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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing Article Summaries |
Imelda's Fabric and Design: The Inspiration Shop
"People come in here and are inspired," describes Janet Imelda Kennedy of her spacious, three-story shop. Located on Route 27 in New Sharon, Imelda's Fabric and Design is "a good kept secret." The shop offers a seemingly endless range of colorful fabrics, carefully displayed by category: cottons, wool, yarns, quilteds, polar fleece, leather, tapestries, notions, patterns, and ready-made handsewn clothing, hats, bags, mittens, socks, vests, dog coats, children's clothing, and doll clothes. "Fabric is addicting. It's addicting when you're buying; it's addicting when you're sewing," states Janet. She started sewing clothing 40 years ago for her children, turned it into a home business, and four years ago expanded it into the old Maine-Line Tennis Racket Company (formerly a creamery and prior to that a woolen coat factory) in New Sharon. 
"What I buy for here are high-end closeouts," Janet explains. "I go with my gut feeling, what I like, and it usually sells." The fabric talks to her, she says and she loves to show customers what to make. "It seems I have less and less time to sew and spend more time helping customers," Janet admits, but at the same time she can do more custom sewing. 
With winter coming, Imelda's has yarns, cross stitch designs, fleeces (for blankets), quilting materials, home furnishings fabric, and Roman shades, including all the material and fixtures, not to mention unlimited project ideas and patterns for those long, dark days. "People need to know what's here," Janet states. "I want them to come here and see for themselves." For those who do, Imelda's is a rewarding — and inspiring — visit. Imelda's is open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call | ||