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Valentine's Day may be known as a "Hallmark Holiday", but February has a way of making us pause and think about love. Not just the big, obvious kind, but the quieter, everyday kind. The kind that shows up in small moments, shared time, and things made with care. The recent cold snap has given me time to slow down, sew, and reflect on what it means to make a quilt, or craft. At Stitched Gifts, our February theme is  Handmade & Heartfelt , and honestly, it’s the essence of how we live every day. When you make something by hand, you’re doing more than creating an object. You’re choosing to slow down. You’re choosing to invest time, attention, and intention. In a world where almost everything is instant, handmade feels a little rebellious, and a lot meaningful. I’ve heard 2026 is being called “ the analogue year ” as people are choosing to unplug and explore their creativity. With that in mind, handmade isn’t about perfection. It’s not about straight seams every time or getting it right on the first try, (although it is satisfying when that does happen!). Handmade is about showing up, learning, and putting a piece of yourself into what you’re creating. When you make something by hand, you’re not just producing a finished piece - you’re building confidence, patience, and connection. You’re getting comfortable that mistakes are part of the process and that progress matters more than perfection. That lesson resonates far beyond the sewing machine. Our creators that fill the boutique with incredible handmade items have all started because they have a love, talent and passion for their niche and their creativity starts with a story, a "lightbulb moment". Every quilt, every project that comes through our shop carries a story. Sometimes it’s a gift for someone else - a baby quilt, a wedding present, a memory stitched together. Other times, it’s something made just because it brings joy, peace, or a sense of accomplishment. And those stories? They’re what make handmade heartfelt. One of my favorite parts of owning Stitched Gifts is getting to witness these moments every single day. We see customers who come in a little nervous, not sure if they “know enough” or if they belong. We see them finish their first project and light up with pride. We see our customers quiet satisfaction knowing their purchases are supporting the local community. We see friendships form at cutting tables and sewing machines. We hear laughter, problem-solving, and the occasional “well…that didn’t go as planned,” followed by heartfelt encouragement from someone nearby. These are the moments that remind me why handmade matters. It’s not just about what’s made, it’s about what happens while  it’s being made. A customer came in recently with her daughter and they spent time together picking out fabric for a quilt for the nursery – there was a lot of discussion on color, pattern and layout, even more laughter, words of encouragement, and a truly wonderful experience helping this family create something that will be treasured and a tangible reminder of priceless time spent together. In February, we often talk about love in terms of gifts, cards, or grand gestures. But handmade love looks a little different. It looks like time spent choosing fabric because you know someone’s favorite color. It looks like staying up late to finish “just one more row.” It looks like learning a new skill even when it feels hard. There’s something powerful about saying, “I made this for you,” or, “I made this for myself.” For us, February isn’t just about grand gestures. It’s about love for creativity. Love for learning. Love for community. Love for yourself. Whether you’re making something for a loved one, starting a project just because it makes you happy, or walking into a class to try something new, you’re participating in something truly special. You’re choosing handmade. You’re choosing heartfelt.   If you’ve ever taken a class, shared a laugh in the shop, asked a question, or trusted us to be part of your creative journey, thank you. Stitched Gifts is what it is because of the people who walk through our doors and bring their stories with them. We love our community and the daily inspiration you give us. This February, I hope you find a little time to make something by hand. Not because it has to be perfect, but because it means something.

