Category: JUKI Spotlight

JUKI Posts, JUKI Spotlight

Business Spotlight: Enjoy the Ride with French Seam

by sewinwithjukiLeave a Comment on Business Spotlight: Enjoy the Ride with French Seam

Celebrating National Small Business Month with JUKI Dealers

Located in Indianapolis, you’ll find a small business knows as ‘The French Seam.’ Family run by a mother and daughter duo, Linda Compton and Courtney Young, they opened their fabric boutique to make fine fabrics affordable and accessible for the entire sewing community. Attracted to the idea of personalization and growing up around the passion of sewing from her mother, Courtney followed in Linda’s footsteps.

“Sewing garment clothes has always been a passion; to achieve something truly unique and to “not see yourself walking down the street”.”

Built on the need for a “fine” fabric store in Indianapolis, they modeled their store as a go-to for fabric choices in the garment sewing community. Venturing into the retail world, the mother and daughter duo began with intense research and a plan to open up their boutique. Over the last ten years, the boutique has grown from a fine fabric shop, now selling machines, accessories, and more. Finding that the sewing world has only continued to grow more over the years, their most significant change was venturing into quilting cotton and their love of modern quilt fabric, a different speed from the fine fabrics they sold alone in the beginning.

Five years ago, “French Seam’ began carrying JUKI in their shops to customers. Aligning perfectly with the unique fabrics that they sold, JUKI was a top choice for their retail needs. Over the years, they’ve continued to represent JUKI by assisting many customers like you find their very own JUKI machine!

The store’s focus is on curating fine fabrics for the garment sewing community while also providing the most extensive collection of indie patterns in their region, as well as selecting and displaying beautiful modern quilt collections. With this, they’ve continued their quest on being unique and recently added fine yarn and fun embroidery pieces to their array of options.

A team whose focus is on helping the many beautiful people who come through their shop, their favorite part is sharing their fabric finds with the sewing community. Their most extensive advice to those who dream of owning their own shop is this, “We have learned to take everything more lightly; not so personally. This was a difficult segue for us coming out of a business community that analyzed your day-to-day performance. Retail is a very different world, and it took us time to step back and realize we do the best we can every day and enjoy the ride.”

If you’re interested in The French Seam check them out today and follow their information below!

(317) 841-1810

info@thefrenchseam.com

9335 Castlegate Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46256

*Photo Credit: The French Seam Team

JUKI Posts, JUKI Spotlight

Business Spotlight: Always Moving Forward with Country Stitches

by sewinwithjukiLeave a Comment on Business Spotlight: Always Moving Forward with Country Stitches

Celebrating National Small Business Month with JUKI Dealers

Co-owned by Anita and Brian, Country Stitches was founded in 1982 and has continued to be a staple in Michigan. Offering accessories, sewing machines, fabric, and more, the Country Stitches shops focus on the customer and their needs! Focusing not only on their passion for sewing but for people, Brian, Anita, and their team enjoy working with customers and helping them find their perfect sewing machine.

Anita and Ann hired Brian in 1995 as a service technician for the shop. In less than a year, Brian moved his way up to sales and customer service. After only a few years, Brian realized this was his true calling and made it into a career. In 1999, after being with the company for four years, Brian became a new business partner!

Inspired by a desire to provide the best possible customer service to their clients, Country Stitches began providing sewing and quilting classes. These classes inspire customers to sew while offering them the opportunity to use the best quality machines. With a focus on creating a relaxing and enjoyable experience, they teach new tricks and provide their experienced services to those getting into the world of sewing.

Over the years, Country Stitches has undergone many changes. From training staff to advertising to customers, they embrace change that benefits the customer. In March 2020, when COVID-19 first began to affect many of us, ‘Country Stitches’ pushed forward with new initiatives to stay in the game and offer their services to those who needed an escape during these times. They began offering curb-side sales and pick-up. Additionally, they revamped their website and included functions for online shopping for customers who weren’t able to visit their shop, and they began virtual classes.

JUKI is never far from your beloved sewing and quilting shops! The much-loved TL-98 served as a gateway for Country Stitches to become familiar with the JUKI name and quality. Starting in June 2013, Country Stitches, officially began carrying JUKI in their shops after attending one of the many tradeshows JUKI attends. Knowing the quality of our machines and the need for fulfilling customers’ wants, they became JUKI vendors. Today, they continue to help people find their perfect JUKI!

Different from many companies, Country Stitches finds change exciting and suitable for their business! Not shy from an ever-evolving world, they’ve stuck to their core values of treating everyone with kindness and respect with a focus on excellent customer service. This way has allowed them to evolve and prosper.

Their most extensive advice when owning a business is to listen and communicate with other dealers.

