PITTSFIELD – Surrounded by fabric, teapots and quilts, Kathy Kehoe carefully slides thread through cloth, repeating the tiny stitches that outline a quilt pattern.

This is her dream: to live in Maine, close to her aging parents, and operate a quilt shop.

Upstairs are her children, the last two of eight she has raised.

“I always wanted to do something with a passion,” she said. “I took my first quilt class 10 years ago, and the bug bit me.”

Raised in Woburn, Mass., Kehoe, 59, has two children of her own and has adopted five others, some with special needs. She has been married for more than 40 years to Larry Kehoe, who teaches the culinary classes at Job Corps in Bangor.

For years she ran a quilt shop in Georgia, but when the health of her parents in Pittsfield began to decline, Kehoe left her thriving business and moved to Maine.

“I never thought twice about moving here for them. But I had to start all over from scratch,” she said.

Meanwhile, she discovered that the shop was as much her husband’s dream as her own.

“It has always been his wish to have a shop downstairs and live upstairs,” she said.

On a visit last year to Pittsfield, the Kehoes spotted a home and instantly knew it would be perfect. A front porch with large windows beckoned, and Kathy said her husband took one look and said, “This is it. Can’t you see the shop in here?”

“I couldn’t,” she admitted. But after some serious renovations, including wall removal and replacement, the shop was ready. The Kehoes and two of their children live upstairs, while the entire first floor has been converted into retail and gathering spaces.

Hundreds of bolts of quilt cotton line the wall along with other sewing supplies. Small gifts and greeting cards also are available.

The dining room has a large table for gathering; the fireplace mantel is graced with teapots; the hearth holds a collection of quilting books; and the kitchen is under renovation and will feature kitchen fabrics and a place where quilters can fix themselves a cup of tea or heat up a cup of soup.

“I wanted a place where women could gather,” Kehoe said. “I want them to bring their lunch and sit and quilt.”

Kehoe said she loves quilting and the peaceful feeling it provides. “It was fun making my first quilt, and meeting the people in my class, but when I saw my first finished product, it was just awesome,” she said.

Almost as much as she appreciates a completed quilt, Kehoe appreciates the company of her shoppers and quilters.

“I am so happy,” she said. “I’m close to my parents, my children help out in the shop. I couldn’t be more content.” She said she will begin classes in September.

Kehoe said she is following in her father’s footsteps when it comes to adding a little community service to her business.

Her dad, Earl Dean, 83, has run the local food pantry for decades. To honor that work, Kehoe will provide “fat quarters,” which are quilting materials, to anyone who donates four items to the food pantry on the first Tuesday of each month. “This way, a donor can earn a whole quilt,” she said. At the end of six weeks, donors will be given a free quilt pattern.

The Quilting Cottage is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Kehoe can be reached during the day at 487-5497.