Grown Locally: Pig Patch Quilt Shop of Custer Township. 

Sue Riffle, owner of Pig Patch Quilt Shop

Grown Locally: Pig Patch Quilt Shop of Custer Township. 

Grown Locally is presented by House of Flavors Restaurant of Ludington and features locally owned businesses and locally produced products.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

CUSTER TOWNSHIP — Sue Riffle has been a stitcher most of her life. “My grandmother was a stitcher and that’s more than likely how I got into it,” she said. “It’s just something I’ve done forever. I made clothes for myself when I was going to school. I made clothes for my kids when they were young.” 

Sue said in high school she took home economic classes. 

“Back then you used cardboard and scissors. Today it’s much easier.” 

Sue and her husband, Jim, have farmed for many years while also working full-time jobs. Sue worked at Dow Chemical in Ludington. Jim served as the Mason County clerk and then later as drain commissioner. 

She combined her love of quilting and a desire to own her own business, with a farm theme, when she opened Pig Patch Quilt Shop at their historic farmhouse at 3007 E. Hansen Rd. The Riffles have lived in the house since purchasing it in 1988.

“We’ve put a lot of work into the house over the years. It’s built solid, but it’s an old house. It requires a lot of attention.” 

Starting a home-based business several miles from the closest town has its risks. But, the gamble paid has paid off for Sue. 

“It’s a destination for my customers,” Sue said. “I really think it’s been a plus for us to be out here in the country. The people who come out here are stitchers and quilters. For them, they love the country and they love the old fashioned look of the house and the store. They enjoy taking a drive out in the country and seeing other parts of what Mason County has to offer.”

Pig Patch Quilt Shop provides a personalized service along with expertise that a big box store cannot offer. 

“I love fabric,” Sue said. “I am totally addicted to it. I love the feel of it and the look of it. I especially enjoy sharing that love of fabric with my clientele, who are honestly some of the most positive, happy people I have ever met. They are awesome.” 

Pig Patch offers a variety of fabric and Sue is always happy to help make suggestions. She said she no longer offers classes but she enjoys helping beginners get started in the craft. 

“I would recommend anyone who would like to get into quilting join a group. There are many of them around. Those in the group are always willing to share their craft with others. I also welcome anyone with questions to come out here and visit.”

Pig Patch Quilt Shop

• Sue Riffle, owner
• 3007 E. Hansen Rd., Custer Township
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, closed.
• Phone: 231-757-2812
• Facebook
• Email: srpigpatch@gmail.com

Grown Locally is presented by House of Flavors Restaurant, 402 W. Ludington Ave., owned locally by the Neal family for over 70 years; 231.845.5785; Facebook. Now offering free dine-in ice cream with any meal after 11 a.m. through April 30, 2022. 

If you would like to make a suggestion for a locally owned business, service or product to be featured on Mason County Press, please send an email to Rob Alway, editor-in-chief: editor@masoncountypress.com. 

Please consider helping to fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals who support our service. Click on the PayPal donation button located on the top right of our website. 

This story is copyrighted © 2021, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.

As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.