Sew Much More

Julie Murphy is the owner of Designer Draperies of Boston, a full-service workroom serving the design community in Boston MA.    Julie started her home-based workroom, JM Custom Design in 2006, after a career as an Occupational Therapist.  In 2014, with the desire to expand, she purchased her current business which had been in operation for 28 years.   She is the mother of 4 children ranging from 14-20 and lives in Boston where she was born and raised.   Julie is on Facebook  and Instagram    Links and Resources; Indeed Michele Williams Scarlet Thread Consulting Elki Horn   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Helser Brothers, Inc   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library

Sheri Corey is my guest today.  She is the owner of Style and Stitch/Sew Sheri Designs * Her professional beginning Pediatric Oncology Nurse * 1994 left nursing career to begin a new business that allowed her to be at home with her children * Her business services have continued to evolve * Initially Sheri made children’s clothing – then moved into products for the home * A second business, Dorm Suite Dorm was launched in 2008 specializing in custom dorm bedding (sold in 2018) * Sheri has now added Certified Interior Decorator to her repertoire and has launched an eDesign website (2018) * 25 years in the business and she is still creating for the home Sheri is on Facebook  Links and Resources; Dave Ramsey - EntreLeadership Who's In Your Room Michele Williams - Scarlet Thread Consulting Gridded Table at the Workroom Channel Workroom Tech Custom Workroom Conference   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Helser Brothers, Inc   The Curtains and

Suzy Daruwala is the owner of Sew Bella Home, a full-service drapery and fabrication studio servicing homeowners, builders, and designers alike.  Clients say they enjoy working with Suzy because she has the ability to really listen and interpret their needs and desires and helps to translate their vision into a well-executed design and fabrication plan. She delivers exceptional quality and is very detail-oriented.  She founded her company in November of 2007 in Branchburg, NJ, relocated to Lexington, MA in 2010, and finally landed in Del Mar, CA in 2015.  In 2001 she started taking sewing classes, first in clothing construction, then upholstery and finally Window treatments, slipcovers, and bedding.  After attending a CHF conference in 2007 she decided to open her own business.  Suzy started her career as a nurse and holds a bachelor's degree in Nursing from the University of KY and a master's degree in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric nursing from the University of Cincinnati.        Suzy is on Facebook,

Jean Lawes is my guest today on this special episode of the Podcast.  Time is running out for you to apply for the Jill Robson Scholarship!!!  The deadline is January 31, 2020. Visit WCAA's Scholarship webpage to find out more. Ann K. Johnson's Swag Books Ann K. Johnson's Workroom Skills Class The Complete Book of Curtains and Drapes Lady Carolyn Wrey Bluprint - Cynthia Blescakchek's class - Getting Started with Upholstery  The Workroom Channel Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library

Diana Nolan is the owner of a retail and wholesale workroom located in Medford, New Jersey outside of Philadelphia.  She started her business after a career in Retail Management for College and University bookstores.   She started Diana Nolan Custom Windows in 2001 shortly after her children were born.   Diana is a member of both the NJ and Pennsylvania WCAA chapters and currently holds the position of Vice President of the Pennsylvania SEPA chapter.  Diana is on Instagram and Facebook   Scot Robbins Workroom Valet Gridded Table Cover at The Workroom Marketplace Draw Matic For Information about Ann K. Johnson's Workroom Skills Class Kelly and Lonnie's Podcast Gretchen Rubin's Happier Podcast Donations in Lonnie Vanderslice's Memory

Debbie DiFrancesco, who has been sewing since the age of 7, founded Creative Hands in 1990 to supplement the family income.  Initially, Debbie provided general sewing and bridal alteration services while working a second job as an assistant manager/Craft Department Manager at House of Fabrics/So-Fro Fabrics until 1991.  Two years later, Creative Hands transitioned from alterations to exclusively fabricating window treatments and selling hard treatments.  Soon after, in 1997, Debbie attended courses at the Professional Drapery Workroom School, later known as the Custom Home Furnishings Academy in Swannanoa, NC under Cheryl Strickland.  Since then, she has participated in the Custom Home Furnishings Conferences and International Window Coverings Expos as both an attendee and window treatment fabrication instructor. With an extensive skill set Debbie has, over the years, moved Creative Hands from the attic of her home to a commercial building.  In 2009 she purchased a larger commercial building, which allowed fo

