Steinshouer Pieces Together New Career at Sew With Dani Jo

A former Holdrege High School geometry teacher has traded lesson plans for fabric bolts with the opening of a new quilt and fabric store in downtown Holdrege.

Dani Steinshouer is opening Sew With Dani Jo at 802 4th Avenue this summer. The location is strategically located within the Iron Horse Arts District as well, which is a business that supports the arts through its products and services.

“Sew With Dani Jo is a place where creators can come together,” Dani said. “Whether you make quilts, clothing, tote bags, or other textile art, Sew With Dani Jo is a place to gather together, show off our creations, ask for advice, or just be around other creative minds.”

PCDC is assisting the new business with a GO! BUSINESS, Business & Franchise Development Grant. 

Sew With Dani Jo will supply all kinds of fabric and sewing notions, along with miscellaneous gift items such as greeting cards, puzzles, and candles. Most of the fabrics she will sell are exclusive to fabric stores. She will carry mostly 44-inch/45-inch quilting cotton and some flannels and wide backs. 

Dani said her background in teaching geometry will help her read customers’ needs and help calculate fabric requirements. 

Before opening the store, she taught high school math, mostly geometry, for the last 19 years. 

“I needed a change of pace and have always been passionate about quilting and sewing,” Dani said. “And fabric stores have always been my happy place. Opening this store is a great way to combine my passion and career.” 

Quilting has also been a lifelong hobby for Dani, starting in middle school when her mom registered her for a quilting class at the local fabric store.

“Picking out the material, cutting, piecing, the whole process was fun for me,” she said. 

Dani plans to combine her teaching skills with her passion for quilting by offering quilting classes in the future. 

“Right now, my space limits me on what I am able to offer,” she said. “But classes are definitely in the plans.” 

As her business grows, she would also like to expand into online sales, yarn, teaching classes, and Longarm services. 

Dani is hoping for a soft opening before August 1 with a grand opening later. 

Sew With Dani Jo will be open Tuesdays-Fridays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, follow Sew With Dani Jo on Facebook.

More information about PCDC GO! BUSINESS grants can be found on the PCDC website.