Visiting Pittsburgh? Take a 30 minute drive into the North Hills and stop at The Quilting Needle, just off of Saxonburg Boulevard near Hartwood Acres. Owned by Rhonda McCann, this shop started in Trafford and was in business there for seventeen years before moving to Glenshaw five years ago.
Everyone working here knows the fabrics and designers, and can help you pick fabrics or solve a problem with a project in process. This is the major employee training emphasis, according to Miss Rhonda, and I found it to be true both times I was in the shop. I had to come back to get permission to take photos, as I showed up initially on the owner’s day off – which meant I was tempted not one but twice with all of the goodies available! Believe me, stopping in twice was NOT a problem!
The first thing I noticed in this shop is the samples – they greet you coming in the door and continue around the shop. Most have kits available, so if you like them, you can make them for your very own. There is also a rack of “retired” samples for sale. These no longer have the fabric available to duplicate, so if you really love them here’s your chance!
Grunge in plain and stars and dots 
Cuddle – Note the giant dahlia on the bottom right! 
Australian Prints 
Kaffe Fassett
There is a lot of fabric here, from modern Kaffe Fassett and Australian prints, to Grunge in solids, dots, and stars, to calicoes and blenders. With over 4,000 bolts on hand, you are sure to find something that needs to follow you home!
Don’t miss the aisle of Layer Cakes, Jelly Rolls, and Charm packs. I spent a fair amount of time here, just looking mind you… One of the hardest parts of visiting so many shops is not blowing the budget. I try to limit myself to one fat quarter at each shop, or I’d go broke in a week! The Layer Cakes and Jelly Rolls often match, so you can get what you need for a project all at the same time – very convenient.
Finally, wander back to the classroom – that’s where the sale fabrics – and more samples – are located. I also saw a brand new 1/2 yard pack for the Ruby Star Society by Rashida Coleman-Hale. This is a rainbow of colors from cream through dark blue, all with gold dots scattered over them. It would make a wonderful blender pack, or a modernized “solid color” quilt.
| The Quilting Stitch | Hours: M 9:30 – 9 T-S 9:30-5 |
| 3394 Saxonburg Blvd Suite 550 | Phone: 412-767-5500 |
| Glenshaw, PA 15116 | rhonda@thequiltingneedle.com |
| https://thequiltingneedle.com/ | Mail Order: Call Fabric Online: Coming soon |