Sew Much More

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 my 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; #7 - Julie Wood #157 - Opportunity Thinking Series with Renee Rucci and Julie Wood  

Lilye Lavender owns Laveña Luxe Interiors, a new workroom based in Austin, TX. Together with her fashion school peer, Joseph, they fabricate and sell drapery, shades, and other soft furnishings to the trade. With success happening early on, they have big ideas to help drive the industry forward for a new generation of workroom owners.   Lilye is on Instagram   283 - Kristin Speyer - I Didn't Think I Could Do It, But I Just Did It! The Workroom Channel The Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library Custom Workroom Conference Kitty Stein's Price Your Work with Confidence Quipa Fabric Rack - Contact Dean Fountain - deansdraperies@gmail.com    

Links for podcast   Terko thread - https://workroommarketplace.com/collections/sewing-supplies     Jewel’s tape Home Sewing Depot - https://homesewingdepot.com/collections/sealah-tape-glue/products/3-16-jewels-tape-double-sided-adhesive   Workroom Channel Marketplace - https://workroommarketplace.com/collections/sewing-supplies/jewels-tapes   Dondar Designs - https://www.donnaskufis.com/shop/   JSH Designs Rulers- https://jsh-designs.squarespace.com/shop     Grids and Templates on The Workroom Marketplace - https://workroommarketplace.com/collections/grids-templates   Creative Hands Debbie DiFrancesco - https://www.creativehandsinfo.com/   Sloan Machinery - https://www.sloanmachinery.com/   Workroom Table Construction 30 Minutes with Workroom Tech Podcast 18 Using Your Fabric Rack to Inspect Fabric by Denise Canney   Workroom Stands - https://pub.marq.com/2023-0506DigDigest/#8KA8_kTwmZZZ The Workroom Market Place -  Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades, and Top Treatments by Susan Woodcock Price  Ultra Pro seam r

As the owner of At Your Service, a drapery workroom in the Boston area for over 15 years, Jeanne McDermott was always searching for the best way to communicate with her clients. Jeanne discovered her passion for computer programs and has developed this into a service for designers and workrooms to help them convey their ideas in a fast and efficient way. Her years of experience in the workroom/design process from concept and measuring to procurement and installation gives her the ability to understand complicated design concepts and offer solutions in addition to translating the design vision. Saving both time and money, our service creates an environment of confidence between the workroom/designer and clients that the project will look (and feel) as presented. Jeanne's full-time business is creating renderings through her website:  www.virtualdesign4interiors.com You can watch today's podcast on YouTube. Jeanne is on Facebook    

Taylor Angel is the Vice President of Angel's Distributing, LLC.  Today we are talking about customer service and some new products that Angel's has developed and the how and why behind their new products.

Kari Culberson is an interior designer, textile designer & sewist specializing in contemporary block printed textiles & soft goods fabrication for the home. Kari has a Masters in Interior Design from Florida State University & has been working in the interior design industry for the past 15 years. She began her design career working under renowned designers such as Victoria Hagan & Robert Brown, but her love of fabric & textile design led her to move to the vendor side. In 2011, she began Kari Fisher Designs, a to-the-trade textile line producing hand-block printed linen. Her fabrics have been carried in design showrooms across the country and her work has been featured in several magazines such as Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Lonny, & Martha Stewart Living. With the birth of her first daughter, she took a step back from hand printing yardage in-house and started printing digitally, while also offering some workroom fabrication. Now as her younger daughter has started school, Kari h

    Kim has a very unique way of tapping into what her clients want for their homes, and creating that atmosphere by mixing both high and low-end furniture items in her designs.  Every design is different, and her specialty is to bring out the personality and style of her clients, into the design of the space.  Traveling to the various furniture markets, networking with her peers, and a ton of research keeps her on top of all of the latest trends and fresh ideas in the interior design world. She redesigned her life and her brand by launching Kim Lista Interiors, LLC. a full-service consulting and design company. My Instagram is:  kimlistainteriors My Facebook is : Kim Lista Interiors Website: www.kimlista.com Links and Resources;   Workroom Tech Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments by Susan Woodcock Kim's Upholstery Education Fine Paints of Europe

