My name is Jonnie Grimm and this is the story of my Quilting Studio.

    In early 2004 I purchased a Gracie 12' wood table and a short arm Jukie T98Q machine.  I took over a bedroom upstairs to pursue my love of quilting.  Needless to say everything was an arm’s length away and maneuvering in that room, with a 12’ quilting table, an 8’ cutting table, a 4’ table for my machine as well as book cases full of fabric, was a daily challenge.   I don’t have any photos, probably because everything was too close to get them.

    In 2007 I purchased my first Gammill which was a used Classic plus.  The 14’ table wouldn’t go into the bedroom so out go the grandchildren’s bunk beds and toys in the basement and in comes my baby “Frankie”.  I never had a boyfriend Frankie so I thought it appropriate as the song goes, with a twist of course.   I had a long list of family quilts to quilt and had no visions of a “Business Plan” at this point.  All was well with Frankie and I for a while that is.

    In March of 2008 I went to the local AQS show and was quite smitten by a relative of Frankie.  He was a Statler Stitcher Optimum.  I came home and had a long talk with my best buddy about his cousin.  In June Frankie went out and Frankie2 moved in.  What does this have to do with a “Studio”.  Well the truth is, like many of us who get into this business, hook line and sinker, the investment is more than a toy or just a hobby.

    Then the Business plan comes out and the contractors are called for estimates.  I converted a screen porch off the back of my lake house into my “Quilt Studio” with a connecting sewing room.

    The best way I can describe my Studio is through photos.  The first question from the contractor was private entry.  A walkway from the driveway to the back basement area was the perfect answer.

Private entrance

The actual “Studio” which is reserved exclusively for Frankie2 and an area for my customers to view patterns on line, is an open airy space with 2 large windows so I can look out at the lake while I work.  I am told it also has a warm welcome feel for my customers. 

   The walls are the perfect display of my work for customers to see up close and personal.

Everything I need to quilt a customer’s quilt is on the wall or hidden inside the white    cabinets.  Thread, scissors, measuring tape and accessories are hung on my jumbo        thread rack.

   My “Studio” includes my sewing room and my customers love it. After all I'm also a “quilt topper” and not just a “long arm quilter”.

  Everything I could possibly need when talking with a customer is within arms or legs length.    Storage of fabrics, rulers & templates, cutting table, planning table etc… 

 My customer staging area is in the hallway around the corner.  As I take in a quilt top I hang it.  This also helps those creases fall out before I take it to Frankie2 to load.

 Across from this is my design wall for my personal pieces.  I always have something that I am working on for myself.  That is what makes this business so much fun.

From my sewing table I can watch and hear Frankie2 working away while I work on something else.  I am always working on something else!

I think I am like a lot of long arm quilters in this business… I love to quilt!!!  My studio is as much for me as it is my customers and I LOVE IT!

Thanks for dropping by, hope to see you again soon!

                                                                                       Jonnie

                                                                              Your GeorgiaQuilter