While She Naps with Abby Glassenberg

On today's episode of the While She Naps podcast we're talking about building a fabric company with my guest, Arvin Pairavi.  Arvin is the President and Co-Owner of Shannon Fabrics, a family owned importer and distributor of plush fabrics. Arvin joined the company in 2000 to work with his father and has helped grow Shannon Fabrics from a small business to a team of more than 50 employees. In this interview we trace the Pairavi family's history in the fabric business. Arvin's grandfather and father had fabric stores in Iran before the family fled to the United States as refugees in the late 1980s. Once settled in Los Angeles, his father went into the fabric business again, opening a retail and wholesale fabric shop focusing on garment fabrics. When the family hit hard times due to the stock market crash in late 1999, Arvin left his job in the electronics business to help his father. They began importing fabrics, expanding their wholesale business significantly. On a buying trip Arvin discovered a new, exceptionally soft polyester fabric that was different from anything currently on the market at that time. He placed a small order for what Shannon Fabrics called Cuddle fabric and was thrilled when this new substrate became an immediate success. Today, it's one of Shannon's premier products and is available in nearly 100 colors. A few years later Shannon Fabrics entered the quilting industry, attending Quilt Market for the first time. Later, a licensing partnership with Robert Kaufman led to more popularity among local quilt shops. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Okan Arts. Okan Arts offers vintage Japanese fabrics for adventuresome sewists and quilters. The shop specializes in high-quality yukata cottons that are hand-dyed and traditionally used to make summer kimonos. The fabric patterns range from classic geometrics in indigo and white, to bold, lyrical motifs in vivid colors. Be sure to visit Okan Arts when you are in Seattle, or online at okanarts.com. +++++ Visit my blog, whileshenaps.com, where you can sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to you inbox each week.

In this special episode of the While She Naps podcast we're celebrating the second anniversary of Craft Industry Alliance, the trade association for makers, designers, suppliers, and content creators in all areas of craft. Founded in October of 2015 by myself and Kristin Link (of Sew Mama Sew) Craft Industry Alliance now has over 1,300 members! For this episode we're bringing five of those members onto the show to talk about their businesses and their relationship to the organization. Plus, we ask each of them to recommend great stuff they're enjoying right now. Kristin and I co-host these conversations. We talk to Kate McKean, Kara Gott Warner, Ann Martin, and Traci Vaspol and Karen Katin. Join Craft Industry Alliance today at http://www.craftindustryalliance.org.

On today’s episode of the While She Naps podcast we’re talking about building a career as a designer with my guest, Christine Ricks. Christine is the Creative Director for Missouri Star Quilt Company’s publishing department, working with a team to design and produce their magazines, Block and Modblock. She’s trained as a graphic designer and has taken up quilting as another medium to express her creative self. Christine spent the 10 years prior to her current position working in surface pattern design and contributing to several fabric lines for BasicGrey produced by Moda. She also contributes to the Modern Quilt Guild’s Quilt of the month and served as president of the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild last year. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Craft Industry Alliance, a trade association for makers, designers, suppliers, and content creators in all sectors of craft from knitting and crochet to quilting, sewing, paper crafting, polymer clay, embroidery, cross stitch and more. Founded by myself and Kristin Link in 2015, Craft Industry Alliance now has 1,300 members. Get a professionally written digital journal twice a month with up-to-date information on what's happening in the industry, tune in to webinars taught by experts in their field, and join a supportive community of fellow creative business owners. Check it out at craftindustryalliance.org. +++++ To get the show notes for this episode visit my blog, whileshenaps.com, where you can sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to you inbox each week.

