Meet Lynn Farestad of Stitched with Love in McKinney

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynn Farestad.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was in the HR field for 30 years, when a restructuring resulted in me receiving the dreaded pink slip. I applied at many places, but nothing resulted in employment. AT that time, my Mom had just been diagnosed with brain cancer and my father was battling dementia – so traveling a lot really wasn’t going to work.

Someone mentioned that I should invest in myself, so I sold my stock I had in the last company and with help and encouragement of friends and family, opened Stitched with Love. I have sewn all my life and my Mom was a fantastic quilter. My daughter Lyssa works with me and with her degree in Graphic Arts – I am utilizing her skills all the time. My father built my first shelving and my sister named the shop. Jumping in with both feet, it has been a huge learning roller coaster.

Mom has passed, but got to see the shop open. We have been highlighted in the Dallas Morning News and featured as a top 10 quilt shop in the country by Better Homes and Garden’s Quilt Sampler magazine.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth road – no. I thought with my background I would be ready for anything. But life isn’t like that. Being a person in a large company is so different then having everything fall on you. The decisions, the paperwork, remembering when to pay what taxes and at what time.

How to know what fabric people would like and how much do you think they will purchase? How much do you charge for the fabric and what cuts to you provide? What should your hours be and how do you balance that with competition and other possibilities for your customers to go to?

There are slow months, ones that you don’t think will be – but are. Staying positive and looking towards the big picture is much more difficult when it is you that needs to be responsible for it all.

But there are blessings. Many many positives.

So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Stitched with Love story. Tell us more about the business.
I wanted to make sure that anyone who ever wanted to sew could be given the chance. So I structured our Sewing 101 for those that have nothing and no experience. We provide everything for them – so there is no outlay of money for something they don’t know they may or may not love. That is just one thing. We are a bright open shop with nothing hanging from the ceilings. We are not your typical quilt shop. Concrete floors and windows on 2 sides gives it a nice clean feeling. Nothing is over 4 feet, so you can see the expanse of the offerings. Wide aisles give access for strollers or wheelchairs, or even for multiple people.

What are we known for? Our Grunge probably. We carry all that is available in that line of fabric. We carry bright fabrics. Coming into quilting as a Thimbleberry girl – this is a new direction for me – but am loving it.

Our employees love what they do. They love working with fabric and want to share that with others. We cheer with their victories and encourage through their struggles. But people just don’t come to us for fabric – we are a place for them to escape, to relax, to recharge. Some just want to come in and touch the fabric – to find that “safe” place. One customer likens us to her “Disneyworld”. We are her happy place. That is what I want it to be.

We are not afraid of sharing with people our mistakes, and helping them through theirs. I want every single person that walks through the door to be acknowledged and made to feel like they are the most important person in the shop at that moment.

I’m proud of the shop and that we have made it over 4 years in a highly competitive environment. With online become stronger and stronger, being a brick and mortar shop is hard. But with the support of our customers and our belief that people like to touch, feel and see the fabric – it is working. My staff has worked extremely hard, my friends and families have given much time and energy – we don’t give up.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I think how we started – not being able to find a job after losing mine. My parents’ health, my daughter’s skill and the encouragement and assistance from my family and friends. Not sure it is luck or just being extremely blessed.

Contact Info:

• Address: 500 N. Custer Rd. Suite 110
  McKinney, TX 75071
• Website: www.stitchedwithlove.us
• Phone: 972 540 5355
• Email: lynn@stitchedwithlove.us
• Instagram: stitchedwithlovetx
• Facebook: Stitched with Love

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.