The Stitchin' Post 

                       Jane Bell and Linda Bowlby

      The Stitchin’ Post is a Little Rock institution that has offered quality fabrics and classes in sewing, smocking and embroidery for 43 years.  Perhaps, most importantly, owners Jane Bell and Linda Bowlby and their staff have taught hundreds of kids to sew over the years. 

     The 7,000-square-foot shop in west Little Rock is filled with beautifully displayed children’s clothing made from heirloom fabrics, as well as the extensive selection of fabrics and all the fixin’s.  The shop is the exclusive dealer for Husqvarna Viking sewing machines.  Husqvarna is the Cadillac of sewing machines, or maybe I should say the Volvo.  Husqvarna, which started making sewing machines in Sweden in 1872, is considered one of the world’s best sewing machine manufacturers. 

     “They are the only brand we sell, and we are the only dealer in Little Rock,”

Jane said. 

      Their sewing and embroidery machines are easy to use and really expand people’s creativity, she said. 

      “We have in-house technicians trained to service them and clean them.”

       Because these are such high quality machines, some folks think that they think they can’t afford them, but Jane said that is not so.

       “There are a wide range of prices - pretty much to fit anyone’s budget.” 

       One of the really fun things that Linda and Jane have participated in the last couple of years is called the “Row By Row Experience,” which was started a few years ago by a quilt shop owner in upstate New York.  And now it has spread to across the United States and Canada, and even into Europe, with approximately 2,500 shops participating, Jane said.

      “It’s designed to get people traveling in the area to come and visit quilt shops. Beginning June 21, you can come into any participating shop and ask for their pattern and get the pattern for free.”

      This lasts until September 5 this year.  Then, if they like, women can create a quilt using eight different rows and enter it into a contest - for prestige and loot. 

     “It’s a fun program.  We get to meet a lot of interesting people from all over the country.

     “This will be our third year.  The theme the first year was ‘water,’ so our row featured the Old Mill in North Little Rock.  We didn’t really realize the first year how many kits we needed to order. We thought we were really estimating big by getting 50. Then, we sold like 40 in the first week. We had people from all over the country, both coasts and Alaska.”

       In addition to the free patterns, shops offer kits that contain all the materials for making the row. The Stitchin’ Post has sold out of kits for the Old Mill, but still has patterns and kits for the 2016 row, which was about Villa Marre, and called “The Designing Women House.” 

     Some folks are not aware that the Villa Marre was the elegant house featured in the opening credits of Designing Woman, a hit television show based in Atlanta that ran for seven seasons on CBS starting in 1986.  Suzanne Sugarbaker would surely approve of the Stitchin’ Post’s design.  And of the license plate that they sell for $5.50, Designing Women.

   “You can have a license plate.  Our first one was ‘La Petite Roche,’ and the second Designing Women” Jane said.

     This year, the Row By Row theme is “On the Go.”  Jane won’t reveal the Stitchin’ Post’s design until later in the year, but she and Linda have tried to keep the shop’s row locally relevant.

           At The Stitchin’ Post, education is an every-day thing.  

       “Well, we have our on-going array of interesting classes, and we are gearing up for extra classes over the summer.”

    There will be a kid’s sewing class for beginners from June 5 - 9, and one for intermediates June 26 - 30.  The classes meet from 12:30 - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.  The cost is $150 for the week and includes materials, sewing supplies, machines to work on and a snack.  The classes are geared toward 8- to 12-year-olds. 

     “We have classes pretty much all of the time.  Today, for example, we have an adult sewing class this morning and a kid’s class in the afternoon.  And tonight, we have an evening adult class.

  Other classes include heirloom sewing, English smocking, quilting, embroidery basics, and Sit and Sew.  The Stitchin’ Post’s web site displays the full schedule of its classes.  Visit stitchinpostinc.com.

      For years, most of the women sewed outfits for their children or grandchildren, but now more and more women are sewing for themselves. 

     “They are tired of what’s out there, or they want to express their individual style,” Jane said. 

      To accommodate them, the shop has gotten in more linens, rayons, textured cottons, and patterns for adults. 

    The Stitchin’ Post is located at 1501 Macon Drive.   For more information, call Linda or Jane at  227-0288.  This story was written by Bobbi Nesbitt.  To reach her, call 221-7467 221-SHOP.  