“-listen to every dealer that is in this industry and find the things they do great and try to add these things to our company. Also, to listen to their struggles so we can be better equipped to handle these same struggles. And last, to share our ideas, our struggles, and our wins with other dealers, new and old, that want to listen.”

If you’re interested in Country Stitches check them out today and follow their information below!

East Lansing
2200 Coolidge Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 816-0383

Jackson
1965 Boardman Road
Jackson, Michigan 49202
(517) 782-7100

*Photo Credit: The Country Stitches Team

JUKI Posts, JUKI Spotlight

Business Spotlight: Just Start with HomeGrown HomeSewn

by sewinwithjuki1 Comment on Business Spotlight: Just Start with HomeGrown HomeSewn

Celebrating National Small Business Month with JUKI Dealers

Hello JUKI Lovers! We know how much small businesses matter, especially for us quilters and sewers, and today we wanted to highlight a shop that represents the JUKI standard.

A small business, ran by a close-knit family, the HomeGrown HomeSewn is a go-to for sewing and quilting enthusiasts alike in Cincinnati. Diane, the matriarch of their family, has been sewing since the age of seven, creating projects at home for herself and her family, and even creating her own wedding dress. Her daughter, Abbey, joined the family business due to her mutual love for the craft and is a part-owner of the shop. Recently, their team was featured on ‘Quilt Sampler’ magazine this past fall and were able to showcase a quilt designed by Diane, a fantastic accomplishment for them all!

Created with the idea in mind of passing this tradition from generation to generation, as Diane did with her very own family, she began her shop with kits made for kids for their crafting projects. Witnessing the creativity spring from kids, she continued focusing on her idea and created a full-on quilt shop!

“Watching people’s creative ideas come to life and seeing the joy that brings is our favorite part of owning the shop.”

Starting as a kit shop for kids, their group became vendors at homeschool conventions and started creating a niche for an actual quilt shop in Cincinnati shortly after. As times change, they currently have plans to venture into the online world of creating their virtual fabric shop for customers. HomeGrown HomeSewn does have strategies for growing its business in the world of crafts. There’s no limit to what possibilities they can follow with plans to venture into crocheting, gardening, homeschooling, and culinary arts. There’s no limit to what opportunities they can pursue!

One of their shop products, and you already know where we’re going with this, is JUKI! True to their message, the mother and daughter duo both worked with JUKI before selling our machines in their shop, giving them that hands-on experience so they could genuinely vouch for what they sell.

Offering a large selection of fabrics, different brands, and more, their shop is a go-to for your quilting and sewing needs. One of the reasons they’ve done so well? Their focus and dedication to customer service to local and non-local shoppers. The opportunity to personally shop for your machine through messaging or video and guaranteed fast shipping makes certain distance doesn’t stop people from visiting them.

Check out HomeGrownHomeSewn’ The Fab Stash Show, a live Facebook selling show to learn more about what they offer. They’ve also created the ‘The Fab Stash Club’ newsletter as a fabric club that offers customizable bundles and the ‘Fresh and Fab’ Friday video series that features the newest fabrics each week.

When asked for advice on what they would tell fellow sewists and quilters hoping to open their own shop, their reply was simple and to the point.

“Just start! I think so many times we hesitate because of an obstacle we see or think maybe in the way. At some point, you just dive in. Sure there will be mistakes, but that’s sometimes the best way to learn. We tell the same thing to people about quilting or trying new techniques. Just start, or you’ll never get it.”

If you’re interested in HomeGrown HomeSewn check them out today and follow their information below!

(513)401-9747

5761 Springdale Rd, Suite L, Cincinnati, OH 45247

*Photo Credit: HomeGrown HomeSewn Team

JUKI Posts, JUKI Spotlight

How Its Sewn with Nicole Chen

by sewinwithjukiLeave a Comment on How Its Sewn with Nicole Chen
Nicole Chen
Asymmetrical Cotton Seersucker Dress by Nicole Chen

Hello everyone, today we’re excited to introduce a fellow JUKI Lover, Nicole Chen! Read on to learn more about Nicole’s journey on becoming a sewer in 2020 as she shares her experiences in picking up her new go-to hobby.

As a fashion retail buyer in New York and a student pursuing her fashion design certification by night, Nicole always loved the process of creating- and in her case, making clothing! During the beginning of quarantine, Nicole began documenting her sewing journey on social media including Instagram @Howitssewn and website Howitssewn.com for people to join her as she learns new techniques on each project.

“It’s my main creative outlet and makes me feel so happy and fulfilled, especially when I can see my improvement over time.”

Joining the wave of new sewers, she began by taking apart and upcycling her old clothes, giving them a new life. As she gradually improved with the help of videos, she designed and drafted original sewing patterns.

