Eileen Datt works on an item at her sewing machine. After 47 years in business, the Fabric Sewing Center in Slippery Rock, which Datt owned with her husband, will close.

After 47 years in business, the Fabric Sewing Center, 537 New Castle Road in Slippery Rock, will close.

When the business first opened, Eileen and Willard “Red” Datt worked side by side. She taught people how to sew and repair clothing. He fixed sewing machines. Together, they also sold sewing machines, materials and equipment.

This weekend, the business will begin selling off its merchandise for the last time, organized by the couple's daughters, Linda Hunter and Shirley Edmondson.

An official closing date has not been set.

“We've had a lot of people stop in because they took lessons here,” Hunter said. “They stopped just to say, 'hi.' ”

Hunter was 15 years old when the business opened in the basement of their home.

“It was interesting to be a part of the business and learn,” she said. “It's been fun to see how it evolved and changed.”

As time moved on, so did Eileen — from sewing to quilting to the point that, in recent years, she taught the quilting skill almost exclusively.

Red Datt died in 2010, and Eileen continued to teach.

But Hunter said her mother, who is 90, cannot keep up with the business any longer.

Although her days of teaching may be behind her, she continues to stay busy to this day. Eileen lives with Hunter at her home and has a work area where she still weaves intricate patterns.

“She makes smaller projects now,” Hunter said. “We hope to keep her active and busy.”

Hunter said as the daughters have busied themselves trying to sell the last of the inventory, many people have come to say “hello” and “goodbye.” She said some of her parents' first customers stopped by the business in its closing days.

“We've had a lot of people reminiscing and happy about the good times they've had here and the things they've learned,” Hunter said. “We're all sad. It's very emotional to see it go.”