Stitches Mercantile opened in May 2024 on historic Main Street in Pendleton, Oregon, which means they are fast approaching their one-year anniversary! Starting with 700 bolts of fabric and a few notions, they have already grown to over 1,100 bolts and are continuing to expand inventory. Additionally, Stitches Mercantile now provides in-house longarm quilting services capable of handling projects of all sizes, and Rick’s quick turnaround time has delighted customers.
It has been five years since Pendleton had a fabric store and almost ten years since there was a quilt shop in town, so owners Rick and Judy are excited to meet the needs of the community’s makers. Their customers range from seasoned quilters to those who are brand new to sewing, all of whom enjoy coming in to see the wide selection of fabric. The quilting community has been incredibly positive and welcoming; hardly a day goes by without someone expressing their gratitude for the store’s presence, which speaks volumes about the community’s support.
Stitches Mercantile has become a hub for sewists in the area, and their classroom space has become a busy spot! The Krazy Horse Quilters group has resumed regular meetings at the store after a five-year hiatus. Several seasoned quilters meet regularly to sew children’s quilts for donations. Last year, they sent 84 quilts to local schools for counselors to distribute; this year, the group will also be donating quilts to local nonprofits.
Rick and Judy offer a variety of classes for all skill levels with both local and visiting instructors. A 4-H sewing group meets there with Judy (one of the instructors) and the store provides the equipment for the group. The classroom space is also open for anyone who wants to come in and work on projects.
Rick and Judy of Stitches Mercantile are very excited to participate in the 2025 All Pacific Northwest Shop Hop. For those who have never been to the Pacific Northwest, now is a great time to come; for those who have visited before, come on back! The opportunity to visit excellent quilt shops and take in the diverse beauty of the Northwest is too good to pass up. From the west side’s rugged coastlines, green forests, snow-capped peaks, and lush scenery to the east side’s golden rolling hills, sagebrush, tumbleweed, evergreen forested mountains, and wide-open vistas, visitors will enjoy a feast for the eyes along with the chance to shop at a multitude of quilt shops!