PRAIRIE CITY – Don’t let the small space deceive you … the offerings for quilt-lovers are plentiful.

Quilts and Beyond, a new full-service quilt shop, opened Oct. 1 in Prairie City. Sisters Latrona Smith and Viola Rose are the owners.

In addition to items for sale – fabric, patterns, books and notions – Quilts and Beyond has a large work area for classes and open-sewing options. Smith and Rose also do long-arm quilting and window treatments.

The shop is also trimmed with a display of quilts, some the sisters have made and others that are antique family heirlooms.

Available in the shop, too, are wooden quilt racks, small tables and other items crafted by Kevin Dahlen of Prairie City.

Smith and Rose said they were motivated to open Quilts and Beyond when they learned that another area quilt shop was closing. DeeDee’s Quilts in John Day closed Oct. 10.

The sisters already have a full and varied slate of classes, activities and events planned at Quilts and Beyond.

One class, “Peaches and Cream,” was already held last month, with “Table Runner” slated for 1-4 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 1. Others coming up soon are “Christmas Quilt,” “Zen Jacket,” “Template-Free Applique” and Martha Pullen heirloom quilting by machine. Call Quilts and Beyond for times and dates.

A monthly sewing circle with a potluck lunch will be held, too, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Saturday of every month.

Quilts and Beyond will also have a “grand opening” celebration during Prairie City’s “Christmas on the Prairie” on Saturday, Nov. 22.

And for those seamstresses who would like to ring in the new year with needle and thread in hand, there will even be an overnight “New Year’s Eve Sew Over,” Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Smith and Rose were born in Prairie City, but the family moved to Central Oregon when they were young. They recently moved back to Prairie City – Smith 3 years ago, and Rose about a year ago.

Both learned to sew early on from their mother, Thelma Winegar. The pair were active in 4-H throughout school, earning numerous awards and ribbons for their stitching and quilting talents. Rose’s sewing expertise even won her a trip in high school to the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago.

Smith and Rose said they are eager to get re-acquainted with local folks, quilters or not. As Rose said, “Just drop in and introduce yourself. And have some coffee – It’s always on.”

Quilts and Beyond is located at 114 Front Street in Prairie City and is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Call 820-4777 for more information.