Meet Matt & Theresa – The Heart Behind The Fabric Center

Matt and Theresa Hansen are not just business partners-  they’re partners in life, adventure, and now, a shared dream! Married for 25 years, they’ve built a beautiful life in Morris, where they’ve raised their four incredible children—Jack, Henry, Lily, and Patrick—alongside their favorite little boy, Ralph, the sweetest Golden Retriever and official Fabric Center Mascot.

Matt brings a wealth of experience in business, marketing, and digital media, having spent years in sales and strategy. Theresa, an interior designer and the owner of Theresa Hansen Interiors, has spent the past ten years transforming homes with her signature love for fabrics, patterns, and layered design. The Fabric Center is a natural extension of her passion, blending creativity with craftsmanship.

As their children (now 22, 21, 17, and 14) grow, Matt and Theresa are embracing something they’ve always dreamed of—running a business together. Their vision? To take The Fabric Center to the next level! They are launching a dynamic new e-commerce website, expanding their fabric selection to thousands of options, and renovating the store to include permanent classrooms and a dedicated showroom for Theresa Hansen Interiors.

Longtime residents of Morris—where Theresa has lived since 3rd grade and graduated from Morris High School—giving back to the community is at the heart of everything they do. They’ve established an Internship Program and sponsor a scholarship for graduating seniors from Morris High School and the GAVC program.

When they’re not working, you’ll find them traveling or soaking up family time at their summer house in Geneva Lake, WI. And as they build The Fabric Center into a destination where customers come to shop, learn, and be inspired, they can’t wait to welcome you into their creative world!

Meet Chris – A Fabric Center Legend!

Chris has been an essential part of The Fabric Center family for 40 years! With a degree in Fabrics and Textiles from the University of Illinois, she brings a lifetime of expertise, passion, and love for all things sewing and quilting.

Her favorite color? Sunny yellow! And if she could sew or quilt with anyone, it would be her dear friend, Nene Swartz.

Chris’s go-to sewing tip? Press your fabric after every step! It’s the key to crisp, polished results.

When she finds the time, her dream project would be creating the stunning "Summer Glory" tiling embroidery scene by Dona Gelsinger (OESD).

Here’s something you might not know—Chris once owned a cake decorating business with her sister! Talk about creativity beyond the sewing room!

Her sewing style? "Don't look too close!" (Though we’re sure her work is amazing!)

And if you ever need dinner recommendations, Chris is your go-to! She and her husband, Russ, love dining at local eateries, and she can tell you the special at every restaurant within a 20-mile radius of her home!

Chris is truly one of a kind, and we’re so lucky to have her at The Fabric Center!

Meet Jeanann – The Perfectionist with a Rock ’n’ Roll Soul!

If pink is involved, Jeanann is all in! She dreams of one day sewing alongside her mom and grandma, creating something special together. Her number one sewing tip? Accurate cutting, proper pressing, and always making it your own!

Jeanann thrives on a challenge—give her a mind-bending illusion quilt or a massive paper-pieced masterpiece, and she’s in her element. Precision is her superpower, and she describes her sewing style as very, very particular (we’d say meticulously fabulous!).

But Jeanann isn’t all about sewing—when she’s not at her machine, she’s rocking out to '80s hair bands, with a special love for Mötley Crüe. She’s also a total foodie who loves to cook and experiment with new recipes.

Sewing, rock music, and delicious food? Sounds like Jeanann knows how to have a good time!

Meet Kathy – The World Traveler with a Passion for Precision!

From the moment she picked up her first box of crayons, Kathy has been drawn to the color blue—in every shade! If she could sew with anyone, past or present, she’d sit down with Nancy Pearson, the legendary applique designer, for some creative inspiration.

Kathy’s dream project? Tackling a stunning wholecloth quilt on a longarm machine—because she’s always up for a challenge! As a natural educator, she shines when planning events and classes at the store, helping others discover the joy of sewing. Her #1 sewing tip? Press your fabric before cutting—no exceptions!

But there’s more to Kathy than just quilting! She’s a world traveler, having explored countless countries across the globe. Her sewing style leans toward traditional reproductions in neutral tones, embracing timeless elegance.

And here’s a fun fact you probably didn’t know—Kathy has had a talking parrot for 33 years! (Yes, that means her feathered friend has been around for almost as long as rotary cutters!)

With a love for learning, teaching, and exploring, Kathy brings creativity and adventure to everything she does!

Meet Tammy! 

She has a love for all types of patterns, choosing them based on her mood. Fabric is her true passion, but she especially adores the vibrant and playful colors of Lori Holt’s designs. If she could sew with anyone, it would be Lori Holt—an incredibly talented and inspiring creative!

Tammy’s go-to sewing mantra? It’s better to be done than perfect.

Her dream project would be to make a Double Wedding Ring quilt, and she’s determined to FINALLY finish her Dear Jane quilt.

A fun fact about Tammy—she once danced on the bar at Coyote Ugly in San Antonio!

She has a deep appreciation for vintage, nostalgic, and inspiring sewing and quilting styles, and her latest obsession? Cross-stitch!

Meet Merrie – The Fun-Loving Quilter with a Passion for Horses and Tractors!

Merrie’s favorite fabrics? Purple batiks! She absolutely loves the beautiful color variations and the way they bring a quilt to life. Her number one sewing tip? Enjoy the process—sewing is meant to be fun!

If she could tackle any dream project, it would be a Quiltworx design, known for its intricate and stunning patterns. But don’t let the complexity fool you—Merrie’s sewing philosophy is “done is better than perfect!”

Here’s something you might not expect—Merrie spent years showing quarter horses and is an expert at getting halter horses prepped and show-ready. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, she also owns her own restored International tractor!

From quilts to quarter horses to tractors, Merrie brings skill, passion, and a great attitude to everything she does! 

Meet Joe – The cornerstone of our service and repair department at The Fabric Store.

He not only manages the service department, but also troubleshoots sewing machine issues, orders parts, and communicates directly with customers to provide fair assessments and advice on repairs or new investments.

Meet Ralph!

The Fabric Center's beloved golden retriever and official mascot! Always eager to welcome you with a wagging tail and his favorite toy, Ralph takes his job as greeter very seriously ”especially when he gets to show off his collection of stylish scarves. But his favorite time at the store? After hours, when he gets to race through the aisles, playing chase with the team. Sweet, playful, and always ready for a visit, Ralph cant wait to see his friends at The Fabric Center!