Inside Passage Quilting, a new shop near the cruise ship dock in Fort Seward, opened last month.
Owner Linda Axsom said her business offers long-arm quilting service, Alaska-themed fabrics, greeting cards and unique gifts pertaining to quilting and to Alaska, and sewing kits.
Her sewing machine, which features a 12-foot table and a 30-inch throat, is one of only two in the valley for stitching together the layers of a quilt after the pieces are made. Besides serving local quilters, the machine is of interest to travelers who quilt, she said.
“A lot of them send their quilts out (to be sewn), so they’ve never seen the machine operate.”
Alaska-themed fabrics include ones with northern animal tracks and featuring Alaska towns. “They appeal to people who want to bring a little memento of Alaska home (to incorporate into projects),” she said.
She also has quilt patterns, pins and other items, including small, cross-stitch sewing kits that appeal to travelers. “They’re small enough that people can work on them while they’re traveling.”
Quilts on display include ones created by nationally known quilt designer Lisa Moore of Sitka. The shop is sponsoring a retreat at Salmon Run Campground with Moore July 20-21.
Axsom’s shop is at Beach Road and Portage Street, across the street from Port Chilkoot Dock. It’s open during business hours when cruise ships dock, and some other hours on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information about hours and offerings, call the shop at 766-2220.
Axsom is a member of the Ripinsky Rippers and started quilting when she moved here in 2003. “Quilters kind of cling together. It’s really a good way to make friends. I found quilters are always willing to help beginners.”