I knew I was in trouble when the quilt backing alone needed more yardage than anything left in my sewing room.
That sent me looking for this Iowa shop.
I expected to browse a few bolts and leave with a practical solution. Instead, I found rows of fabric, specialty threads, and enough tempting ideas to make my shopping list grow before I reached the second aisle.
What kept me there was the staff. I could ask for help when I needed it, then go back to comparing colors without anyone hovering over my shoulder.
For Iowa quilters working on a project that has outgrown the fabric drawer, this spot is worth knowing about.
Some shoppers drive hours to get here, and after one slow lap through the store, I understood why.
The Address Quilters Drive Across Iowa To Find
Here is the spot I keep telling friends about: Woodside Quilting, a fabric and quilting shop on the northeast side of Des Moines.
It sits close to busy roads, so the semi trucks rolling past are part of the scenery before you even step inside.
The location makes it fairly easy to reach from different parts of central Iowa, and some quilters are willing to make a much longer drive for the fabric selection, specialty supplies, classes, and services packed into the shop.
Inside, the focus is clearly on people who like having plenty of options before committing to a project.
Fabric fills the space, while threads, notions, quilting supplies, and other tools give you plenty of reasons to take a slow lap before deciding what belongs in your basket.
Hours are easy to remember. Monday through Friday, the shop opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm, while Saturday runs from 10 am to 4 pm.
The shop is closed on Sunday.
If you are planning a larger quilt, need backing fabric, want to explore specialty threads, or simply enjoy browsing new collections, give yourself extra time.
This is not the sort of place where a five-minute stop stays five minutes for long.
Address: 5360 NE 14th St A, Des Moines, IA 50313
Rows Of Fabric Built For Big Plans
Big quilts eat yardage, so variety matters. Woodside stocks lines from many designers, and shoppers often say they rarely see this many choices under one roof.
Liberty Tana Lawn, Tilda, and Laundry Basket Quilts all have a home here. Sue Spargo items show up too, which made one visitor wish she lived closer.
I liked how the colors were grouped, so I could pull a main print and then hunt for partners nearby. Shop staff choose current fabric lines, which means kits, collections, and single cuts all show up in one visit.
Fat quarters are a handy trick for large projects. They make it simple to build a coordinating stack or grab one accent shade when a quilt needs a pop.
Nobody followed me around, either. There was plenty of time and space to browse, touch, and compare before deciding.
Bring a swatch from home if you are matching something. You will likely walk out with a better plan than the one you walked in with.
Staff Who Help Without Hovering
Helpful staff earned the most mentions in the reviews, and I can see why. Greetings come quickly, and then people give you room to breathe.
Owners Warren and Marty are known for a warm welcome, and one regular says she sometimes stops in just to say hi. That is a good sign for any shop.
When I asked about color pairings, the answers came with options I had not considered. Several visitors mention the same thing, saying the team shows ideas they never expected, which gets creative juices going.
Experience runs wide here. Some staff know piecing inside out, others lean toward embroidery, textiles, or machine care.
Encouragement is part of the service. A few shoppers say they got a kind word right when a project felt heavy.
Even spouses feel at ease. One shopper said her husband relaxed enough to urge her to buy more fabric, which counts as a double win.
Come with questions. Folks here seem to enjoy them.
Sashiko Classes That Fill Up Fast
Sashiko is the most talked-about class here, with around twenty mentions in the reviews. It is a Japanese stitching style that uses simple running stitches to make patterns.
Students describe the instructor as knowledgeable and full of fun. Some signed up for two sessions in a row.
One woman said she had wanted to learn sashiko for a long time, and a class here finally made it happen. Another drove two hours from Iowa City just to attend.
First-timers do fine. A reviewer who had never taken a class there finished her project quickly and moved on to the next one.
Staff also share details about other classes and groups, so you leave with a list of what to try next. That keeps the learning going long after the thread runs out.
The shop sells many specialty threads, including ones some visitors had never seen. You can pick up supplies on the same trip.
Check the class calendar early, because seats seem popular.
Longarm Quilting For The Finishing Touch
A quilt top can take months, and the final quilting step is where many people want expert hands. Woodside offers longarm services for exactly that moment.
