Three years ago, sisters Connie Suarez, Henrietta Rottman and Linda Hill established QuiltWorks of Texas to further pursue their lifelong passion for sewing and quilting. Inspired by their mother at a young age, the sisters provide customers with specialty fabrics, sewing lessons and a variety of classes at all levels.

"Most people come here for the sense of community," Suarez said. "It gives everyone a place to work and socialize among friends. We make a lot of custom quilts for people, and customers are able to do everything from handwork to working with advanced machines."

The sisters use techniques dating back to the late-1800s such as paper piecing, which produces non-traditional, geometric designs similar to the creations of 19th century quilting legend, Jane Stickler. QuiltWorks also features state-of-the-art sewing software.

"We strive to be very user-friendly and customer-oriented," Suarez said. "It is common to find us here several hours after closing for anyone with quilting emergencies."

The shop near Skinner Road and Hwy. 290 boasts more than 4,000 fabrics, featuring nearly every style imaginable.

"We want to be what the customer wants us to be," Suarez said. "If we don't have what [they] need, we are sure to order it."

Classes are offered in sewing, hand quilting, smocking, paper piecing and various other crafts. Classes range in size from one-on-one to more than 28 students at a time.

QuiltWorks specializes in T-shirt and memory quilts, which allows customers to bring in fabrics they would like to cherish from lucky sports shirts to their child's first outfit.

"It is common that customers will want a quilt made from clothes that belonged to their dearly departed," Hill said. "Sometimes we use people's ties, dresses or shirts. We use whatever fabric is appropriate to make these [items]."

Join a QuiltWorks club

• Quilts of Valor-Donate or help create quilts for veterans touched by war, QOV Foundation. 1st and 3rd Thursdays (4–7 p.m.)
• Quilt till you wilt-Free sewing sessions. Fridays (6–9 p.m.)
• Quilts for Kids-Volunteers use salvaged scraps to create quilts for children in need. 2nd Friday (10 a.m.–3 p.m.)
• Dear Jane-Quilting by hand, piecing or machine sewing, "Dear Jane" quilt. Second Sunday
• EQ Bee-EQ 7 software training. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays (2–4 p.m.)

QuiltWorks of Texas, 25250 Hwy. 290, Ste. 140, Cypress, 281-256-3550, www.quiltworkstexas.com