Stitchin’ Post celebrates 30 years in Sisters

Thirty years ago, a home economics teacher opened a fabric store in a tiny mill town with an uncertain future.

“I was naïve. I knew sewing and I knew merchandising,” Jean Wells said.

Today, Wells runs the thriving Stitchin’ Post, which is the oldest business in Sisters owned by the same person. Wells is responsible for starting the biggest event in Sisters — the world-renowned Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. She’s published several quilting books, taught classes all over the country and sells patterns and fabrics on the Web to customers around the world.

Last Monday, on Wells’ 62nd birthday, her business celebrated its 30th anniversary. These milestones made her think back to the day she withdrew $3,000 from her retirement fund and opened a little store in what is now Bronco Billy’s bar. Her only goal was to make college money for her two small children. Nine years later when she divorced, it got “really tough” as she needed to increase her business to support her family.

Wells credits a Central Oregon Community College class on running a small business with expanding her skills beyond being a passionate seamstress into being a successful businesswoman. Also, she feels lucky that her customer base grew and her love of quilting became a popular national trend.

As a teacher, the basis for Wells work was always education.

“You’re wanting to inspire people,” said Wells. “I love to teach — there’s something fulfilling about seeing people learn.”

The Stitchin’ Post offers a large variety of classes taught by local people and nationally known quilters. It’s important to Wells that the classes not be “elite” and that her store and employees are always ready to help customers new to sewing. Wells points out that eight fabric stores in the Portland area closed last year. She said that’s because some stores forget the beginner. She makes sure her Quilter’s Affair classes the week before the quilt show are reasonably priced.

“I want our classes to be affordable for the woman who drives over and stays in her camper.”

Wells said the quality of local quilters is quite high adding, “Central Oregon is a mecca for quilting.”

In Wells’ first year of business, she hung a few quilts outside in a small show. Today, the show — always on the second Saturday in July — is the largest outdoor quilt show in the world with 1,100 quilts displayed on balconies and storefronts all over town. It differs from other shows since no admission is charged.

Wells said she has fought a few battles through the years to keep the original intent of the show.

“I have been adamant about keeping it a show and tell.”

She added it is a true community event that relies on volunteers to make it happen. Many businesses, from retail shops to accommodations, count on the show for the money it brings to town. Wells said she still enjoys seeing visitors admire the colorful quilts and hearing proud husbands say, “That’s my wife’s quilt!”

However, the event is now such a huge job that it makes a busy time of year for her.

Wells’ daughter, who once came to the store after kindergarten to help count change, is now an active part of The Stitchin’ Post. Valori Wells left Oregon for art school, worked as a photographer, then decided to come back home to the family business. She is a fabric designer and author of several quilt books. Her fresh designs help the business appeal to younger quilters.

The mother and daughter team enjoy the creative process and looking ahead at what’s new in quilting. On a recent buying trip, they didn’t notice any obvious trends so they used their creative instincts to decide what’s hot.

“We kind of make our own excitement,” said Jean.

Years ago, Jean hoped her passion for quilting “wouldn’t end up like macramé.”

Now she employs 23 people in a business with customers around the globe.

For that success, she feels lucky.

“I feel so fortunate that I can make a living doing what I love.”