Discover Community and Creativity at Peggy’s Place Quilting Center

In the heart of Ithaca, New York, a vibrant new community space is drawing quilters and sewing enthusiasts from all over the region. Peggy’s Place, tucked inside the Ithaca ReUse MegaCenter at the Triphammer Mall, celebrated its grand opening on June 28, 2025.

This project is the brainchild of Peggy Dunlop. She wants to make fabric and sewing supplies affordable and easy to find for everyone. The grand opening buzzed with energy, showing off the creativity and community spirit that Peggy’s Place brings to life.

The Vision Behind Peggy’s Place

Peggy’s Place belongs to the Community Quiltmaking Center (CQC), which Peggy Dunlop founded. Dunlop, a Cornell grad with a master’s in clothing and textiles, dreamed up a space where anyone could learn to quilt without spending a fortune on materials.

She set out to gather a big mix of fabrics and supplies for the community to use. Her goal has always been to encourage creativity and keep quilting accessible to anyone who’s interested.

Creating Access and Opportunity

Dunlop once said, “I loved being surrounded by fabrics and thought, I really want to accumulate as many as I can so that someday I can open this kind of quilting center.”

Now, with Peggy’s Place open, anyone can walk in and use the supplies to create. It’s all about making quilting open, fair, and welcoming for everyone.

A Community Effort

The grand opening was lively—colorful patterns everywhere, intricate quilts on display, and people chatting and laughing. Folks enjoyed door prizes, second-hand sewing treasures, and a mini quilt show.

Dunlop made a few remarks, reflecting on how the idea grew and the people who helped make it real.

Volunteer-Driven Success

Peggy’s Place runs on the energy of its volunteers, with Nancy Thompson directing the team. Volunteers like Brigid Hubberman play a huge part in keeping things moving.

Hubberman says the project is about “creating access and opportunity,” always with Dunlop’s vision in mind. “We keep prices so low that it feels like we’re sharing, and then when anyone has more than they can use, we’re confident they’ll donate it back for us to sell and share again,” she explained.

Building a Quilting Community

One of the best things about Peggy’s Place is how it brings people together. Bill and Karla Block, regulars at the Community Quiltmaking Center, say it’s become “the high point” of their Sundays.

They love the welcoming, supportive vibe. It’s helped them pick up new skills and meet others with the same interests.

Social Connections Through Quilting

Karla Block can’t say enough about the social side of quilting at Peggy’s Place. “I can’t tell you how much the social aspect meant to us.”

The Blocks keep coming back, working on sewing projects at home and during open hours. Their story’s just one among many—Peggy’s Place is quickly becoming a hub for a warm, supportive quilting community.

Environmental Impact

Peggy’s Place isn’t just about sewing. It’s also about sustainability.

Diane Cohen, CEO of Finger Lakes ReUse, praised the project for keeping materials out of landfills and in circulation. “I love this initiative,” Cohen said. “When I look around, I see colorful patterns, the warmth of the people, and what I’ve been really sparked by today is the friendships that have developed as a result of the effort today.”

Creating a Circular Economy

Cohen’s words highlight the bigger impact of Peggy’s Place—both for the community and the environment. By encouraging reuse and social connection, the project helps build a sustainable, circular economy.

Hubberman put it simply: it’s about “creating our own little quiltmaking circular economy.”

Future Plans and Opportunities

Peggy’s Place sells fabric during the ReUse MegaCenter’s hours, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The CQC is open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays through July.

They’ll close in August but plan to reopen in September. Donations come in on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., and classes start at noon on Sundays.

Get Involved

Hubberman hopes Dunlop’s vision will inspire folks to come together, sharing their love for quiltmaking and community. There are so many ways to jump in—donate supplies, join a class, or just swing by Peggy’s Place to soak up the energy.

If you want more info about Peggy’s Place and the Community Quiltmaking Center, check out the Ithaca Voice.