MOOSE JAW — After nearly closing its doors for good, a long-standing fabric store and creative hub for quilters, sewists, and crafters in downtown Moose Jaw has been given a second life — and it’s thanks to a local woman whose dream arrived at just the right time.
Quilter’s Haven Sewing Centre officially reopened July 2 under the ownership of Karen Andersen, who took possession of the business after the retirement of longtime co-owners Arlyce Thompson and Heather Carruthers.
The store has been a quilting staple for more than two decades, offering supplies, classes, and a welcoming space to gather and create. Now, with Andersen at the helm, that legacy will continue — with a few new additions.
“When I walked in, it felt like I was coming home,” said Andersen, who has always had a love for colourful textiles and dreamed of one day owning her own shop. “Fabric has always been my passion.”
For Andersen, it felt like the universe had heard her loud and clear. Just two days after quietly wishing for a new sense of direction, a social media post appeared — and with it, the chance to pursue a long-held dream.
Her heart also sank when the reality of the post set in, a sentiment shared by many in the quilting community — Quilter’s Haven is for sale and may close for good.
“I sent the post to my husband and said, ‘My quilting store is closing,’” she recalled recently. “Then I just sat with it for a moment … and suddenly it hit me — it’s for sale.”
Within the hour, and inspired by a renewed sense of purpose, she made up her mind. “I texted him again and said, ‘I’m buying the quilt store.’ He said, ‘Okay.’ Mountains were moved, we got the money, and here we are.”
No stranger to running a business, Andersen previously co-owned Joe’s Locksmith with her husband. With their son now given the keys to the family business, she’s starting a new venture.
Though she describes herself as more of a visual quilter than a traditional one — “I don’t think I’ve ever followed a pattern,” she admitted — Andersen has years of experience making clothing, costumes, and one-of-a-kind quilts. She often draws inspiration from images found online, selecting colour schemes, mapping designs, and building each piece from the ground up.
“It’s the feel of the fabric, the colours, and the creativity,” she said. “I just love everything about it.”
In addition to continuing the store’s long-standing services, Andersen is expanding its cultural offerings. A proud Métis woman, she has added a section of Indigenous-themed supplies under the banner “Kokum’s Corner,” named in honour of her grandmother and the generations of Métis women who came before her.
Stocked with ribbon skirts, educational materials, and Indigenous-print fabrics, the corner is just the beginning of what Andersen hopes will become a permanent and growing feature in the shop.
“It’s a way of honouring where I come from,” she said. “If it weren’t for everything my kokum went through, I wouldn’t be here.”
The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, Andersen said. Customers regularly stop by to express their excitement, and many have asked when classes will resume.
Those classes will return in time, she confirmed, though a schedule has yet to be finalized. They will be held in the same space at the back of the shop as before once things are fully up and running.
Former owners Thompson and Carruthers have both offered to return to teach sessions, and Andersen also plans to lead her own workshops in Indigenous beadwork and cultural crafts down the road.
“It’s been really good so far,” she said. “I just want to keep building on what Arlyce and Heather started, continuing their vision and bringing mine to life.”
A grand opening is planned for July 25 and 26, set to coincide with the store’s in-house “Christmas in July” promotion, although Andersen said she plans to keep the event fairly modest.
Quilter’s Haven Sewing Centre is located at 422 Main Street North. For more information, visit “Quilters Haven 2025” on Facebook or call 306-693-8523.