New Christmas Fabrics and Projects at The Stitchin' Post in Little Rock

Christmas in July at The Stitchin' Post

     The Stitchin' Post will hold Christmas in July starting Saturday, July 25 at 1501 Macon Drive in west Little Rock. The annual event, which features the latest holiday fabrics and projects, will continue through Saturday, August 1.

   There will be refreshments on that first Saturday, and staff will bring in their favorite holiday cookie recipes, Jane Bell said.  Linda Bowlby and Jane own the shop, a Little Rock institution that has offered heirloom quality fabrics and classes in sewing, smocking and embroidery for 41 years.

    "There will be a recipe swap, and we will be showcasing new Christmas projects.  And there will be special pricing on our new Christmas fabrics," Jane said.

  "Christmas projects include quilts, table runners, a really really really cute Christmas stocking and mug rugs."

    Mug rugs are extra large coasters or smaller versions of placemats that hold a cup of tea or coffee with room for a pastry or treat. 

     The Stitchin' Post is also participating in the Row by Row Experience, Jane said.

"It is a program that started four years ago in New York in a quilt shop.  There are now 2,500 quilt shops participating." 

     Lots of quilters travel across the country visiting the shops where they receive a free pattern for a row of a quilt.

      The Stitchin' Post's original quilt design follows this year's theme of water.  "We have designed our row featuring The Old Mill in North Little Rock," Jane said.  

The Old Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is popular with visitors to Arkansas in part because it was featured in the opening scenes of "Gone with the Wind." 

     "We are kind of excited about it. (Visitors) can get the free pattern, and they can purchase a kit if they like."  The event ends September 8. 

     The Stitchin' Post is a great place to learn how to sew, quilt or embroider.

   The 7,000-square-foot space is filled with well-made and beautifully displayed clothing from heirloom fabrics, smocked dresses and whimsical sewn items.  The heirloom fabrics are made of natural, finely woven, often imported materials.  Clothing made from them is typically handed down through generations.

     "Jane teaches heirloom and embroidery," Linda said.  "Carolyn Hartstein teaches our smocking class.

    "We have teachers for quilting and for kids.  That's my favorite part, that we teach children.  I think it's really important.  In our Mom and Me classes, kids can start at (age) 8.  We have classes for high schoolers.  Jane has taught embroidery for children."

      To check out the latest classes, visit the shop's website stitchinpostinc.com.

    If you see one you like, you'd better sign up right away.  "They fill up pretty fast," Linda said.

   The shop has two rooms for classes and design walls in place, which allow women to take pieces of fabrics and lay out quilt blocks.  They can see how they want to position colors and move them around.

      The Stitchin' Post sells quality Husqvarna Viking sewing machines, from basic models that cost about $200 to the most deluxe models for almost $10,000.

      It has an extensive selection of threads and an entire notions wall.  

     There's a Cafe Room where folks can nosh and a sitting area in the entry where women are welcome to come in a bring a handwork project and sit, relax and work.

      Linda said the camaraderie of women learning and working together helps make for the pleasant atmosphere of the shop.

    "Everybody is real happy here.  It's a fun place to be, a fun place to work."

    Customers say it's a great place to socialize with friends and to meet new ones.

     The shop offers batiste, voile, linen, cotton, Swiss flannel and some silks.

     "We have 100 percent cotton fabrics," Linda said.  "You can tell the difference in good quality cotton. It's the tightness of the weave.  Heirloom cottons are going to last.  It's the same with quilting fabrics.  They expect them to last for generations.  People here appreciate nice fabrics."

The Stitchin' Post Creates a Fantastic New Space

                                                 Dr. Jane Bell and Linda Bowlby  

      Everything is well made and beautifully displayed in The Stitchin" Post's new 7,000-square-foot space at 1501 Macon in West Little Rock.

      From the lovely entryway with displays of  exquisite heirloom children's clothing all the way to the adorable Cafe Room in the back, talent and creativity are exhibited in every corner.

      Dr. Jane Bell and Linda Bowlby, owners of the shop, have created perfect spaces for sewing, quilting and embroidery work .

     "We needed to be able to spread out.  Our inventory had grown and people's interest in the classes had grown. We needed more space in a classic, attractive setting," Dr. Bell said. 

     The Stitchin' Post offers heirloom quality fabrics  that are made of natural, finely woven, often imported fabrics; clothing made from them can be worn and handed down to the next generation. 

