Sew Much More

Renee Gurganus is a native of Augusta, Georgia and now lives in beautiful Wilmington, NC.  With over 20 years of leadership experience in the non-profit  and for-profit sectors, Renee brings a wealth of knowledge to the WCAA. Previously she was the Executive Director of a community organization in Murrells Inlet, SC, where she lead the organization in a new Strategic Plan that they continue to use today.   After becoming the Executive Director of the WCAA, Renee began working with the Board of Directors on a new Strategic Plan as well as rebranding the organization. 

Keaven Willa Hartt was born in Bar Harbor, Maine, and grew up in the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont. She moved back to Maine in 2010 to attend the Maine College of Art, in Portland, where she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Woodworking and Furniture Design, with a self-directed thesis on Sustainability Through Upholstery. Keaven founded her upholstery business, Willa Hartt, in 2019. She joined the National Upholstery Association in 2021, and was nominated to the Board of Directors, where she served first as Secretary, before recently becoming the President. Keaven still lives in Portland with her husband and their two dogs. Keaven is on Instagram     Links and Resources; (Some of the links I provide, specifically to Amazon and a few others, require me to let you know that if you use those links and make a purchase, I will make some money.  I won't make a million dollars, but I might be able to get a cup of coffee, so thank you!)   Spruce Upholstery by Amanda Brown and Grace Bonney Upholstery: A Complete Cours

Rachel began her business in 2004 on the dining table of her mother’s living room after a fluke encounter with a family friend at the local bakery.  Who knew that croissants would be the catalyst to begin a soft furnishings business? The seed had been planted several years after visiting a stranger's home and noticing custom bedding, draperies, and floor-length round tablecloths. “I remember thinking …’hey I wonder if I could do that!’ after a sneaky examination of the undersides and backsides of those items.”  Sewing had begun for Rachel at the age of 11 and 4-H sewing programs, but it was not until 17 years later that the entrepreneurial bug bit hard and spawned a new vocational life trajectory!   Rachel is on Instagram    Links and Resources; Price Your Work with Confidence by Kitty Stein  

Deborah Cronin is the owner of Leatherwood Design Co is a custom window treatment fabrication studio, located in Ossining, New York, in the breathtaking Hudson River Valley. Deb and her team work to the trade and delight in fine fabrics and workmanship. It's an understatement to say they love what they do! Begun as a part-time pillow and cushion workroom in 1987, in 1999  Leatherwood Design Co, became a full-time workroom creating window treatments. Fabric and sewing has been Deb's life-long obsession and she considers it a privilege to be able to make a living doing what she loves. Deb has a blog that is dedicated to documenting what they do every day: they enjoy showing off the gorgeous fabrics they work with, and the window treatments they make from them; discuss the design and fabrication process; and share information about some of their resources, colleagues, and inspiration.   Today Deb is sharing her journey to overcome pain in her body and to make it last longer so that she can continue to do what sh

Jamie Terral is the owner of Workroom Creations by Jamie LLC.  With encouragement from Jamie's husband, Bob, and Susan Woodcock, she made her hobby and love for sewing into a soft furnishings workroom, where she uses beautiful fabrics and trims to sew amazing home decor.  Jamie is a window coverings specialist that is honest, reliable, and dedicated to the client that she serves.  Her tagline and mantra is "So Much Fabric, Sew Little Time!" Jamie is on Instagram,  Facebook, and Pinterest Huston Area Work Custom Drapery Association   Links and Resources; The Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library WCAA   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

Sharon Coppede is the owner of Custom Window Treatments, Inc. In 1982, when her children were 4 and 2 yrs. old, Sharon joined a neighborhood cottage industry in Plymouth, Mass. as a seamstress for aprons, toaster covers, and tab top drapes stenciled on the lead edges.  She realized she had a gift for making window treatments and when she moved to our next assignment in Virginia, she built a 4 x 8 table in the walk-out basement and that is when she started making draperies for customers.  Sharon went to Sew What conferences as a student and then, over time, went as a presenter.   After a few more moves and when they moved to Charlotte, NC in 1996, Sharon's goal was to get out of the basement and into a space and Custom Window Treatments, Inc., a “to the trade workroom” came about. She targeted high end designers and she now has a thriving business with a staff. Her company fabricates not only for local designers but designers throughout the country contact CWT for their customers moving to the area.   Sharon's

