MOMpreneur
Teaching a craft to SEW many!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Suzy always thought she was a creative gal...until she met up with Becca, owner and teacher of Create!® Sewing Studio in Acton. Becca is energetic, creative and it is clear how she is able to inspire her students. Her studio is bright and comfortable with plenty of room to lay out patterns, iron fabrics and sew the finishing touches on your personal creations...Suzy invites you to meet Becca, she is SEW talented!
Suzy: What town are you originally from?
Becca: I grew up not too far from here in Winchester, MA. As towns go, it's not that different from where I live now! I think that's why Acton felt comfortable so quickly. My Husband and I moved here the year after we got married, 15 years ago.
Suzy: How long have you been sewing?
Becca: I have been sewing since I was around 5 or 6 years old. Let's just say that's a long time ago!
Suzy: Who taught you the tricks of the trade?
Becca: I grew up with sewing alongside with all kinds of art in my family. My mother was a professional artist so she made sure there were plenty of art supplies available. I remember always being surrounded by color; and lots and lots of fabrics and thread for sewing. It was the joy of my childhood!
But, back to the question of who taught me to sew; my great aunt was a professional seamstress, but my grandmother and mother were quite professional in their sewing work and they were my first teachers. When I was around 5, my mother made me a little striped dress with eyelet and velvet trim and my grandmother made a matching dress for my doll from the scraps. My sister sewed as well, so I grew up with the idea that everyone sewed! When I was in junior high, I took home economics like everyone else and I learned some from that, but mostly I learned from my mom and grandma and from all of the many garments I made. I sewed many of my clothes when I was in my 20's and 30's and when my son was born, his room was decorated with a quilt, baby bumpers and pillows all custom made for him by me! Once he was in school, I also took many specialty classes on specific topics like fitting, working with wools and knits, etc. Unfortunately, some of the places I learned no longer exist and many schools no longer teach sewing. I realize now that many of the things that I was taught by my mother are now considered high end "couture" techniques! They were really good!
Suzy: What inspired/drove you to start Create!® Sewing Studio?
Becca: I had a successful graphic design business for many years, but around the time my son was born, I was really longing for something new to do business-wise. I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew it would have to be something creative and different from what I had been doing. Although I had gone to art school and a liberal arts college years before and I had already run the graphics studio, I thought that there was probably more to learn about starting a new business. My husband encouraged me to return to school to get a business degree, so I went to Simmons School of Management, the only all woman's MBA program (an incredible program by the way!). It was at Simmons in the entrepreneurship classes that I came up with the idea for Create! and as soon as I graduated I started working on making it into a reality. The inspiration however, was remembering the feelings of growing up surrounded by creativity. It was that feeling of joy around creating that inspired me to start Create! as away of sharing that feeling with others.
Suzy: When did it open?
Becca: We opened in September 2008.
Suzy: What is your favorite part about teaching?
Becca: I think the best part is the excitement I see in the sewing students when they finish their first project. That's when they realize that not only did they make it themselves, but if it's a garment they can actually wear it or if it's a pillow or window treatment, they use it right away in their homes!
Suzy: What helps you to manage both the business and your family?
Becca: A very understanding and supportive family! My husband and son are not only understanding, they are also a big help to me in the business. My husband, Brian often acts as a sounding board for new ideas. He also was one of my first sewing students! He has become quite good by now. His sewing projects are different from what I like to make, but always well executed. He has made items like organic cotton t-shirts, a windblock fleece vest and a case for his fly fishing rod. He's working right now on a fishing shirt with a collar, button front, pleated pockets; a pretty complex tailoring project. He is a fisherman and he also builds fly rods and ties his own flies for fly fishing. He's quite a craftsman. Mostly though, he is my biggest fan and I am very grateful!
Suzy: What was the best advice you received when starting your business?
Becca: Do your research to find out what people really, want then delight your customers and give them value for their money.
