C&T Publishing Blog

In the May 5th publication of the Bend Bulletin by Kimberly Bowker, the mother-daughter team, Jean and Valori Wells, were recognized for their inspirational quilt store in Sisters, Oregon.  Jean and Valori were interviewed to discuss their quilt shop – The Sisters Stitchin’ Post.

Jean Wells Keenan, left, started The Stitchin’ Post more than 30 years ago, and her daughter, Valori Wells Kennedy, became co-owner in 2005. The mother-daughter team consider business operations, like the projects and patterns the store sells, a creative process.

(Left Jean Wells Keenan, Right Valori Wells Kennedy, thanks to Melissa Jansson of The Bulletin)

Bowker describes Wells’ store as having “Bright colors, fabrics and quilts hang[ing] from the walls and fill the interior of The Stitchin’ Post in Sisters. The store has motivated customers for 34 years to get out that sewing machine or find those knitting needles and start a project.”  For the Wells ladies, this venture was an obvious addition for the Sisters, Oregon area. Bowker explains that Jean “started the store because no other shops in Central Oregon offered sewing supplies at the time.”  And as mentioned in the article, the popularity for crafting and quilting has risen in the Central Oregon area, partly because of the Stitchin’ Post.

Valori summarizes the key to the Stitchin’ Post’s popularity,

Part of the reason the store is successful is because we are constantly re-evaluating the shop and how we can make it better—because if you don’t do that, it becomes stagnant

The owners continuously search for trends, keep the shop fresh with new inventory and rearrange merchandise to keep customers interested. Keenan and Kennedy also pursue their own passions outside of the business, which keeps the store fueled with creativity and movement.

This dynamic mother-daughter duo successfully launched The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.  Beginning in 1975, Jean put up 12 quilts outside the store and since then, the rest is history.  Reaching its 34th year, the outdoor quilt show expects to showcase 1300 quilts to line the streets and buildings of Sisters.

Jean and Valori Wells continue to contribute to our growing knowledge of quilts and crafts, defining The Sisters Stitchin’ Post off of creativity, inspiration, and passion.

To learn more about Jean and Valori Wells, join their eClub at Jean Wells’ Secrets to Retail Success, and do not hesitate to check out Jean’s new book Intuitive Color & Design.