"Quilts by Julie," keeping warm at Winter Market

The Nov. 22 Winter farmers market at Farmamerica had the main ballroom full to bursting with vendors. One of those who now has two winter markets under her belt is Julie Fasteen, of “Quilts by Julie.”

 

Fasteen had 14 quilts laid out on two long tables. While she stood there, a woman was going through the displays and quickly asked, “If you have a Green Bay Packers quilt, do you also have a Vikings one?” Fasteen pointed to exactly that at the other side of her table, to which the concerned woman replied in a relieved voice, “Good, I was worried there for a moment I was in Green Bay country.”

 

Fasteen says she has been sewing quilts since she was seven years old, “My mother Rita had three boys and five girls. She’s the one who taught me how to make them.” Most of her sales have been at Farmamerica, “I also worked the Pumpkin Fest out here and that was a good time.” Fasteen is from Owatonna, but has stuck to the Waseca area for her sales, “I retired from Viracon over in Owatonna after working there for 35 years. So, I went back to quilting now that I have all this extra time on my hands.” She has one son, also in Owatonna, and one grandchild, “My son and his wife have another one on the way.”

 

Fasteen says she did not set up for any markets during the summer or fall this year, but believes she will next summer. Up until now she’s been selling mostly online through Facebook, and her “Quilts by Julie” handle. She plans on shying away from the Owatonna farmers market because the competition gets to be a little aggressive.

 

She has a few claims to fame through her product; she’s donated a Harley Davidson quilt for a fundraiser. But a few of the more unique items she’s made have been, “I’ve made a few quilts out of those Crown Royal bags the whiskey bottles come in, those have been really popular.” She added, “When my brother-in-law passed away, I made a quilt out of his old flannel shirts. His family reacted positively to that and it was really touching.” She also made another when a person approached her with their grandmothers’ numerous aprons, so she made a quilt out of those. There was another made when someone brought in their mother’s t-shirts, said Fasteen, “I can make a quilt out of just about anything.”

 

Her quilts don’t need any special care, “Just wash them in cold water; the dryer is fine. I use all pre-shrunk material, and I buy it by the yard.” She expressed sorrow over the closing of Joann’s Fabrics, “I used to go in there all the time.” Now she buys her material online, and she’s always looking for new ideas. Anyone wishing to contact her can call 507-213-9445.