The Top Stitch fabric store to move

The Top Stitch , a popular fabric and pattern store for many modern sewers and crafters in Spokane, is on the move.

Owner Carrie Jarvis plans to relocate a mile or so east of her current location at 1717 W. Garland, on Spokane’s near North Side, by the end of next month. Her new digs will be in the heart of the Garland District, at 3808 N. Monroe, right behind Kim’s Teriyaki which is across the street from the Garland Theater.

The new space is almost three times as big as The Top Stitch’s current 600-square-foot location, meaning there will be more room for the shop’s colorful fabric collection and more space for participants in Jarvis’ sewing classes and drop-in sewing sessions, which she calls her “Stitch Cafe” hours.

“We’re going to have room to move,” Jarvis said in a phone converation this morning.

She also plans to set up a seating area where sewers can get comfortable while they do hand stitching. And she’s been sewing handmade toys for a children’s area she plans to create to keep the little ones occupied while their parents (let’s face it—moms, mostly) shop.

Jarvis had planned to move The Top Stitch to the space left vacant recently by the Blue Door Theater, right on Garland Avenue. But the landlord there suggested another building—the one she chose on Monroe Street—after a bail bonds service that occupied it announced it would be moving. The Monroe Street spot has more natural light and, most importantly, a parking lot, Jarvis said.

Starting March 1, Jarvis plans to hold a grand opening where she’ll discount several fabric lines, including designs by Heather Bailey , Anna Maria Horner , Joel Dewberry and Tina Gibbons . (If you’re not familiar with those fabric lines, I urge you to check out those links. Many, many gorgeous and fresh designs there.) Some sewing machines also will be on sale.

Jarvis said she recently spoke with the owner of Sew EZ Too, a longtime fabric shop located a few blocks further west on Garland from the new location, about the move.

“It’s a friendly thing,” Jarvis said. “We feel like there’s an opportunity for people to come to the Garland District for crafting.”

Other craft-related stores on the strip include the Bead Addicts Attic and Munchie’s Rockpile Custom Jewelry.

Jarvis plans to add some new classes to her lineup this spring, including a course on how to make crib bedding sets and how to use The Top Stitch’s funky fabrics to make home decor items such as lampshades.

Jarvis said moving to the new location is full of advantages, not the least of which will be her proximity to good food and coffee.

“I’m thinking of making a sign to hang in the door that says, ‘Find me at the Rocket Bakery,’” she said.

Photo courtesy of The Top Stitch .