Last Updated: Monday, August 7, 2006 1:13 PM CDT
Quilter is part of the fabric of the community
By Danielle Hittle - Daily News staff
Geri Vieaux of Rhinelander has been quilting for almost 20 years. As now retired owner of Geri's Fabric Patch, she has been an influential part of this community and the quilting industry.
Vieaux's store, which opened in 1979, was not originally a quilt shop. “We were a fashion fabric shop,” she said. The store was initially known for selling silk, wool and bridal fabrics, and sewing dresses along with wedding gowns.
Then in 1980, while attending a market to purchase fabric for the store, Vieaux bought her first piece of quilt fabric. She and her employees began taking classes on quilting, and by around 1988 the store had developed into a full quilt shop.
This was the first quilt shop in the Northwoods, and as Vieaux described, it was “first in everything.” The “shop was well-known,” she said. “We taught all the time,” and instead of following people's demand, Vieaux said, “they followed us.”
Vieaux retired in 2002 but is still quite involved with quilting. She hosts quilter get-togethers in her 24 by 24 foot sewing room with three walls of fabric. In reference to her quilting expertise, she said, “I have to share it somehow, so I share it with my friends.” She, however, is not so lax about selling her quilts: “Whenever you sell a quilt you sell a part of yourself.”
Vieaux remains a member of the Rhinelander Northwoods Quilters, Wausau Pine Tree Quilters, and the Liberty Ladies of Wausau who do antique quilt research. She has been Raffle Quilt Chairman for two Rhinelander shows and two Wausau shows, and will be the chairman again in Wausau next year. She is being honored August 26 and 27 at the Quilt Show held at the Holiday Inn Express, Rhinelander.
If you have further questions related to quilting contact Vieaux at 369-4169. She is more than willing to help. “I've got to share all this,” Vieaux said.
For a basic beginning quilting class contact Karen's Quilt Corner at 362-1944.
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