On today’s episode of the While She Naps podcast we’re talking about building an innovative company in the sewing industry with my guest, Fred Drexler. Fred, along with his wife, Joyce, founded Sulky of America, a premier thread and stabilizer company. Fred began his career in the sewing industry in 1965 at age 23 as a salesman for the Singer Company in Akron Ohio. In 1969, he opened his own Singer dealership in Punta Gorda, Florida and met Joyce in 1974. She founded Speed Stitch, the company that popularized free motion embroidery using a domestic sewing machine. In 1987 Speed Stitch partnered with a German thread manufacturer to form Sulky of America. We trace the history of the company from Fred’s early days selling Singer sewing machines, a job he took on a whim, to building one of the most significant companies in the home sewing and quilting industries today. Hear how Joyce stumbled upon water soluble stabilizer at a time when it was non-existent on the American market and how she and Fred went about making that product a massive commercial success. Sulky continues to partner and innovate today. This year they released an exclusive thread collection with Cotton+Steel. In 2009 Fred passed the role of president of Sulky onto Jason Prater, an employee who had worked at the company since 1995. We talk about the particular challenges of selling Sulky and how Fred is thinking about the future. +++++ Today’s episode is sponsored by Girl Charlee Fabrics. Girl Charlee Fabrics is your online source for knit fabrics, carrying a wide selection of unique cotton jersey, cotton lycra, brushed poly spandex, french terry, and more. Girl Charlee Fabrics also stocks all the best indie sewing patterns from designers around the world. New customers save 10% on their first order, and always $7.99 flat rate shipping on any order, any size!  Shop now at girlcharlee.com. +++++ To get the show notes for this episode visit my blog, whileshenaps.com, where you can sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to you inbox each week.

On today's episode of the While She Naps podcast we're talking about cross stitch with my guest, Jamie Chalmers, also known as Mr X Stitch. Jamie took up cross stitching fifteen years ago and he’s never looked back. Since establishing the Mr X Stitch website in 2008, he has been showcasing new talent in the world of textiles and stitch and has curated a number of stitch-based exhibitions in the UK and Ireland. Jamie is an accomplished and internationally exhibited artist in his own right, and the curator of PUSH Stitchery (affiliate link), part of a series of books published by Lark showcasing the work of contemporary embroidery artists from around the world. Jamie is an active leader in the online stitch community and what he has dubbed ‘the new embroidery movement’. He loves introducing new people to the benefits of embroidery from a creative and wellbeing standpoint and is proud to be an ambassador for the craft. Hear how Jamie first got interested in cross stitch and what it is about needlecraft in general that continues to enthrall him. Jamie has run a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to launch his new magazine and he talks about how he approached that project. He also has over 30,000 followers on Instagram and gives us the details of his Instagram strategy. Mr X Stitch is a multi-contributor blog and Jamie explains how he runs a site like this. The site often features artwork with racy or politically controversial themes and Jamie explains how he filters what to include and what to reject.  +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by Needle and Foot, Fine Fabrics. This on-line fabric shop opened in January of 2017 with an ever-growing collection of modern fabrics. You will find a delightful collection of fabrics produced by Art Gallery Fabric, Andover and Windham Fabrics among others. Specializing in curated fat quarter bundles, Needle and Foot makes it possible to collect your favorite lines without breaking the budget. Bernadine Kringel, owner of Needle and Foot, treasures her customers and welcomes inquiries and requests. Let her help you put together just the right bundle! Use the coupon code WhileSheNaps15 for a 15% discount on your purchase (valid through the end of September 2017). +++++ Get the show notes for this episode on my blog, WhileSheNaps.com, where you can also sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to your inbox each week.

I'm at Stitches United in Hartford, CT, talking with Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc., publishers of XRX Books as well as promoters of STITCHES Expos. Benjamin is a second-generation partner in this 31-year-old company originally started by his uncle, Alexis Xenakis, his father, David Xenakis, and their partner Elaine Rowley.  Benjamin has been a part of the fiber industry since his family opened a yarn shop in Sioux Falls, SD when he was a small boy, an enterprise that later evolved into XRX. We talk about the closure of Knitters Magazine last and the expansion of the STITCHES shows. Benjamin explains the friction that sometimes arises between STITCHES and local yarn shops and how that might be resolved. We also talk about Benjamin's former podcast, Fiber Hooligans, a new physical product for selling digital books, and more. Learn more about the STITCHES shows on their website. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Sew Surprised. Sew Surprised is a learn-to-sew subscription box that is delivered to your door every month. Each box will contain all the materials needed to make a complete project, along with a link to a video showing you exactly how to complete the project. Sew Surprised is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to sew, and we have boxes for boys, girls, and adults too! Visit us at Sew Surprised to get started. +++++ Get the show notes for this episode on my blog, WhileSheNaps.com, where you can sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to you inbox each week.

