Hello my friends,

I’ve spent the last two years pursuing my dream of having a quilt shop, and I want to thank you all for making that dream a reality for me. I have met some of the nicest people during this time and have formed friendships that will last a lifetime.

Just recently, I made a decision regarding the future of Cotton Hearts Quilt Shop, and it was my intention to make an announcement in two weeks once all the details were finalized. However, rumors have already begun, and this is not how I wanted all of you, my friends, to find out. Let me take a moment to stop any speculation and share an honest update.  

It breaks my heart to say that Cotton Hearts Quilt Shop’s physical location is closing due to ongoing health issues. This decision was not made lightly. It has taken some time for this decision to settle in, work through some grief, and perhaps a bit of denial.

I’d like to keep my health issues private. However, I know that if I don’t address this the grapevine may exaggerate or fabricate the truth. Let me just say, I’m fine. I’m going to be fine! I’m not dying! However, I’m simply no longer capable of running the shop.  I’m currently not capable of standing at the counter, or for long conversations, checking out customers, or even cutting fabric from bolts, and haven’t been for some time. I can no longer provide the service I want to provide for all of you, our quilters. This is not something I like to talk about, and I ask that when you come to the shop, please respectfully consider my daughters and know that my health is a very hard topic for them. During the shop’s final days, I want the shop to be filled with love and laughter as it always has been.

The amazing ladies that work at Cotton Hearts Quilt Shop have given their all in an effort to keep the shop open, and I’m forever in their debt. I’m grateful for their help, kindness, and sacrifice. My daughters, Molly and Maggie, are my daily protectors and cheerleaders. The amount of stress they endure as they watch my health decline and try to uphold my dream is more than I would ever ask them to do. But they did, and they do. If you’ve ever come to sew with us, then you’ve seen the love. My husband, Dan, has been a behind-the-scenes support as well. I’m so thankful for all they’ve done to help make my dreams come true. But they are the dream I had been dreaming of since I was a little girl. Above all else, they’re my priority.

My youngest daughter Maggie is due with her first child, and right now I want to focus my energy on taking care of my health so I can be strong enough to hold my new granddaughter in August. As of right now, I’m not able, and that would break my heart far more than letting go of the shop. Thank you for your understanding, and for allowing me the grace to let go peacefully.

While our doors may be closing for now, this is not goodbye. It is our intention to continue with an online shop in the future. After I get the treatment I need and the chance to catch my breath, we hope to offer creative events and go back to where it all began with our Mobile Quilt Shop. We look forward to continuing to provide you with beautiful fabric, supplies, and inspiration—just in a new way.

Thank you again for being such a wonderful part of our community. Getting to know you and being part of your creative quilt journey has been a joy and privilege. I will always treasure this time and tuck it safely into my cotton heart. Your support means everything to me, and to all of us here at Cotton Hearts. 

With gratitude,

Dawn

Cotton Hearts Club

February 26^th and 27^th will be our final club night and day. Join us for one last gathering, and bring your Show & Tell, as we celebrate your creativity! As always, there will be prizes! Please register, space will be limited. 

Saturday, February 21^st will be our last class at the shop. Our current hours will remain;  Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays now through February 28th. We’ll be closed March 1^st – March 11^th  to get our ducks in a row, and are opening again Thursday, March 12^th to offer our final weeks of sales. I happen to be the planned guest speaker at the String-A-Long Guild on February 19^th in Valparaiso, we hope you’ll join us. (Details and times at This is Your Brain on Quilts)

TO ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:

Please know that I’m the one that personally responds to emails, messages, messenger, social media posts, and all written correspondence. At this time there may be a delay in my response. I hope I have answered any questions you might have in the information below.

WILL YOU BE PARTICIPATING IN THE INDIANA SHOP HOP IN MAY AND JUNE?

We had recently decided not to participate in the Indiana Shop Hop. If you live near us in Hebron, Indiana, and would like to order the 2026 Shop Hop magazine, I recommend The Quilted Bee & Bee Hive Sewing Center in Monticello, Indiana. You can pre-order it online at www.thequiltedbee21.com and they will ship it directly to you when the magazines are released.

WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO SPEND MY GIFT CERTIFICATE?

Absolutely! We will honor all gift certificates in our shop, as well as online shopping. For online purchases, simply enter the number on your certificate when checking out.

WILL SHOP FIXTURES BE FOR SALE?

Many of our shop fixtures will be for sale. Pictures, details and prices will be made available online by March 12^th.  

WILL ALL INVENTORY BE ON SALE?

Yes, all in stock inventory will be on sale starting March 12^th. Excluding Rock the Block fabric packets, which are already discounted and not considered inventory, but reserved for specific quilters.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS AND TIMELINE OF THE SALE?

Starting March 12^th, we will be open with our normal business hours:

Monday-Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday-Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Sunday: Closed

 As inventory decreases, our hours may decrease as well. Our closing date is unknown, and dependent on the volume and pace of sales.

CAN I STILL BRING MY SEWING MACHINE IN FOR REPAIR?

