By Kate Bartlett
Amy Ewel is the sole proprietor/employee of the Ellicottville Quilt Shop. She opened the shop at 19 Jefferson Street in October 2002 as a welcoming place to share the love of quilting to those familiar with quilting, as well as those just starting out. Here you’ll find everything you need to make your own quilt, as well as a variety of ready-made products. Amy also offers a wealth of services and classes to inspire experienced quilters, as well as beginner and how-to courses.
Amy began quilting as a creative outlet during a stressful career. “As a scientist, I found I needed a creative outlet, so I also worked part-time in quilt shops.” After almost 20 years as a molecular biology laboratory researcher for various employers throughout New England, Amy found the opportunity to move back to the area and open a quilt shop in 2002. She felt it was time for a change, so she collected her savings, and decided to turn her hobby into a career. Growing up in Delevan, NY, she had her sights on Ellicottville for her quilt shop, as the perfect resort town. “Quilts are a perfect addition to any ski condo or home. Not only are they very functional, they are also visually pleasing. A quality I love!”
Amy’s shelves are well stocked with books and patterns. The shop showcases an entire wall of quilting notions, all the supplies and tools you need to make a quilt. They run the gamut from pins to marking tools to rotary cutters and rulers. The shop also boasts around 1000 volts of 100% cotton quilting fabric in various colors and patterns. Amy has a wide variety of patterned fabric with everything kids and novelty, civil war reproduction and batiks, which is an Indonesian technique of wax-resist fabric dying.
You’ll also find a large variety of ready-made items including table toppers, table runners, placemats, wall hangings and, of course, quilts. Amy typically has about 3-4 of each size quilt in shop (baby, throw, twin, queen, and king), hand made by her and ready for purchase. Shoppers come from all over to see what she has in store. She gets a variety of shoppers including locals, casual browsers, serious quilters, and day-trippers from the Buffalo area who make a day out of visiting her shop and the surrounding area. “I love helping customers and sharing my love for quilting.” Guests appreciate the personal service from Amy, and the simplicity of the shop.
Amy highlights her classes in a monthly newsletter, which readers can sign up for on her website ellicottvillequiltshop.com or email ellicottvillequiltshop@gmail.com. She offers monthly specials, ‘free sew’ (guests are invited to stop down and sew alongside Amy anytime), cutting services, and a variety of $5 classes including how to make baby quilts, table runners, placemats and more. “If you’d like to learn to make something or a new technique that isn’t on the class list, just call me and we can set something up!”
She loves being a part of the Ellicottville community, and frequent gives back. She regularly supports the Ellicottville Food Panty and currently has a food drive running with an opportunity for customers to earn 5-10% off their purchase with a canned food donation. She also annually raffles off a quilt to support the Rotary Club during the holiday season.
Amy invites everyone to stop into the shop, quilter or not, to see what’s in store. “It’s such a unique place. There’s really something for everyone. Let me give you a tour, and teach you something new! So please come in soon, you’ll be as welcomed as an old friend.”
Follow on Facebook @ The Ellicottville Quilt Shop Instagram @ ellicottvillequiltshop call (716) 699-2065 or stop in Thurs -Sat 11-5pm or by chance.