Quilters' Quarters is going to postpone crossing over to the Stage 2 Step 2 timeline. This means that, while other fabric shops are opening their doors to walk in customers as of June 22nd, QQ is remaining on Stage 1 guidelines, using 'curb-side" pickup strategies (read that: 'storm door" pickup.) Our online webstore will also continue meeting the requests of distance customers, with the use of PayPal invoicing and payments. At the physical shop, only cash or checks can be used to pay at the time of pickup.
Customers who wish to come in to the shop to select fabrics or notions will be asked to wear a face mask, and to use hand sanitizer, to minimize the spread of Covid 19. The shop's space will only allow for one customer at a time, and appointments are strongly recommended. Drop-ins unannounced will be accommodated when staffing is available, but calling ahead is recommended. Terry is vulnerable to the circulating virus due to age and medical conditions, as are other members of the shop, and minimizing health risk is a primary concern for all.
People unwilling or unable to wear a face mask will be limited to the curb-side pickup option. Orders can be arranged by phone or email (see top of home page.) QQ's inventory will continue to be shown on the shop's Facebook page. This week's post at Facebook showcases our collection of threads.
The fabric inventory is slowing going down in size, as QQ will continue to provide free fabric to face mask makers in our area. Best estimate is that the shop will continue to have fabric for sale (and mask-maker donations) through fall of 2022. Until that point, only fabric specifically requested by members will be ordered from the distributors and manufacturers. Interfacing, batting, stabilizer, threads, needles, pins, rulers and other miscellaneous items will also be ordered only when specifically requested by members.
In the fall of 2022, a decision as to the future of the shop will be made ... will it continue to be a retail shop? Will it become instead a workshop where quilt and sewing classes take place? Will cleanings and lessons for self-maintenance of sewing machines continue? There are many unknowns ahead ... decisions to be made ... plans to be explored. Promises are not to be made if they are vulnerable to not being kept.
Sewists and Quilters continue to be appreciative of the discounts QQ can offer, and are often generous in turn, leaving extra change or dollars at the shop. During the past two school years, these donations were forwarded entirely to the local school department to cover student lunch accounts that slipped into arrears. People receiving face masks from the many makers also often make donations in return, and the mask makers bring those funds to the shop when picking up more free fabric. This spring QQ was able to forward more than $2,000 to our school department to help provide the bagged breakfasts and lunches delivered by our schools to eligible students throughout the shutdown weeks.
During the summer months, while the eligible students receive state funding for extra meals no longer available at school, the donations received at QQ are being sent to a local food pantry. It is called the Abundant Food Pantry at the New Life Community Church on East Main Street in Georgetown. Please let people you know who may need food assistance to know of this local option. During the last full week of June, QQ was able to send almost $300 to the pantry.
Sadly, as the country continues to re-open widely, the second surge of the first phase of the Corona Virus spread is growing exponentially. Here in Massachusetts, with our slower re-opening, we may see a continued decrease in cases, God willing. It depends on the the continued responsibility of people ... remember, please, and share with everyone who resists: Your mask protects me, and my mask protects you.
Be safe, be well, and be proud that we are able, so far, to do it right, here in Massachusetts. Wear your mask, wash your hands, and keep a social distance. Your health ... our health ... is worth it.
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