HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Porch Light Stitchery has opened its doors to quilters and sewers alike with a cozy shop in downtown Hopkinsville. This locally owned business is run by Hayley Trotter and her mom Lori Levinson, with the hopes of bring current and future sewers together with classes, materials and community.
“We come from a long line of crafty women,” Trotter told Christian County Now. She recently left her career in healthcare and found that opening this store would continue to foster her desire to bring people together through a healthy outlet. Her initial meeting with the building owner revealed a shared passion for sewing, and Trotter and her mom were able to quickly whip the storefront into shape ahead of their Oct. 3 grand opening on East Sixth Street.
“Sewing and needlepoint are a great way for people to come together, be together, do something, create something that you just don’t get a lot of in the technological world,” Trotter said.
Inside the store are walls of fabric, needlepoint patterns and threads along with their past works displayed as art on the walls. The owners want to assure potential customers who may be just getting started in the sewing world that the process is not as intimidating as it seems. They are willing to help anyone that comes through the door whether someone wants to sew quilts, bags, bows or anything else.
“This is truly what brings my heart joy and makes me super happy,” said Trotter, speaking about welcoming in crafters and quilters. “Seeing how their art touches and changes their life, and what it brings to them and the joy that it creates for them, that’s one of the best feelings about helping people to do this.”
Her mom added that quilting has historically been a community act between groups of women who came together to create pieces that can last a lifetime. They both believe that the process of quilting and fiber arts can bring peace, plus there is always something new to learn.
“No matter how much you think you know, there’s somebody that knows something you don’t,” said Levinson, who is excited to add to the landscape of local sewing shops. “We’re not going to be the biggest quilt shop there is, but we hope we will fill a niche down here.”
They plan to release a schedule of classes where aspiring and experienced sewers alike can gather to learn and share together with quilting, sewing, needlepoint and more. Also, Trotter offers longarm machine quilting services which allows customers to bring in their quilt top, and she will sew on the backing with a pattern.
Find the Porch Light Stitchery at 113 East Sixth Street in Hopkinsville. Find out more about their stock and schedule on their Facebook page.
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