Our family was very saddened to hear of the circumstances that are forcing Island Quilter to relocate. With all the current conversations around the need to create community places, welcoming places, customers for island businesses and something for teens to do, this amounts to a tremendous loss in all of these areas.

The owners have created a wonderful gathering place where adults, island visitors and kids of all abilities sit side-by-side to learn and create. It is a destination shop that has received national recognition and regularly brings many to the island to sew, shop and eat locally.

Sadly our family discontinued being full-time residents of Vashon a few years back due to the lack of social opportunities for our teen girl, who happens to have disabilities. In this sports-crazy town, Island Quilter provided a place of inclusion, learning and skill building for kids of all ages and abilities that we never found elsewhere (including the schools and youth organizations). Our daughter has learned lifelong skills from Christine at Island Quilter that have enabled her to earn money with the beautiful, functional items she now knows how to sew. Hanging out at Island Quilter was a regular part of her week when we were still here for school, on weekends and throughout the summer. Some kids like sports; others thrive with creating and enjoy quiet environments. We lived here for eight years and never found a more welcoming place than this cheerful, friendly shop.

When Anja and Paul were in a smaller storefront, we stopped by regularly, anxiously asking when they would have classes. They started offering classes as soon as they moved into the current larger location and so did we. We will miss the beautiful, colorful storefront that became such a community institution and gathering place in a few short years. Although not everyone may realize it, Island Quilter has become a very important part of the “fabric” of our Vashon community.

— Shannon Flora