The Nimble Thimble and Linda Williams

#supportlocalquiltshops

This week we are spotlighting our dealer, The Nimble Thimble in Gilroy, California! They are best known for "being the best fabric shop in Gilroy!" Owner Linda Williams jokes because they are the only fabric shop in Gilroy but we are pretty sure it's very accurate anyway. They have over 4,000 bolts of fabric, a 50 foot notion wall, Baby Lock machines, Floriani embroidery, Alex Anderson's Quilter's Select, a classroom to seat 20, and too many other fun things for her to list! 

The shop has been in town for 42 years, and Linda bought it 3 years ago. Her life-long love of all things sewing was the only qualification she says she possessed for running a small business, but the rest has been falling into place for her. 

The Nimble Thimble recently settled into its permanent location in a restored 1910 brick building in the historic downtown area. The backdrop for their fabrics is an eclectic collection of concrete, corrugated tin, checkered tile, antiques and lots of chandeliers! The shop is an experience much like a quilt: different elements mixed together in a new and creative way. 

What do you love about what you do, Linda?

"Love is the reason I have a quilt shop. As I approached my 60th birthday, I began to realize that time well spent is time spent doing what you love most. My days in biotech were valuable and rewarding but quilting is my passion. So I bought The Nimble Thimble, vowing to keep the love of the quilting community always at the forefront of the business. The Nimble Thimble is all about love: love of color, love of the good people who visit the shop, love of the stories and experiences we share together, and love of our home town. Every time I see a customer's finished project I see all of those loves." 

Why do you love being a HoopSisters dealer?

"My customers kept telling me they loved HoopSisters' designs, but I put off checking them out. Then I met Lynda and Annie at a trade show. They struck me as two genuinely creative, bright, and positive women who had a terrific product at a terrific price. The more we talked, the more fascinated I was by their innovation and motivation to help their customers, both the end user and the shops who sold their products. They have a unique approach to marketing, and they have such fun. It shows on their faces, and it shows in the way they answer every phone call. I fell in love with their designs, and I have already bought 3 of their patterns to make myself - and I haven't even learned to embroider yet!"

Stop out and visit them next time you're in the area! 

Check out more of The Nimble Thimble here:

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