Sew Liberty is among Flowers family businesses

By Editor | January 4, 2012 |

A look at the businesses along the rejuvenated Gallatin Street in downtown Vandalia continues in this issue with a look at Sew Liberty Sewing and Fabric Shop.

When you step in the door to 504 W. Gallatin St., you find the inside just as inviting and colorful as the exterior of the shop.
At Sew Liberty Sewing and Fabric Shop, Jennifer Flowers welcomes you with a friendly smile and a large assortment of fabrics of every description, subject and color, along with all the additional threads, tools and notions that may be needed.
An accomplished seamstress, she is knowledgeable about sewing needs, popular projects, children’s favorites and, of course, the age-old art of quilting.
Meet Jennifer Flowers, wife of Tony Flowers Jr. and daughter-in-law of Teresa and Tony Flowers Sr.
Teresa had said that she wanted all of her children back home in Vandalia, and took advantage of the revitalization of downtown Vandalia to get them here.
Thus, Jennifer and Tony moved their family here from Louisiana, where they had lived for the past five years.
Jennifer shares their story. “I was originally from Colorado, and we were living there until we moved to Louisiana for a job, and lived there for the last five years, until we moved here,” she said.
“We knew that the (Liberty) coin shop and stuff was going to work, and they were doing excellent. She (Teresa) wanted something for us to come here for, so, with a lot of prayers, we are here now.”
Jennifer and Tony have four children, ages 12, 8, 5 and 3. “We brought the whole family and three dogs,” she said.
An added bonus was that her mother, who had lived in Colorado, came along to be near her children and grandchildren.
Her husband, who grew up here, was in the military for seven years. They met and married when he was stationed in Colorado.
“When Tony got back from Iraq, our first daughter was just about a year old, and he got out of the service,” she said. Tony is working in the Liberty Stop, Drop and More (eBay) shop, another new addition to Gallatin Street.
About Sew Liberty…
Jennifer is enthusiastic about the fabric shop and is looking forward to serving local residents.
She said that she just wants to be able to supply the people with fabrics and sewing needs, “especially since it is a small town and the other source of fabrics in Vandalia was removed from that store.
“We didn’t have anything (fabrics) here, and we’re trying to be as convenient as possible, if someone just wants to come in and buy needles, for example.
“But, at the same time, we are building up our inventory, and it will take some time to do that,” she said.
“I have a list of things that people are coming in asking for, and eventually we will have all that.
"We have all 100-percent cotton right now, and muslin, batting, fleece, flannel, etc., etc.”
She has many prints, including wildlife, such as wild ducks, eagles, elephants, lions, wolves and deer; many children’s prints; blue jeans; Teddy bears; Hannah Montana; and much more, including name brand materials, especially for quilting.
The modern prints are accented by some nostalgic décor, such as an old treadle sewing machine.
Jennifer said that she was taught to sew by her mother, Kim Pope.
Kim wasn’t exactly coerced by her daughter to make the move, but she wanted to be nearer to the grandchildren.
Kim said, “When Jennifer said, ‘Guess what, we’re moving to Illinois, and I’m going to have a fabric store,’ I thought, Oh! I’m going to be there.”
Thus, another extended Flowers family member got on board to help rejuvenate downtown Vandalia, providing a much-needed fabric shop.