Sew Much More

Cathy Tucker has more than  21 years experience as a custom workroom owner and manager. She has been a featured speaker at Detroit Workroom Association meetings, WCAA events, and has been the lead instructor for the Career Professional program at the CHF Academy for over eight years. Cathy is a master at fabricating draperies, upholstered cornices, soft cornices, and headboards. She offers private and group training through the Workroom Channel and travels the country offering her Professional Traveling Workroom Service, where she provides hourly expert labor to help other workrooms manage large jobs, and clear back logs. You can reach Cathy at 419-349-7983.

Interiors by Kelli is a full service interior design studio with a specialty in custom window treatments and soft furnishings for the home.   Kelli established Interiors by Kelli in 1995 as a custom window treatment design studio & workroom and expanded the business to include residential and small-scale commercial design services in 2012.   She is involved and active in several design, window treatment and workroom associations and her work and expertise has been featured in Design NJ magazine.   Kelli’s work has also been featured at “Inspire”, the WCAA national conference in 2011 and 2012. In both cases she worked collaboratively with other WCAA NJ Chapter members to design and fabricate window treatment vignettes. Kelli and Pam DeCuir’s vignette was selected for first place finish at Inspire 2012. Most recently Kelli collaborated with Evelyn LaLicata to design and fabricate the winning vignette entry at Windows to Success, VIII – the WCAA NJ Chapter regional conference.   Kelli is a member of the Inte

Linda Principe is the owner of Linda Principe Interiors in Monroe Township, NJ. Linda provides full service residential interior design services with a specialty in window treatments in the central New Jersey area.  Linda is active in the Window Coverings Association of America and is a past President of the National Board. She is also past President of the Central New Jersey Chapter and is currently an active member of the Central NJ chapter and the Virtual chapter.  Recently, Linda was an instructor for the “Window Treatments” class in the Interior Design program at Mercer County Community College for five years.  Linda’s work has been included in Window Fashions trade magazine and she is a past Editorial Board member and featured writer. She has also been published numerous times in Design New Jersey magazine as well as local NJ newspapers. This year is Linda’s 29th year in business.

Colleen Mook is the owner and CEO of Baby Be Hip, launched in 2002 after leaving her corporate career to start her family.  Baby Be Hip has been featured in national parenting magazines and on Good Morning America, and Colleen has appeared on various media, including The TODAY Show, for her accomplishments in building a successful brand while raising a family. She also won several small business awards, including Make Mine a Million Dollar Business award, Lifetime Moms Spark& Hustle award, and SCORE/Sam’s Club National Giving Award.  is She active in the Philadelphia business community; a few years ago completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, and and is a regular host of the American Express CEO Bootcamp.   Interestingly enough, these are not the most important thing to Colleen, she is a small business enthusiast and a passionate supporter of women entrepreneurs and young women in general, she loves speaking with large and small groups about a range of issues, from starting small busines

Leatherwood Design Co is a custom window treatment fabrication studio, located in Ossining, New York, in the breathtaking Hudson River Valley. We work to the trade and delight in fine fabrics and workmanship. It's an understatement to say we love what we do! Begun as a part-time pillow and cushion workroom in 1987, in 1999 we became a full-time workroom creating window treatments. Fabric and sewing has been my life-long obsession and I consider it a privilege to be able to make a living doing what I love. This journal is dedicated to documenting what we do every day: we enjoy showing off the gorgeous fabrics we work with, and the window treatments we make from them; discuss the design and fabrication process; and share information about some of our resources, colleagues, and inspiration.

For many of us, our first M'Fay Pattern was our introduction to professional drapery making.  It's amazing that such an extensive collection of instructional manuals and patterns all started because of one woman's thought that someone ought to be making them!   In this podcast, Marylan Borchardt and family talk about her initial interest in sewing, the early days working within her sister's business, the development of her first pattern (The Empire) and the growth of the M'Fay Pattern Company.  They are joined by Jeanelle Dech of Adaptive Textiles who recently acquired the patterns, and shares with us her vision of the future. I hope all of  you have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukah and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!  I look forward to hosting more podcasts in 2017! The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by Scarlet Thread Consulting The WCAA The Workroom Channel