       The shop has always been a bustling spot filled with women having fun learning to sew, smock and embroider.

     "Jane teaches heirloom and embroidery," Mrs. Bowlby said. "Carolyn Hartstein, who helped us put this (the new shop) together, teaches our smocking class.

     "We have teachers for quilting and for kids.  That's my favorite part, that we teach children. I think it's really important.  In our Mom and Me classes, kids can start at (age) 8.  We have classes for high schoolers.  Jane has taught embroidery for children, 

and we plan to do that again. Jane does beautiful embroidery."

      Now they have the space to offer all sorts of activities.  

      "We used to have a small classroom space," Jane said. "It was not segregated from the retail space, so it was not quiet.  Now, we have two rooms for classes.  And we have design walls in place."

        Design walls, Jane explained, allow women to take pieces of fabric and lay out quilt blocks.  They can see how they want to position colors and move them around. 

       "We have expanded our selection of threads.  We have brought in some wool fabrics for a lot of quilters and craftspeople use wool felt and applique.

       "We have a larger area to display sewing machines and sewing machine cabinets.  The most basic sewing machine sells for $199. We have  other machines, for sophisticated sewing and embroidery, deluxe machines that sell for $9,999.  We have an entire notions wall."  

         Reaction to the new space has been "overwhelmingly positive," Janes said. "People go 'Wow!'"

         Judi Tolliver of Sherwood, a customer of The Stitchin' Post since 1996, said she loves the new space.  "It's gorgeous."

          The store "is my most favorite place in the world to shop.  They have the best employees,  They're friendly and helpful, and they are wonderful teachers.  They are very patient," Mrs. Tolliver said. "Jane and Linda are both great. If you see something you like and they don't have it, they will try their best to find it for you."

       There's one space everyone really likes, and it has been great for daily use and for special events.

       "One of the problem points in the old location was that we didn't have a place for eating," Jane said.  "With classes and employees and the retail area,  there were always problems such as drinks spilled on people's work.  Now, we have a very nice room that we call our 'Cafe Room.'  

       "And, we have a sitting area in our entry where people are welcome to come in and bring a handwork project and sit and relax.  It helps add to the sense of community," she added.

       Linda said the camaraderie of women learning and working together helps make for the pleasant atmosphere of the shop.

       "Everybody is real happy here.  It's a fun place to be, a fun place to work," she said.

        Jane agreed.  "We are very blessed. We have wonderful customers, and it is just a fun place to be."

        Judi said the shop is a great place to socialize with friends - and to meet new ones.  "I'm over there at least three or four times a week.  You meet a lot of friends there.  It's really a good outlet for young women, as well as old ones like me."

         The shop offers batiste, voile, linen, cotton, Swiss flannel and some silks.

        "We have 100 percent cotton fabrics," Linda said.  "You can tell the difference in good quality cotton.  It's the tightness of the weave.  Heirloom cotton are going to last.  It's the same thing with quilting fabrics.  They expect then to last for generations. People here appreciate nice fabrics.  Some come in just because they want to walk through and feel the fabrics."

        Fabric suppliers include Michael Miller, Moda, Fabric Finders, Spechler-Vogel, Henry Glass, Westminster, Free Spirit  and Anna Griffin.

       "Just outstanding" is how Judi described the quality of fabrics at the store.  "If I am going to sew, I want it to last. I've got stuff I made for my granddaughter, who is 28 now, and it still looks as good as when I made it."

        The shop has a ton of kids clothes on display so customers can see the patterns and fabrics.  These are not for sale, but just there for teaching and so that customers can hold a model garment in their hands.

       A number of women in the community help out in the shop, including Sharon Chandler, Sharron Taylor, Billie Beauchamp, Karen Davis, Carol Flowers, Stacie Ferguson, Peggy McQueen and Barbara Steely.   Mrs. Steely teaches children to sew.  Ms. Davis is a certified technician for Husqvarna Viking sewing machines, the brand the shop carries.

       The Stitchin' Post has operated in Little Rock for 39 years.  Customers come from all over Arkansas and beyond its borders.  Come and join them and share the joy of seeing your children - and then your grandchildren - wear the fine clothing you have created for them.

      To  check out the latest classes, visit the shop's website: stitchinpostinc.com.

      If you see one you like, you'd better sign up right away.  "They fill up pretty fast," Linda said.