NEW LONDON–Word that a new quilt shop has opened in the region travels like wildfire among avid quilters, and that’s exactly what Linda Lagergren was hoping for after she launched her new business, Paisley Threads, last month in New London.

The retired Lutheran minister has been quilting, crocheting and knitting for 40 years and had always wanted to own and operate her own quilt shop. And that’s what she’s doing.

Located at 14 Main Street South, Paisley Threads features a variety of solid fabrics, fall colors, Christmas fabrics, 50 bolts of “grunge” designs she said is “all the rage right now” and a large variety of “jelly roll” quilt strips.

Lagergren said she stocked the store with designs she likes and is adding more colors and designs that are requested by others.

Besides quilting notions, Paisley Threads also has a yarn room and features a full supply of embroidery items, which she said is an old craft that is gaining new popularity with people in their 30s. She also has felted wool for “penny rugs” that is another old craft of making decorative table coverings or wall art, which is becoming popular again.

Paisley Threads is located in the same location where the Flying Goose quilt shop had been located before it closed in 2014.

Lagergren said that shop used to bring “busloads” of quilters to town. She’s hoping to revive that aspect of New London’s strong tourist draw.

“I’ve heard people are really excited I’m here,” she said. “I think it’s great for the community.”

Avid quilters typically have their routes to their favorite quilt shops, like the Gathering Friends quilt shop in Bird Island, Heather’s Book Nook & Sew Much More in Granite Falls and Sweetwater Cotton Shoppe in Paynesville.

Earlier this month, the 13th annual Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop was held, where quilters traveled to quilt shops throughout the state to get their “passport” stamped and collect a free fabric square from this year’s exclusive fabric coordinates.

Lagergren said she intends to make Paisley Threads more than just a retail stop by offering classes and creating a “gathering space” with table, chairs and a coffee pot that “is always on” so people can come in and knit, embroider or talk quilting.

“We’ll have threads of conversation happening in this place as well,” she said.

The shop is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

A grand opening will be held in October.

West Central Tribune by Carolyn Lange