Sew Much More

Claire Herne is the owner of Louie Custom Drapery, located in Darien Connecticut. Claire's background is in investment banking, but she has sewn throughout her life, just for fun! Moving from the UK to the US in 2009 meant decorating a big new house and she struggled to find a local workroom so she pulled out her sewing machine and started making drapes and pillows and found that she really loved it. Soon, Claire, had friends asking her to start making soft furnishings for them and she decided that she should do this professionally.   Louie Custom Drapery (named after Claire's mom and daughter) has been in business for just over 4 years - she serves the local trade community. Claire loves to interact with other workroom professionals and most of her learning has been through this wonderful group and at Workroom Tech.   Claire lives with her 15-year-old daughter, 2 dogs, a cat, and 2 rabbits (aka Darien Petting Zoo!), her workroom has recently been located in her garage and things are really taking off now.  

Rachel and Bryan Short own and operate The Sewing Loft of Avon, a custom soft furnishings workroom located in Connecticut.  It is a full-service workroom serving both interior designers and homeowners.  Rachel has had a passion for sewing her entire life and made her first item in her sixth grade HomeEc class, a small football-shaped pillow.   She turned her passion into a business when she started The Sewing Loft in their home in July 2010 after spending most of her professional life as a paralegal at a major law firm and at a wind energy company.  Bryan came on board in 2013 after a career as a litigation attorney and both he and Rachel started working on growing The Sewing Loft full-time. Through the many ups and downs, joys and struggles, they always encouraged each other and remained focused on making their dream a reality.  Today, The Sewing Loft is a thriving business with employees and has expanded to a commercial space.  Most important, they are excited for what the future will bring!   Links and Res

Jennifer White has been part of the window treatment for quite a while and has shared her fabrication expertise and is now venturing into selling roman shade headrails and other Vako products to her colleagues. Hear how Jennifer has pivoted into a new business and the new skills she needed to learn. You can reach Jennifer at Jennifer@workroomsupply.com or message her on her Facebook account.    Links and Resources; Workroom Supply, LLC Vako    

Carol Dykhouse, owner of Creations by Carol, has been in business for 40 years. She started out doing custom sewing and alterations and bridal gowns.  When weddings were slow, she would do window treatments for friends. Her excellent work soon garnered other customers. After 5 years she exclusively did consulting and fabrication of window treatments and home decor. As her business grew, she became the go-to person for area designers to supply both hard and soft treatments.   Carol’s workroom started out in a bedroom, using a 3x8 table and canned cherries for weights. Her current workroom encompasses the entire lower level, with 2 work tables and 4 commercial machines and 2 Bernina home machines, and other necessities.  One of her mantras is to put efficiency in everything she does.   Carol won 1st place in Top Treatments in 1993 for the WFCP.  That resulted in a full-page article in the Sunday Home Section of the Grand Rapids Press. Her business took off.   Links and Resources; WFCP     The Sew Much More Pod

  MaryBeth Davis is the owner of MBDSews, a one-person retail workroom in the Richmond Virginia area.  A self-taught sewist, MaryBeth has been fabricating home furnishings for over 30 years, but embraced sewing as more than a hobby in 2017.  From her home workroom, MaryBeth designs and fabricates window styles, pillows and cushions, bedding, and light upholstery. When not busy in her home sewing workroom, MaryBeth enjoys cooking, reading, and being outside in the garden.  She loves spending time with her husband, their daughter and son-in-law, and grand dog Murphy.   Links and Resources; Canva Workroom Tech My Designer Conceirge 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

Carla Pyle has been an active promoter of healthy upholstery since she led a team to develop a line of organic furniture in 2009. An upholstery teacher since 2011, she is currently a virtual instructor for The Funky Little Chair's FLC Upholstery 200: Fundamentals program. She offers consulting services to designers and upholstery professionals looking to incorporate sustainable principles and health-focused materials into their business. Carla is a founding member of the National Upholstery Association and owns Natural Upholstery in Livingston, Montana. Facebook (business page) Instagram - NaturalUpholstery & Uphol_stories YouTube   Links and Resources; Circular Economy (Earth Day 2020) Furniture Waste (Cynthia, Jamie & Kriss) Chair art show Furniture Manufacturing Expo (Upholstery Track - my talk is under July 21 tab) Eco-terric   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merr

    The tables are turned today as I get interviewed by LuAnn Nigara!  Yes, I was a little nervous, but LuAnn does a great job with all of her guests, and I really enjoyed talking with her!     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   Trading Up Consulting, LLC   National Upholstery Association

It was a pleasure to talk with Susan Woodcock and Rodger Walker about the upcoming Custom Workroom Conference.  You can find out more about it and register here.

