Linda Whittenburg grew up sewing and quilting, taught by her mother. It was a family affair, and now, for 25 years, she has passed on that knowledge to anyone who steps through the door of Cabin Arts’ quaint 1850s log home near downtown Burlington.
Before Cabin Arts became her passion and profession, Whittenburg was an art teacher at Simon Kenton High School and the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati. When the cabin situated directly in front of her husband’s business became available, she seized the opportunity.
Though the log cabin had been deemed almost unsalvageable, Whittenburg and her husband spent every spare moment restoring it.
Finally, in December of 1992 the doors of Cabin Arts opened to weekend customers looking to purchase arts and crafts from a plethora of local artists. By the next summer, Linda had resigned from teaching art and opened the quilt shop full time.
Whittenburg continued her passion for teaching art by offering classes at the shop. In describing her philosophy, she referenced giving a man a fish versus teaching a man to fish.
“If you give someone a quilt, that’s nice,” Whittenburg said. “But when you teach someone to quilt, they have a craft for life and an activity that results in something beautiful.”
Many of Whittenburg’s customers enjoy creating things for friends and family, so when customers come in, they’re often making a quilt as a gift for someone else. Whittenburg really enjoys that aspect of quilting.
“The gifts we so often remember or appreciate most, someone made,’ she said. “They put in time and effort to bless a new baby, a young couple at their wedding, the college graduate.”
To enroll in a beginners’ class at Cabin Arts, one only needs to know basic sewing machine skills like threading the needle. The next Rail Fence for Beginners class starts Tuesday, February 28, includes five sessions, and accepts no more than six students – allowing for individual attention and hands-on assistance.
Other upcoming events include the 12th annual Charming Spring Shop Hop; Cabin Arts is one of eight quilt shops in the tri-state area participating, offering prize giveaways of a sewing machine, gift cards, and in-store gift baskets.
Beginning in March, a unique in-store offering is the “block of the month.” Each block, once put together, will create a charming quilt that depicts a neighborhood.
Also in honor of the milestone 25 years, coupon books are available at the shop. Every month features a discount in a different category, and every visit serves as an entry into monthly $25 gift certificates and grand prize drawings, which will be given away at the 25th anniversary grand celebration set for December 1-2 at the shop.
Cabin Arts offers the charm of bygone days yet is filled with 5,000 bolts of the latest fabrics, 400+ book titles, and some of the best supplies the quilting world has to offer.
An additional log structure provides ample space for a variety of class offerings and a work area for customers.
Cabin Arts is located at 5878 Jefferson St, Burlington, KY. Click here to learn more. Call (859) 586-8021 or contact linda@cabinarts.com to schedule a quilting class.
Cabin Arts