Suzy: What 1 thing do you want the readers to know about Create!® Sewing Studio?
Becca: Our mission is to provide our students with a creative outlet while teaching them a useful skill.
More about Create!® Sewing Studio:
Create!® Sewing Studio is a training site for sewing interns who came to work with me through Framingham State's Fashion Design and Retailing program. Amanda, Angela and Darlene all helped with the Sew Fun 4 Kids™ summer sewing workshops for children and Darlene and Angela both helped out at Oktoberfest.
In response to customer requests, Becca is designing several new specialty classes in a variety of sewing techniques. Some of these include: "Home Dec: How to make a basic valance" and "Garment Sewing: How to do your own basic alterations". Our adult students tell us that it is difficult to find a good tailor/seamstress to do alterations and it's also very expensive to have window treatments made. Since people are asking for help in these areas, we are trying to fill the knowledge gap by teaching the skills that people need and want.
By the way, have you bought a pair of pants recently? Becca is relatively tall, but the last pair she bought had legs that were 3" too long! People want to be able to do some of these things minor alterations themselves. In terms of window treatments, people tell us that they are waiting 8-10 weeks to have curtains made and in spite of the high cost and long wait, often the quality is not even satisfactory!
Many of our adult students also tell us that sewing is not only creative and practical, but that it is relaxing as well. In a world where many jobs are stressful or virtual, sewing is concrete and rewarding. Students end up with a physical product they can use and show to family and friends. When they are asked "Where did you get that?" they proudly say "I made it myself!"
5 Questions just about Becca:
Suzy: What town are you originally from?
Becca: I grew up not too far from here in Winchester, MA. As towns go, it's not that different from where I live now! I think that's why Acton felt comfortable so quickly. My Husband and I moved here the year after we got married, 15 years ago.
Suzy: How long have you been sewing?
Becca: I have been sewing since I was around 5 or 6 years old. Let's just say that's a long time ago!
Suzy: Who taught you the tricks of the trade?
Becca: I grew up with sewing alongside with all kinds of art in my family. My mother was a professional artist so she made sure there were plenty of art supplies available. I remember always being surrounded by color; and lots and lots of fabrics and thread for sewing. It was the joy of my childhood!
But, back to the question of who taught me to sew; my great aunt was a professional seamstress, but my grandmother and mother were quite professional in their sewing work and they were my first teachers. When I was around 5, my mother made me a little striped dress with eyelet and velvet trim and my grandmother made a matching dress for my doll from the scraps. My sister sewed as well, so I grew up with the idea that everyone sewed! When I was in junior high, I took home economics like everyone else and I learned some from that, but mostly I learned from my mom and grandma and from all of the many garments I made. I sewed many of my clothes when I was in my 20's and 30's and when my son was born, his room was decorated with a quilt, baby bumpers and pillows all custom made for him by me! Once he was in school, I also took many specialty classes on specific topics like fitting, working with wools and knits, etc. Unfortunately, some of the places I learned no longer exist and many schools no longer teach sewing. I realize now that many of the things that I was taught by my mother are now considered high end "couture" techniques! They were really good!
Suzy: What inspired/drove you to start Create!® Sewing Studio?
Becca: I had a successful graphic design business for many years, but around the time my son was born, I was really longing for something new to do business-wise. I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew it would have to be something creative and different from what I had been doing. Although I had gone to art school and a liberal arts college years before and I had already run the graphics studio, I thought that there was probably more to learn about starting a new business. My husband encouraged me to return to school to get a business degree, so I went to Simmons School of Management, the only all woman's MBA program (an incredible program by the way!). It was at Simmons in the entrepreneurship classes that I came up with the idea for Create! and as soon as I graduated I started working on making it into a reality. The inspiration however, was remembering the feelings of growing up surrounded by creativity. It was that feeling of joy around creating that inspired me to start Create! as away of sharing that feeling with others.
Suzy: When did it open?