Once again, Michele Williams and I are wrapping up the year and sharing how we analyze the year that is ending and plan for the year ahead.  Talking with Michele is always a pleasure for me, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Links and Resources; Who's In Your Room 212 The Extra Degree SWOT Analysis is discussed in the January 2018 Circle Time on The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library Jennifer Dawn's Best Journal Ever   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Helser Brothers, Inc   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library    

Nicole Nomer is the owner of Fabrication Studio, a drapery workroom that has been servicing the interior design industry since 1985. I interviewed Nicole in Episode 148 of the Podcast.  Today we are talking about how she became a Coulisse Distributor. Links and Resources; Nicole's Youtube Channel Nicole's Facebook Page You can reach Nicole by email - fabricationstudio@gmail.com The OPPORTUNITY THINKING Series of the Podcast is sponsored by; The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library

Cheryl Meiklejohn, was born in a rural community, she fell in love with sewing at the age of 8, when she began sewing with her grandmother.   Always one to seize an opportunity, she set up and managed her own custom drapery business, where she became an expert in selling, sewing and installing window treatments.  Five years later she went to work for a much larger specialty textile manufacturing company, Rainbow Draperies, which she owns today.  Many of Western Canada’s high-end designers and architects will trust no one else with their custom textile needs. Over the last 23 years, Cheryl has consulted with countless interior designers/decorators on the best styles, fabrics, and linings for their specific projects.  She loves sharing her expertise and has been teaching seminars exclusively for designers on the foundations of window treatments since 2007.  Using her life experiences and sense of humor, Cheryl brings insight into what to do and more importantly, what not to do when selling window treatments.  C

I had the pleasure of talking with some of the previous winners of the Jill Robson Scholarship and why they applied and what it did for them. Apply for the Jill Robson Scholarship    Custom Workroom Conference Jill's Webinars can be found on the Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library for PRO Plus and PRO Access members. The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Helser Brothers, Inc   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library

Betsey Reigle has worked in the interior design field for her entire professional career. Her training includes a bachelor’s degree in interior design from Mercyhurst College. If you combine her experience in the interior design field with the skill of sewing she learned from her mother at a very young age and, always having a love of fabric, you can see why she loves her job. Betsey is the owner of Seamless Designs, a retail workroom. She enjoys creating beautiful handcrafted products for her clients’ home interiors. Betsey lives with her family near the Rochester NY area, just south of Ontario Lake.   Links and Resources; The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey Minutes Matter Wolfe Industries - Kai scissors        The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Helser Brothers, Inc   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library

In this episode of the podcast, I welcome Mark and Jay Helser of Helser Brothers, Inc. Mark Helser is the CFO and Co-Founder of Helser Brothers, Inc. His entrepreneurial spirit and interest in metal fabrication started early in his life, having a paper route at age 8 and acquiring his first welder at age 11. Mark and his brother Jay founded Helser Brothers, Inc in 1994. Mark is a strong believer in solid work ethics and going above and beyond to be the key to his accomplishments. Besides running a successful company, Mark also believes in giving back to the community by providing assistance to charitable causes worldwide. Mark and his wife are the proud parents of four boys.   Jay Helser is a Managing Partner at Helser Brothers, Inc. He has been a member of the custom window treatment industry for over 30 years starting as a window treatment installation trainee, then as a professional independent drapery installer and now as a drapery hardware manufacturer. Jay's experience in the window treatment industry w

  Roger Magalhaes started in the window coverings industry in 2006 as a part-time installer for a national chain. After only two months, he was asked to leave for “standing out.” Clients continuously requested him over the other installers, and this didn’t sit well with his colleagues. He knew he was on to something! Following this experience, Roger traveled to many parts of the country acquiring formal training and receiving certifications from respected vendors such as Somfy, Hunter Douglas, Norman Shutters, and Lutron. He also attended the Custom Home Furnishings Academy for formal installation training focusing on drapery and other soft treatments. Roger is the owner of Shades In Place, Inc, located in the Boston area. He has done installations in seven states as well as Cape Cod and the Islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. He is the founder of the Facebook group Free Speech Window Covering Pros, a regular columnist for Window Fashion Vision magazine, a presenter at the International Window Coverin

