JUKI Small Business Seminar: Sell Your Sewing Skills

Sewing is an escape. We bet you love sewing, and it makes you happy when you get to work on a project! Whether you’re creating a quilt, a shirt, or maybe working on home décor, you love it when you can show off that finished product. Now imagine taking this craft you love and making some extra money. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert; sewers at any skill can do this!

The best way to begin is to put yourself out there! How? First, open up a social media page for your creations to get your work seen by new people. There are always great people out there excited to get and share new ideas! Creating a customer base, people who want to own the projects you make, is the first step to opening your little e-shop. Remember that this can be built at your rate, so just start with the basics like sharing what you make and interacting with others, and it will grow from there.

We wanted to share some fun and simple start-up ideas for those who have thought about starting their side business but didn’t know what to do

Begin a repair and alter service

A service that never goes out of style, many people know altering and repairing are less expensive than buying something new. While you may already do this for yourself, many people out there wish they could save their favorite clothing pieces and don’t know how! Offering this service is a standard beginning for many in the clothes construction sector of sewing and will always be needed.

Clothing Construction for Others

If you find yourself in love with creating and designing clothing, look into creating this for others! Many people love having unique and meaningful pieces in their wardrobe. Whether it be beautiful gowns or tops or graphic tees and embroidered sweaters, we enjoy being different. The perks of shopping from small businesses are owning something unique, and that can be you they go to!

Make Décor for the Home

As new homeowners and different styles continue to emerge, creating unique home décor pieces can be a great side business! Fluffy decorative pillows, warm duvets, quilts, or stunning curtains are essential to a comfortable home. When it comes to decorating a home, many want things that represent their style and taste. What better way than creating personalized items for that customer looking to express themselves?!

Sell your Sewing Crafts

When it’s time to let your creativity flow free, we can end up with an abundance of sewing projects leftover. While our first reaction is usually giving it to family and friends, there’s another solution, sell it! Clearing up your living space while sending out your projects is a win-win situation for you and the happy shopper who loved your art.

Maybe you just enjoy the luxury of sewing and never thought about selling your artwork. Maybe you’ve always had an idea of selling something but didn’t know where to start. What’s important is doing the craft you love! With so many options for online selling, social media marketing, and even the possibility of holding a booth at a farmer’s market, it’s essential to keep in mind that you have options. Remember, the best advice is always the same, just start.

Check out JUKI’s Business Plus program to learn more about how to become your boss at https://jukiquilting.com/business-solutions!

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

Longarm Training with JUKI!

Hello JUKI lovers! We know how butterfly-inducing it is to get a new machine, but what about the aftermath of learning it? That’s why we’re here! Our JUKI Longarm training is for all types of quilters to join and learn more about techniques and tricks.

Get your pencils and notebooks ready because this 3-day workshop covers basic machine maintenance, tensions, working with different threads, batting, LCD screen operation, free-motion techniques, loading a quilt, marking quilts, ruler work, couching, pantographs, optional accessories, and more on the TL-2200QVP and Miyabi J-350QVP.

We also offer the opportunity to learn about our Quilters Creative Touch software. This workshop teaches you the basics of building blocks, pantographs, including the new Power Panto, designing your quilt pattern blocks, and move on to more advanced techniques such as Quilt CAD and Pattern CAD.

We offer JUKI Longarm training throughout the year with our Education staff to help you be the best quilter you can be! Thank you to those who have joined us in the past on our training, we hope you enjoy your JUKI and come back for more in the future!

Check out this link to see other training dates and sign up information. We hope to see you soon!

QCT5 Software Update 5.05.60 Now Available

A software update (version 5.05.60) is available for Quilter’s Creative Touch 5. 

This update comes with the following changes:

  • Micro Stitch tie offs and baste function
  • New Help files, Tutorial, and Video links when device is online
  • New registration process
  • Tool tips will now only display in simulation mode
  • Pattern Eclipse is a new feature in QCT
  • Single stitch icon on the top tool bar of the Quilting Interface Screen
  • Old Select & Sew view removed.  Will remove Multi Point placement and Block Lock

Please click here to access the installation guide. Click here to view list of new features.

We hope you enjoy this update!

JUKI Sergers and You!

MO-654DE

This month we’re celebrating JUKI sergers! Looking to celebrate with us? With so many options, we compiled a list to make your choice a little bit easier.

Our MO-654DE and MO-644D, our most popular models, are perfect for beginners joining the serger world and experts who want professional results. These overlocks have JUKI Lovers raving about their ability to tackle any projects you throw at it! Each machine comes equipped with tools and technology that make the process of creating beautiful garments easy for you.         

The MO-735 is a quiet and stable combination of overlock and coverstitch that easily sews through several layers of fabric and works on thick materials, such as denim or leather. This machine is not only a great tool for designing clothes but for creating upholstery and various home decorations as well. Create all the projects you envisioned with the MO-735!

MO-1000

If you’re looking to waste no time on threading, the MO-2000QVP and MO-1000 are perfect for you! These air-threading machines make threading a breeze. With the press of a button, the looper threads are threaded for you. Additionally, these models also come with left and right needle threaders. It really can’t get much easier than that!

For our JUKI Lovers that have handled sergers and want to grow more, we recommend our MO-100 series. Beginner-friendly but still perfect for experts, our MO machines make things easier with a turn of a dial. With lay-in threading feature, quiet and simple operation, these overlocks can offer quality finishes to your projects!

MCS-1500

Lastly, our MCS Series is perfect for those looking for a professional coverhem finish. Our MCS-1500 can you help expand your creativity with an extensive range of functions and professional-looking stitches. The 3- and 4-thread coverstitch is perfect for various applications, such as hems, sleeve cuffs, and necklines. Perfect for the beautiful garments you make!

Whatever your project, we at JUKI want to make sure you find the best fit! What machine is on your wishlist?