Becca: We opened in September 2008.
Suzy: What is your favorite part about teaching?
Becca: I think the best part is the excitement I see in the sewing students when they finish their first project. That's when they realize that not only did they make it themselves, but if it's a garment they can actually wear it or if it's a pillow or window treatment, they use it right away in their homes!
Suzy: What helps you to manage both the business and your family?
Becca: A very understanding and supportive family! My husband and son are not only understanding, they are also a big help to me in the business. My husband, Brian often acts as a sounding board for new ideas. He also was one of my first sewing students! He has become quite good by now. His sewing projects are different from what I like to make, but always well executed. He has made items like organic cotton t-shirts, a windblock fleece vest and a case for his fly fishing rod. He's working right now on a fishing shirt with a collar, button front, pleated pockets; a pretty complex tailoring project. He is a fisherman and he also builds fly rods and ties his own flies for fly fishing. He's quite a craftsman. Mostly though, he is my biggest fan and I am very grateful!
Suzy: What was the best advice you received when starting your business?
Becca: Do your research to find out what people really, want then delight your customers and give them value for their money.
Suzy: What 1 thing do you want the readers to know about Create!® Sewing Studio?
Becca: Our mission is to provide our students with a creative outlet while teaching them a useful skill.
More about Create!® Sewing Studio:
Create!® Sewing Studio is a training site for sewing interns who came to work with me through Framingham State's Fashion Design and Retailing program. Amanda, Angela and Darlene all helped with the Sew Fun 4 Kids™ summer sewing workshops for children and Darlene and Angela both helped out at Oktoberfest.
In response to customer requests, Becca is designing several new specialty classes in a variety of sewing techniques. Some of these include: "Home Dec: How to make a basic valance" and "Garment Sewing: How to do your own basic alterations". Our adult students tell us that it is difficult to find a good tailor/seamstress to do alterations and it's also very expensive to have window treatments made. Since people are asking for help in these areas, we are trying to fill the knowledge gap by teaching the skills that people need and want.
By the way, have you bought a pair of pants recently? Becca is relatively tall, but the last pair she bought had legs that were 3" too long! People want to be able to do some of these things minor alterations themselves. In terms of window treatments, people tell us that they are waiting 8-10 weeks to have curtains made and in spite of the high cost and long wait, often the quality is not even satisfactory!
Many of our adult students also tell us that sewing is not only creative and practical, but that it is relaxing as well. In a world where many jobs are stressful or virtual, sewing is concrete and rewarding. Students end up with a physical product they can use and show to family and friends. When they are asked "Where did you get that?" they proudly say "I made it myself!"
5 Questions just about Becca:
- Favorite Local Shop: There are so many stores I love around here, but I have to say my favorite is Idylwilde Farms. It's fabulous to have a place like this right down the street.
- Last Book Read: "An Altar in the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor. Great Book!
- One place you would LOVE to travel to and why: Hawaii. Why? Parts of Hawaii are so incredible and wild. Also, when I was a child I read the biography of Liliuokolani: the last queen of Hawaii. Somehow it caught my imagination and I have always wanted to go.
- Favorite Season: Late Spring into Early Summer. The weather is lovely and the flowers are gorgeous!
- If you could design for/work with one Fashion/Interior Design Co...who would it be and why?: That was easy. Amy Butler Designs. Amy Butler is one of the most creative fabric and pattern designers out there. Her bags are fabulous and her fabric designs are gorgeous!
Create!® Sewing Studio
Where you learn to sew with friends™
70 Seminole Rd., Acton, MA 01720
www.createsew.com
508-320-5475
Hours:
Private lessons are available from 9am-2pm Mon.- Fri. and 8a-6p Sat.
Children's Group Classes: 4-6pm Mon.-Thurs.
Summer Sew Fun 4 Kids™ Weekly Sessions: 9am-1pm Mon.-Thurs.
Summer private lessons are available from 2-5pm