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; Scarlet Thread Consulting WCAA The Workroom Channel   In 1987, successful window treatment designer Carlette Cormier started the business to help support her family. With a small toddler at home and her husband recently laid off Carlette needed employment that would not only allow her to contribute income, but to be at home to care for her family. Deciding to rely on the skills taught to her by her mother since the age of five, she began CC’s Designs. At a young age she learned to sew doll clothes and over the years Carlette has continued to develop her skills alongside her mother. After moving to Savannah, Georgia to look for employment, a friend who worked in a wallpaper store recommended Carlette to a local designer who came into the store inquiring about help with some window treatments. After seeing the work Carlette had done in her own home, the designer was sold and thus began CC’s Designs and a new career for Carlette was born. Despite the fact that Carlette

The podcast is sponsored by; Scarlet Thread Consulting The Workroom Channel WCAA Caterina Meadows, of Pate Meadows Designs will make you laugh! Before the label “strong willed child” was so widely used, there was “hardhead”. Caterina wears the label hardhead proudly but sometimes considers “passionate” to be a more politically correct description. She lovingly accuses her parent’s of creating a monster for telling her from the time she could sit up “there’s nothing you can’t do”. If you’re told something long enough – it’s embedded forever! Sometimes, however, that tends to make life miserable for people around you. Caterina is most known as the Meadows of the dynamic duo Pate Meadows Designs and ShowHome Patterns. Way before PMD, Caterina knew she never wanted to go to college. Her goals were always: 1) Marry her high school sweetheart, Danny – which she did – two weeks after graduating high school, 2) Get a job in a big office - did that - her typing skills were way above average so as soon as she graduated

This week I have the honor of interviewing Sue Gillen, owner of Window Fashion Designs & More.  Sue is a dear friend of mine and is a Certified Window Treatment Consultant and Fabricator who works with homeowners and designers to create beautiful and functional window treatments that are truly works of art. She also offers shades, shutters, custom upholstery and accessories to finish the look. An expert craftsperson who keeps up with current trends, Susan has a strong background in traditional design.This wide scope of experience ensures that her clients get the best of both worlds... a treatment that perfectly fits their tastes now and one that will continue to “work” well into the future. I often ask my guests if they ever thought about quitting, and my answer would have to be YES!!!  But Sue talked me out of it.  More than once!    

Hearing Tracy's story was so inspiring!  Most of us at least knew how to sew when we started this journey, but Tracy had to learn that before she learned how to fabricate. And she hasn't stopped learning!  Hear how Tracy decided, "If I was going to do it, I was going to do it right!"   Tracy Windley is the owner of Sew Elegant Fine Window Designs, established in 1994 and located in Searcy, Arkansas. Sew Elegant is a retail/wholesale fabrication studio which offers custom window coverings, slipcovers, and light upholstery. The studio specializes in detailed fabrication and couture finishes. Tracy is a former student of the Custom Home Furnishings Academy, a contributor to Drapery & Design Magazine, and a webinar presenter for the Drapery & Design Professional Network and WCAA Virtual Chapter. She will also be an instructor for the WF Vision IWCE and the Custom Workroom Conference in 2017. Tracy is a member of the Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) and Co-President of the WCAA Virtual Chapte

I had such fun talking with Ann K. Johnson of Sew Easy Windows!   Ann owns a wholesale workroom in Ohio, established in 1992. She is an author and publisher and offers private workroom training, seminars, and hands-on classes in workroom fabrication, pattern drafting, efficiency and pricing. Her topics are always fully packed with time saving tips and techniques, delivered in a relaxed and light-hearted style. Ann has been a popular industry instructor since 2004.  She teaches at Window Fashions IWCE and Custom Workroom Conference.  She is a webinar instructor for WCAA & D&D Pro, and a representative for DreamDraper.  She is a member of the Greater Cleveland Drapery Professionals and WCAA. I have learned a great deal from Ann over the years, and I was surprised by how much we had in common.  You won't want to miss her story, or miss her teasing me about my choice of words!!!

