Experience

INSPIRED TO SEW LLC

• United States
• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Owner

  • Jan 1999 - Present

  Inspired to Sew is a family-owned small business that is built on a core commitment of service to the creative community. Our original tag line was "Let Us Inspire You...", and the company has stirred up all things creative in the world of sewing. Started in 1999 in Cresco, Iowa, Inspired to Sew started as Pine Needles Quilt Shop. In 2003, the second location was opened as Pine Needles Sewing Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As the business evolved, the owners remained the same but the name INSPIRED TO SEW is an action statement for our team and customers.



Inspired to Sew at Pine Needles

• Owner

  • 1999 - Present

  Opening Pine Needles Quilt Shop in 1999, Pine Needles Sewing Center is currently located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Selling Bernina sewing machines, Horn & Koala cabinets, and offering premier education in all forms of sewing and fabrics, notions and publications, Pine Needles offers the ultimate sewing experience. Let us Inspire you...As a Bernina Sewing Machine Dealership, Jill Reicks received the highest form of recognition in the company as the recipient of the Presidential Award in 2004, highlighting excellence in the sewing industry and leadership in the national dealer network. Pine Needles Sewing Center under Reicks' leadership has been the 3rd largest single location dealer in the United States in 2012, 2011 and 2009, 4th largest dealer in 2008 and 6th in 2013. With a customer base supporting the Cedar Rapids location, Pine Needles Sewing Center offers more than 100 classes every month of the year, enticing customers to participate from a wide-reaching area. In 2014, the transition of the family business in name from Pine Needles Sewing Center to Inspired to Sew was launched. From the beginning of the business, Jill Reicks' goal for the customers and the team was to bring creative inspiration through sewing. The new name, Inspired to Sew more aptly articulates the mission and focus for the business. Jill Reicks, as owner of the family business, has worked alongside family members and her team of professionals to create a small business that offers customers opportunities to grow creatively and explore every avenue in sewing and creating.



Stitches for Hope

• Owner/Coordinator

  • 2008 - Present

  Stitches for Hope is a retail venue that sells the quilts that are samples for sewing businesses. The proceeds from Stitches for Hope provide resources for the Catherine McAuley Center of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 2008, Stitches for Hope also provided free sewing machines and sewing supplies for victims of flooding in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City in 2008. Machines and supplies were provided by Pine Needles Sewing Center and donations from across the country.



Lydia's Sisters

• owner

  • 1988 - 2001

  Lydia's Sisters began as a home-based business, creating hand-sewn gift items that were marketed wholesale to gift shops across America. Product development and marketing was done by Jill Reicks, employing independent sewers to create gift items for wholesale. Lydia's Sisters expanded to marketing through gift shows and marketing through Country Sampler magazine. The business was the beginning endeavor for the future of Pine Needles Sewing Center.