Where Quilts and Computers Come Together!
Quilting and Computers. Two of the most unlikely of bedfellows. However, at the Quilt-N-Code in Burnsville, NC they go together like blocks in a quilt top.
When I first drove up to the Quilt N Code on my trip to the North Carolina mountains I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. However, upon meeting Allyson Heidenfelder and her husband Lanny, I couldn’t have been more impressed.
In February, 2018 the Heidenfelder family were presented with an opportunity to take over a small quilt shop. The owner was moving out of state and was going to simply close the store. After discussing it with their family, Allyson and Lanny decided to take the plunge and open Quilt N Code.
However, this quilt shop would be like no other you’ve seen. At least, no other that I’ve seen. By trade, Lanny is a computer guy. After working many years with IBM this was his chance to branch out on his own and offer his computer repair and instruction services for the local folks around Burnsville and beyond. Therefore, he puts the ‘Code’ in Quilt N Code!
As budding shop owners, this venture truly is a family affair. Everyone from Grandma, Uncle Will (a.k.a. the Kilted Quilter) and even all the kids help to make this Quilt shop in Burnsville, NC truly something special. In fact, the day of my visit Grandma and Grandson were working on a shark project of their own design. The debate hadn’t quite been settled if it will be a plushy or a quilt. My vote is for a quilt!
During our lively discussion Allyson’s face just lit up when she began talking about her Millennium longarm. You can very plainly see how much she is in love with longarming. In fact, she says it’s one of her favorite things about the store. She and her daughter even do the longarming for the quilt projects in their kid’s classes!
Speaking of kid’s classes, this is one of the first shops I’ve come across that does so many of them. Whether it’s the kids in town or the ones coming to visit their grandparents in the mountains, each one gets to show off their creativity in one of the Quilt N Code classes and/or week long workshops.
“They work so fast!” says Allyson when regaling me about their last week long workshop. The kids finished all their projects in three days. So, she pulled out their big scrap box and just let the kids play. These talented little creative minds made an apron, doll clothes, pajamas and more. One student even created a fabric pickle jar with a pickle inside. These are definitely designers in the making.
As for the shop itself, Allyson and Lanny offer a wide range of fabrics including lots of Moda and now adding EE Schneck. Along with the fabric and your typical quilting supplies, they also carry a large stock of embroidery supplies. I have a feeling part of that is because their oldest is a fantastic hand embroiderer!
One of my favorite things about quilt shops is certainly on display here at Quilt N Code. Unlike most other industries, the surrounding area quilt shops are not actually in competition with each other. They support each other. Because there is such a variety in the styles of fabrics each carry, if one doesn’t have something, the other might. Even in our discussion, Allyson was quick to ask me if I’d yet been to Fabrics in the Fray or 5 Little Monkeys. The comradery is enthusiastic!
Even though they are still considered a ‘new’ quilt shop, the Quilt N Code is participating in the Quilter’s Trek shop hop with plans to join more shop hops in the coming years. You can find their selection of fabrics and other products on their website as well. However, if you can make the trip to visit them in person, I promise it will be well worth the mileage! Whomever is working in the shop that day will be quick to welcome you with a smile and tell you more about their shop and their amazing little town.
Services offered at Quilt-N-Code:
- Individual Quilting classes
- Kids classes and workshops
- Longarming services
- Computer repair and other computer services
Contact Quilt-N-Code:
208 West Blvd, Ste 1A Burnsville, NC, 28714 828-536-5400 info@quilt-n-code.com
Worried about COVID and traveling? Click HERE for my tips on staying healthy and safe during COVID!
Other things to do in Burnsville, NC:
- Walk the beautiful historic downtown Burnsville (a few blocks from Quilt-N-Code)
- Two Rivers Arts Council
- Mount Mitchell outdoor activities
- Various Barn Quilt Trails
- One of a Kind Art Gallery
Whether you’re staying in town or just passing through, be sure to stop by and say hello to Allyson, Lanny, the ‘Kilted Quilter’ and the rest of the family over at the Quilt-N-Code. Between the gorgeous rows of fabric and the beautiful projects on display, the visit will surely make your day!
Related Posts:
- More Quilt Shops in North Carolina
- More amazing things to do in the North Carolina mountains!
- Planning a road trip? Start here!
- Worried about safety on the road? Click HERE for my best road trip safety tips!
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