Uptown Blanco Textile Studio is located in Blanco, Texas, on the corner of 4^th Street and Main (Hwy 281) on the west side of the square across from the historic Old Blanco County Courthouse.

The original building was constructed in 1908 with native limestone and used as a general store supplying hardware, clothes, groceries and dry goods to the community. When the building was renovated, the goal was to retain the mercantile look inside with stained wood counter-to-ceiling shelves, wood floors, and reproduction lighting. The original beadboard ceiling was repurposed for the wood behind the shelves, the original pine floor was repurposed for counters and drawer fronts. An original store sign painted on the wall (see middle  picture on the left) remains as a reminder of the building’s former life.

Since opening in 2013, the goal for the Textile Studio has been to provide sewing enthusiasts with quality fabric and sewing supplies, and to provide a studio space for learning, sharing and encouraging sewers of all levels.

Textile Studio Staff

Ruth Johnson (Manager) has been sewing since grade-school and made clothes for herself and daughters, until her daughters would no longer wear “home-made” dresses. After taking her first quilting class, she knew she had found her new creative outlet. She is a member of several local guilds, helped organize the Blanco Quilters on the Square, and is co-owner of a retreat house for quilters and scrapbookers. She enjoys attending national quilt shows such as QuiltCon and the Houston Quilt Festival Market and Festival to stay attuned to current textile trends. In her life before the Textile Studio, she held a position as a RN Educator where she was responsible for the orientation and onboarding of newly gradated nurses. With this background in adult education, she can appreciate how difficult it can be for adults to learn new skills, such as quilting, and strives to provide a welcoming and supportive learning environment at the Studio for quilters of all levels.

Tory Padden (Assistant Manager) is a costume designer by training and an art quilt enthusiast by choice.  With over 35 years experience sewing and designing, she has turned her attention to the joys of quilting.

Our other talented and resourceful women that can assist you at the Textile Studio include Cathy Jeter, Kim Singletary,  Nelleen Moll, JerryAnn Buck, Victoria Troutz, Sue Waldron, Leni Burney, and Dawn Cochran.