Today we're talking about building a career as a quilter with my guest, Sue Bleiweiss. I’m here visiting Sue in her home studio in Pepperell, Massachusetts which is about 45 minutes from my home and is a beautiful place to visit in July. Sue creates vibrant colorful art quilts intended to delight the eye of the viewer and draw them in for a closer look.  The author of several books, she has written numerous articles for Quilting Arts Magazine, appeared on The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims and Quilting Arts TV.  She's currently working on her 3rd book due out in the fall of 2018.   Sue’s award winning quilts have been exhibited internationally and reside in private collections all over the world. Sue began her career in corporate America and transitioned to being a full-time artist shortly after September 11th, 2001. She talks about exploring a variety of art mediums, and even building a career in a few, before landing on quilting. Learn about hand dyeing fabric, fused applique, entering shows and writing books. Plus, most recently Sue has helped to curate and organize Threads of Resistance, a political quilt show that was recently installed at the New England Quilt Museum and will soon travel across the country. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Teresa Ascone. Teresa has created watercolor tutorials perfect for beginners! All tutorials include a framable print of the art, supply list, instructions and definitions. Teresa has taught art for more than 35 years, introducing hundreds of people to the marvelous world of watercolor - join her and access your own artistic expression!www.etsy.com/shop/AsconeArtTutorials +++++ Get the show notes for this episode on my blog, whileshenaps.com, where you can sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to your inbox each week. Thank you!

I'm talking with Alissa Haight Carlton. Alissa is a modern quilter, designer, author and the co-founder and Executive Director of the Modern Quilt Guild (MQG).  She has written two quilting books, Modern Minimal and Block Party. When not working in the quilting world, she heads up casting for Project Runway. Alissa lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons.  Alissa tells the story of the founding of the MQG and how it's run today. She talks about how the organization has grown, why they chose non-profit status, and how they've handled pushback on various issues over the last seven years. Alissa also explains what it's like to cast reality TV shows, especilly Project Runway. Hear what she's looking for in a cast member and how this show differs from other reality shows you might encounter. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Jacquelynnes Steves. The I Love Home Free Block of the Month and Sew Along at JacquelynneSteves.com is starting soon! The patterns are Free and you have an option for doing just piecing, or add applique or hand embroidery to your blocks. This is a great project for beginning to more advanced quilters! Patterns have lots of step by step diagrams, and there will be some video tutorials as well. Get lots of ideas for fabrics and colors, and tons of giveaways with incredible sponsors! Plus, join the fun Facebook community, Sew Quilty Friends, to share your photos, ideas, and questions. There is an optional fabric kit available too! Use discount code WHILESHENAPS2017 to get $6 off the regular price of the kit, now through July 10, 2017. +++++ Catch up with the Modern Quilt Guild on their website: themodernquiltguild.com And follow Alissa's creative life on her Instagram feed: alissahaightcarlton Get the show notes for this episode on my blog, whileshenaps.com, where you can also sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to your inbox each week. Thank you!  

In this episode we're talking about sewing magazines and television with my guest, Ellen March. Ellen March is the Community Content Director for the sewing division of F+W Media, including the Sew News, Creative Machine Embroidery, BurdaStyle, Sew Daily and Sew it All brands. She’s appeared on several television shows spreading her love of sewing, most notably Hallmark’s Marie Osmond Show and DIY Network’s Uncommon Threads, and she hosted Sew it All TV on PBS for nine seasons. Ellen traces her career in the sewing media industry from stumbling upon a job description for a graphic designers at Sew News (she wasn't a graphic designer, but applied for a job anyway) to pitching a PBS show, to overseeing a suite of sewing magazines and brands for F+W Media. One of the things that stands out about Ellen's journey is her willingness to ask for the job she wants and her eagerness to take on new challenges. Her approach is very inspiring. I ask Ellen to detail for us what exactly sewing magazines are looking right now. She explains how to write a good pitch (and what not to do) and why she feels that being published in a magazine is a worthwhile endeavor for designers. If you'd like to get on the contributors list for Sew News and Creative Machine Embroidery magazines, be sure to listen because Ellen shares the email address you can write to. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Sweetbriar Sisters. Sweetbriar Sisters is excited to announce their latest book, Hopeful Hatchlings! This sewing pattern collection includes nine different baby animals to hatch (and re-hatch!) from adorable zipper eggs. You can find Hopeful Hatchlings, along with a full collection of one of a kind toy patterns at SweetbriarSisters.com. Be sure to use coupon code ‘naps’ for 20% off your purchase of digital patterns (including the Hopeful Hatchlings eBook) from now until August 31.  +++++ Get the show notes from this episode on my blog, whileshenaps.com, where you can also sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to your inbox each week.  

