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About Us


Lonnie and Margaret Booker and their helpful team are here to serve you. We've been in the fabric business since 1974. We've changed with the trends and are now 100% quilting fabric and sewing machines. We sell Brother, Juki and Janome sewing machines, embroidery machines, sergers, and stand up and sit down longarm quilting machines!   We're the top Janome dealer in Illinois and consistently one of the top 25 dealers in the country (often in the top 10!). Active in the store, you'll often see us helping a sewist find the right sewing machine to meet her needs or cutting fabric for a fabulous quilt.


Now, meet our team!

Chris Anderson has worked for Lonnie nearly as long as she's been married, and she says she's been married "forever". Chris has parlayed her degree in Textile and Clothing and her love of garment sewing into a 30 year career here at The Fabric Center. Known as the "go-to girl" for all things sewing machine related, Chris knows our machines (and many others) inside and out and is fabulous at troubleshooting problems over the phone as well as in person. A native of this area, Chris and her hubby live in Norway, IL.

Kathy Knoderer came to us in 2012 with a background of art education, 10 years as a floral designer and 22 years in the quilting and sewing industry in the area. Kathy has achieved Certified Teacher status having attended training events and having taught many years of classes and clubs. She has covered everything from introductory sewing and serger lessons to advanced techniques on the sewing machine, embroidery machine, embroidery software as well as numerous classes in quilting techniques by hand and machine.  She will also be teaching various classes in quilting, embroidery and software  Kathy has started Embroidery Lovers Club which meets monthly to make great embroidered projects, introducing new techniques. Kathy has a daughter and a son and 5 beautiful grandchildren. She currently resides in her country home near Serena with her husband Steve, cats and parrots.

Jeanann Werges joined The Fabric Center staff in December 2013.  She is a third generation quilter and added to her sewing skills as a young girl in Girl Scouts and 4-H.  Jeanann came to us after 30 years with the Dominick's company.  Jeanann has added teaching to her activities and offers fun projects that are fun for everyone.

Tammy Despain- joined The Fabric Center team in December 2014. Tammy is a custom embroiderer with over 30 years experience.  She loves to piece quilts, and trying new things like English Paper Piecing, foundation paper piecing, and wool.   She currently resides in Wedron with her husband, Jimmy, along the scenic Fox River.  She has two boys, Justin and Jake, her amazing grandsons, Jax and Axel, and her brand new granddaughter, Oakley. 

Merrie Woodward  loves all things "art" and teaches thread painting and art quilt projects at The Fabric Center.  She also likes watercolor and painting and horses.  Merrie is married and lives with her husband in Yorkville.  They enjoy traveling with their camper. 

Toni Babcock: joined us in December 2021 after spending her past 12 years as a stay at home mom. She is a self taught sewist specializing in garments and bag making but loves and enjoys sewing all sewing!

Chris Bagwill joined us in April of 2022. She enjoys helping customers with their projects and teaching classes. She started her sewing career with that scarf and skirt in 4-H. She went on to get a degree in Fashion Merchandising. While raising her kids she did sewing and alterations for bridal. Her family continues to grow with grandkids which she loves spending time with. 

Cailey Walker's: claim to fame is she is Nene Swartz's daughter!  Cailey grew up at The Fabric Center and fondly remembers helping her mom inventory and order buttons back in the 90's. She and her husband, Kevin, live in Morris and they have two children, Van and Wren.   In her very limited spare time, she loves to sew, quilt, read, learn new sewing and quilting techniques and spend time with her family.


Doug Erickson is our in house repairman.  Doug is doing a great job cleaning and repairing your machines.  He enjoys reading and writing in his spare time and riding his bike when the weather is nice.