Reviewers say the quilters take great care so each quilt is finished to the owner’s satisfaction. One shopper first walked in to have a wall hanging quilted for her mom and kept coming back.
Longarm work shows up in eight mentions, which tells me it matters to regulars. Another customer calls Woodside her go-to for both fabric and longarm quilting.
Large projects benefit most. Bed-size quilts are heavy and awkward on a home machine, so handing them off saves time and sore shoulders.
Talk through thread color, pattern style, and backing before you drop off your top. A short chat now can save surprises later.
Pick the backing fabric in the shop and the whole process feels simple. You can browse, decide, and head home with a plan.
Bernina Machines And Repairs
Fabric is only half the story. Woodside is also a Bernina dealer, and customers praise both the machines and the service department.
One shopper bought her Bernina machines here after joining a club. Another trusts the shop to repair hers, even though she lives about two hours away.
That second story stuck with me. She phoned, spoke with a pleasant staffer, learned which days the service technician works, and had a family member drop off the machine.
A gentleman carried it in, and the repair was done in less than a week. She got a call when it was ready.
Repairs matter when a big deadline is looming. A machine that skips stitches can derail a whole quilt.
Call ahead to ask about service days and what your machine needs. Clear details help the team plan.
Notions and sewing supplies sit nearby, so you can restock needles and tools while you wait on pickup day.
Clubs That Feel Like Cheers
Some shops sell fabric. Others build a community.
Woodside’s clubs lean toward the second.
The LBQ Club meets about nine weekends a year, based on one member’s account. She joined after falling for Laundry Basket fabrics and says it helped during her empty nest years.
She describes the mood as creative, upbeat, reassuring, and fun. The room has well-lit sewing and cutting space and a Laura Star iron ready to go.
Friendships form fast. She compares the front door to the one at Cheers, where everybody knows your name.
A newcomer to the area shared a similar story. After a full tour of the store, she joined a club, and finding Woodside felt like finding a comfort spot.
Clubs are handy for large projects because deadlines feel lighter with company. Someone nearby always has a tip.
Ask at the counter about current groups and meeting dates.
Deals That Stretch A Budget
Big projects add up quickly, so a good deal feels like a bonus. One shopper stopped in for sashiko thread and ended up joining the baker’s dozen offer.
The deal she found was simple: buy twelve fat quarters and get three free. She walked out laughing about it.
Fat quarters themselves are budget friendly. They let you test a color mix before committing to yards of fabric.
I like building a small stack first, then laying it out at home. If the palette sings, I go back for more.
Specialty threads are worth a look too. That same shopper found one that will suit landscape collage and slow stitching.
Ask about current offers at the register, since promotions can change. A quick question could save a few dollars.
Quality matters as much as price. Good cotton and strong thread help a quilt last, which is the best savings of all.
A Stop On The Iowa Shop Hop
Shop hops are road trips for quilters, and Woodside has been a stop on the Iowa Shop Hop. One visitor first learned of the store that way.
Traveling groups love it. Two friends enjoyed shopping so much on the way out that they stopped again on the drive home.
They even needed help with a bit of mischief planned for a friend’s retirement. The staff pitched in without blinking.
Out-of-towners get plenty of reasons to visit. Fabric variety, thread choices, and classes all make the trip feel complete.
Word is that a second location in Clive is coming soon, which one customer says will be convenient for her. That could make the area even easier to explore.
Pack a tote bag and snacks for the road. Leave space in the trunk, because fabric tends to multiply.
Arrive when the doors open at 10 am for a calm first look.
Tips For Planning Your First Visit
Plan a little before you go, and the trip pays off. Start with your project size, because bigger quilts need more yardage and more backing.
Write down your measurements and a few color ideas. Staff can help turn rough thoughts into a shopping list.
Check the hours first. The shop opens at 10 am most days, closes at 5 pm on weekdays, and wraps up at 4 pm on Saturday.
Bring swatches, a paint chip, or a photo of your room. Matching colors under good lighting is far easier than guessing from memory.
Ask about classes while you are there. Several reviewers walked in for fabric and left signed up for a workshop.
Leave time to wander, since the supply of fabric and notions is abundant. Nobody pushes you to buy.
Visitors say they leave happy, and many promise to return. I did the same, with a full bag and a longer project list.