On this episode of the While She Naps podcast we’re talking about running a fabric company with my guests, Kathy Miller and Michael Steiner. Kathy and Michael are the co-founders of Michael Miller Fabrics. We begin by talking about Kathy's and Michael's careers before co-founding the company together. Kathy and Michael then explain how they met and came together to form their own fabric company. Michael Miller Fabrics has evolved considerably since its early days and you'll hear how and why it changed, and how the business was funded early on. We talk about Quilt Market and how the role of trade shows is changing. We also talk about how Michael Miller has differentiated itself in a crowded marketplace. Kathy and Michael consider the future of fabric manufacturing and how digital printing might change things. ++++ Today's episode is sponsored by Cashmerette Patterns. Did you know that the average woman wears a size 16 and a DD bra, but that most sewing patterns stop at a 14 and are drafted for a B cup? That’s why Jenny Rushmore launched Cashmerette Patterns, the first sewing patterns designed for curves.  Cashmerette Patterns come in sizes 12 – 28 and cup sizes from C – H, and there are a range of modern patterns from the ultimate wrap dress to a button-down shirt that doesn’t gape at the bust. Use code WHILESHENAPS at shop.cashmerette.com to get 20% off your purchase before July 1.+++++ Get the show notes for this episode at WhileSheNaps.com where you can sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to your inbox each week.

In this episode we're talking about building a lifelong career in sewing with my guest, Nancy Zieman. Nancy Zieman is an author, designer, businesswomen, TV producer, blogger and national sewing authority. She’s the host of the popular show Sewing With Nancy®, which appears exclusively on public television stations across the United States and Canada. You can watch Sewing With Nancy® online at nancyzieman.com. In this interview Nancy traces the history of her career. Hear how she first got onto public television and what those early days were like. Learn about the start of Nancy's Notions and how the business expanded over the past three decades. Nancy also talks about some personal issues including how she balanced being a working mother and the challenges she's faced due to Bell's palsy. Nancy's integrity, work ethic, and good humor are an inspiration. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Storey Publishing. Storey Publishing offers quality books on crafting, gardening, natural health and wellness, cooking, and sustainable living. Their quilting, sewing, and fiber craft books are some of my favorites. Storey’s expert craft authors include recent While She Naps guest and QuiltCon presenter Thomas Knauer, author of The Quilt Design Coloring Workbook. You can all get a free downloadable quilt design coloring template from the book on Storey’s website. You can find the link in the show notes. +++++ Get the show notes for this episode on my blog, whileshenaps.com, where you can sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to your inbox each week.

On today's episode of the While She Naps podcast we’re talking about building a career as a modern quilter with my guest, Jen Carlton Bailly. Jen is a founder of the Portland Modern Quilt Guild, the largest modern quilt guild in the world. She had a career in retail before becoming a mother and modern quilter and carries many of lesson she learned in those years over to her current work. In this conversation we talk about discovering a craft community online and in person. Jen explains how modern quilters first connected online via Flickr and then came together in her local community to form a guild. Jen's blog is called Betty Crocker Ass and we discuss what it's like to have such a standout name for your website. She explains her mixed feelings over the years about possibly changing it, and why in the end she chose to keep it. Jen has a line of quilting templates out and she talks about creating and selling a signature product and the challenges with scaling the business. She also beginning to sell patterns and discusses what that decision entailed. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Yount Street Glass. Kay and her partner, Cindy, at Yount Street Glass make jewelry and accessories from recycled wine bottles. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Yount Street Glass is perfectly situated to upcycle the beautiful glass that cradled beautiful wines.  Check out YountStreetGlass.com to learn more about Yount Street Glass and their hand crafted eco-friendly products. Be sure to enter promo code NAP for a 15% discount on your next order. +++++ Get the show notes for this episode on my blog, WhileSheNaps.com, where you can also sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to your inbox each week.

