Sew Much More

 Ruth Zahler started Connecting Threads Inc in November 1998, serving interior designers in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. In 2008 the business went through substantial growth and thus creating the need for her husband Dan to join her in the business. This growth came about when they decided to venture into bringing commercial fabrication to the business. Ruth and Dan have been serving design firms that design interiors for senior living facilities. Creating custom window treatments and more for senior facilities all over the country. Servicing projects that were in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee and their home-based state of Minnesota. Connecting Threads has been featured in Vision Magazine WFV-Sep/Oct 2011 for an article on Color Blocking using programs like Minutes Matter and Dream Draper. And, featured in Vision Magazine as fabricator for Draped in Luxury in October of 2008. Ruth is active in the industry as being a current member of WCAA Virtual C

The Sew Much More Podcast is brought to you by; The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Jennifer Assetto is the owner of In The Fringe, LLC, a to the trade atelier in Havertown, PA.  At In the Fringe, they believe that to live well one must have both awareness and an appreciation for the details surrounding them. For example, a dress or a swag cut on the bias will drape more beautifully than one cut on the straight grain. Fresh cut flowers can bring the outdoors in, adding fragrance and color to an interior décor. Food arranged artfully on a plate can elevate a meal to a fine dining experience. Or, the “attention to detail” that the staff pays at a hotel can improve the overall comfort of a guest’s stay.   You can find Jen on; Facebook  Instagram Houzz  Pinterest   Links; The Feminine Mistake The Happier Podcast The app we mentioned was Measures Light.

The Sew Much More Podcast is brought to you by; The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Jennifer Assetto is the owner of In The Fringe, LLC, a to the trade atelier in Havertown, PA.  At In the Fringe, they believe that to live well one must have both awareness and an appreciation for the details surrounding them. For example, a dress or a swag cut on the bias will drape more beautifully than one cut on the straight grain. Fresh cut flowers can bring the outdoors in, adding fragrance and color to an interior décor. Food arranged artfully on a plate can elevate a meal to a fine dining experience. Or, the “attention to detail” that the staff pays at a hotel can improve the overall comfort of a guest’s stay.   You can find Jen on; Facebook  Instagram Houzz  Pinterest   Links; The Feminine Mistake The Happier Podcast The app we mentioned was Measures Light.  

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA       Working as an interior designer, drapery workroom, and upholsterer for over 20 years Jill Ragan Scully, owner of Impressive Windows & Interiors, LLC,  has a strong passion for the soft furnishing industry. This diverse skill set is apparent in each space in which she designs for the clients in which she has the pleasure of working.  Jill has been a fixture within the WFCP program for eight years teaching design and workroom of classes at both IWCE as well as online. She recognized the need for access to a broader range of products and services for her peers, so Jill founded My Designer Concierge, a buying group for the soft furnishing industry. She recently expanded these efforts by providing valuable business services such as digital newsletters and affordable websites exclusively for her peers. Jill also works as the content manager for Drapery & Design Digital Digest, seeking articles and

  This episode of the Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;    The Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library   OPPORTUNITY THINKING- Episode #1 Jeanelle Dech talks about the launch of the Curtains & Soft Resource Library and introduces RISK as uncertainty, with both a negative and positive potential outcome. Jeanelle Dech is President and Co-Founder of Adaptive Textiles, an innovative textile printing company in West Chester, PA. She is a friendly and engaging speaker, known for her Fit-Like-a-Glove slipcovers, SPEED sewing method, and workroom profitability training. She is the creative inspiration behind The Workroom Channel's METHOD SHARE and REAL WORKROOM series and the new Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library which hosts the industry's largest collection of educational resources for Home Decor Professionals. Here is a link to "The Growth Mindset" by Carol Dweck. Here is a link to a Youtube regarding Risk.  In this PM Channel interview, David Hillson (The Risk Doctor) discusses wit

The Podcast is sponsored by; The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Zona began her business in 1981 after her family moved to the Des Moines metro area from her hometown. Before moving to Des Moines she worked in a furniture store workroom for 9 months, where she learned how to make custom pleated drapes, which was the trend back then. Patterns for swags and Kingstons weren’t available to her back then, so she self-taught herself to draft patterns for top treatments. Zona later added upholstery and slipcovers to her repertoire. Her business has evolved over the years, starting out to the trade only, then retail, now back to mainly to the trade again. She has had up to 3 employees working with her and also her husband as an installer, but now it’s just her, which she prefers. Zona’s Drapery House is an award-winning workroom. Zona has taught at many of the conferences available for workrooms. She was an instructor at the Custom Home Academy. She is a member of WCAA and served on the boar

The Podcast is sponsored by; The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Callie is the owner of Draped and Tailored, a new fabrication studio in Little Rock, AR. Working specifically with the Trade, she creates everything from draperies and pillows, to bedding and Roman shades. By the age of 30, she had several upscale projects in her portfolio, including the Arkansas Governor's Mansion and country music star, Justin Moore. She is also the curator of @fdworkrooms, an Instagram account where she showcases the work of fellow drapery and upholstery workrooms across the world.    She is a member of the WCAA where she serves on the Education Committee. With a focus on the Young Professionals Initiative, she has a desire to bring a new generation into this industry.    Callie has an Interior Design degree from the University of Central Arkansas.   Follow Callie on Facebook and Instagram.  

