Stitches
711 E Pike St, 709-0707
11 am–7 pm every day.
I’m always surprised when my neighbors on Capitol Hill say they’ve never noticed Stitches, the fabulous pint-sized sewing and notions shop on Pike Street. I can’t count the times the sweet shop girls there have acted as EMTs in last-minute accessory emergencies. Here’s the place for that tuft of silvery tulle ($1.45/yd), magenta marabou boa ($3.50), or a faux-hyacinth hair clip ($1) that neatly completes a costume—plus of course buttons, zippers, thread, and other rudimentary clothing-repair goods.
Stitches is far more than just convenient—whoever buys fabrics, trim, and patterns for the store has a stellar style vision. The selection is small but every single thing inside is candy to a crafter’s eye. The ornately patterned vinyls next to the counter beg me to make a tablecloth, and even though I don’t own a table I’ve repeatedly racked my brain for a good reason to take some home. Other pretty and useful goods: embroidery supplies, paper parasols ($4.95), Madonna-rific stretch lace ($7.95/yd), Japanese paper fans ($.75), reflective nylon trim, and loads of yarn and knitting patterns.
Stitches also holds classes, from Beginning Knitting to Intermediate Sewing (make a skirt, start to finish!). The next sessions start in September, the entry-level classes fill up quickly, and details are on www.stitchesseattle.com.
But the coolest thing Stitches proffers is use of the shop’s sewing machines: As long as a class isn’t meeting, you can bring a project in and borrow a machine for FREE. That’s incredible.