On today's episode we're talking about building an online presence on Instagram with my guest, Nichole Vogelsinger. Nichole has a beautiful new book out with Lucky Spool, Wild Boho: Modern Projects from Traditional Stitches (affiliate link). She's also partnered with an assortment of sewing brands including fabric and notions companies. Nichole has built tremendous momentum for her work by using Instagram to show what she's doing and forge connections. She currently has over 10,000 followers. It's really exciting to see her trajectory! +++++ This episode is sponsored by the International Association of Creative Arts Professionals. For more than 20 years, ICAP has been the go-to resource for thousands of creatives around the world. Whether you are looking for peer support through our free Creative Passion to Profit Facebook group, help taking your business to the next level through our ICAP membership, the chance to work on not in your business at our annual conference, or private coaching, you'll find just what you need. Head on over to joinicap.com/whileshenaps and grab your free Creative Arts Business Blueprint and Poster to get started. And if you decide to uplevel your business with an ICAP Elevating Membership, you'll enjoy 10% off if you use the code ABBY when you checkout. +++++ Get the show notes for this episode on my blog, whileshenaps.com, where you can sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to you inbox each week.

On today's episode of the While She Naps podcast we're talking about owning a quilt shop with my guest, Heather Givans. We recorded this episode in Savannah, Georgia, at Quilt Con 2017. The show was so inspiring and I was excited to have the opportunity to sit down with an equally inspiring guest to talk more about this industry. Heather is a creative force; fabric store owner, fabric designer, quilt designer, national instructor, artist, and art educator. Heather creates community wherever she goes. Her shop, Crimson Tate, in Indianapolis, was born out of an obsession with creating non-traditional quilts from contemporary, modern and repurposed vintage fabrics. Heather designs fabric for Windham Fabrics, works on new pattern designs, giggles contagiously, and teaches sewing with her energetic friends and staff among the hustle and bustle of downtown. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Plum Deluxe. Love trying new teas? Want to make every day feel special? Treat yourself to a Plum Deluxe tea of the month subscription. For only $10/month, you’ll receive a hand blended, all-organic, loose leaf tea thoughtfully chosen for the season. Tea club members also enjoy special benefits like free shipping and access to a supportive community. Tea also makes a fantastic gift. Visit plumdeluxe.com/tea to join now. +++++ Connect with Heather Givans on the Crimson Tate site. Get the show notes for this episode on my blog, WhileSheNaps.com, where you can also sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to your inbox each week.

I'm talking with Dean Neumann and Penny McMorris about Electric Quilt, the quilt designs software company they co-founded 26 years ago. After the Air Force and then graduate school, Dean was a Professor of Mathematics at Bowling Green State University for 25 years. He received a hand-me-down computer from his son in the late 1980s, and quickly became a self-taught computer programmer just for fun.  His wife, Penny McMorris, was the corporate art curator for Owens-Corning Corporation, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. Penny was a self-taught quilt maker. She taught a few local classes and then talked her local PBS station (WBGU-TV) into letting her produce and host a television series showing quilt history and the best contemporary quilts of that time.  With Penny’s travels for her job and the TV show, Dean became interested in quilts and was motivated to find an enterprise that they could do together. He was the brainstorm behind the idea of creating a software that would allow quilters to pre-plan their designs. The result was the first Electric Quilt (EQ) program in 1992. They both eventually left their jobs to run the company full time. 26 years later, they continue to own and operate The Electric Quilt Company in Bowling Green, Ohio. +++++  This episode is sponsored by Plum Deluxe. Love trying new teas?  Treat yourself to a Plum Deluxe tea of the month subscription.  For only $10/month, you'll receive a hand blended, all-organic,loose leaf tea thoughtfully chosen for the season.  Tea club members also enjoy special benefits like discounts, free shipping on all purchases, and access to a very loving and supporting tea community.  A tea subscription also makes a fantastic gift. Visit PlumDeluxe.com/tea and join now. +++++ Get the show notes for this episode on my blog, WhileSheNaps.com where you can also sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to your inbox each week. Visit Electric Quilt at ElectricQuilt.com.