At this time, we ask that you bring your machines directly to John Supan & Associates for cleaning and repair. He is located in Crown Point and available for service on Mondays. You can reach him at 219-661-8958. All machines at Cotton Hearts Quilt Shop for service need to be picked up by February 28th. 

 IS ANYONE PURCHASING THE BUSINESS, OR IS THE SHOP FOR SALE?

Although we intend to move forward with online sales and services, it would better serve our quilting community if we sold the business. I’m not the only quilter that has dreamed of having a quilt shop, and I would love nothing more than for someone to live out their dream as well! I am willing and capable of staying on part-time as a consultant in the interim. Serious inquiries only, email class@cottonheartsquiltshop.com

ARE YOU WILLING TO SELL BULK INVENTORY?

Yes, we are willing to sell whole lots and collections, un-cut, as-is. Minimum bolt purchase - 20 bolts or $400.

I’M ON THE LONGARM WAITLIST, WILL YOU STILL BE LONGARMING?

ALL QUILTS ON OUR WAITLIST WILL BE FINISHED. Our longarming waitlist was delayed, as our longarm was down for an extended period of time while waiting for the required certified Gammill technician to replace warrantied parts. In addition, our longarmer, Molly, was removed from her task to fill in for me as needed. We apologize for this delay. The longarm will continue to run, and all existing quilts on our waitlist will be completed in the order waitlist requests arrived. We’re not taking new orders at this time.

I SIGNED UP FOR A FUTURE CLASS, WILL YOU STILL BE HAVING THAT CLASS?

No, unfortunately, our last class will be on February 21^th. Refunds will be given for any classes past this date. Any class fees paid for with cash will be given as an in-store credit and classes paid for with credit cards will be returned to your card.

I’M PART OF THE ROCK THE BLOCK MYSTERY QUILT, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OUR KITS AND CLASSES?

To all of you who signed up for Rock the Block and placed your faith in us and this creative project, thank you. I’m sorry that we have to rewrite the last few chapters, and change the end of this story. It is because of you that I have held on, and the shop has remained open as long as it has. We started this adventure last August and unfortunately my health has declined since that time. You have my word that we will see this through.

First of all, Save the Date! We have reserved the venue for our November 6^th Mystery Quilt Grand Finale!

Second, as you know we were expecting our floors to be replaced and have not yet heard from the builder. We feel the rugs have become a tripping hazard, and the rugs are covering large holes in the flooring, which also pose a tripping hazard. Because of this, we will not hold classes in the classroom during our final weeks. After February 28^th, the classroom entry and exit door will remain locked.

We will be holding workshops after the closure of the shop at a different location. I am in the process of securing dates for these future events, tentatively planned for May and June in Crown Point, Indiana. YouTube videos will be made for each block as well. More details will be provided on the Secret Sewciety webpage at www.cottonheartsquiltshop.com in the days to come.

For pre-paid classes, you will be contacted to apply pre-paid funds to future workshops, or refunded accordingly, as described above. We will not contact you until all workshop arrangements are finalized and ready for reservations.

Third, future release packets will now be distributed as a complete set and must be paid in full. The final sale percentages will not apply to the previously agreed on price of $25 per packet. This program was priced to include many factors. Packets were distributed monthly as a payment option for affordability, were labor intensive, and originally heavily discounted. If you cannot pay for your remaining packets in full and need to make other arrangements, please email the shop at class@cottonheartsquiltshop.com  

To allow for errors, reserved cuts and yardage have been held and will not be offered for purchase during our final sale. Any fabric over and above reservations and this margin of error will not be held from the sale. If you would like additional yardage for your collection of fabrics, time will be of the essence.

Fourth, Binding and Backing fabrics are not included in your fabric packets. If you previously requested a to increase the size of your quilt to a queen size, an additional 12 fat quarters have been reserved in your name. Please keep in mind, this is based on estimates only. Every quilter has had the freedom to cut, design, swap, and waste fabric in an unpredictable way. It is unknown to us what additional blocks you will select, the skill level, cuts, or number of seams. This estimate is based on blocks similar in size and construction to units you’ve already made, to a Queen size of 90”x102”. Please add additional fabric according to your design and mattress overhang.

PERSONAL SHOPPING BAGS ARE PROHIBITTED. NO PRODUCT REFUNDS, REPLACEMENTS, EXCHANGES, CANCELLATIONS OR RETURNS AFTER FEBRUARY 28^TH, 2026. ALL SALES FINAL. ALL MERCHANDISE SOLD AS-IS. NO SPECIAL ORDERS AT THIS TIME.  NO HOLDS WITHOUT PAYMENT IN FULL. PREVIOUSLY ORDERED, HELD, OR REQUESTED PRODUCTS WILL NOT BE SOLD AT DISCOUNT. NO EXCEPTIONS.

PARKING IS AVAILABLE CURBSIDE, IN OUR PRIVATE SIDE LOT, AND THE HEBRON PUBLIC PARKING LOT AT THE REAR OF OUR BUILDING. (NEAR THE RECYCLE BINS) PLEASE RESPECT OUR NEIGHBORING BUSINESSES, AND THEIR NEED TO ACCOMIDATE THEIR CUSTOMERS.