Today we’d like to introduce you to Gretchen Young.
Gretchen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Utah. I started my family young and was a stay-at-home mom. Creating was my favorite thing to do. Whether it be scrapbooking, sewing costumes and clothes for my children, or decorating my home. Once a month, my friend and I would meet together and go to our local quilt/scrapbook store. One weekend every month, they would stay open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. This was amazing mom time with my friends.
Fast forward several years, and my husband and I found ourselves moving to Michigan. Our four children were still living at home and ranged in age from 1st grade to a Freshman in high school. We knew nobody here, and one of the first things I did was look for my local quilt store. I was looking for a place where I could continue the tradition of a monthly retreat and make new friends. I couldn’t find anything. In the back of my mind, I made a note that I wanted to start something like that. I dreamed about it for approximately 10 years. In the meantime, I raised my children, went to school, and received my Associate’s degree at Schoolcraft College. I found a friend at church, and when I found out she quilted, I had this crazy, hairbrained idea to open a quilt store. I asked if she wanted to do it, and she said yes. To be fair, I am not sure she thought I was serious. But 2 years later, here we are. Pieced Patchwork found its home in Livonia.
One of the first items of business for me was to start a once-a-month weekend sit and sew. We can accommodate 12 people every month, with the hopes of adding more space. As the world gets crazier and crazier, our goal is to have a safe place where anyone can come and create and have a place to belong.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Amazingly enough, it has been a smoother road than anticipated. The biggest hurdle was coming up with the starting capital. We found many people willing to do a business loan if you have already been in business for a year. But how do you do business for a year without starting capital? With enough creativity and endurance, it worked out.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a quilt store. We carry high-quality 100% quilting cotton. We supply notions, patterns, and books. We offer classes for the very beginner to the advanced. And most importantly we have our once a month weekend sit and sew where people can come for two days and work on whatever projects they want to. It is a great place for people to meet new people and find new friends and ideas. They can escape the responsibilities and stresses of the world and come and create with friends. Our biggest goal is to make everyone feel welcome and special.
We are also very fortunate to work with 2 amazing charities. Preemie Pals is an organization that provides baby quilts for babies that are in the newborn ICU. They cover the isollettes to block the light to the babies, and give the family something personal. The families get to take the quilts home as a positive reminder of a stressful time. They provide the kits for free that can be picked up in our store, taken home and sewn, and then brought back and turned it. They provide everything, including the batting, backing, and binding. They also accept any quilt of any design that is 36″x42″. My 3rd child was a preemie and something like that would have been an amazing gift.
We are also a drop-off place for Project Linus. This charity accepts any homemade quilt, crocheted, knitted, or sewn. They use these for children in foster care. Many times these children are taken from their homes with maybe a garbage bag of their items, these quilts get to be just for them, and they get to keep them and take them with them always. This charity is also close to my heart as I was in foster care for a little bit as a child. I know how amazing this gift would be for them. They also use them for displaced persons and emergencies. They are a fantastic program.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
As a little girl, instead of taking dance classes, my mom put me in sewing lessons. I learned how to use a sewing machine, make clothes, and make toys. The sewing bug has never left me. I made clothes for myself, my children, and their dolls. Sewing Halloween costumes was my favorite.
I have always been a passionate person. I will move heaven and earth to make something happen if it is important to me. I have an innate need to protect!! Be it my family, my friends, or issues that are important to me. I am a mental health advocate. I believe in helping them become their best selves and reach their full potential.
Pricing:
- Sewing machines are going to be the biggest investent. They can range from a couple hundred to thousands of dollars.
- Fabric and notions can tend to get spendy, but the better your tools the more you will enjoy the hobby. Every hobby has expenses.
- We keep our class prices very resonable so you can spend your budget on the tools and fun fabrics.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://piecedpatchwork.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562115750985