Donna Hovis owns Donna Hovis Interiors, a one-woman drapery workroom serving Middle Tennessee for the past 18 years. Donna has an Associate's Degree in Interior Design and loves being involved in every aspect of her projects: from measuring to designing to fabrication to installation.   Donna is on Facebook and Instagram. You can see Donna's published window treatments here in the Drapery & Design Digital Digest   Links and Resources; (I do use some affiliate links)   Drapery & Design Digital Digest Charles Randall's book is available for purchase from The Workroom Marketplace Sew What? Magazine issues are to PRO Plus Members in the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library   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!   Susan Woodcock's Book - Singer(R) Sewing Custom Curtains, S

Jenny Ellis is the owner of The Artful Chair.  She spent her childhood in Ohio, then moved to Boca Raton, Florida in 1968, in a hurricane!  After High School, she secured a scholarship at Texas Christian University where she studied Fashion Design, Clothing Construction and Textiles . Jenny was always a creative maker, even as a child she learned how to make pillows and crafty things, but she was very fond of textures and textiles.  Initially, she thought she'd be in the fashion industry, making beautiful ball gowns and party dresses.  And initially, she did.   When she bought thier first house, Jenny started to look at those windows to be "dressed" ..you know how every homeowner does.   She decided they must be easy to make, compared to the curvy complicated dresses and gowns she was doing.  She set out to find out and decided to get her window treatment certification (WTCP)  in South Florida at the Master's level. There she started "Designs by Jenny G" ( when Kenny G was popular, it was catchy) she found th

Sue Parten opened her workroom in 1985. She found that To-the-Trade was the best fit for her so she could be home with her kids, and she didn’t have to continuously find new clients. Sue hired a business coach in 2009 when the economy crashed.  She was working a 2 nd job to make ends meet and knew she needed to change things up. Her coach helped her look at her workroom as a business instead of a paycheck. Together they built systems and set goals so that someday, Sue could hand someone else the keys to the kingdom and ride off into the sunset!   Donald Miller - Story Brand 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!   M. Scott Peck MD - The Road Less Traveled Rick Warren - The Purpose Driven Life

Judi Andersen Turner has been the owner/designer/fabricator for Domicil Design since 1992. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, the University of Michigan, and explores many other art mediums including oil paints, 3D sculptures and other fiber art crafts. Throughout her time in business, she has organized networking groups, including Professional Sewing Association-Home Décor Workrooms (Cincinnati) and WCAA, holding President positions in chapters. Professional accomplishments include being a published contributor to Drapery & Design Professional trade magazine for several years, 2019 Artisan Project winner for WFCP Window Fashion, as well as networking and sharing knowledge with other professionals.   Judi has some videos on YouTube that you can find here.   Judi is on Instagram    Links and Resources; The Custom Workroom Conference     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

Thank you to my listeners for their kindness and loyalty and friendship!   Links and Resources;   Custom Workroom Conference     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  

Diane Girty lives and operates New Skins Upholstery in Lasalle, Ontario, just south of Detroit. A 15-year veteran, she’s known for her marine upholstery work, but also works with classic cars, golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, residential furniture, and such outdoor accessories as gazebos and cushions. Prior to this, Diane spent 32 years in accounting, ending that career as a major corporation’s director of finance for Canada. She has two young-adult granddaughters who are learning the upholstery trade from her — one of whom has opened a shop in Edmonton — and loving it. Learn more about Diane on her Website or  Instagram.     Links and Resources;   The Custom Workroom Conference Press and Snap    

Susan Woodcock is an entrepreneur, educator, and spokesperson for the custom workroom industry. She owns Workroom Tech, a trade school in Tryon, N.C., and Home Dec Gal, a custom to-the-trade workroom. Susan and her husband Rodger Walker own and produce the Custom Workroom Conference. Susan is the author of Singer® Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades, and Top Treatments, and she produces the monthly podcast 30 Minutes with Workroom Tech in partnership with The Sew Much More Podcast. Susan is passionate about helping others realize their dreams of business ownership through education and mentoring. She is a member of the WCAA and NUA.   Susan mentioned the Cocktail Party with NUA at CWC.  Here is a link to register for that event.