Here we are on this very cold morning, closing out 2025 with a deep clean and time to reflect. I stepped into a flurry of activity at the store, tripping over bolts of fabric, furniture, and displays being loaded back in. Can you believe that I thought, when I opened the doors 10 months ago, that opening would be the hardest part? Turns out, that was just Day One. Silly me. I envisioned this first year filled with smiles, hugs, and loving every minute. While it has been that, it has also been so much more. With the help and support of our fantastic community, we have been able to distribute over 500 pounds of fabric to non-profits for use in charity quilts and other items, create over 100 walker bags and cat trap covers for donation, send 350 pounds of food to Brumby Elementary School for kids to take home, donate weeks of free event space to our community partners, and raise a few thousand dollars for local charities. That’s a tremendous achievement! Our first-ever shop hop was a huge success! Fat quarters are all the rage, and I totally get it, I love them too. Our local creators never cease to amaze me with what they bring to the boutique. Every day, more people walk through our doors eager to learn something new. We hosted classes on everything from mahjong and sampler quilting 101 to cupcake decorating and junk journaling, and so much more. What I didn’t expect was a lithium battery fire to sweep through our building, shutting down our neighbors. Despite that unexpected disruption, it has been a delight to see our workshops and classes fill up. Watching beginners gain confidence, participating in community events, joining quilt-alongs, and sharing in-store laughter has been wonderful. Seeing fabric leave the shelf and return as a finished project is a joy. When I reflect on all the achievements, it naturally comes with a hearty dose of "things I wish I had told myself" (and whether you are a small business owner or not, I'm sure you can relate to these sentiments): Don’t sweat the slow days or weeks. I drove myself and my staff crazy during those times! Not every class will sell out. I’ll order too much of one thing and not enough of something else. And everything in your first year of business takes three times the amount of time and energy you think it will. But what has emerged is so much more. Stitched is a place where seasoned quilters and beginners connect. There’s a rhythm and energy in the shop that is different from most I’ve been in. Our regulars feel like friends. Teaching the same skill in ten different ways has taught me so much, and the absolute joy of helping people choose the perfect colors and fabric combinations has brought a light to my work that I never anticipated. As we step into 2026, I look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting so many new ones. We are expanding our partnerships with local creators, teachers, and makers, and making Stitched the “Cheers” of creativity. Stitched is a safe place to learn, make mistakes, grow, and come together. If the first 10 months have taught me anything, it’s that this shop is built community stitch by community stitch - together. Thank you for being part of the story, unfinished edges and all. Here's to 2026! Clare Schueren, Owner

Why We Love Fat Quarters (and Why You Will Too!) If you’ve spent any time browsing the shelves at Stitched Gifts, you already know: we absolutely love fat quarters! Walk through the store and you’ll see them tucked beside every bolt-neatly folded singles, curated bundles, fat-quarter-friendly patterns, and even hand-crafted gifts our creators have made using them. They’re one of the most popular fabric cuts for a reason: they let you bring home a piece of any fabric you fall in love with, and are practical, affordable, and full of creative possibility - that’s the magic of a fat quarter. But if you’re new to the sewing world, you might be wondering… What exactly is  a fat quarter (FQ)? A traditional quarter yard is cut straight across the width of the fabric, giving you a long, narrow piece measuring 9" x the width of fabric (usually around 42"). A “fat quarter”, on the other hand, comes from taking a full yard (36" x 42") and cutting it into four equal rectangles-each measuring about 18" x 21". It’s “fat” because it’s wider and more versatile, giving you more usable fabric for cutting shapes and working with patterns. And yes, for our math-loving friends: both versions contain exactly  378 square inches of fabric! As we head into the holiday season - gift-giving, stocking-stuffing, maker-inspiring time - we asked our Stitched team to share their favorite fat-quarter-friendly projects. Unsurprisingly, their answers covered everything : quick gifts, beginner-friendly makes, cozy home décor, clever organizers, scrappy quilts, and adorable kid-approved crafts. If you can dream it, you can probably make it with a fat quarter (or two… or five). Staff Favorites: Fat Quarter Projects Here are a few of our team’s go-to makes, perfect for holiday gifting or for treating yourself to a cozy afternoon of sewing: ✨ Tara - Reusable Gift Bags “These are my absolute favorite this time of year. One fat quarter turns into a beautiful, sustainable gift wrap option you can use again and again.” ✨ Vicki - Zipper Pouches & Makeup Bags “Fast, functional, and great for teachers, friends, and stocking stuffers. Plus, picking the lining fabric is half the fun!” ✨ Cheryl - Hot Pads & Mug Rugs “Pairing two coordinating FQs to make a matching kitchen set is so satisfying. Add a mug and some cocoa mix and you’ve got the perfect neighbor gift.” ✨ Sarah - Fabric Baskets “So great for organizing crafts, desks, kids’ rooms, or holiday treats. Fat quarters give you so many options to make gorgeous mixed-and-matched sets, and explore color and pattern.” ✨ Fawn - Scrappy Table Runners “Mix a few seasonal fat quarters and you’ve got a festive table runner in an evening. It’s beginner-friendly and looks amazing.” ✨ Lori - Quilted Ornaments “These are quick, adorable, and a wonderful way to use tiny leftover pieces—fat quarters go a long way!” ✨ Lori - Pet Bandanas “A fun little project that never fails to make people smile. One FQ = one very dapper dog.” ✨ Alicia - making appliqued shirts and sweatshirts from the fun seasonal prints we get at Stitched “A fabulous way to customize clothing and be ready for any season.”   Whether you’re crafting your own heartfelt gifts this season, picking up supplies for a creative friend, or browsing our boutique for already-made treasures, fat quarters are the perfect place to start. And, if you’re looking to learn something new, our sewing and quilting classes often feature fat-quarter-friendly projects, making them great for beginners and seasoned makers alike. Come stitch with us, meet new friends, and leave with something handmade and wonderful. Stop by the shop this season, we’d love to help you pick out your next fat quarter stack, class, or handmade gift. Creativity is always in season here at Stitched Gifts.