BJ’s Quilting
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Owners Clarence and Betty Dean have been in business at the same location for almost 18 years now, having opened in October of 1987. Both Clarence and Betty spent many years working in local factories before they got into the quilting and fabric business. Betty worked for years at McMinnville Garment Company and Powermatic, and Clarence is retired from A.O. Smith.
Betty actually got involved with quilting, after Powermatic shut down, because of a relative who has a quilting and fabric shop in another town.
‘Her sister has a fabric shop in Pikeville,’ Clarence said, ‘and she was hauling her quilt tops to Nashville to have them quilted.’
This serendipitous situation resulted in one of the best features of BJ’s Quilting and Fabrics.
‘Betty was out of work and she wanted something to do,’ Clarence continued, ‘so we bought a quilting machine, and that started it.’
This large quilting machine, a fascinating piece of machinery, allows the Deans to take an individual’s quilt top, or one chosen at the shop, and if there isn’t a long waiting line of previous customers, provide same day service on the quilting. The machine has been a big part of the business and has allowed the Deans to provide a unique service to local customers.
‘We’re the only ones that’s got a machine between here and Nashville and Chattanooga of this type,’ Betty said. ‘We have a 100-needle machine.’
Betty says she likes the business and quilting is a good fit for her, and she enjoys meeting new customers as well as dealing with her regulars.
‘It’s creative,’ she said. ‘And we get to meet a lot of people because they come from a lot of states. We ship all over the United States. They send their tops in, and we also do custom work.’
The custom work includes bedspreads, pillow shams, cushions, curtains, whatever customers request that they can manage with their machinery and crafters. The shop carries a huge variety of fabrics and sizes.
‘We carry the quilter’s fabric, which is the 45 inch,’ Betty said. ‘We also carry the decorative fabric which is in the 54 inch. We also carry the cotton and the things for the quilters.’
The shop features a limited number of crafting books and notions as well.
Prices for a normal size quilt, 84 x 90 inch, run $28.95 for the quilting, and $12 for the binding. Furnished in that price is the batting, lining and thread. That price is for quilting only. Customers can provide their own tops or purchase one from the shop. The binding material is including in the binding price, so a customer can obtain a beautiful quilt for a nominal price, and in quite a short time in most cases.
The quilting machine can produce a number of designs, but the main one used by the shop, and the most popular, is the small diamond.
The shop has three full time employees, in addition to Betty. They are Joyce Walker, Tina Walker and Rebecca Pedigo.
The Deans are a true mom-and-pop operation and though they ship nationwide, and have even had some product go overseas, they really treasure the folks at home.
‘We do appreciate all our local customers,’ Clarence said.
‘I’ve met people from in state and out of state, local and out of town,’ Betty said. ‘We appreciate them all. They get to be a part of you.’
You can contact BJ’s Quilting and Fabrics at 931-473-8141, or visit their shop at 1202 Sparta St. here in McMinnville.