Jessica Johnson | The News
Students in the Mom and Me class, from left, Joy Sharpe, Kylie James, Shannon Stommel, along with instructor Timmesa Eades, begin working on their projects.
Jessica Johnson | The News
From left, Tina and Madeline Gammons work as a team to cut out the pattern for the stuffed owl.
Creative Sewing, located in downtown Mount Airy, draws in customers and curious visitors with the shelves of colorful fabric and window displays featuring sewing projects. Creative Sewing began offering sewing classes from day one, 16 years ago, and new classes began this week.
This year, they offer multiple classes for all levels, from the beginner who has never sewn a stitch, to the advanced seamstress who may want new inspiration. Those who do not have sewing machines can still attend, as long as you mention your lack of equipment when registering prior to the class.
The business is owned and operated by Sue and Don Schrader, along with their daughter Timmesa Eades. The business started 30 years ago in Taswell, Va. — a 30th anniversary celebration will be held in July with a special giveaway of a Bernina sewing machine.
Sewing classes offered
Classes for beginners who want to learn quilting are offered with a series of four classes. The first session began this week, but sign-ups are currently under way for sessions in April, offered both in the morning and evening.
Offered in 4 sessions, the beginners’ quilting class is designed to cover all aspects of quilting and the class fee of $120 will cover fabric for a project, borders, binding, backing, batting, and instructions.
A Super Simple Sewing series of classes is offered on afternoons and evenings in February, with projects that include a 10-minute table runner, a flat iron holder, and a drawstring bag. Participants do not have to take the classes in order. Classes in this series are $15. Children are welcome, as long as a parent attends as well.
The Beginner’s Sewing Class series is offered in March, with three sessions for $60, which includes fabric.
A Simple Sewing series of classes will also be offered in April, focusing on individuals who want to try to sew but do not have much experience. Projects for this series include an easy apron, an embellished dish towel with a flower, a ruffled t-shirt pillow, a roll-up pillowcase, a curved and striped tote bag, stained glass applique, and a recycled tote bag. Classes in this series range from $5 to $35.
For those who have prior quilting or sewing experience, there is a class series for applique, a simple baby or lap quilt class, and a Mexican stars quilt class taught by Betty Riddle.
As always, any customer who purchases a Bernina sewing machine receives free classes and instruction on how to use the machine.
There may be more classes added to the schedule, such as Mom & Me classes and a blog lunch classes inspired by blog posts and pinterest projects.
Wednesday’s Mom and Me class
The Mom and Me class, held yesterday afternoon, was working on a stuffed owl. It was a cloudy day, but the bright colors and warm atmosphere inside the store created an inspiring atmosphere. There were students of all ages, from 7 to 14, along with their mothers.
Wanda Sharpe and her daughter Joy, 11, traveled to Mount Airy from Mount Gilead to take the class because they love to visit Mount Airy and Creative Sewing is one of their favorite businesses.
Mount Airy residents Shannon Stommel and her daughter Kylie Jones, 7, were excited about the class as well as the store’s new puppy, a yellow lab named Basil who was happily napping in the lap of Kylie.
Tina Gammons and her daughter Madeline, 14, worked together to cut out the owl and chatted with Eades about an upcoming winter formal at Mount Airy High School.
At the end of the class, all students had a large, decorative, stuffed owl to take home — a rewarding result of their hard work.
More than just a business
Owner Sue Schrader wrote a manual on the version 6 embroidery software for Bernina sewing machines. The manual ordered by customers all over the world and is available for purchase at the business. Schrader says that the manual is “something anyone can understand.” This is Schrader’s fourth book about the Bernina software.
Schrader loves the Bernina brand of sewing machines because they “takes the stress out of sewing” and “make it much easier to just relax and sew” instead of worrying about problems with the machine.
Creative Sewing is a place where anyone can come in and gain inspiration for sewing through design and home decor. The colorful shelves of fabric are full of 100-percent cotton and there are plenty of sewing supplies on the walls.
Timmesa Eades mentioned that they are interested in expanding their offerings to young people. Schrader backs this up by saying “we are planting seeds — people don’t have to sew anymore. It was once a necessity, but now it is a hobby. It is an enjoyment and can be a good form of therapy.”
The customers who come in to Creative Sewing range from young girls and their mothers to grandmothers. “Many people who sew are moving toward home decorating,” said Eades. “You can create great items for your home — pillows, totes, wall art.”
New for this year, the business has an artist’s corner which will feature a different artist every month. This month, the artist is Barbara Conner from King.
For those who may want more private time, one-on-one and private classes are offered.
Eades believes that the community “can’t afford to let this art die out” and encourages everyone with an interest to come to the store and become inspired.
For those who are interested in signing up for the classes or receiving a full class schedule with descriptions, please visit the Creative Sewing Machines Facebook page or call 786-7074. The business also has a website at www.creativesewing.com, which has been on the web since 1994. Creative Sewing is located in downtown Mount Airy at 247 N. Main St.
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