Lisa Moore is a true AZ native, born and raised.  She began sewing at the age of three on her mom's lap, learning tailoring from her.  Lisa ran a successful alterations business from home between 1994 and 2008, and during that time, discovered the home decor arena, where she began learning about soft furnishings. In 2009, Sew Classic, a full service workroom, was established. 2021 brought the opportunity to purchase Home Sewing Depot, a professional sewing and workroom supply business that is dedicated to providing professional grade notions, tools, and workroom supplies to the start up workrooms, and DIY community. She currently employs a staff of 3, and operates both businesses from her property in Glendale, AZ.   Lisa is a member of the Phoenix Association of Workroom Professionals, since 2013, where she is currently acting President. She is also a member of the Slipcover Network.   Links and Resources; Michele Williams Pricing Without Emotion Kitty Stein's Price Your Work with Confidence Profit Fir

Rodger Walker retired from the City of Richmond, Virginia Fire Department in 2012, after a busy and exciting career.  He moved to North Carolina that same year to marry the Love of His Life, Susan Woodcock. In 2013 they started Home Dec Gal, a workroom and educational resource. With years of experience planning events for non-profit organizations, Rodger was ready to help Susan produce the first Custom Workroom Conference in 2016. In 2017, Rodger and Susan opened Workroom Tech, a trade school for sewing professionals, in the charming town of Tryon in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Rodger is on Instagram Links and Resources; AP Style Book  The Custom Workroom Conference   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  

With over 30 years in business, Karen and her team at Drapery Design collaborate, with several nationally recognized interior design and architectural firms to execute the designer’s vision for their clients. The focus is to create sophisticated, bespoke window coverings with customized detailing and manage the project in an organized and timely manner. Creating beautiful things from fabric has been an interest of Karen from an early age. Her work has been featured in magazines and Designer Showhouses and she has received many industry awards throughout her career. Karen is also a long-time member of the WCAA and has served on their national and local boards. Drapery Design Facebook Instagram   Links and Resources; Work with Passion: How to Do What You Love for a Living by Nancy Anderson  What Does Scaling Your Business Mean to You? 30 Minutes with Workroom Tech Podcast

Kelly McGrory is a woman of many interests, pursuits, and hobbies.  She lives in Kennett Square, PA with her life partner and husband, William, and their faithful malinois, O’Neal.   Kelly is the slipcover maker behind Covered & Stitched, a cottage industry workroom in Kennett Square, PA, where she has been stitching custom slipcovers since 2015.  When Kelly is not making slipcovers, she is sketching, painting, hiking, running, gardening, reading, practicing yoga, meditating, or catching up with a dear friend.        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! Keep Going by Austin Kleon Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon Show Your Work by Austin Kleon   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishing

Almost 20 years ago Leigh Anne was looking for fabric to reupholster her sofa.  She found fabrics that were sophisticated, but not environmentally friendly; or “green” (mostly recycled polyester – actually a poor green choice), but not stylish.  Even the fabrics claiming to be “organic” were processed with chemicals that were harmful to people and the planet - and many of those chemicals remain in the fabric. Since Leigh couldn’t find a company that was creating entirely safe but gorgeous  fabrics using organic or sustainable methods and using zero plastic (polyester, nylon, etc), she enlisted her sister, Patty, and together they formed Two Sisters Ecotextiles, to “change the way textiles are being made.” You can find Two Sisters Ecotextiles on Instagram and Facebook.   Links and Resources; Lindsay Orwig's Article in the D&D Digest GOTS  Oeko-tex Toxic Chemicals Control Act

Barbara Holley was a systems analyst for Sunbeam Corporation and quit her job to be a stay-at-home mom.  She enjoyed decorating her home and her friends and neighbors' homes as well.  Her ability to sew was the big thing that made her able to magically transform a room.   Barbara's husband's job moved them to Texas and her neighbor across the street was opening a drapery workroom in her garage.  Barbara would go over and help her for free and was more excited about the projects than the owner was!  Her neighbor soon grew tired of the business and Barbara went to work for a local workroom.  She knocked on doors, made sales and then created the treatments.  When that workroom closed, she picked up where they left off, bought equipment from another drapery shop, converted her garage and worked from home.   In 1996, Barbara opened a retail shop and was in business with a partner for 9 years.  She sold that business and opened Holley's Window Fashions in 2005.  Barbara recently sold that business to her daughter a