Summer, 2005 lent itself to a change in our job and career situations. We thought about our options. With daughters’ ages, 14 and 10, we wanted some flexibility and a business all of us could take part in.
 
After much thinking, praying, checking with friends and visits to our local credit union, Tanell’s Quilting and Sewing Shop was born. Our realtor found us a space in downtown Steinbach, a hidden spot in the back of Solomon’s Budget Furniture. Marv and a friend started painting. I made phone calls to very helpful quilt shop owners who gave us the names of fabric sales people. Our girls sanded the old store walls. We were on our way!! Sept. 20, 2005 was our opening day.
 
What’s Tanell’s Quilting like? Our store has about 1800 bolts of cotton fabric. We like getting fun fabric with stripes, dots, monkeys, horses, dogs, pumpkins, tea cups and candy and more bright colours. We have a colour wall that starts with white fabric, creams, pinks, blues and on to browns and blacks, etc. The wall is filled with Maywood Studio, Moda, Northcott, and many more name brands. We love Christmas and we always have Christmas fabric all year round. Marv just made a Christmas quilt with a pattern he made up. We also have a large clearance section which offers beginner sewers and quilters an opportunity to do a project for a low cost. We believe quilting can be for everyone who wants to try. Don’t worry so much about everything being perfect, but enjoy the art of quilting!

Our store is a family business. Not all jobs are fun, but choosing fabric is something we all enjoy. Our girls often comment, “Wow, that is so cool” or “Yikes, that one is ugly.” When a new shipment comes in, it always feels a bit like Christmas. Their youthful attitudes have helped Marv and I in knowing what younger customers might like.
 
How would I describe our business? Lots of work and lots of fun! If you are in Steinbach, we are at 354 Main Street. Come in and say Hi. We’d love to meet you and will make it worth your trip!