Step into The Plaid Cow and you’ll quickly realize this is no ordinary shop. It’s cozy, colourful, and filled with handcrafted charm. Every corner is bursting with vibrant fabrics, clever creations, and a quiet sense of pride. It’s a shop where each item tells a story, and every stitch is sewn with purpose.
Owned and operated by Amy Kelly, The Plaid Cow is the result of a lifelong passion for sewing, a deep love for colour, and a farm girl’s heart rooted in creativity.
So, where did the name The Plaid Cow come from? Amy says it’s a perfect reflection of her identity.
“I grew up on a farm with cows,” she smiles. “And I’ve always had an affinity for plaid. When it came time to name the business, it just felt right. It blends my love for fabric with where I come from.”
That same authenticity is woven into everything Amy creates, from wine totes and zippered pouches to custom pillowcases, throw cushions, and scrunchies. Whether you’re looking for a unique gift, or a splash of personality for your home, every item at The Plaid Cow is designed and sewn right in-house, which is one of the qualities that makes this little shop stand out.
Amy’s journey from home sewer to storefront owner didn’t happen overnight. For over 20 years, she sewed quilts and other projects at home, always creating, always experimenting. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, that hobby took on a new purpose.
“I started making masks at home, first to donate to hospitals,” Amy recalls. “Then I started selling them, and suddenly, I was in business.”
What started at the kitchen table quickly outgrew her home. Amy moved into a unit in the historic Perth Shoe Factory, where she continued to grow The Plaid Cow. Just one year later, she took the leap again, this time, into her current downtown location.
“It was a big milestone,” she says. “To go from working at home to sustaining a retail space… especially during a pandemic. It was a risk, but it’s one I’m proud of.”
Amy wears many hats: designer, maker, and shopkeeper, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“What I love most is the freedom,” she says. “Every day I get to make what I love and be creative and that’s something I’m so grateful for.”
And it shows. Every piece in the shop is thoughtfully made. You can even choose your own custom fabric to have a pillowcase or bag made just for you.
Whether you’re shopping for a handmade gift, browsing bold fabrics, or just want to meet someone doing what they love for a living, stop by The Plaid Cow. Amy will be there sewing, smiling, and bringing a little colour to downtown Perth, one stitch at a time.
For more information on The Plaid Cow and Amy’s incredible creations, visit her location on Wilson St., or contact her at amy@theplaidcow.ca.
