Photo from July 2002 Better Homes and Gardens Quilt Sampler Magazine
Julie Hendricksen (right) helps a customer select fabric in her quilting store, JJ Stitches, Sun Prairie, Wis. Hendricksen will share her antique quilts and classic quilt reproductions in a program sponsored by the Blue Mound Quilters Monday.
By Sara Strong
Julie Hendricksen always had a knack for sewing.
"I think I started making doll clothes by age 5," she said. She even spent time helping the home economics teacher in her Luverne classroom.
She took that early hobby and made it a profession, and she’s coming back to her hometown to share her specialties — antique quilts and patterns.
The Blue Mound Quilters Guild is hosting the trunk show at 7 p.m. Monday in the Rock County Community Library.
Non-quilters and beginners are also invited to Hendricksen’s presentation.
She owns and operates JJ Stitches in Sun Prairie, Wis., which concentrates on antique patterns and reproduction fabric. With that kind of specialty, JJ Stitches draws business from all reaches of its market area and beyond. Sun Prairie is located just outside Madison, Wis.
Hendricksen said her presentation will be informal and will allow participants to break in with questions. "I’ve done a few presentations and people like to look at the old quilts, rather than just get information."
Hendricksen is the daughter of Mayford Rust, and her sister, Cathy Rust, lives in Luverne. She married Greg Hendricksen, also a Luverne native.
Through her shop, Hendricksen also designs replica patterns, and she’s been featured for that in various magazines.
One of those patterns, called "double Irish chain" was used for the Blue Mound Quilters Guild 2003 donation to the Luverne Hospice Cottage, which raffles it for a fund-raiser.
A hobby for the ages
The process of making quilts often brings people together in church groups or quilting clubs.
"There are a lot of talented ladies out there," Hendricksen said.
Quilting made a strong comeback in 1976 as the entire country was celebrating the bicentennial. Nostalgia was everywhere and people rediscovered the joy of quilting. That trend obviously had staying power.
Hendricksen said people like the process of quilting and can’t get enough of the varieties of fabric available. Now, quilting is a hobby, and often not a cheap one considering the materials involved.
The craft started as a necessity when homemakers needed blankets and sewed leftover materials together to make them. Add some cozy batting and there’s nothing more comforting, or beautiful, than a quilt.
"People are just spending more time in their homes these days," Hendricksen said.
She is one of the few that specialize in reproduction fabrics and patterns.
Other popular trends in quilts are influenced by African or Japanese styles.
No matter what the style, Hendricksen said she’s sure quilting is here to stay. "People aren’t just making one quilt anymore because they need a pink bedspread for their bedroom. They can’t get enough."
For more information on Hendricksen’s quilting store, visit www.jjstitches.com.
