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Folks in North Suffolk that love to sew and quilt now have a shop much closer than before to get all their crafting needs.

In July of 2021, Pam and Marshall Miller opened Fabric Shoppe at 5501 Bennetts Pasture Road. The store is a one-stop shop for any quilting or sewing project needs. With some of the closest fabric shops being in Newport News, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, having one in North Suffolk will help many crafters save some time on the road.

“I always had an interest in material, and I saw a need for myself and others,” said Pam Miller. “It was easily a half-day trip to get any sort of supplies before.”

Miller had always wanted to open a fabric shop due to her love of sewing she has had her whole life. However, once COVID-19 hit and shut shops down, the plan was temporarily put on hold. Then, once everything started opening back up again, Miller decided it was a good time to open one in the suite right next door to Embroidery & Print House/Specialty Gift Shop that she and her husband also own. They knocked down the shared wall to combine the two shops.

“The community has just been so supportive,” said Miller. “Suffolk locals are something. We’ve had a great response.”

According to Miller, their fabric is a step above what places like Jo-Ann Stores and Walmart have. This quality is what quilters and crafters will go out of their way to buy. The Millers have seen customers come from Richmond, Williamsburg and North Carolina to get fabrics they need.

The shop currently has an inventory of 750 to 800 bolts of fabric. However, Miller hopes to double the amount soon as she waits for more orders to come in during the coming weeks. The shop has everything from cotton, flannel, minkys and batiste along with batting and notions.

This fall, the store will offer sewing and quilting classes. According to Miller, during COVD-19, sewing machines were selling out as people had more time at home to do projects and make their own masks. She hopes these classes will be helpful to those trying to learn or improve their sewing skills.

“It will be smaller classes because we want people actually to learn the techniques rather than come and glean half of it and leave,” said Miller.

To join a class, go to the store or call 757-636-2224.