Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Sew Baby. In the words of Sew Baby shop owner Ann:
"SewBaby specializes in patterns for quick and easy to sew accessories, toys, and clothing for babies and toddlers. Many SewBaby patterns can be made in just one afternoon. We also carry a wide variety of children's fabrics and hard to find notions such as colored snaps..
You can also keep up with Ann's personal blog Ann's Sewing Adventures.
~~~
Ann: 16 years. I started when my youngest daughter was just 9 months old. She just turned 17, so that is how I keep track of how long I've been in business.
SouleMama: What inspired you to start your business?
Ann: I had always been passionate about sewing, and I had three young children, but I wasn't finding patterns for items that I wanted to make for them. So, I came up with my own designs for a couple of easy to sew baby accessories. I had been working in the publishing business, and after researching printing options, I decided to print them professionally. SewNews magazine featured one of them, which generated enough sales to continue adding patterns. Now we have over 45 patterns in the SewBaby line, plus we represent other independent pattern companies on our website. Eventually, I realized that many of our customers couldn't find cute children's fabric or certain notions, such as snaps, in their areas. I researched the market and found sources for quality fabrics and hard to find notions that I could offer along with our patterns. I initially offered all of our products in a mail order catalog, but switched to a website about 10 years ago. We had a store for a brief time, but found that the effort and hours required to run a store were too stressful, and now do everything from our home. In addition to our website, we also wholesale our patterns to fabric stores around the world.
SouleMama: How do you balance work and family?
Ann: First of all, I couldn't do this without the support of my husband, Noel.. He has been my biggest supporter since the beginning when everyone else thought I was crazy to start a sewing related business. Ours is definitely a family business. We have 3 daughters and they are now ages 17, 19, and 21, so they are pretty independent. They have contributed over the years by modeling for new patterns, naming patterns, packing orders when we were swamped, photography and helping with the website. I think that it has been a good experience for them to see that you can do what you love and be your own boss. I also rely heavily on my assistant, Shirley, who takes care of keeping our shelves stocked with patterns, and getting orders carefully packed and shipped quickly. I am ever mindful of how important it is to keep a balance of work and play. When you love your work, and you work from home, it's very easy to let it completely take over your life. The first few years of my business, I was either always working or taking care of the family, but not making anytime for myself. Now, to make sure that doesn't happen, I make sure that I get out of the house and do other activities every day for at least a couple of hours. I try to keep fit, stay involved in various groups, and am always learning something new. Oh, and I LOVE to sew for myself! Thanks, Mom for teaching me:)
For today's giveaway, SewBaby is offering the following gift:
a package of 6 of the most popular SewBaby patterns!
(The Reversible Sundress, Petal Dress, Terrific Teepees, Sleeve Saver Bib, Comfy-Alls, and the Easy Pieces Jumper patterns)
In addition, SewBaby is offering SouleMama readers 15% off all orders until June 30th. Use the coupon code SOULE15 at checkout.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you to SewBaby!
To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close and winners will be announced on Sunday by 9am EST. Comments closed! The winner is...
Oh, how cute! I would love the patterns.
Posted by: Heather Layne
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
