It all begins with an idea…
I had an idea to launch a business. Maybe I wanted to turn my love of sewing into something more. Maybe I had products and services I wanted to share with the world. Whatever it was, this journey began with a dream, the memory of our son and a whole lot of hard work.
I debated on mentioning Ben, our son who passed away September, 2019 in a cliff diving accident….but he is so much a part of this story and beginning. As a Mother of four amazing boys, a part of me died with him in those waters that day. He was 26 years old and lived more adventure in his short time here than most of us experience in our lifetime. He was always telling me “follow your dreams” and “life is so short, get out there and adventure Mom”. After his accident I was so broken. I got out my sewing machine; I’ve sewn for over thirty-five years and never really made time for it anymore. I thought to myself “I’m going to make a quilt”! I made a runner…next a full quilt, then another and another. With every stitch I was healing my heart, it was WORKING! I decided to buy a Gammill longarm quilting machine and started longarming all those quilts I was making. After practicing a ton and receiving a lot of positive feedback, I felt confident enough to offer longarm quilting services to clients and the start of Sierra Quilt & Stitch was born.
I have been longarming full time for clients for over four years. I turn out approximately 350 quilts per year. I say it all the time, quilting and sewing literally brought me back to life! I’m crazy busy, but still find time to stich away on my sewing machine some days. I love my job so much it motivated me to open a quilt shop. A shop specializing in high-quality cottons for quilting and interesting tools that I am passionate about and want to share with other quilt and sewing enthusiasts. Another dream? No way, just another adventure! Ben would be so proud. Sierra Quilt Company was established May 1st. 2022 on Etsy and did almost 100 sales in the first two weeks. Shortly thereafter the website launched giving quilters and sewists a place to learn what Sierra Quilt Co. is all about. Complete with customer accounts and a link to the shop, the website includes a full section on all things longarming where clients can visit to get all their questions about longarm services answered! Three years later…we are about to hit over 5,500 sales! What was once just a dream is now a SoHo Quilt Shop filled with over 650 different premium quality products for every budget.
I think about our son Ben all the time…and every once in a while I look up and wonder “do you see me following my dreams? You were right all along!” I couldn’t have made it this far without the spirit of his memory, the support of our three adult sons and my loving husband Mike. I’m so thankful they are by my side for this amazing ride.
- With Love & Kindness, Jenn
In memory of our beautiful son Ben
He passed away on his birthday, Sept. 21, 2019. He was only 26 years old. He had travelled the world living a life full of so much adventure. He loved and he cared and he worked tirelessly to make the world a better place. He spread joy and happiness every single day. He taught me to take chances for the things I love. He taught me true kindness. Gone too young. We will never forget you Ben.
#lovetheearth #lovethepeople #spreadjoy