ESTEVAN - A new business in Midale is offering plenty of quilts and supplies, with a little bit of dolls on the side.
Gina Meacher opened up Scrappy’s on Aug. 3, and since that time, the business has proven to be popular with people looking to purchase a beautiful quilt or find some needed supplies.
“Since I opened, the response has been really quite good. Even after handing out a bunch of my business cards at the trade show, the Metis one (hosted by the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan’s Estevan chapter), I got a really good response from the Estevan quilting club,” said Meacher.
People from other communities have been eager to visit her store.
She decided to open the business because she saw the need in the region. People would have to travel to Moose Jaw, Regina, Carlyle and other communities to find a quilt shop. And it’s centrally located for those who live in the southeast.
The quilts were made by Meacher and a friend of hers. Supplies include fabric, thread, batting and more.
“I had so much material. I love quilting and I love sewing, and a friend of mine just suggested I do it, and my husband backed up my idea,” said Meacher.
Meacher also has some Dreamland Dolls apparel, which she has been selling for a while. She would take the merchandise to trade shows and craft sales.
“Dreamland Dolls are homemade doll clothes that were made specifically for the 18-inch dolls, such as American Girl dolls, My Life … Newberry and Maplelea,” she said.
Meacher sees opportunities for expansion, and doesn’t expect product will be a problem, because she will always find more materials.
Meacher has been quilting for about eight years, but this year marks the first time she has had anything for sale. She started quilting because of her love of sewing.
“I like sewing. Being creative. Always coming up with new ideas,” said Meacher.
It’s fun to look at materials and think to herself, “I know what I can do with that. It’s the idea of picking and choosing. And then what I like is when someone comes in and says ‘Oh, I need a baby quilt. And you go, and you show them what you’ve got and how you can fix it up, and next thing you know, you have an order.”
Four years ago, she started the Dreamland Doll aspect of the business, and that has led to the bigger things.
She has enjoyed what she is doing, so she doesn’t view the quilt shop as a job, despite the time necessary to run her own business.
