The Driftless Stitch
Helping the Planet One Stitch at a Time
By Greg Lovell
To friends and family, Jill Dickson has long been known as the rummage queen. From her early years of seeking out materials to fashion into clothing for her own children to her prolific sewing output of today, Dickson’s work has always featured a common thread: upcycling.
About five years ago, Dickson took her love of sewing and environmental ethos to the next level when she launched The Driftless Stitch.
“The whole premise of The Driftless Stitch is that everything is upcycled,” says Dickson. “Even to the point where I’ve declined requests to make items out of new material. There’s just too much of that.”
From aprons and shopping bags to hats, mittens, and more, everything new at The Driftless Stitch comes from something old.
Down to Earth Values
Dickson’s core value is sustainability, and she believes every one of us is capable of taking good care of the planet.
“We have to start loving the earth,” she says.
To that end, the mission of The Driftless Stitch is clear and simple: salvage the good quality parts of stained or damaged garments and turn them into stylish new creations.
“There is so much that’s thrown away. I don’t buy anything new except bag straps, thread, and zippers,” says Dickson. “Virtually everything is upcycled.”
Dickson visits many rummage sales and thrift stores to hunt for novel materials past their prime that can be transformed into something new. She even posts her leftover sewing scraps online to give away so they do not end up in a landfill.
Dickson also keeps her prices low so that people know upcycled products are accessible, affordable, and fashionable.
Threading the Needle of Growth
The Driftless Stitch began when her kids were growing up and wanting name brand clothes.
“I’m not gonna spend all that money when I can make that,” Dickson, now 61, recalls saying.
As her sewing prowess and eye for style grew, her kids eventually told her, “Mom, you should sell this stuff!”
“That’s kind of where it all began.”
Years later when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, The Driftless Stitch took another big step borne out of a big community need.
“It really started booming with face masks,” Dickson recalls today.
Seeing the shortage of masks at the time and having all the necessary materials on hand, Dickson took action by sewing masks to provide to people in need.
Dickson estimates she donated around 2,000 face masks, at one point even setting them out in a cooler at the end of her driveway for pick up.
“People lined up for months,” she recalls.
While donating masks to co-op grocery store workers, Dickson also began showing them her other sewed items, particularly aprons and reusable grocery bags.
It turned out they were interested, and the items started selling well in-store.
Fast forward to today and she can hardly keep up with the demand, churning out upwards of 200 pieces per month from her basement-turned-sewing studio just outside of Westby.
Through it all, Dickson has enjoyed the work, saying her passion is sewing and that The Driftless Stitch is “really a feel-good business.”
“One of the best things is that I work with the nicest people, like the people at the co-ops I partner with,” Dickson adds. “It makes me smile.”
Sew Many Options
Upcycled mittens are the biggest Driftless Stitch seller, but Dickson makes a range of other items as well.
She says aprons are her favorite to make as they tend to sport bold, fun designs.
“You can show off your personality with an apron,” says Dickson.
Driftless Stitch items are available for purchase at The People’s Food Co-op, her website (https://thedriftlessstitch.wordpress.com/), and several other area retailers (GreenHouse Holistic Co-Op, Larson’s General Store, Winona Co-op, Viroqua Co-op, and Organic Valley). Dickson also takes customs orders for those looking for a more personalized creation.
Looking Ahead
With so much customer interest and demands high, Dickson is hopeful her grassroots, upcycling-driven business will continue to spread a message of stewardship and bring smiles to many faces.
“It has the potential to really go somewhere.”
While she doesn’t know exactly how that will look right now, Dickson is open minded and simply savoring the ride as she makes friendly connections and bumps into people who have enjoyed her products.
“It’s like my gift. There’s a reason I’m sewing, and this is it.”
This article is also available to read in our Spring 2025 edition of The Garlic Press!