“I love the challenge and design freedom that self-drafting allows, but the process from pattern to clothing is a lot of trial and error. There is no escaping this, but each mistake teaches me something new!”

Floral Print Ruffled Linen Dress By Nicole Chen

As Nicole continued to grow, she ventured out to find inspiration for her projects. Her recommendation? Look into the Google Arts and Culture collection, an online museum created during quarantine. This application has helped people escape their homes and explore a beautiful and awe-inspiring online exhibit with artwork, images, and cultural artifacts from around the world. She explains it’s a free application allowing you access to gain inspiration from any fashion museum and art gallery they have on display. Her favorite artist to follow is Zimmermann, for their fun and flirty pieces, and Alexander McQueen, for their technically intricate clothing.

Early on in Nicole’s sewing journey, she told herself she would learn a new technique for every project she worked on as a way to challenge herself. Having an infinite amount of possibilities at her disposal, Nicole is currently learning about curves and movements of the human body and how to rein the designs she wants.

Nicole’s advice for newcomers? Sewing is 80% preparation and 20% actual sewing. Taking the time and care to prepare everything beforehand like fabrics, pattern truing, and cutting sets you up for a win!

A JUKI lover like us, Nicole invested in her first JUKI serger last year, the JUKI MO-654DE! After being recommended by friends and online sources, she claims it as one of her best sewing decisions, here’s some advice below from Nicole on how to choose the best serger for yourself.

Juki MO-654DE

“To save you the time, here are my top 3 aspects to look for in your first serger:

1. Color-Coded Threading System. The last thing you want is to spend half an hour changing your thread color. The 4-color coded system is great for visual learners and is super intuitive.

2. Adjustable Differential Feed. This is a must-have if you often work with knits and stretchy fabrics. This is the trick to create those beautiful lettuce hems!

3. High-Quality Knife Blade. This is, arguably, the most satisfying part of serging. A good blade will cut smoothly through your excess seam allowances and leave you with neatly finished edges.”

As the new year continues to bring in new sewers, we’re so excited to share with you their accomplishments. To learn more about Nicole and keep up with her quilting journey, follow her on Instagram today @HowItsSewn or her website HowItsSewn.com!

JUKI Posts, JUKI Spotlight

JUKI Spotlight: Urban Quilting with Wendy Chow

by sewinwithjuki2 Comments on JUKI Spotlight: Urban Quilting with Wendy Chow
JUKI Spotlight: Urban Quilting with Wendy Chow
Wendy Chow – photographed by
Rachel Kuzma

Welcome JUKI Lovers to a new book we enjoy! The “Urban Quilting: Quilt patterns for the Modern-Day Home” by Wendy Chow is one of our new book recommendations for beginners and experts alike. Each of the 10 quilt patterns has detailed instructions for making quilts in different sizes. The book is beginner-friendly and has everything you need to know to get started in creating beautiful quilts.

Wendy Chow, an Aussie modern quilter and pattern designer based in New York, focuses on bold, unique color combinations and geometric shapes inspired by architecture, interior design, and nature. From the age of four, Wendy was transfixed by sewing, but it was not until high school where she began her quilting journey. Using quilting as an escape from the real world, Wendy created quilts and designs that helped her through her days at her corporate job.

Wendy’s love for quilting brought her to a dream opportunity when her publishers found her on social media and offered a publishing deal. “Never in my wildest dreams, I’d envision myself writing a book one day. The opportunity randomly presented itself when my publisher, Blue Star Press, contacted me after they saw my work on Instagram. At the time I was still trying to figure out whether to continue to pursue this new creative career path or to go back to my daily grind in the corporate world. But we all know what happens at the end,” Wendy stated when asked what brought her to venture out to the publishing world.

Urban Quilting: Quilt patterns for the Modern-Day Home – photographed by
Rachel Kuzma

It was hard to choose, but one of the designs we loved most at JUKI is found on page 34. The bold design is perfect for those wanting to learn a new skill in quilting since it features Half-Square Triangles; a common motif in designs perfect for those still learning. Wendy teaches you how to create this design by constructing multiple Half-Square Triangles in record time with one of her favorite tricks. You won’t want to miss this! All of Wendy’s designs also have levels from “beginner” to “advanced beginner” written under each design, making this book great for those just starting or wanting to expand their quilting horizons.

Find your own “Urban Quilting: Quilt Patterns for the Modern-Day Home” by Wendy Chow at the following locations below to begin your quilting journey today.

Purchase at the following online retailers:

– Amazon

– Book Depository

– Barnes and Noble

If you enjoyed the book, what part did you enjoy most?

Share your quilting journey with us!