ALL THINGS ELGIN
The Painted Raven Weaves Creativity, Community, and Inclusivity Downtown
By Steph Lewis
Did you know there's a bona fide craft store right here in Elgin?
The Painted Raven, in our historic downtown, opened its doors in October 2023 across the tracks from Elgin's Farmer's Market and Veteran's Park.
Their Facebook promotes they're a 'quilt store like no other.' They carry a stellar variety of modern quilt cotton, cork, flannel, Minky and batting, art and craft supplies, gifts, books (including a sweet spot for children), and a fun curation of metaphysical items. But don't take our word for it; recent visitor shared on Yelp:
"The Painted Raven is amazing in every way. It's a gift shop, specialty fabric (and quilting) shop, art supply store, and one-stop shop for great holiday decor.
You'll find yourself browsing for a long time and wanting to buy everything. This family-owned shop sources its products primarily from women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+-owned producers, most of them in Texas. They also focus on selling items that aren't available on Amazon, which I love." --- Mark M, Austin, TX
Crafting Community at
The Painted Raven
The Elgin Chronicle (EC) chatted with owner Stephanie Ross (SR) about why Elgin?, what’s Minky?, and got the low-down on the 2-month-long Shop Hop event and more…
EC: The Painted Raven website shares that owning a craft store was a lifelong dream. Tell us more! And what did you do before The Painted Raven?
SR: I retired early after 23 years with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. I always wanted a paper store with invitation services, beautiful papers, and gifts. After being hired to hand address 500 wedding invitations, I decided that crafting was a better fit.
EC: Why Elgin?
SR: We live in Bastrop and have family in Elgin. After looking at this property, I fell in love with the building and bought it! The building welcomed me, and it felt like home. Even though I have no history with it, I love it and hope to create lots of memories for me, my staff, and our wonderful customers (friends).
It's a dreamy older building with beautiful character. Have you seen the bathroom? It's an artful ode to Frida Kahlo and is magnificently appointed. If you're into that kind of thing.
EC: What inspired the name?
SR: I love corvids. My favorite corvid is the Raven. My crafting passion has always been art, and that's where the "painted" part comes from. *FWIW: a corvid, medium- to large-sized birds of the family Corvidae, which includes ravens, crows, jays, and magpies, are known for their intelligence and complex social behavior.
EC: You sure offer a lot of neat fabrics. Do you identify more as a craft store or fabric store?
SR: The Painted Raven is a modern quilt, craft, and gift store.
EC: What's the buzz on Shop Hop? Someone just came in for a sneak peek of the Texas-themed fabrics for the All Texas Shop Hop™ what's that about?
SR: The Shop Hop is an annual shopping event hosted by specialty sewing and quilting brick-and-mortar stores. Shoppers fill their Shop Hop passports with stamps while discovering new shops and visiting favorites. This is our first year hosting.
The All Texas Shop Hop runs from March 1 through April 30. For more information, visit their Facebook page or website, or stop in!
https://www.thepaintedraven.com/
115 Central Avenue, Elgin, Texas 78621
Hours: Wed-Sat 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, Sun 12:00-4:00 PM, closed Mon-Tues.
Each year, a fabric company designs a specific fabric collection that usually sells out. This year, QT Fabrics designed prints with bluebonnets, Texas' yellow rose, and my favorite, the Texas-city postcard print. I love color and get excited when I can order beautiful or whimsical fabric for all to enjoy.
EC: Shop Hop boasts it's the nation's largest sewing and quilting program, that could bring a lot of dedicated shoppers into Elgin. Exciting! What other things should Shop Hoppers do while in town?
SR: Since this is our first hop, we don't really know what to expect. But we're happy the whole town* is involved and will definitely refer shoppers to their maps. (*Elgin Main Street created and printed local maps for participants' goodie bags, which several stores in town stuffed with discount coupons for shop hoppers!) We want hoppers to have a great experience, so they keep Elgin on their maps for all their trips to central Texas.
EC: Besides Shop Hop, what other plans do you have for 2025? Any classes to note?
SR: I'm constantly seeking instructors to teach anything related to crafting or sewing. If anyone has a class or skill they want to share, email me at
info@thepaintedraven.com or stop by! This year, we look forward to a felting class, a junk journal series class, and several different sewing classes. We'll add more classes as we hire more instructors.
EC: You were a Silver Sponsor for Bastrop's Pride weekend in 2024, contrasting Hobby Lobby's philosophy. And it's reported that JoAnn Fabrics plans to close 500 of its nearly 850 US stores.
SR: With all the big box stores going out of business, it's essential to maintain a community mindset. However, The Painted Raven is a safe space for all creatives and all people. We have a no-hate policy and don't tolerate bullying or intimidation. I want everyone to feel safe and loved when they come into the store.
EC: Yes! Now, what is Minky?
SR: Minky is a super-soft synthetic fabric made from durable, machine-washable polyester fibers. It's ideal for baby blankets, plushies, stuffed animals, and quilts.
115 Central Avenue, Elgin, Texas 78621
Meet Features Writer Steph Lewis
Leaving Austin in 2019 for greener pastures, Steph settled into a little cabin on the Colorado River just outside of Bastrop. She co-founded Bastrop’s Noon Lions Club chapter, served as a Bastrop Chamber ambassador and was appointed vice chair of the Bastrop Main Street Advisory Board, chairing the Design Committee for several years. Her Main Street Experience and former life as a managing editor for a New York City based fashion magazine adds incredible talent to our growing creative staff. We're so happy she's chosen Elgin as her new meaningful community of record.
The Elgin Chronicles