Cristina Alamdari was born in Colombian and moved to the US almost 30 years ago. She lives in Phoenix AZ and she has 3 beautiful children, her husband is Iranian, and they have a unique family of combined cultures and religions.  Cristina enjoys traveling and learning. She has been working in the industry for 24 years, and as a business owner for 22. Cristina owns AZ Draperies and Pillows and it is a mix of 80% retail 20% designers. She offers in-home consultations for window coverings.  Her workroom is in a separate casita in her home.  Cristina is on Facebook and Instagram   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

Mary is the owner of Bucks County Window Décor. She has been in business since 2007, offering custom drapery and soft treatments, fabrics, hardware, blinds, shades, and shutters to both retail clients as well as designers.  Her company is full-service and offers complete project management including measuring, ordering, fabricating, and professional installation.   After 8 years of working in the legal and corporate world, Mary left to stay home with her first baby.  She learned to sew as a newlywed so that she could have custom window treatments for her own home, which gradually started her business, as friends and neighbors asked her to create treatments for them.   Mary recently came back to the window treatment industry after a 4-year break working for a martial arts franchise where she learned the importance of systems, and processes and doing the same thing the same way every single time.    Mary is married to her super supportive husband of 34 years and has 2 grown children and 1 in college. Mary still

I am so happy to be celebrating 5 years of being the Librarian at the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library!!   I couldn't have done this without the help and guidance of Jeanelle Dech, and so many people in our industry who have contributed to the content within the Library. And I am so grateful for the Sponsors of the Library; The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

Today's episode of the  Podcast is a re-release of my interview with Julia Hash of JSH Designs.  Julia needed to solve a problem in her workroom and realized, she probably wasn't the only one who needed this solution.  I think you will find her ruler is really amazing!   Links and Resources; Profit is a Choice Podcast episode with Julia Hash You can find Julia's Ruler here.

Barb Flynn started sewing as a young girl making drapery panels out of bed sheets for her and her sister's bedroom. Always having a mind on figuring life out and solving problems, Barb studied history and psychology in college and became a Paralegal after college.  She worked in the law field for many years after raising 4 children, but always had her hand in sewing, whether it was for friends, their home, or a small number of clients. More recently, over the past several years, Barb took sewing courses from Jeanelle Deck, which brought her further into the world of the sewing workroom.  When Covid came, she was laid off from her paralegal position but immediately (like same day) pivoted right down to her basement to make masks raising money for a community center in Kensington.  That opened the door to more sewing opportunities and new clients; the rest is history.  She literally hasn't left the basement since March 2020! She is married with 4 grown children, 2 grandchildren, and an amazing husband.  In her

Jayna Manzelli graduated from Brandeis University with a BA in Biology and began a career in Pharmaceutical Quality Control. Experience gained in analysis, equipment, procedures, organization, specifications, and personnel management became relevant when Jayna began her new custom workroom business. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating beautiful things, Jayna opened JM Custom Creations in 2008. JMCC is a to-the-trade workroom, specializing in draperies, Roman shades, top treatments, pillows, and cushions. Jayna became a member of WCAA in 2010, served as VP of the Eastern MA chapter 2015-2016, and has been President since 2018.  She is currently a Director at Large on the WCAA National Board   Jayna is on Facebook Raiseyourshade.com Swag Books by Ann Johnson Pricing without Emotion Course by Michele Williams M'Fay workroom manuals are available on the Library Dropbox.com IPad - pencil Notability   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting  

