Where Sewing & Quilting Meet
By: Jeanie Mayer
What began as a chance visit to a quilt shop many years ago has evolved into a labor of love for Pat Krenz, the new owner of Stitching on State. Her desire to replicate a beautiful quilt she saw hanging in that shop led her to taking classes at the Hampshire store so she could learn the secrets of quilting.
In 2020, when Elaine and Mike Thomas announced they were selling Pat’s favorite quilt shop, she decided to take action. She said she could not imagine being without her favorite store and admitted that quilting was her “happy place” during the pandemic when almost everything else was shut down and she couldn’t visit friends and family.
The thing that made buying a quilt shop during a pandemic seem sensible to her was the fact that the store’s long-time staff of Terri Linder and Jan Bray were planning to stay on as employees. Terri began working at the shop after it was first opened over 25 years ago by Judy and Jim McGuirra under the name Judy’s Quilt and Sew.
“Over the years, I took many classes at Stitching on State….I could always count on the girls to help me find the perfect fabric, coordinate all fabrics for a quilt, solve a problem or even fix a machine. It always amazed me how they went above and beyond,” Pat said.
The staff also includes Theresa, Kathy, Joe-who fixes sewing machines, and Lindsay- who handles their online sales through ETSY. Pat says that Terri and the staff are the lifeblood of the shop.
“I would not have bought this business if I couldn’t have Terri and Jan. They are the heart and soul of this place,” she said.
While it may have taken Pat a year of classes to learn how to make that first quilt, the result has been a lifelong passion. All of the staff members want to share that passion with their customers.
“I never feel like it is work because I’m doing what I love: working with people, helping them find just the right fabrics, knowing they are making family heirlooms,” Terri said.
When not in a pandemic, the store offers quilting classes for all levels of quilters from novice to experienced. The store also sells fabric, notions and sewing machines.
“But the best thing we offer we give away free, and that is the knowledge and artistic talents of Terri and Jan,” Pat said.
“That is what puts us above other quilt shops. It’s these girls and how they care about the customers and help them find just the right thing,” Pat said.
About this Business
Owner: Pat Krenz
Location: 290 S State Street, Hampshire
Phone: 847-683-4739
Website: www.stitchingonstate.com
Etsy Shop: StitchingOnStateShop
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10AM to 2PM
Motto: Where Sewing and Quilting Meet