Sew Much More

Suzy Daruwala is the owner of Sew Bella Home , a full-service drapery and fabrication studio servicing homeowners, builders, and designers alike.  Clients say they enjoy working with Suzy because she has the ability to really listen and interpret their needs and desires and helps to translate their vision into a well-executed design and fabrication plan. She delivers exceptional quality and is ver...

Jean Lawes is my guest today on this special episode of the Podcast.  Time is running out for you to apply for the Jill Robson Scholarship!!!  The deadline is January 31, 2020. Visit WCAA's Scholarship webpage to find out more. Ann K. Johnson's Swag Books Ann K. Johnson's Workroom Skills Class The Complete Book of Curtains and Drapes Lady Carolyn Wrey Bluprint - Cynthia Blescakchek's class - Getti...

Diana Nolan is the owner of a retail and wholesale workroom located in Medford, New Jersey outside of Philadelphia.  She started her business after a career in Retail Management for College and University bookstores.   She started Diana Nolan Custom Windows in 2001 shortly after her children were born.   Diana is a member of both the NJ and Pennsylvania WCAA chapters and currently holds the positi...

Debbie DiFrancesco, who has been sewing since the age of 7, founded Creative Hands in 1990 to supplement the family income.  Initially, Debbie provided general sewing and bridal alteration services while working a second job as an assistant manager/Craft Department Manager at House of Fabrics/So-Fro Fabrics until 1991.  Two years later, Creative Hands transitioned from alterations to exclusively f...

Once again, Michele Williams and I are wrapping up the year and sharing how we analyze the year that is ending and plan for the year ahead.  Talking with Michele is always a pleasure for me, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Links and Resources; Who's In Your Room 212 The Extra Degree SWOT Analysis is discussed in the January 2018 Circle Time on The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Libra...

Nicole Nomer is the owner of Fabrication Studio , a drapery workroom that has been servicing the interior design industry since 1985. I interviewed Nicole in Episode 148 of the Podcast .  Today we are talking about how she became a Coulisse Distributor. Links and Resources; Nicole's Youtube Channel Nicole's Facebook Page You can reach Nicole by email - fabricationstudio@gmail.com The OPPORTUNITY T...

Cheryl Meiklejohn, was born in a rural community, she fell in love with sewing at the age of 8, when she began sewing with her grandmother.   Always one to seize an opportunity, she set up and managed her own custom drapery business, where she became an expert in selling, sewing and installing window treatments.  Five years later she went to work for a much larger specialty textile manufacturing c...

I had the pleasure of talking with some of the previous winners of the Jill Robson Scholarship and why they applied and what it did for them. Apply for the Jill Robson Scholarship     Custom Workroom Conference Jill's Webinars can be found on the Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library for PRO Plus and PRO Access members. The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   S...

Betsey Reigle has worked in the interior design field for her entire professional career. Her training includes a bachelor's degree in interior design from Mercyhurst College. If you combine her experience in the interior design field with the skill of sewing she learned from her mother at a very young age and, always having a love of fabric, you can see why she loves her job. Betsey is the owner...

In this episode of the podcast, I welcome Mark and Jay Helser of Helser Brothers, Inc. Mark Helser is the CFO and Co-Founder of Helser Brothers, Inc . His entrepreneurial spirit and interest in metal fabrication started early in his life, having a paper route at age 8 and acquiring his first welder at age 11. Mark and his brother Jay founded Helser Brothers, Inc in 1994. Mark is a strong believer...

  Roger Magalhaes started in the window coverings industry in 2006 as a part-time installer for a national chain. After only two months, he was asked to leave for "standing out." Clients continuously requested him over the other installers, and this didn't sit well with his colleagues. He knew he was on to something! Following this experience, Roger traveled to many parts of the country acquiring...

Kathy Patterson is the owner of Draperies by Kathy   She started sewing for a designer 15 years ago and her daughter, Michelle has joined her in her business.     Links and Resources; Michelle's Etsy Shop - This White Rabbit Co . The Custom Workroom Conference Kim Chagnon - Kim's Upholstery Ann K. Johnson's Workroom Skills Class Quiet - The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking Wo...

