About Village Stitchery

Hi there.  My name is Sandy Richard.  My sewing journey began during a home economics class in the seventh grade.  Fortunately, my mom had a 1950's Singer sewing machine which made it possible for me to sew at home as well as in class, and to make most of my own clothes and some for her.  

​

Fast forward to 2008 when health challenges forced me to leave the fitness industry, of which I had spent many wonderful years.  Being in one of those "What do I do now?" situations forced me to search my heart. I had always wanted to learn how to quilt.  It fascinated me to no end.  I decided this was my opportunity and upgraded my very outdated machine and got to work! 

​

By this time, we had eight grandchildren, soon to be ten, and I began making quilts for all of them.  Some of them ended up with three each within five years.  There were more quilts completed during that time as well, including many charity quilts.  Though I liked and still do like the piecing process, the quilting process tugged at my heartstrings. I did all my own quilting on a domestic machine.  During this time, I learned everything possible about quilting; from whomever was able and willing to teach.  I got anxious though, as my domestic machine made quilting larger quilts tedious at best.  I went out and bought a sit down longarm.  Now that was more like it!

​

I really wanted to start my own quilting business, however, didn't have the confidence to work on other people's quilts yet.  As a result, in 2016, Village Stitchery was established.  Not as a 'quilting for others' business just yet.   Alterations and repairs felt safer.  That's where I began while still sharpening my quilting skills.  Within a couple of years, I got brave enough to take on some customer quilts, jumping right into custom quilting along with commission quilts.  What a blast I was having!

​

Now, of course, like many quilters, I wanted a longarm machine on a frame; not a dream I was going to give up on.  I knew it would come eventually.  And...it did!  Village Stitchery is now the business of my dreams thanks to all the wonderful people who have trusted me with their quilts, to the quilting community willing to share their knowledge and creativity, and to my very supportive husband.  Village Stitchery would not be what it is today without all of you.  I love what I do!

​

Member of:

American Quilter's Society

Quilter's Groove Creative Design Society