Pamela Ptak is a couture fashion designer, owner of Ptak Couture and co-founder of the Arts and Fashion Institute in Riegelsville PA & a designer on Lifetime TV’s Project Runway season 7. During Pamela’s casting, Tim Gunn called her work “...among the most beautifully constructed clothes I’ve ever seen” and said, “I think you are on the cusp of something big.” Pamela can be found on Facebook and Instagram. The podcast is sponsored by; Scarlet Thread Consulting The Workroom Channel The WCAA  

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; The Workroom Channel Scarlet Thread Consulting The WCAA Pamela Ptak is the owner/designer of the Ready-To-Wear fashion line “Pamela Ptak.”, which creates ladies dresses & separates and casual menswear with intriguing and unusual lines, textures & motifs. She also designs custom couture gowns under the label “Ptak Couture™”.    Pamela can be found on Facebook and Instagram.  You can also find information about the Arts and Fashion Institute. 

Maureen Singer's childhood days were spent in Minnesota. The oldest of three girls, she was in a leadership role right out of the crib. Her mother loved to dress all three of them alike. One particular Sunday she said, “I just cannot go to church looking like the rest of you.” That comment took her and her mother to the fabric store where her passion for sewing was ignited. Uniqueness and perfecting the task at hand were always the underlying thread to all her mother taught her—along with basic sewing skills.   Maureen is the mother of 7 beautiful children; five daughters and two sons. They are the reason a “home-based” business was a perfect fit for her. She was able to stay home with her children and still attend the field trips and school functions.  In 1993, she launched “Singer Sewing Room”.She attended some of Cheryl Strickland’s classes and was eager for education. She has taught sewing classes to young girls and has also taught Home Dec classes at a local fabric store in St. Louis. She enjoys teaching

Tammy Granger is the owner of BG Custom Windows located in Cary, NC. She began her career in window coverings in 1989 after graduating from NC State University. Tammy is passionate about choosing the perfect fabric and meticulously creating one of a kind window coverings. She was voted Best of Houzz 2017 in the customer service category. After joining the Triangle chapter of the WCAA she served as Vice President and is currently serving as Past President.    You can find Tammy on Facebook and Instagram. 

Laurel McGee began sewing at her grandmother’s knee.  However, her time spent working on a sewing machine was inconsistent until 12 years ago when she began making window treatments for her home.    Her professional career began when an interior design student asked for her help in a home they were working on.  After attending the Custom Workroom Weekend, she knew she had found her people.    Laurel is a wife and the mother of two grade school children.  She is a runner and has been very active in her Connecticut community.  Laurel continues to build her part-time business by word of mouth.   Laurel is not active on Social Media, but she's working on it!  You can find her on Facebook.   You can reach Laurel by email at; lmc4yourhome@gmail.com

  Annie Davis is the owner of ALDesigns, originally founded in 2000 as a custom drapery workroom. She provides window treatments, bedding and other soft goods for interior designers. She is also an instructor, focusing on cornices, through venues such as Workroom Tech and The Workroom Channel. She has published articles in Drapery & Design Magazine, has recently done a webinar on pre-lining cornices and has a presence on a number of network forums. Annie's Method Share for routed cornices is on the Workroom Channel and you can see it here. Click here to find out more about Annie's class at Workroom Tech.     

