Business name: Studio Q

Address: 14 Depot Place, Bethel

Owner: Fawn Schmidt

Business background: I actually made my first small quilt very poorly, but had perfected the art of machine applique. When my family moved to Newtown in 1997, three of my four boys went to Sandy Hook Elementary School. I got involved in the quilt making there and improved my quilting skills. Both quilts I did for Sandy Hook had machine applique blocks. We raffled the quilts as a fundraiser.

My friend in Newtown had a passion as well, and we always wanted to have a quilt shop. We developed ideas about what we would do if we had a shop; then we decided to do one. She had a quilt store on Route 25, and I rented a classroom from her from 2007 to 2008. As friends, we worked really well together while combining our two businesses together.

In 2008, I moved back to Kansas, and I opened my own shop as Studio Q in 2011. I ran it in my hometown successfully for two years, before my husband’s job required a move back to Connecticut in 2013. My husband encouraged me to follow my passion, and I opened Studio Q here in Bethel on October 23.

Business focus: Studio Q is primarily a studio classroom with six fully furnished stations featuring the Bernina 330 sewing machine. Each student picks a pattern, the supplies, and the studio time that fits their schedule. The classroom is available Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 9 am to noon and from 1 to 4 pm. I also will take evening reservations for groups of four or more, with the studio opened to the group exclusively for the evening. Many projects are available to choose from for their group evening of fun.

Another important feature of Studio Q is my longarm services. I have the Bernina Q24 with computer capabilities. People can hire me to finish their quilt top with many options available. Studio Q also has a small product selection of fabrics, patterns, and notions to use in the classroom. A new feature I have not had before is the Gift Gallery, where you can purchase handmade textile items made by myself and consigned artisans.

Important to know: It’s a warm, inviting, fun, encouraging, and inspiring place to gather. People have said it’s therapeutic.

Near future promotions, events, seasonal specials: We have the Quilt Club where if you purchase ten hours of classes at a time, you get the eleventh hour free — because everyone knows we get everything done in the eleventh hour. I mark the hours as people use them, and the hours never expire.

Hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm; closed Sunday and Monday.

Website: quiltstudioq.com

Social Media: facebook.com/quiltstudioq and instagram.com/quiltstudioq

Phone: 203-628-7045

E-mail: fawn@quiltstudioq.com