Blog shout out! Common Threads

If you’re ever in the Leechburg, PA area, you must visit Sharon and Jim Thompson’s wonderful shop, Common Threads!

Sharon has been in the drapery business for 30 years. Her background in interior design shines through in her thoughtful and well-appointed shop. Sharon teaches Family and Consumer Sciences at a local high school while also working in this wonderful custom window treatment and quilt shop. Common Threads is a treasure. It’s a place to linger, get inspired, and to find fabulous fabrics, patterns, books, sewing machines and notions. There are so many wonderful creative projects here!

One of the many pleasantries in this shop are the custom bolt displays designed by Sharon and built by her husband Jim. You know when you go into a shop and you feel like you wish you could unroll every bolt but don’t, as you don’t want to trash the shop? Well, their creative and beautiful racks are a wonderful solution.

CommonThreads_display1 — These displays allow for fabric to drape and to see a lot more than stacking bolts on a shelf. A great way to feature new fabrics and specialty fabrics, like these batiks.

I think I need one of these racks in my studio! Sharon’s interior design degree came in handy when merchandising her shop!

CommonThreads_WalofPatterns — A wall of wonderful patterns just waiting for an eager quilter or sewist to bring them to life!

Speaking of patterns, here is the Diva Frame Wallet featuring our Ariel fabric for QT. Sew Many Creations is a wonderful pattern company – this wallet is super popular and such a great class!

Above is their Row by Row from 2017. So cute! Sharon had a black & white fabric printed as part of the kit. Great detail and such a whimsical idea! We ❤ it!

CommonThreads_display4 — Another great display designed and created by Common Threads.

Most importantly, are the people who work in these shops; their passion for what they do is inspiring. We also met with Lisa, who makes a lot of the wonderful samples throughout the shop. Sharon, Lisa and Jim are examples of the heart of local quilt shops. People who want to share their ideas, serve their community with great products and bring excellent education and customer service to their patrons. This is why we love Common Threads and our local quilt shop families.