News From the Cutting Room floor
Sisters Jan Bressler and Lou Shafer took a quilting class in the 1970's when they decided they
weren't seeing enough of each other. They were smitten! They began spending one night a week
quilting at Jan's home and another at Lou's. Soon they were asked to demonstrate quilting at the
nearby annual Scandinavian Festival as well as quilt shows throughout the Pacific Northwest and
California.
In 1985, Jan and Lou purchased the Aunt Becky's Finger Protector business and continued to offer
hand quilting demos and instruction wherever they went. In 1993, a "for rent" sign grabbed their
attention. They unboxed their wares, and opened the quilt shop on those two evenings
previously assigned to quilting -- and every other Saturday! A year later, Jan "retired" so the
shop could be open full time. In 1997, Lou also "retired" and joined her. These days, JanniLou
Creations, Inc., offers over 3,000 bolts of wonderful cotton fabrics (Benartex, Robert Kaufman,
Hoffman, Kona Bay, Alexander Henry, P&B, RJR, Maywood Studios, Timeless Treasures, Moda ...
the list goes on and on), hundreds of patterns and notions, and a wide selection of Block-of-the-
Month programs in a relaxed, friendly, and informal atmosphere in which to inspire your own
creative talents. Since Jan and Lou opened the shop, they've had great fun turning an old movie
theater building into a quilt shop located on Main Street in downtown Philomath, Oregon.
Formerly the Waucomah movie theater, the shop's history offers them a wealth of creative ideas.
They play on the movie theme throughout their newsletter ("From the Cutting Room Floor"),
their Saturday Matinee class listings, and their Sneak Preview sales. Their favorite "productions"
are their beginner level quilting classes where students are a "cast of stars," instructors are
billed as "directors," and sewing machines are "best supporting actresses." They introduce each
term's classes at an open house "cast party"; strategically placed popcorn boxes are filled with
quilter's fat quarters in them instead of popcorn; and miscellaneous fabric packs are "quilter's
candy," "Sew-Da's," and their 2-1/2" strip rolls are "Reel to Real's" packs.
JanniLou Creations is proud to feature a wonderful group of Directors for a wide variety of
"productions" (classes). Jan and Lou teach on a regular basis as well. Special guest directors
have included Lawry Thorn, Judy Niemeyer, Margaret Peters, John Flynn, June Jaeger, Marsha
McCloskey, Nancy Chong, and elinor peace bailey.
The staff on location at JanniLou includes Shirley, Ronda, Sue, Kathy, Debbie, and Nancy
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