Ronica is from a small town in Western NY and moved to Raleigh 27 years ago via San Diego. She and her husband of 28 years have 2 kids and a dog. Ronica's Custom Creations is an award-winning full-service window treatment design and fabrication studio. Ronica works with both the homeowners and design clients, using her specialized industry skills to make ideas and plans become reality to transform...

Who doesn't have a few extra feet from Sloan Machinery !?? I must confess, I really didn't realize how extensive Sam Sloan's business was until I had this opportunity to talk with him and Jill.  They have been collaborating for years in an effort to customize feet for our industry.  I was thrilled to hear Sam's story and learn more about what he does - hint - it isn't just feet!!! Jill Plummer Sta...

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Helser Brothers, Inc Tracie N. Bresnahan holds a Bachelor's degree in Apparel Engineering and a Master's degree in Quality Assurance Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University. She worked in the apparel and the consumer products industries for 12 years. Tracie opened  Custom Creati...

Sophia Lawrie has been the owner of a to the trade drapery workroom since 1988, servicing Metro Atlanta and designers out of state.  She has a degree in Economics and worked in the corporate world in Human Resources and later at an advertising agency.  When her youngest son was an infant, he developed a concerning medical condition and she knew that she could not return to the corporate world and...

Bianca Henry is the owner of Impressions Drapery Designs, Inc  in Durham, NC, which opened up in 2002.  She is a member of the local WCAA Chapter where currently serves as president.  In her spare time, she loves  to bake and spend time with her children, Caleb and Jamesa.  Bianca's passion for draperies has given her a happiness that makes her career enjoyable, even during the stressful times; sh...

 Since 1994, Laura Nelson has been the owner of  Sew Nice , located in West Lafayette, Indiana, specializing in soft and hard window treatments, slipcovers and other soft home furnishings.  Sew Nice is a Woman-Owned Business Entity (WBE) with the State of Indiana; Laura is a WFCP Workroom Specialist and active member of WCAA, currently the program chair for the Indiana Chapter and Secretary for th...

I had such a great time at CWC this year, my first time as an exhibitor!  I've been there every year so now I have been an attendee, an instructor and now an exhibitor!  I wanted to share some of my thoughts and experiences with everyone.   Resources and Links; Custom Workroom Conference   Michele Williams - Scarlet Thread Consulting This series of the Podcast is brought to you by; The Curtains &...

Leisha Schutt is the owner of LHS Designs , a to-the-trade workroom working with Interior Designers in the greater Richmond, VA area.  Leisha's love for textiles led her to pursue a degree in Textile Design.  This degree has served her well through different phases of her life.  Leisha spent several years working in the Apparel Industry before shifting her focus to the Window Treatment Industry an...

  Kristen Stevenson is the daughter of Joan & Dave Stevenson, owners of Stevenson Vestal, a custom drapery workroom in Burlington, NC. After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Bachelor's Degree in Studio Art and a minor in Music, Kristen followed her passion for creative work, learning to make Roman Shades at Stevenson Vestal. Enamored by the intricacies of custom soft goods, she began promoti...

Originally from Wisconsin, Cathy Stitch, owner of Cathy's Curtains and Accessories is the 3rd oldest of eight children & learned to sew at age 8.  Cathy believes she has this right brain/left brain dichotomy – loving sports (especially the Packers), Math, science, art & crafts.  Two years of college were focused on Art & Design & 2 were spent in business & accounting.  In its 27 years, her busines...

Hope Arbery, the founder of QUIPA , is on a mission to help custom drapery workrooms work better!  QUIPA is an online tool designed specifically for workrooms to save them massive amounts of time and to dramatically increase their profits.  Imagine… yardage calculations, pricing, and work orders done instantly!  Imagine… no more costly calculation errors or having to duplicate information.  Imagin...

In 1995 Susan Kostelecky began SK Designs , an award-winning custom window treatment design and fabricating company serving the greater Houston area.  Susan has designed and fabricated hundreds of window treatments, including many featured in Houston area home tours.  Susan has served as President of the Houston Area Custom Drapery Association, is a WFCP-Expert and often presents seminars to other...

Kendra Hays, the owner of Cloudberry Drapery Studio  is the wife of her video game loving husband Marcus and mother to four amazing kids, and her passion for sewing came from her mother.  In her early 20's her love for home decor sewing took off when she was given her first sewing machine. She filled her new home with various curtains and bedding. One of her first projects was her oldest sons nurs...