Anchorage Fabric Shop Adapts to Changing Alaskan Craft Needs
Anchorage’s Cabin Fever Fabric, Fiber & Gifts is adjusting its offerings and hours to better serve a diverse customer base, from quilters to kuspuk makers, and even those with more unusual requests. The changes come as Ivy Spohnholz settles into her role as the shop’s new owner, following the retirement of founder Jana Hayenga.
Spohnholz, a former state legislator with experience in both the nonprofit and public sectors, says she was drawn to Cabin Fever because of her own passion for knitting. She took a few months to decide to purchase the business after Hayenga announced her retirement.
Hayenga had previously consolidated Cabin Fever with two other businesses – Wooly Mammoth and The Quilted Raven – creating a larger shop catering to knitters, sewists, quilters, and tourists. Spohnholz is committed to maintaining service for the store’s core customers, ensuring a quilting expert is always available and adjusting store hours to accommodate more schedules.
A significant change is Cabin Fever’s decision to remain open throughout January and February for the first time. marks the first year the shop won’t close during the winter months. “That’s a time when a lot of quilters are working on projects,” Spohnholz explained. Daily hours have also been extended to 7 p.m. To allow customers to visit after work. “A lot of these shifts are in part about making sure that we can service Alaskans well,” she says.
The closure of Joann Fabric and Crafts hasn’t had as significant an impact on Fiber N’ Ice in Wasilla, which specializes in hand-dyed, specialty yarns. Owner Denise Morrison is, however, considering adding cotton yarns to her inventory in response to increased customer requests.
Both Morrison and Spohnholz are finding that customers are seeking materials for projects beyond traditional crafting. Morrison recounts customers purchasing wool to cover beehives, while Spohnholz hopes to fill a niche by stocking casket-lining material, specifically satin, which she believes is currently unavailable in other Alaskan shops.
The need for craft shops extends beyond simply providing materials. Customers sometimes struggle with projects not due to a lack of skill, but because of issues with their equipment or pattern choices. “I think there are more people that want to [sew garments] than people realize,” says Kaler, another shop owner, pointing to the growing popularity of events like Renaissance fairs and cosplay as evidence of a renewed interest in garment making.
Kaler envisions her shop as a community space, offering not only classes but also monthly sewing drop-ins where people can collaborate and learn from one another. “When you sew with people, you’re also picking up tips and tricks,” she says. Her goal is to empower individuals to create their “dream garment,” acknowledging that sewing can be a challenging but ultimately rewarding process.
“Yes, sewing your own garments “takes a little bit longer, takes a little patience, takes some learning curves,” Kaler admits, but she remains optimistic that with support, more people will discover the joys of making their own clothes.
Spohnholz’s adjustments at Cabin Fever – tripling the stock of rickrack trim and increasing ribbon sales – reflect a broader trend of adapting to customer demands. She’s also expanded the shop’s selection of floral prints and designs that complement the trims they sell, catering specifically to the needs of kuspuk makers.