Edith Williamson is a first-generation Hungarian emigrant from Transylvania. She is the owner of Drapery Montage in Houston, Texas. Also known as Houston's Drapery Store. She describes it as a one-of-a-kind, all under one roof, everything you need for your windows company also known as Houston's Drapery Store. They are custom fitting inspiration and design - one stitch at a time, since 1984. For the better part of the 38 years, they operated in commercial locations. As of 2012, they purchased a 2,300 sq. ft. building of their own and renovated it to fit the needs of both a design studio and a brightly lit workroom. The love affair with creating, the added years of experience, and the recommendations they receive has them busier than ever.   You can find Edith on Facebook.   Links and Resources; E Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber   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,

Tracy Abraham is the owner of Abraham Design Workroom located in Massachusetts. A lifelong sewist, she opened her (mainly) to the trade business in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since. When not in the workroom, she loves to travel with her family and spends as many summer days on her favorite beach in Wells, Maine as she can with her husband and their four children. Links and Resources; (some of these links are affiliate links and if you use them, I may make a little money, so I appreciate you using them!)   Jim Rohn Books   The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz   Susan Woodcock and Workroom Tech Ann Johnson's Three Strikes and I'm Out Etsy Link for Tracy's digital planner   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   Trading Up Consulting, LLC

Antoinette was born and raised in Cape Town South Africa. She studied at the University of Stellenbosch where she obtained an Honours Degree in Drama and Theatre Arts as well as a Teaching Diploma. Her 20+ year career in the Film and Television Industry gave her the opportunity to live and work in Africa, Europe, China, the USA and finally Canada where she settled with her family in 2000.  Sewing has always been her hobby. Antoinette remembers sewing her first apron under her mother’s watchful eye at age three. Sewing clothes for fellow students helped Antoinette pay her way through university. She began sewing home furnishings as soon as she moved into her first apartment. Blinds, Drapes & Bedding began in 2001, it is an exclusive Window Treatment consulting service and design/production studio supplying primarily, but not exclusively, to the trade. Each and every item is sewn and constructed by Antoinette personally or under her supervision. With a reputation for doing precise and neat work paying speci

Today's podcast is a solo podcast about staying in your lane.  Do you?  Or do you like to push yourself?  If you do, how do you do it?  I would love to hear what you think about staying in your lane! 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   Trading Up Consulting, LLC   National Upholstery Association

Jen Holaday is the owner of Brave Maggie Designs, a custom drapery workroom in Franklin, TN. She fabricates pillows, bedding, cushions, and shades but nothing makes her heart skip a beat more so than beautiful custom drapery. From the fabrics and hardware to the pleating and draping, custom drapery will elevate an entire space. It’s the difference between a pretty room and a simply stunning one. Jennifer has close to 10 years of experience throughout the Nashville area working with professional workrooms, interior designers, and directly with homeowners. She loves living in Music City, where she's had the opportunity to work with some very creative people. In addition to fabrication, Jennifer offers the following services: fabric consult, fabric sourcing and purchasing, measuring, drapery hardware, roller, and woven shades, and professional installation.   Where you can find Jennifer: www.BraveMaggieDesigns https://www.instagram.com/bravemaggiedesigns/ https://www.facebook.com/bravemaggiedesigns bravemaggiede

