to me as today is my birthday. But reading the history of you, Connie and your shop is super fun. Brings back fun memories when I visited! Thank you for sharing your life with us!!❤️❤️
Elaine – Happy Birthday! I don’t think I know of another person born on Valentines Day. What a special day.
Thank you for sharing the history of your quilt shop. I wondered how you started a shop in a chicken house. After I started reading your blog, I discovered I have several of your patterns in my collection. I can’t wait to hear more about Country Threads’ beginnings.
Loved the history of your company Mary. What a journey! Had a weird thing happen last evening around 6:30. I was sitting watching TV & working on a project & Jim was at his Sailing awards event. Suddenly I heard a extremely loud explosion that caused our whole house to sway for about 4 LONG seconds. I ran outside thinking someone’s house exploded but didn’t see anything unusual. Turns out it was an earthquake that happened up around Lake Murray which is 5 minutes from our house right where Jim’s meeting was. It was 2.
8 on the Ricter scale and 3 miles down. I know there is a fault line from Charleston thru the North side of the lake into North Carolina. The scary part is that at our end is the dam forming Lake Murray.If that had cracked and let go, a large area would have been washed away, including our house. Wow, I guess you never know when your time could be up. Makes me enjoy each day given to us.
Barbara- OH MY!!! Have you ever experienced an earthquake before? How very scary!!
Mary, In the late 90’s is when we first lived here we experienced a slight tremor but that is all. This was an explosion and since it was so deep in the earth (3 miles diwn) it is considered serious. No follow up tremors that I know of.
I so enjoy reading your wonderful story! I was introduced to Country Threads by dear friend, Candy, who traveled to your shop several times to take classes! She shared so many wonderful stories about her visits and introduced me to your patterns too! (of which I have quite a collection) So please continue your history I’m so enjoying all the stories!
Another fun article to read. I don’t think I could have sewed all night long like your class!
I have loved reading about the history of Country Threads!! It is amazing what you have accomplished! Our ice/snow combination is finally gone, but has left a soggy mess, had to keep my son’s 3 dogs this last week & they had to get a lot of baths!!
Mary and Connie you are amazing ladies! You two had quite the venture! I loved reading your history! I can only imagine how exhausted you must have been after a whole night of sewing! You were in your 30s…that helped! I would read a whole book of your history! So amazing!
I wish I would have known you back then…I was still having babies! Ha. I did start quilting about then and taught myself using a farm journal book. I made a king size and quilted it on a hoop. No rotary cutters all plastic pattern pieces! Yikes!
Joy – I was assuming I’d be raising babies at that time of my life but when that didn’t happen, God gave me Country Threads
Such an interesting story as to how Country Threads got started. You must look back now and think “How did we ever do all that?”.
This is SO interesting! Eagerly awaiting tomorrows posting.
I have loved reading your history of a friendship and business that is still part of our daily lives today. It’s all amazing. I didn’t discover you till the Ohio Country Living fair and wished I could have visited when we were able to do traveling in our motor home.
Loved the red quilts for Valentines Day. Red work is one of my favorites.
And Jo I’d gladly give you some of our foot of snow still on the ground here! We did exceed 100” of snow this season which is a first since 2017. Today the sledding hills will have lots of families with our warmer temps finally.
Loved the history lesson of Country Threads. Do you have all those Goat Gazette’s scanned or digitized? That would be a wonderful addition to your website, not that I’m wanting to add to your plate, I just think so much of what you and Connie have accomplished is amazing and should be shared for generations to come. Look forward to your blog everyday!
Holly – I have a copy of every Goat Gazette in two huge holders – I’ll take a picture.
Enjoy reading your blog everyday! Anyone know what the name of pattern is of the red quilt shown 2nd to last one pictured. (squares and rectangles) looks like an easy pattern to put together in any color.
I think it is a disappearing nine patch. Sew 9 squares into a block, cut the large block into 4 blocks and rearrange. Pretty simple.
The red quilt could either be a disappearing 9 patch, from a pattern called Easy as 123 and ABCs by Shabby Fabrics, another quilt pattern called Easy Bake by Fat Quarter Shop, or from a youtube video by Sew the Distance. It took my eye also and then it was featured in an email from Shabby Fabrics that I got later that day. I had seen it before that and looked for it under the Easy Bake title and that is how I found the tutorial.