Beth Hodges, owner of Beth Hodges Soft Furnishings, has been in business for almost thirty years! Beth reminisces about starting her business at a time when there was little education and almost no connection between workrooms. She raised 5 children, "in the middle of nowhere" and grew her business which employs several people - her second family! Like lots of us, Beth has had her ups and downs and she shares with us that she, too gets side tracked by procrastination and doubt.     The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; Scarlet Thread Consulting The WCAA The Workroom Channel  

Monique Becker, CWTC and Allied ASID owner of Becker Home, started her journey in this business by googling, "how to earn a living sewing curtains" because she enjoyed making her own so much and she was ready for a change from her corporate job. Monique tells us about her journey and about how she serves her clients today.

Elki Horn is a friend and mentor to many in the custom home furnishings industry! Elki is a commercial workroom owner with a wonderful sense of humor and a mission to share with everyone in the industry!  Like many of us, Elki started her business, Interior Elegance by Elki in her home.  Elki shares with us how and why she moved out of her home and how she makes time to be creative.

While many workrooms and designers started out in our homes and because we had a skill, Sarah O'Neil started her business,  Storibook Designs out of a need to make a life change and to find joy every day.  She no longer wanted a job, she wanted to feed her soul! Sarah talks openly and honestly about the challenges of anxiety and the tools she uses to get through the difficult times.   Thank you to my sponsors who make it possible for me to continue to bring the podcast to my listeners. Scarlet Thread Consulting The Window Covering Association of America The Workroom Channel   If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at ceildi@ceildi.com

With over 20 years experience on many sides of this industry, Margie’s journey has moved her away from fabrication and towards education and instruction. Listen to Margie share her journey, perhaps she should stop saying never, and why do sewing machines just appear in her life??? You can find the Drapery and Design Network here. Thank you to my sponsors who make it possible for me to continue to bring the podcast to my listeners. Scarlet Thread Consulting The Window Covering Association of America The Workroom Channel   Thanks for listening, and if you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at ceilwdi@gmail.com, or visit my website Ceildi.com.

After spending a wonderful weekend with so  many creative women, I am wondering about how we find time to be creative and where we find our creativity.  I would love to hear how you find time to be creative. I'll post the question on my Facebook Page.  Please share how you find time to be creative and where you find creative inspiration.  

  I am so grateful to share my sponsors with you, as they are helping to make it possible to continue brining the podcast to you. Scarlet Thread Consulting The Window Covering Association of America The Workroom Channel   This weekend I attended Susan Woodcock and Rodger Walker's Workroom Weekend Conference and met some wonderful new people and connected with some dear friends!  I took the opportunity to ask the attendees and students why they were there and what they got out of the weekend.  There are some common threads, but some big differences!  I had the pleasure of meeting people new to the industry who are excited and full of enthusiasm.  I hope you enjoy hearing from them! Home Dec Gal Denton Drapes Leatherwood Design Company RML Custom Home Creations    

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Minda Fernish for this week's podcast!  Minda is so passionate about sharing what she does that it was a joy to be in her classes earlier this year. Minda is so cheerful and positive.  Minda  opened her workroom in 1980. What started as a part time endeavor quickly grew into a full time business. Catering to the discerning designer, Minda's Draperies specializes in custom draperies, valances, pillows, and shades. Through the years, Minda has picked up many tips and techniques on Efficiency in the Workroom, Types of Valance Fullness, Swag Pattern Drafting, and Pleating Draperies, which she's shared at several conferences, including as host of a Working Workroom for Cheryl Strickland. Minda has been published in Sew What? Magazine, Window Coverings News, and is a contributing member of several online forums.  You can contact Minda at mfernish@gmail.com.       I am so grateful to share my sponsors with you, as they are helping to make it possible to continue brining th

Our guest today is Terri Boozer, owner of Studio of Drapery And Fabrication Arts, LLC and Construction Zone Coordinator and Director of The Window Fashions Artisan Project for IWCE. Find out how Terri's business has evolved over the years and how even though becoming an elementary school teacher was not her passion, educating members of our industry has become a huge part of her mission. Terri shares how she conquers those tough days in the workroom. During the interview, Terri mentioned a book, it is; The Six Styles of Procrastination and How to Overcome them. You can find Terri at Studio of Drapery and Fabrication Arts, LLC and to find the Window Fashions Artisan Project Contest Guidelines, go to the WFCP Construction Zone and Window Fashions Aritsan Project Facebook page.