By Lindsay Conner

Jana Wrigley was born into the sewing industry. Her father, Chan Stewart, opened Stewart's Sewing Machines in 1964 in Decatur, Illinois. After a stint in the Army flying helicopters, Chan decided to start a second career focusing on sewing machine sales and maintenance. His decision laid the foundation for what would become a beloved community hub for sewing enthusiasts in the region.

“I began working after graduating high school and fell in love with the art of sewing,” Jana explains. “In 1998, we expanded into the quilting world and opened a new location in Mt. Zion, IL, where we sold quilting fabric, sewing machines, and all that goes with them, too!” Though her father passed away in 2018, his legacy lives on through his daughter and the shop’s wonderful staff.

Stewart’s Sewing Machines has found its niche by serving customers through education and comprehensive service. “We offer classes teaching everyone from children to seasoned sewists, as well as UFO (unfinished objects) days in our classroom,” Jana says. She notes a growing trend among customers interested in machine embroidery and projects in the hoop. “We hold monthly classes that support this habit! A community within a community, we love our customers and do our best to support them in their quilting and sewing journey.”

The shop carries an impressive range of products, including Baby Lock, Janome, Elna, and Juki machines, from sewing and embroidery machines to sergers. Customers can bring their machines—regardless of make or model—to be serviced at the repair shop, conveniently located next to the fabric store. “In addition, we have a wide variety of quilt books and patterns, an extensive selection of embroidery designs, and a variety of sewing cabinets from Koala and Tailormade,” Jana adds.

Creating a sense of community within the shop, Jana has introduced “FABRICULOUS Fridays,” a Facebook Live program that airs every Friday at 10 a.m. “I started going live during COVID, and my customers loved it enough to keep it going! I show them what's new and a favorite tool or special that week,” she says. This initiative has not only kept customers engaged but also deepened the connection between the shop and its biggest fans.

Jana and her staff are also deeply committed to charitable sewing initiatives. They actively participate in their local Project Linus chapter and sew donations for the Quilts of Valor program, which provides quilts to service members and veterans touched by war. Customers eagerly anticipate the shop’s two annual sales events, which have become fun, community-centric gatherings complete with coffee and cake.

When asked what she loves most about their shop’s unique sewing community, Jana says it is the friendships that have blossomed over the years. “I have loved watching the new life-long friendships happen. Customers meet in classes and on sewing days, and some instantly form great friendships that result in spending time outside the shop, too. It's the sewing/quilting that bring them together!

Jana says working in her career is so special because their customers are simply the best! She describes them as the heart and soul of Stewart's Sewing Machines. “They are truly a loyal, loving bunch of ladies, and we have formed quite a community. We have laughed together, cried together, and prayed together. I am honored just to be a part of it!”

Outside of her work at the shop, Jana cherishes spending time with her two adult children and three wonderful grandchildren. “We enjoy boating and swimming during the summer months,” she adds.

Over the years, Stewart’s Sewing Machines has become much more than a place to buy quality sewing products. It's a welcoming spot where creativity, learning, and community come together. Jana Wrigley's commitment to carrying on her father's legacy keeps Stewart’s a beloved part of the local scene, bringing people together and making everyone who walks through the door feel at home.

The next time you are in Mount Zion, Illinois, make sure to stop by Stewart's Sewing Machine's! You can also follow them on Facebook for updates and more.