Julie Wood, owner of The Leading Edge, began her career as an Art Educator. An avid interest in interior design led her to enroll in the Interior Design program at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. While at NHIA, her love of fabric and sewing translated perfectly into a career creating window treatments. Since she launched her business in 2006, she has specified her services largely to the interior designer. Julie enjoys assisting designers in creating spaces for clients that far exceed both client and designer expectations. Julie understands the importance of fresh and unique treatments and continues to enhance her knowledge through webinars, workshops, and classes. Julie is constantly learning new methods and techniques to incorporate into products, and she often passes along those tips to her interior designers. Links and Resources;   HGTV White House Christmas Episode 385 - Julie Wood Johanna Burke - Burke and Pryde

I look forward to this episode with Michele Williams!  We hope you enjoy hearing it as much as we enjoy recording it.   Scarlet Thread Consulting Metrique Solutions

Cara has had a needle and thread in her hand since she was six. While raising her three children, she ran a sewing business from 2005 to 2021, where she focused on children's clothing items, bedroom soft furnishings, and accessories. Always with a taste for decorating, Cara rebranded her business, Threaded Hive Interiors and Antiques, in January 2021 focusing solely on custom-sewn/fabricated soft furnishings, interior decorating, and styling with antiques. Cara lives in the Kansas City area with her husband and two dogs and spends time visiting her three grown children and extended family throughout the country. Her hobbies include antiquing, and volunteering at an 1865 historic stagecoach stop as a docent and costume maker. She enjoys traveling, visiting historic sites, is a Jesus lover, and is a big KC Chiefs fan. Cara is on Facebook and Instagram   Links and Resources; Ann Johnson's Article - Three Strikes and I'm Out! Julia Hash's Rulers

Shari Walla learned her love of sewing as a young child from her mother. Initially, she worked as a draftsman in the automobile industry. She started working for Accent Custom Drapery LLC  21 years ago, eventually became a partner. When her business partner, Karen Miceli, retired in 2018 she became the sole owner. She is married and has three adult children. In her spare time, she loves spending time in northern Michigan, fly fishing, and knitting.     Shari is on Facebook and Instagram   Michele Williams Courses     The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

Julia Fields worked in the bridal industry for more than five years, making wedding dress dreams a reality. Since joining Savannah Window Fashions, she has had the opportunity to transfer her skills into all things custom for our clients homes! In her free time, she loves to write, crochet, and experiment with new recipes for the team to try. 

  For Nikki, it was love at first sight when she first visited Savannah to plan a destination wedding downtown in April 2018. She and her husband decided to move and bought a house sight unseen in August 2018. In their new neighborhood, they were fortunate to find a fabulous group of neighbors, including the former owner of Savannah Window Fashions Jeanne Dunn. Nikki purchased Savannah Window Fashions in 2020 from Jeanne, leaving behind corporate life and a career in advertising. In Nikki’s previous corporate life, she wore many hats. Advertising, project managing website builds at a digital agency, floral designer, non-profit economic development, event planning, and property management. Nikki is thrilled to take Savannah Window Fashions forward as the new owner. It was an unlikely career change, but perfect in so many ways. Nikki has always had a deep and abiding love for homes. As the granddaughter of a builder and daughter of a carpenter, she spent many summers on job sites as a kid. She adores Savannah,

    Cade Smith was born at a very early age in Pensacola, Florida. Upon moving to Tennessee in 1999 at the age of 5, he began to explore many art and craft activities and finally found his way to The Appalachian Center for Art, Craft and Design at Tennessee Technological University, where he studied Fiber Arts and graduated in May 2020, virtually... Cade wandered into an interesting looking store in an industrial strip mall in August 2022, and in May 2023 he purchased that company and has continued to grow The Curtain Call into one of the premier drapery workrooms in Nashville, TN. When Cade is not making drapery, installing drapery or doing paperwork related to drapery, he spends his time in the country with his horses and dogs. Cade wishes to impart to you his daily affirmation: May your hems be right, and your seams be tight, namaste. You can find The Curtain Call on Facebook and Instagram. Links and Resources; Custom Workroom Conference Wolff Industries   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The W