Sew Many Stitches

A whole world of fabrics, colours, patterns, notions and machines greets the eye upon entering Sew Many Stitches at 62 Pippy Place, St. John’s. “We’re a full-service quilt shop” says owner Debbie Northover. “and we work to keep it unique with things you won’t find anywhere else. We offer lessons in quilting and other sewing to anyone seven years and up!” It’s a big place – 1,800 square feet of retail, display, learning/working space. In short, there are a lot of wonderful things going on at Sew Many Stitches.

Debbie Northover is shown with the “Millie” long-arm quilting machine by APQS. Sew Many Stitches offers quilting lessons on this machine and does take bookings for rentals.

What are your signature products and services?

Donna MacTavish (left) and Valerie Northover matching threads with fabrics.

We carry Brother sewing machines and we are a representative for APQS (American Professional Quilting Systems). We are the only location in Newfoundland and Labrador to offer long-arm certification and rental services. With technicians on our team, we service all brands of machines on-site. We carry an extensive inventory for quilting but if there’s something you need and we don’t have it, we can likely find it for you.

What is the secret to your success?

I’d say it’s passion! Quilting is so satisfying. And I consider it an honour when people bring me their quilts to ἀnish. I think it’s fair to say we have a solid reputation for being supportive and helpful in this craft.

What brands do you carry?

Elsa Flack using a Brother NQ700 Machine.

We carry Brother machines and accessories, APQS equipment, Arrow and Kangaroo sewing tables and cabinets and a whole variety of brand-names in notions and other tools of the craft.

What inspires you to be the best in your field?

The love of the craft and the satisfaction of creating something. I love teaching and sharing knowledge. And quilt-making is such a rewarding activity - I never tire of seeing people with their finished work and the expression on their faces when they say “I made this!”

People are surprised to know

How big the quilting industry is. It is known by every culture and it is worldwide ... it is ancient and yet modern. Here at Sew Many Stitches, we lean toward modern.

What is your guilty Pleasure?

I don’t get to do a lot of sewing any more, so I thoroughly enjoy times when I can do it – I enjoy fabric-shopping too. And as to this question, you know what? If it’s a pleasure – don’t feel guilty!

Contributions to the community?

A quilt by Debbie Northover. Its name? “Hieroglyphics”.

There are guilds that make quilts for charity so we offer the long-arm work on those. We also refurbish older machines and will donate them to local organizations such as Iris Kirby House and the Association for New Canadians. The quilts that we complete in our certification classes are lap and wheelchair size and these will also be donated to various charities.

Don’t leave our business without trying ...

A fabric collection display including quilt pattern (a quilt kit), place mats and a variety of other items.

Test sew on a Brother machine...they are smooth, quiet, and very user friendly. Try the long-arm machine. It can take a quilter up to 10 hours to finish a quilt on their domestic machine. On the long-arm you can be done in 3 hours effortlessly. The machines are ergonomically designed and float across the quilt with ease, every stitch perfectly regulated.

Sew Many Stitches
62 Pippy Place
St. John’s
Tel. 709-237-3655.
Email: [email protected]
Website: sewmanystitches.ca

HOURS
Weekdays 10:00 to 5:00.
Monday & Wednesday evenings 7:00 to 9:30
Saturday 10:00 to 4:00
Open Sundays when special workshops are held.