In 2008, Stacie Kennedy created her home-based, full-service custom window treatment design and fabrication business serving the Metro Atlanta area and beyond. She is a former Commercial Real Estate Paralegal, who has always had a passion for design. Having learned how to sew from her mother as a teenager, Stacie took her sewing skills to the next level by opening her own creative design business. She has worked with or for several other design operations, including Atlanta Custom Interiors, to help maximize her industry knowledge, all while serving as President of the Atlanta chapter of the Window Covering Association of America. Stacie also attended the Custom Home Furnishings Academy (CHF) in Charlotte, NC, where she received her certification as a Career Professional in Custom Window Treatments and Workroom Techniques (CPC). In 2010, Stacie received awards at IWCE – Vision for First Place in Curtains & Draperies Workroom and also CHF Alumni Showcase and has been published in both Vision Magazine and D

LuAnn began her career more than thirty years ago as a co-owner of Window Works, an award-winning window treatment and awning retailer in Livingston, NJ. She’s also the host of the top-rated interior design podcast, A Well-Designed Business®, which airs 3x per week on iTunes, Stitcher and iHeart Radio. Her podcast is the definitive resource for interior design professionals interested in operating a profitable and productive business. LuAnn is a sought-after speaker on topic ranging from work-life balance to making decisions that make a difference. She recently appeared as the opening ceremonies keynote speaker at the 2017 IWCE (International Window Coverings Expo) in Charlotte, NC, and as a featured speaker at the 2017 Design Blogger’s Conference in L.A. These days, her expertise is in high demand online and on television. She has recently appeared on the Blissful Bites podcast, Business Building Rockstars and HouseSmarts. Her upcoming book, The Making of A Well-Designed Business®, will be available in Decem

Jean Lawes is the owner of HomeStyle, LLC, a Custom Workroom to the Trade that is dedicated to the fabrication of exceptional quality soft home furnishings. First class craftsmanship, careful attention to detail, personal integrity, and superior customer service are the cornerstone values of HomeStyle. Jean has a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design from the University of Delaware, an Interior Design Certification from the Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science, and has completed numerous fabrication and business courses offered throughout the window covering’s industry from such outstanding educators as Michele Williams, Ann Johnson, Jeanelle Dech, Penny Bruce, Susan Woodcock, Cathy Tucker, and Beth Hodges. As a young adult, she was an award winning seamstress in the Maryland State 4-H program. Her passion for sewing was a loving gift from her Mother. The WCAA has brought considerable significance to Jean’s business by way of wonderful friendships and colleagues, valuable resources and industry partne

Ravi Pankhania started sewing in High School as a lark and the hopes of meeting more girls and an easy credit.... but little did he know his true calling lay within those folds of fabric and cheap Bernina Sewing machines. Ravi went on to study fashion and tailoring, learning as much as he could about clothing construction and design as he could. Looking to supplement his meager income as a Fashion Designer he started to take on small projects making pillows and tablecloths and slipcovers and discovered his love of soft furnishings.... 20 years later ClothStudio is the culmination of all of Ravi's many years of learning and teaching and most of all his mistakes. Today he spends his day among linen, cutting and sewing and making it happen... ClothStudio is all about linen, a business completely driven by the love of a single material. His company wholesales linen, manufactures curtains and upholstery and retails ready made linen products. His future plans include increasing his own awareness of this textile, le

    Ravi Pankhania started sewing in High School as a lark and the hopes of meeting more girls and an easy credit.... but little did he know his true calling lay within those folds of fabric and cheap Bernina Sewing machines. Ravi went on to study fashion and tailoring, learning as much as he could about clothing construction and design as he could. Looking to supplement his meager income as a Fashion Designer he started to take on small projects making pillows and tablecloths and slipcovers and discovered his love of soft furnishings.... 20 years later ClothStudio is the culmination of all of Ravi's many years of learning and teaching and most of all his mistakes. Today he spends his day among linen, cutting and sewing and making it happen... ClothStudio is all about linen, a business completely driven by the love of a single material. His company wholesales linen, manufactures curtains and upholstery and retails ready made linen products. His future plans include increasing his own awareness of this textile

Christina Price, owner of Main Line Window Décor, has been fabricating window treatments since 2002 after earning a degree in mathematics from Penn State University. She learned the trade from her mother, Maggie. With 11 years of experience in manufacturing, measuring and consulting, Christina started and expanded her own business. Now Main Line Window Decor has an expert team working together to provide the very best to the Philadelphia and Delaware regions. In addition to creating beautiful, functional window treatments, their unmatched craftsmanship lends itself to exquisite pillows, bedding, and table covers. They enjoy the client/designer/fabricator partnership, and their clients commend them for their collaborative and personal approach to the design process.   You can find Christina on Facebook and Instagram. Christina collaborates with Studio 882.

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 workroom and design groups. skdesignscustom.blogspot.com   In 2006 Susan founded The Custom Sewing Institute, which produced weekend seminars for medium to advanced level workrooms with a focus on hands-on classes, small group networking, all-inclusive registration fees (meals, lodging and class supplies) and industry leaders and talented instructors. For six years this event drew attendees and speakers from across the US, Canada, and England.   Since the closing of her CSI adventure, Susan has focused on growing SK Designs and focusing on her increasing clientele, many of whom have found her via her A rated Angie’s Li