Kathy Patterson is the owner of Draperies by Kathy  She started sewing for a designer 15 years ago and her daughter, Michelle has joined her in her business.     Links and Resources; Michelle's Etsy Shop - This White Rabbit Co. The Custom Workroom Conference Kim Chagnon - Kim's Upholstery Ann K. Johnson's Workroom Skills Class Quiet - The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking Workroom Tech     The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Helser Brothers, Inc   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library  

Ronica is from a small town in Western NY and moved to Raleigh 27 years ago via San Diego. She and her husband of 28 years have 2 kids and a dog. Ronica's Custom Creations is an award-winning full-service window treatment design and fabrication studio. Ronica works with both the homeowners and design clients, using her specialized industry skills to make ideas and plans become reality to transform your house into a home. Ronica is dedicated to providing quality products with outstanding details. To reach that end, she spends time keeping up with current colors, home furnishing styles, and fabrication techniques. Memberships in several home furnishings networks, including the Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA), where she has held several board positions, provide educational opportunities and important contacts and resources. Ronica strives to achieve the highest levels of proficiency in drapery fabrication. She searches out new knowledge in the field by attending educational seminars and conference

Who doesn't have a few extra feet from Sloan Machinery!?? I must confess, I really didn't realize how extensive Sam Sloan's business was until I had this opportunity to talk with him and Jill.  They have been collaborating for years in an effort to customize feet for our industry.  I was thrilled to hear Sam's story and learn more about what he does - hint - it isn't just feet!!! Jill Plummer Stanbro Hughes was a guest on Episode 138.   The OPPORTUNITY THINKING Series of the Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library  

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Helser Brothers, Inc Tracie N. Bresnahan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Engineering and a Master’s degree in Quality Assurance Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University. She worked in the apparel and the consumer products industries for 12 years. Tracie opened Custom Creations in 1996, fabricating custom window treatments and accessories. With her engineering background, she has built a business specializing in one of a kind and challenging design solutions for clients; such as custom cornice boards, headboards, ottomans, draperies, valances, bedding, pillows, etc. Tracie’s work has been seen in publications such as Southern Living, Jezebel, Better Homes and Gardens and Kid’s Rooms. Collaborating with her on some of her projects is her husband Brian, who has a degree in Architectural Engineering. He is a huge asset in designing and building custom projects with her clients. Member – Wi

Sophia Lawrie has been the owner of a to the trade drapery workroom since 1988, servicing Metro Atlanta and designers out of state.  She has a degree in Economics and worked in the corporate world in Human Resources and later at an advertising agency.  When her youngest son was an infant, he developed a concerning medical condition and she knew that she could not return to the corporate world and needed to find a career that would allow her to stay home.  She has sewed her entire life and was fortunate to have a mother with great tailoring skills. Going into Home Décor was a logical choice and she has been fortunate to have a career she loves, which has helped support her family. As a perpetual learner, she has attended many classes and seminars and is a member of the Atlanta WCAA Chapter.   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA    Helser Brothers, Inc     Resources and Links; Dritz Hem Guide Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Donna Cash  

Bianca Henry is the owner of Impressions Drapery Designs, Inc in Durham, NC, which opened up in 2002.  She is a member of the local WCAA Chapter where currently serves as president.  In her spare time, she loves  to bake and spend time with her children, Caleb and Jamesa.  Bianca’s passion for draperies has given her a happiness that makes her career enjoyable, even during the stressful times; she wouldn’t trade it for anything else. Bianca is on Facebook and Instagram.   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   Helser Brothers, Inc

 Since 1994, Laura Nelson has been the owner of Sew Nice, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, specializing in soft and hard window treatments, slipcovers and other soft home furnishings.  Sew Nice is a Woman-Owned Business Entity (WBE) with the State of Indiana; Laura is a WFCP Workroom Specialist and active member of WCAA, currently the program chair for the Indiana Chapter and Secretary for the Board of Directors.   A graduate of Purdue University in Restaurant Management, Laura worked in university foodservice management (Notre Dame, Valparaiso, and Purdue), mostly in catering, before changing career paths to start a workroom.    Laura mentioned the event for WCAA Indiana  Deb Barret will be presenting.    Register here for - Where The Window Is Headed Fri, October 25, 2019 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM EDT   Laura is on Facebook and Instagram   Links and Resources; Ann Johnson’s Workroom Skills class Scarlet Thread Consulting - Pricing Without Emotion 3 strikes article by Ann Johnson can be found on The Curtains