Claassens open quilt store
Staff writer
Editor's Note: With Dwayne and Diane Claassen's opening of their quilt store in Hillsboro soon, it seemed appropriate to end our quilt series highlighting the Claassens and their new store.
In less than a week, Dwayne and Diane Claassen will open on May 1 their most recent business venture, "Quilts and QuiltRacks."
This new business is the combination of a hobby for Diane and a desire to go back to work for Dwayne.
Diane retired from her own tax and accounting service and sold it in January 2002. Dwayne sold his windshield repair business because of illness.
Diane searched to find what she wanted to do with her time and talents that included painting and quilting. She chose quilting after being invited to join her church's quilting circle at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church.
"Quilting is a relaxing and quiet time to let your mind go dreaming," Diane said.
It was out of this time of reflection that Diane began toying with the idea of combining quilts with the quilt racks. In 2000, she designed the quilt racks out of a need she encountered with her daughter-in-law and daughter.
Diane explained that her daughter-in-law wanted to display the special quilts given to her. Diane designed a quilt rack ladder wide enough to fit her needs. She found someone to make it and later designed one for her daughter, Lori.
Thus, the idea of making quilt racks evolved. Diane developed a website and devised a plan to sell quilt racks. She came to the conclusion, that she needed a place to display not only her quilt racks, but also the quilts she had made, those that were given to her and Dwayne, and those they have collected through the years.
With that idea in mind, she sought a place big enough where she could do quilting in her store during the times the store would be open.
After finding a location on North Main, she and Dwayne planned how to use the building most effectively and searched for more quilts to add to their collection.
"Our mission statement is to promote the continuation and appreciation of fine quality hand quilting," Diane said.
Through their travels while visiting their children and going places when Dwayne had surgery and treatments during his illness, they have collected various quilts and other items.
Right now, they have 65 quilts in their collection. The quilts come from as far as Australia. The one from Australia is a vintage bridal quilt. Other quilts have come from the Chicago, Ill., area, Missouri, New York, Las Vegas, Lancaster. Pa., and Bird in Hand, Pa., to name a few.
Diane also contacted 65 churches in the surrounding area looking for quilters.
The Claassens will offer four lines of quilts — vintage of all ages and good quality; quilts by Kansans that are pieced and of good quality; heirloom treasures, of which many are wholecloth; and quilts from a wholesaler.
"We buy them from a wholesaler, only to insure we maintain a volume of quilts for our customers," Diane said.
Diane reiterated the more quilts they are able to acquire from quilters themselves, the fewer the number ordered from a wholesaler.
"That's why we also welcome consignments," Diane said.
" And we want to attract quality-made quilts," Dwayne said.
At Quilts and QuiltRacks there will be quilts on display on beds that are queen-size and twin-size. Also an overlay for full and king-size beds will be available for customers to see how the quilt looks on a bed of those particular sizes.
All the furniture for the displays come from furniture the Claassens have refinished.
The Claassens will have accessories on hand for customers to purchase, including pillow shams and pieced teddy bears that coordinate with various quilts. They also will have for sale quilted jackets, table runners and placemats, and handbags.
In the back area, there will be a baby quilt set up on a frame for those who want to try to learn how to quilt. The first quilt made at the store will be donated to the first New Year's baby born in the surrounding area.
Diane plans to spend her days at the store quilting and will have a quilt set up for interested quilters to join her from 1 to 6 p.m. at a "quilting bee."
The first quilt made at the shop will be donated to charity. After that, Diane plans to have drawings for the quilters who help with the quilt.
The second half of the store's name is quilt racks. The Claassens have various designs. They have six-rung ladder racks of three stain choices. They also have two specialty ladder racks in hickory and cherry wood. In addition, they have wall-mount racks in several designs and sizes.
Greeting cards handmade by the Amish from Pennsylvania will be available to purchase.
A quilt will be featured each week for customers to view and purchase.
With the preparation of getting ready for opening day, the Claassens are at ease and excited about their new venture. Working on this project as a couple has been rewarding and fun.
"Success for us is opening our front door and being one of Hillsboro's bright spots," Diane said.
