KootsiQuilting: A one of a kind business

Article and photos by Judy Williams

Laura Jarvis of KootsiQuilting shows off her long arm quilting machine.

Need a little magic completed with a needle and thread? Laura Jarvis, a seamstress and the owner of KootsiQuilting, just may be the one to help.

KootsiQuilting, a business Jarvis started in downtown Stockbridge in 2016, offers custom sewing along with other services, such as long arm quilting, finish binding, T-shirt quilts, restorative sewing and memory pillows.

Want to learn how to knit stockings or make a quilt?

KootsiQuilting also offers classes and lessons.

While some may consider sewing a dying art, Jarvis discovered her talent at an early age, and she loved it.

“I started sewing with my grandmother as a young child,” the petite Jarvis said with a smile. “Grandma was a bridal seamstress for Jeannette’s in Detroit. She would design and sew all of these beautiful dresses. I just loved going to work with her.”

Soon, Jarvis was completing her own projects.

“I got my start in custom sewing by making doll clothes from my grandmother’s scrap box. As a young girl, I sewed many of my own clothes,” she recalled.

As Jarvis grew older, she began to win awards.

“I won my middle school home economics sewing contest and went on to earn an honorable mention in a Hudson’s-sponsored contest,” she confided.

Her sewing also had a creative and practical use.

“As an adult, I made clothes for my children, and of course, I always made special Halloween costumes,” the seamstress said, adding that she made the usual curtains, pillows and more for her home.

Jarvis pulled her cellphone from her pocket and swiped through an array of photos. She stopped and smiled at a photo of her daughter in a wedding dress. Jarvis had designed and made the stunning gown, complete with frontal accents of colorful Hungarian embroidery.

“I know how to work with color and designs.” She grinned. “I have a bachelor’s (U-M ’82) and a Master of Fine Arts (EMU ’00).” All told, Jarvis has worked more than 30 years in graphic design, advertising and marketing.

“I love my business,” she continued, “and every day I can’t wait to start work.”

On this day, Jarvis, whose eye can be trusted to help finish a quilt, was anxiously waiting for the delivery of a quilt from Korea. She had promised her customer from thousands of miles away to complete the work and ship the treasured project back within days.

“I’m happy when my customer is happy,” Jarvis said.

Before starting KootsiQuilting, the multi-talented Jarvis held several marketing jobs. She worked for the University of Michigan’s Law School and spent seven years in Germany, working for the United States Army in a civilian job with the Army’s Family & Morale Welfare and Recreation Department. Jarvis’ husband works for the U.S. Army and is based in Germany.

KootsiQuilting, located downtown Stockbridge at 120 E. North Main St., is open Thursday through Sunday. For more information, call 734-717-3413; or see KootsiQuilting LLC on Facebook.

Jarvis explains the steps in making a quilt form from T-shirts.

Jarvis shows off a beautiful dress made by her Grandmother.

Laura Jarvis is getting her long arm sewing machine ready to start of a quilt from Korea.