❤️ Love the story of Country Threads. You and Connie are such smart, creative, hardworking women. You followed your passion and are still inspiring all of us. In my head I’m singing “you’re going to make it after all” with Mary Tyler Moore throwing her hat in the air. What a journey!
What a wonderful song, they truly were trailblazers like MTM!
Deb – haha! Yup – that song could have been our theme song. I loves that show!
THANK YOU. I am loving this history lesson!!!!! Please keep it coming. I will reread tomorrow. I wish the folks who converted a church building to sewing machines, fabric, quilting (pre longarming) had been able to succeed as Country Threads has.
Brenda – if you’re referring to a quilt shop in Iowa, the owner consulted with us to find out how we did it. We always said – you can’t do it! Ours is a special set of circumstances that couldn’t be copied. Many many would- be quilt shop owners consulted with us. Our favorite said for years she was still researching – ha! Something we never did – we just started and learned over the years.
I enjoyed reading your story and seeing the pictures. I’m looking forward to more. Thank you for sharing. The beautiful weather is gone and the rains have returned. My husband is on holidays for three weeks and then is retiring. We’ve worked really hard this week clearing all the weeds out of our vegetable garden beds and then we got 2 yards of dirt, one yard of composted manure and 2 yards of wood chips to replace the wood chips that were in the pathways around the garden beds. A lot of work but it will be worth it when we plant our veggies this spring and summer. I’m very excited as this garden faces south and is in full sun, so things will grow. Our last home we had moved the veggie garden three times chasing the sun as the trees in the neighbours yard grew so tall.
I love love loved all the photos & history about Country Threads. It goes to prove that if you’re honest, a business can be successful. Do you have any idea how many visitors you had while in business? I’m sure you had lots of fun but you obviously had lots of hard work and deadlines to meet.
Love your sign “to watch out for pets!
Mary in So.CA – no, I have no idea but we had tour buses on a regular basis.
Oh Mary, I absolutely love reading the history of Country Threads. Thanks for sharing. The all night classes would have been so much fun.
I have always had a soft spot for Sunbonnet Girls, loved the embroidered blocks.
Take Care 🥰
I have been receiving your newsletter etc for at least 25 tears.. Loved all these memories. Look forward to your news every day. Thank you for sharing your world!
Mary, Thank you for sharing yours and Connie ‘s story. I enjoyed every word. I still have some of your goat Gazette newsletters. I am attempting to make some EPP hexies. We have have been cold and still have ice on the ground. Sorry about your goose. Last summer a mother cat came with 4 kittens. She lived behind our pole barn with her kittens. when I knew they were eating on their own. I trapped them and three of them live with me in the house. I found a home for one of the. I finally trapped the mother cat and had her spayed. she is so feral I am unable to get near her. Winter coming I bought a cat house that has a heating pad and set it in the pole barn. I feed her every day and for the water I used a crock pot. My husband passed last fall so it is just me and 3 kittens and oxygen tanks. I am on oxygen 24/7. I do have a couple of wonderful neighbors that help when needed. Carolyn b Shenandoah Valley Va
Great pictures and story. Yes, we are looking forward to the 1990’s at Country Threads.
All those red quilts today, Mary, I bet you are in 7th heaven.
I watched some Olympics tonight. The pressure on those young kids must be extreme. They are beautiful
I LOVED the articles, photos and your story! I read every word! I did not get last night’s blog to read but I went back tonight and read it too! Our rural internet is poor here. Thanks for sharing your wonderful and so interesting life story with us! It was inspiring to read. I remember seeing your patterns in Illinois in shops in that time period you sold them. I am unsure if it was around Springfield, IL or St. Charles, MO where back then they had lots of great quilt shops there.
I still enjoy Mortie’s adventures so much. The bathroom photo is a favorite! Loved it.
From Dee in Southeastern Illinois
You’ve come a long way! Loved the red work photos.
Still have Pet Promade, special edition of the Cronicle but cant see a date. It featured my lovely cat Magnus, 7 yrs at the time (he passed at 18 1/2), and a photo of Percy Possum who used to come and get a piece of apple at night.
Lovely memories!
Loved reading this history and seeing the photos! I discovered you on the back of a Charm School book and signed up for the monthly club. I subscribed to the last year of The Goat Gazette and wish I had saved those for the jokes alone!
Donna – what a good idea to resurrect some of those great jokes!!! Another job on my list – but a fun one.