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 lower 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 founding member of Blanco Quilters on the Square, and 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. In 2024 she became a Certified Stripology Instructor and leads all of the Stripology workshops at the Textile Studio.

Christa Preiss (Assistant Manager) is a retired Family & Consumer Science educator who dedicated 26 years to North East ISD, where she taught students how to sew, culinary arts, interior design, and additional courses that provided essential life skills at both the middle and high school levels. Between her years in the classroom, she served as the South Central Regional Admissions Officer for the Culinary Institute of America, recruiting students for the institute's degree programs.  She is a member of the local quilt guild, Blanco Quilters on the Square, which has turned Christa's attention to the joys of quilting, love for beautiful fabric, design projects and handcrafted creations. In addition to her responsibilities at the Textile Studio, she oversees the Retreat House schedule, coordinating sewing and quilting retreats as well as workshops designed for sewing enthusiasts of all skill levels. In her spare time, she enjoys caring for her pygmy goats and spending time outdoors, embracing her love of nature and rural living. 

Our other talented and resourceful women that can assist you at the Textile Studio include Tory Padden, Kim Singletary,  Nelleen Moll, Victoria Troutz, Leni Burney, Dawn Cochran, Gemma Broglie, and Sharon Inman.