Happy Heifer Quilting Company opens its doors on Rossville Road in Waukon

Grand opening open house event this Friday at the former Nightingale Pharmacy building

Wendy Smethurst is turning a dream she has had for “sew” long into a reality with the opening of her new business, Happy Heifer Quilting Company, just this past month. Smethurst recently purchased the former Nightingale Pharmacy building at 606 Rossville Road in Waukon and has transformed that building into what she calls a “one-stop shop” for quilters.

Quilters of any skill level are welcome to stop in and purchase fabric, batting, notions, patterns, kits, Janome sewing machines and Arrow quilting furniture. Smethurst can also do quilting for customers with her Janome long-arm machine.

“Waukon didn’t have a quilt shop and there are a lot of quilters in northeast Iowa,” Smethurst noted, adding that she also enjoys quilting.

Smethurst has been quilting for 15 years, and for the past three years she’d been dreaming about opening a quilt shop of her own. She enjoys teaching others about bag making, paper piecing and new sewing techniques and tips. Aside from being a place where local quilters can purchase supplies, Smethurst is hoping to become part of the local sewing community and be able to share her passion for quilting.

Smethurst is in the process of working on her website, www.hahequco.com, which will be up and running soon. She noted that building her website has been one of the more challenging aspects of starting the business, and she joined The Works in Lansing for some one-on-one coaching and website help.

Her future plans for Happy Heifer Quilting Company include getting some classes going so she can share her knowledge and experience. She said she’s looking at providing in-person and online class opportunities. Smethurst also wants to become the premier dealer for Janome sewing machines, including long-arms.

Smethurst is originally from New Hampton and lives in Prairie du Chien, WI with her husband Troy. The couple has five children, with three of the kids being grown and a freshman and sixth grader still at home. They also have two dogs and four chickens.

When asked what the most rewarding thing is about running her own business, Smethurst shared, “Letting my personality shine through and helping someone new to sewing get hooked on the art.”

Happy Heifer Quilting Company will be holding a grand opening open house event this Friday, December 5 during regular store hours of 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The store is otherwise scheduled to be open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It will be closed Sundays.

The business also has a Facebook page, Happy Heifer Quilting Company. For more information, visit that Facebook page or call 563-568-8722.