“Dennis and I are thankful to have had the opportunity to own and operate In Stitches for the past nine years,” Terri said. “It is a pleasure to pass the business into the capable hands of Elisabeth and Phillip. It will be exciting to watch them grow the business, become members of the downtown, and to fulfill the dreams they have for In Stitches. God bless them in this new adventure.”

The Shetlers purchased In Stitches April 1, 2015 from the original owners, Don and DyAnne Henry. The Henrys had established the business in October 1994 at the Marshall Town Center, and then moved the store to its current location at 36 E. Main St.

The Curtises will take over effective April 1, with some job training in the weeks leading up.

“We have every confidence they will be an excellent team to keep In Stitches providing high quality embroidery the Henrys and we have strived to provide for Marshalltown and surrounding communities,” Terri said. “They will also continue to be a one-stop-shop for letter jackets. It will be a seamless transition, so keep the orders coming. I also want to include a huge thank you to all of you that have been our loyal customers over the years.”

In Stitches offers embroidery services and will soon also offer boutique items, such as already embroidered pieces ranging from t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and keychains.

Previously, Elisabeth served as executive director of Pilgrim Heights from September 2022 to October 2023. With a lifelong interest in sewing and embroidery, she recently reached out to In Stitches to inquire about potentially working there part-time, which evolved into an offer to buy the business.

“It worked out really perfectly,” Elisabeth said.

Elisabeth is originally from Arizona and met her Iowa native husband while both residing in Idaho. Four and a half years ago, they moved to Marshalltown to be closer to his family. He works as a self-employed contractor.

“We’re still going to be doing the same thing, but adding a few more services like laser engraving. Phillip bought a laser engraver about five years ago, and we’ve been trying to get it off the ground. That will be his day-to-day role,” she noted. “With that, we can do tumblers and signs and memory items like recipe boards and then even corporate merchandise too.”

In the store’s front area, Elisabeth plans to offer boutique items, such as already embroidered pieces ranging from t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and keychains.

“I’m looking to hopefully start some long arm quilting services and get into sublimation,” she said. “If there is room in the building, I’d like to offer crafting classes.”

Elisabeth began sewing at 8 years old with the vision of becoming a fashion designer. By age 15, she was working as a professional clothing maker. She’s also worked as a small business consultant and as a photographer.

“It seems like no matter how far I go away from sewing and creating, there’s always something that just brings me right back to it. I figure I better just embrace it at this point,” she said with a laugh.

The couple doesn’t anticipate hiring additional staff, but that could change come the fall.

“The holiday season is the busiest time and we might hire seasonal workers, but we’re good for right now,” she added.

The Curtises are in the process of creating a website and increasing the business’ social media presence.

“They’ve been wonderful to work with. They’re so easygoing,” Elisabeth said. “It’s been really fun and I anticipate it to just be a smooth transition, and hopefully really, really successful.”

Hours of operation are expected to change. Beginning in May, the store will be open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

In Stitches can be reached at 641-752-8335.