Retail Liaison: Peace by Piece Quilt and Gift Shop

by Debbie Popp, Owner, with Louise Dugan, Retail Liaison

From "The Pin Point", May 2007

There's a new quilt shop in your immediate area, the Peace by Peace Quilt and Gift Shop in Josephine, PA. It is owned and operated by Debbie Popp, who just opened the shop on the second of January 2007. Debbie's background includes a teaching degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). She has always enjoyed sewing, but until her four children were raised, left the dream of learning quilting on hold. While raising her children, she taught nursery school for 13 years. Debbie started taking lessons from Harriet "The Quilt Lady" Yatsko. The passion increased as she began to work for Cheryl Becker-George at the Daffodil Cottage Quilt Shop, located in Indiana, PA. While working there for six years, she took additional lessons and then decided to become an entrepreneur when Cheryl retired this past summer. Debbie's shop is the Peace by Piece Quilt and Gift Shop at 433 Old Indiana Road, in the village of Josephine, PA, Indiana County.

It's actually not difficult to find from the Pittsburgh/Greensburg area. Just get to Route 22 East, then just east of Blairsville, get onto the Route 119 North interchange. The shop is three miles north of this interchange. Look for the PA blue directional signs to turn onto Old Indiana Road. Just one half mile on Old Indiana Road, you will find Debbie's shop. Look for the "Open" flag and the star above the porch roof.

Debbie's new shop has a colorful history of its own. It was originally built as a grocery store/pool hall during the 1940's and 50's. Then it became a home rental for the next 45 years. Now it has returned to its roots as a quaint cottage shop that incorporates some of the original ceilings into its decor. Her husband's maternal grandparents, Albert and Mary Strojni, would surely approve since they built the original structure.

Debbie wants her shop to be a comfortable place for quilters to shop, in an unhurried atmosphere, to sit and drink a cup of complimentary tea, and perhaps discuss quilting in the companionship of other quilters. Her most important goal is to personally greet each customer and help them in any way with their quilting needs.

Peace by Piece has a wide variety of materials, such as Country Kansas Trouble, Civil War, 1930's vintage reproductions, Three Sisters, Fig Tree, and April Cornell's line. New fabrics arrive almost weekly. Check out the "grunged" fabrics and primitive patterns. There are many samples with the new lines, quilt kits and coordinating patterns. Debbie also offers lessons, from beginner to advanced. She has a corner of the shop devoted to hand embroidery supplies, including patterns and the colorfast Presencia floss. As a bonus, there is a 10% discount every day for ASG members on non-sale merchandise.

For a time that is personal and relaxing, Debbie invites you to stop in at the Peace by Piece Quilt and Gift Shop. Hours of operation are Tues. 10-7, W-F 10-5, Sat. 10-3, and closed Sunday and Monday. Phone (724)248-9777 or visit www.piecebypeacequilts.com.

Mat Mozina visited and adds, "The shop is so bright and cheerful. Debbie has a wonderful way of connecting on a one-to-one personal level with her guests. Visiting this shop was such a pleasant experience. I am sure others will enjoy shopping here on the Quilt Shop Hop in June, too."