Grace grew up in Philadelphia - one of nine children - she recently celebrated 40 years of marriage to her wonderful husband Bob who is now retired and is now her personal Chef - they are blessed to have 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren - Her favorite place to be is with Family.  Grace and her husband now live in Huntingdon Valley just outside of Philadelphia.   In April of 1999, Grace Irene Window Fashions was born. Grace worked from home for 7 years before opening a Drapery Shop in Hatboro.  Grace 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   Trading Up Consulting, LLC   National Upholstery Association    

  Marie Mouradian has celebrated over 38 years of owning her own business. What began as a childhood sewing hobby has become a lifelong passion for creating comfortable, functional, and beautiful environments. Window Designs Etc. by Marie Mouradian has evolved over the years to include custom window treatments, Hunter Douglas blinds & shades, soft home furnishings, and interior decorating consulting services for both residential and commercial properties in the Worcester, MA area. Experienced is how she refers to herself with several Window Fashion Vision awards and positions on the local Chamber and BBB board of directors.  Marie is on  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest   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   Trading Up Consulting, LLC   National Upholstery Association

Cathy Cohane started her business "Curtain Cathy" in 2003 as she was transitioning from a career in garment manufacturing.  A lifelong sewist with a degree in Clothing and Textiles, owning and running her own business has been both a passion of hers and has brought her much success and joy.  As a sole proprietor, Cathy specializes in roman shades, drapery panels, and soft furnishings, as well as blinds, shades, and shutters.  Her business serves the metropolitan area of NJ, NY, PA, and CT.  Curtain Cathy serves both homeowners and designers and she especially loves collaborating with designers as they complete their projects.  Cathy's work has been featured in Apartment Therapy, Women's Day Magazine, and on the Instagram feeds of her vendors.   You can find her on Instagram and Facebook is Cathleen Cohane DBA Curtain Cathy.  You can reach her by email at cdcohane@verizon.net.    The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA       The Curtains and Soft

Jackie Myers is the owner of Useful Stitches drapery workroom and Useful Stitches Etsy.  She has been sewing for 38 years.  After graduating with a BS in Math, she decided to pursue her interest in sewing and took sewing and decorating classes. After sewing for years as a hobby for herself and friends, she decided to officially open shop as Useful Stitches, LLC eleven years ago.  She sews mainly to the trade with some retail jobs.  Her husband of 38 years is her installer, accountant, and consultant.  When she is not sewing, she loves to garden, cook, watch birds in her back yard, and sew useful gifts. You can find Jackie on Facebook. Links and Resources; As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases and I am grateful if you choose to use my links.  Some of the links below are affiliate links. Bill's Sewing Center New Complete Guide to Sewing: Step-by-Step Techniques for Making Clothes and Home Accessories Custom Draperies in Interior Design by Mary Neal Profit First: Transform Your Business from a

Bethany Brubaker works at Adaptive Textiles and posted a great answer to a question on the Forum in the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library     Links and Resources; Simon Sinek Finding Your Why, YouTube channel   Members of the Library have access to a SWOT analysis Circle Time webinar   Brene Brown Netflix   Pomodoro technique 25 minutes of work/5 minute break   Time Blocking Gretchen Rubin's Four Tendencies Quiz   Podcast with Jean Lawes and Cindi Grey   SCORE   Ten Percent Happier for Meditation   Adam Grant's Ted Talk about Languishing    

Joy Willbur started her business, Sew Joy,  in Lexington KY in 2006 with a desire to have a career that combined her passion for sewing with the flexibility she wanted as a mother. She loves to create gorgeous custom sewn décor. Joy works with designers, decorators, and homeowners as a partner to fabricate their designs. She loves to learn about new products and fabrication methods. Joy belongs to the WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America), the Kentucky Workroom Association, and the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library. You can find Joy on Facebook and Instagram Links and Resources; (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases and I am grateful if you choose to use my links. Not all links below are affiliate links) Ann Johnson's Swag Books Custom Workroom Conference Fabrics A to Z: The Essential Guide to Choosing and Using Fabric for Sewing  by Dana Willard  Workroom Marketplace Gridded Canvas Cover Drawmatic Joy's YouTube video about the Drawmatic   The Sew Much More Podca

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; GOTS  Oeko-tex Toxic Chemicals Control Act