About

Front exterior view of Appleseed Quiltworks

Teaching sewing classes has been a lifelong dream of Appleseed’s owner and manager, Sandra Falconer. Growing up, Sandra was taught to sew by her grandmother, who was a talented seamstress, always wearing the beautiful clothes she made herself. Sandra went to Ryerson University and studied Home Economics, where she took courses in fashion design and construction. After graduation, she became a teacher and taught at local high schools until her retirement.

After retiring, Sandra revisited her dream of teaching sewing classes. The local chain fabric store was closing, and she realized that if she didn’t open a store now, someone else would. She named the store Appleseed Quiltworks, a nod to her past as an educator, as well as her fond memories of singing Johnny Appleseed as a grace before meals at summer camp and at home. After looking at a variety of properties for the new store, Sandra opened Appleseed at 19 William Street North, which had previously been a Chinese restaurant. She was drawn to the historic building, and was excited to find tin ceiling panels hidden behind a more modern drop ceiling. Once the store was renovated, Appleseed Quiltworks first opened its doors late in 2010.

View of Appleseed Quiltworks original store front.

Sandra wanted Appleseed to be full of bright, vibrant, and cheerful fabrics that she would personally love to sew. The store focuses on bringing customers Batiks, flannels and current fabrics from major quilting brands. There is also a large selection of farming fabrics and Cuddle fabrics.

In 2017 the store moved to its current location at 100 Kent Street West. Originally the Home Bank in 1910, the building was home to Graham’s Bakery in the 80’s and 90’s, followed by Yardy’s Office Supplies. A complete renovation was done, with new hardwood floors and tin ceiling panels installed, restoring the building to a historic style. An accessible washroom, automated rear door, and front entrance ramp were all built during the renovation. In 2018 brand new sewing machines were purchased to use in the store for quilting and sewing classes.

Sandra and the staff at Appleseed do their best to make sure that everyone who visits enjoys coming to the store and can find what they need. They encourage all levels of quilters and sewists to visit and are able to offer advice and answer questions about a wide range of sewing and quilting projects.