Owner: Toni Katz - I started Klassy Katz Quilts in 2001 and added Bernina's in 2004. It has been a wild but extremely fun ride of a lifetime. I have sewn since 7th grade and had a mother that wouldn't even sew a button on. It was a need that I had and sewed mostly clothing all through high school and college. I made extra money hemming and mending other girl's things. I sewed to keep my sanity while raising children. I started quilting in 1990 and have never looked back although I still do clothing sewing and embroidery and software. I love it all. I love the new technology of sewing and all the gadgets. I always say I had a checkered background, degreed in Food and Resource Management (water management), retailing and handled emergency parts at an airline. Life has been an interesting journey.
Our Team - I am so proud of the amazing talent and variety of styles and interests my staff has to offer. It makes us a better shop and offers you a wide variety of quilting/sewing classes so we're not limited. Two things I look for in a new teacher or staff are, are you willing to continue your sewing/quilting education and be part of the team to serve our customers. For me, it's not the years in sewing but the expertise and skills you are willing to master or have mastered that you bring to the plate for us. Meet our staff. Each brings unique qualities to the shop and we need each and everyone of them to make the shop "sing".
Dorren Ball - I affectionately call Dorren our resident geek but like I always say, that's with affection. In her real job, she is a computer consultant. She is the most productive person I know and she has the quilts to show it in the short time she has been quilting. I've never seen anyone hone theirs sewing skills so fast. She is presently teaching our basic computer class for those of you that are afraid of the computer and need some help. It is due to her patience and persistence that we have this web site back up. Look for her to teach some interesting quilts in the future since she is a woman of many talents. Dorren is also available to help you with your computer problems and you can make arranagements to hire her by calling the shop. Don't give up and don't struggle, just call Dorren. She will also be helping me teach the mastery classes at the shop.
Tish Brister - Tish bought a machine after retirement and somehow adopted me. We love retired librarians since they seem to know everything I don't know or how to get to it. She started quilting and then found out that she loves embroidery so now she hosts our Embroidery Club once a month. Her other serious passion (besides Ronnie, her husband) is counted cross stitch. I can't get her to give it up. Go figure! The other thing you all don't know about Tish is her wicked sense of humor. She is not the sweet little lady you think she is. I have the email's to prove it.
Pam Block - Pam and I met at a quilt shop in the 1990's and we've been working together on and off for years. She has been with me the longest of any of my employees (was here when the shop first opened) and teaches the beginning piecing and quilting classes among many other quilts. Her flute playing with the Bartlett Community Concert Band and Bartlett Flute Choir plus playing piano for her church make her an extremely busy person. We affectionately call Pam the "Queen of Paper Piecing" for a good reason. Check out some of her samples.
Frances Bowles - Frances has been a long time customer and a long time friend for a number of years. She's watched my kids grow up and I'm watching her grand daughter grow up. Time flies. She will be helping in the shop and teaching you how to make T-shirt quilts in the next schedule. She will always have a smile on her face and be glad to see you coming in the door.
Theresa DuPey - I sold Theresa a machine and she just kept coming back and wanting to learn more and to play with us. She has a long history of clothing sewing and now is interested in quilting and embroidery. Theresa will be able to help you with your sewing, machine and software questions in the future when I'm not around or even when I'm around! She is going to continue teaching classes on children's clothes. She use to be in the bakery and deli business and from there went to a high stress job as a buying director with lots of responsibilities. She finds this a lot more fun but once in a while she gets in the mood to cook and we love her cupcakes.
Judy Gipson- After 30 years of teaching Home Economics, she decided to learn how to quilt. The rest is history. She is an excellent seamstress in all forms of sewing with lots of experience so quilting wasn't a big stretch. If you can teach teenagers, you can do anything! It's a pleasure having her join our staff.
Sharon Jasper - Sharon started sewing with the help of mom in 4H programs as a child. She has sewn clothing for her kids and herself and started quilting in 1990. As a military wife, lots of traveling comes with the job and she ran several of her own businesses such as cake decorating and selling homemade candy. She is a registered nurse by profession but only worked until her first child was born. We are pleased to have her talents in our shop and her specialty is beautiful applique. Take Sharon's beginner applique class if you want to know how to hand applique!
Linda Leake - Linda wandered in the shop and I just found her interesting and found we are kindred spirits of sorts. We traveled to the MQS show (a longarm show) in Kansas City and instead of irritating each other, found out we complemented each other. She offers a more modern style of quilting in the shop and her quilts are always interesting. She has been sewing for years and use to make most of her clothes but now quilting is her passion. She has been a past president of a large guild in the area and she and her husband have worked in the film industry in news and documentaries. She has fascinating stories to tell about her adventures. She still works in the field and helps her husband when time allows between swim meets with her daughter.
Kristine Parrish - Kristine is the new kid on the block. She took a beginning quilt class (but already knew how to sew) and argued with me. I'll never forget that day, her husband sat in the chair in the front of the shop and looked amused. I won and she won my heart for having an opinion but also knowing when you are wrong. She works 2 Saturdays a month so she can be part of the team. Her day job as high stress executive secretary leaves her with little time to sew but she seems to fit it in. She taught her first class, the Miranda Bag, and did such a great job that we know there will be more classes from her as time permits. Her youth and energy plus customer service attitude is a big plus to our shop. With being a new mother of Sammy, she is working only some Friday's and Saturdays as she tries to squeeze us in with everything else.
Kit Rogers - Kit has been quilting longer than anyone in our shop since she started in 1977. She worked at another quilt shop until it closed and came to join us. She does beautiful quilts and is now venturing into computers and embroidery. Go Kit. She can give great suggestions for color and fabric choices while you are picking your quilt so don't hesitate to ask her advice.
Mollie Swindle - Now, this is the woman who marches to another beat and proud of it. I'm not sure when I met Mollie but we were both so excited about arty type clothing and embellishments and lots of other sewing techniques. Mollie can fit anyone and I mean that. She fits you in the clothing classes and then will challenge you to step out of the box. Her classes are always lots of fun and if you didn't think sewing clothing can be fun, I've got news for you. Her day job is as an system engineer but we feel lucky to have her grace our shop. With 2 boys still at home and Bama games to go to, she has to squeeze us in.
Jody Townley - Jody is new to teach at our shop but has taught in the area for a long time. We are pleased to add her to our staff with her special gift for embroidery projects. We have similar pasts with degrees in Economics and sewing to keep our sanity while at home with kids. She loves teaching and it show. In her previous life, she owned a coffee shop and got out before Starbucks showed up.
Derri Williams - Derri will be helping us out on Saturdays in the month that her river boat husband is on the river. Her real job is managing a law office so now you know why she finds putting bolts away relaxing. She can help you with software and machines if you need any assistance. She has really saved the day many times.
