How it all began

In Stitches "officially" opened on July 16, 2007. Founded by me, Michelle, out of my love for sewing. Call it a hobby gone crazy. In 2003 I decided I wanted to learn to quilt. And although I loved its monotony, I found the fabrics boring. I found a fabric I fell in love with (Fashion Girls in Mint as seen in our fabric collection) and decided I wanted to do something fun with it. There just happened to be a pattern in one of my quilting magazines for a tote. I made myself a tote and the rest is history (along with the quilting). My fun and unusual tote was such a hit I soon found myself making purses at home after work for family, friends, and total strangers who had seen one of my purses out somewhere. When our location came up for rent it was perfect timing. My husband and I had just sold our "nest egg" and had a little savings we could invest to start the business. I knew I could at least pay the bills for a year. Boy was I wrong I had no idea how popular my shop would soon become. People loved the idea of designing their own handbag/purse/tote. Especially one they could personalize! Everyone started bringing me their own items to monogram too! So many that I even had to buy a "commercial" machine because my home embroidery machine couldn't keep up. I soon learned that I wasn't going be able to sew everything myself. And just as I began to panic, in walked my "angel" Melanie. With an extensive background in sewing (even making adult costumes for theater) she was a natural. She began helping me make retail items for the store. But she soon wanted an outlet from her true passion, making clothes. So we rearranged the store to make room for her creations. We even made room for her to be able to bring her daughter Savannah (who loving calls it "The Purse Store") with her. All the kids who come in with their moms know there's a playroom in the back. And it works out well because sometimes custom designing your own bag takes some time.

And now, here you are, reading about little ole us! Our custom handbags and custom childrens clothes are flying out the door and we are having so much fun. Check us out online at www.InStitchesShop.com or www.InStitchesPurses.com and see how much fun it is to design your own purse.

Welcome to the new blog!

Welcome to our new blog. We will begin posting shortly. Visit us at www.InStitchesShop.com to see our custom made purses, monogramming, custom children's clothes, baby gifts, and wedding gifts.