Sew Much More

Peg Wagner owns and operates Above and Beyond Window Design out of her home, working with mostly designers. She fabricates window treatments, pillows, cushions, and roman shades, as well as sells hard treatments. Peg has a bachelor's degree in education with a major in Home Ec. (Back in the day when they called it that.) Sewing was in her background. In 2008, while working part-time in a design store she was introduced to CHF academy. It was near Charlotte NC and her next-door neighbors had just moved to Charlotte. Peg took the opportunity to go and take 3 classes while staying in the evening with her former neighbors. She was hooked from day one and her only regret is that she didn't know about this industry sooner. Peg has met the most amazing, dynamic, generous women at the CWC conferences and classes. Before that, she was a "stay-at-home" mom of 2, while helping with her husband's business as a sales rep in the ski and outdoor industry. His office was at home and he traveled to the states of MI, IN, and Ohio. Peg was able to manage the office while kids were in school and then take them to sporting practices and events when school was out. Peg and her husband live in Traverse City, MI and have 2 grown children and 6 grandchildren, 4 of which live one house away from us. Peg knows that is most grandparents' dream come true and does not take that for granted. In her free time, she likes to mountain bike, road bike, ski, and hike. Peg feels it's super important to have an outlet to stay physically active so we can keep doing the things we love to do. Links and Resources; CWC 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

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt

Notes:

To see Cynthia's letter to her students, colleagues and friends click here.

Episode 88 with Kitty Stein

Laura Nelson's article in the Drapery & Design Digital Digest

Kristine Clarke owns and operates August Day Designs, a custom soft furnishings workroom. She fabricates window treatments, Roman shades, and pillows for interior designers. Kristine has been in business for 16 years and operates her business part-time from her home. She lives in Murfreesboro, TN, having recently moved from West Des Moines, IA. Kristine and her husband Scott have one son who is a junior in college in Nashville, TN. She grew up learning to sew in 4-H and from her mom and grandma. When her son was a toddler, Kristine looked for an option to work from home. She took online classes from the CHFS to get started in this business. Kristine has made great friends by being involved in this industry and enjoys taking classes and meeting other workroom owners. Resources and Links; Price Your Work With Confidence by Kitty Stein Take Back Your Time by Christy Wright Atomic Habits by James Clear FlyLady website 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

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. Links and Resources; Workroom Tech The Custom Workroom Conference Ann Johnson's Workroom Skills Class Susan Woodcock's Step-by-Step Guide to Making and Installing Window Decor Unique Expressions for the Drawmatic 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

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 Resources;

Donald Miller - Business Made Simple Podcast

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

Zoho

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

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 [email protected] 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 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

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 Merril Y Landis, LTD Angel's Distributing, LLC National Upholstery Association

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