Replies

1. 
   sewelegant | Jul 15, 2008 10:18pm | #1

   I have not heard of this, but it sounds a lot like the American Sewing Guild meetings that I attend.  Have you looked into them... they are located all across the country and I am sorry I have only joined a group in the last 3 years.

2. 
   GailAnn | Jul 15, 2008 10:46pm | #2

   I don't know anything about a sewing cafe.  BUT   In Madison, Wisconsin there is a yarn shop, with a coffee shop and book store in the rear and a deck outback overlooking Lake Minota.  The coffee shop has a "Living roomish" area, the deck has chairs and swings.  I've only been there twice, but both times it has been filled with women sewing and talking.  Very close to my idea of Heaven.  Gail

1. 
   sewhappy123 | Jul 16, 2008 06:59am | #3

   Yes exactly, you have hit it on the button. This is what I have heard of as a sewing cafe. I would love to know how to start one here in Ohio. I am surprised that we don't have one. The only fabric stores around here are JoAnns and a couple of Amish stores that sell mainly quilting supplies and fabric for there clothing etc. Could you possably get me the address of this place so I could write them and find out how to start one here. I would really appriciate it. I am sure that others would too.

1. 
   GailAnn | Jul 16, 2008 09:24pm | #4

   Here you go

   Lakeside Fibers

   402 W. Lakeside Street

   Madason, Wisconsin 53715

   Tel.  608.257.2999

   http://www.lakesidefibers.com

   Madison, if you've never been there, is a wonderful town.  The capitol of Wisconsin.  Occasionally refered to as "Mad City".  It is built on an ithsmus about 5 miles wide between two lovely lakes, Minona and Mindota.  On the other side of the ithsmus is an old hotel called the Edgewater.  I highly recommend it.  Once a popular venue for the Big Bands from the Swing Era.   The University of Wisconsin, Madison is located nearby as well.  Lots going on all the time.  Worth a long week-end at the very least.  One full day at Lakeside Fibers.

   For a business, such as this, to succeed, I think it would need to be a "Joint Venture". among, ideally, 3 businesses, a fabric shop, a coffee shop, and a book store, or newstand.  Any less and, the exposure to risk, the cost of properly trained sales staff, and cost per square foot to rent would be overwhelming.

   We all miss fine quality fabrics and notions, in a friendly store with well trained clerks.  One  of the  disappointing things about JoAnn's or Hancock's or other chain, fabric, wool, or craft stores is the total lack of knowlege and expertise of the sales staff.  A customer asks a question and is put off by the "I don't know." answer with an "I don't care" attitude.  Still, any skilled and talented seamstress or knitter, for that matter, is probably not going to be willing to work in a store at less than "a fair living wage".  Staffing a store 10 hours a day, even 6 days a week is a daunting task.

   Gail

   Edited 7/16/2008 2:34 pm ET by GailAnn

   Edited 7/16/2008 3:21 pm ET by GailAnn

1. 
   VKStitcher | Jul 17, 2008 01:53am | #5

   Gail,  Thanks for bringing back memories of the Edgewater Hotel.  I had the chance to travel to Madison for work years ago, and I stayed at the Edgewater for a week.  One of my fondest memories of that trip is having breakfast in the dining room that overlooked the lake, while watching the University's rowing team practice.  I can still see this picture in my mind--the sun not quite over the horizon, mists rising from the surface of the water, the graceful gliding of the boats, and the colors of the autumn leaves along the lakeshore....ahhhh.

1. 
   GailAnn | Jul 17, 2008 04:43am | #7

   It was my good fortune and a pure pleasure to enjoy that very same view.  Gail

2. 
   sewhappy123 | Jul 19, 2008 12:11am | #9

   Thank you so much, it sounds just awsome! If I get there I will deffinately take notes. I really want to open one in NE Ohio. I have not seen one yet and I have been looking everywhere. Thank you again.

2. 
   Josefly | Jul 17, 2008 03:04am | #6

   There's a similar shop in Atlanta - a knitting shop, primarily, but there are tables and chairs set up so people can go in and sit and knit, and certain hours set aside on some evenings, where people meet as a group. One can even get a pedicure there while sitting and knitting. If you're interested, I can get the name and address of the shop for you.I wish you great luck in the endeavor. I think it's just a wonderful idea.

   Edited 7/16/2008 8:05 pm ET by Josefly

1. 
   GailAnn | Jul 17, 2008 04:44am | #8

   That's the combo!  Spa and Fabric Shop!  Now, you're on to something!  Gail

2. 
   sewhappy123 | Jul 19, 2008 12:21am | #10

   Yes, I would love the name and address of that shop. I am reading as much as possable here and you girls have given me alot to think about and new avenues to explore. If in the future this takes off, I will let you all know and you can come and visit one day, but  I am jumping the gun. First things first. I have a lot more looking into to do. Thank you all for trying to help me. You are a great bunch of people here.

1. 
   Josefly | Jul 19, 2008 03:50am | #11

   I'm going to have to look for the name and address, so I'll get back to you. I'm so glad you're excited about this idea. I hope it leads to something wonderful for you.

2. 
   Josefly | Jul 19, 2008 04:09am | #12

   The name of the shop is Knitch, owned by Kim Nickels, and the address is:1052 St. Charles Ave., NE
   Atlanta, GA 30306Here's a little of what was said in an April '08 article in the Atlanta Journal/Constitution:"Two weeks after a tornado had forced her from her Cabbagetown home, Carlson now was breaking bread (actually, cheese and crackers) with some two dozen fellow knitters and waiting her turn for a pedicure at "Polish and Purls." It was just another Tuesday night at Knitch, the afghan-cozy, cashmere-classy knitting shop that's become an unlikely hot spot since it opened less than two years ago...."There's a "Men's Knit In" every Sunday afternoon; come June, there'll be a kids' Fiber Camp. Veteran knitters can take classes on making socks, dyeing yarns or incorporating flowers into their work at a three-day retreat at the "Knitch Cabin" in North Georgia. Rookies who wouldn't know a cable stitch from a castoff technique can take beginner classes similar to one that had taken place the previous night."Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Especially the bit about a 3-day retreat at a cabin. How about a "sewing camp?"If you'd like to read the complete article, which tells a little more about the owner and how she came to open the shop, try this:http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/04/24/groupknit0424cl.html

   Edited 7/18/2008 9:14 pm ET by Josefly

3. 
   sewhappy123 | Jul 24, 2008 08:06am | #13

   I really want to thank all of you for your support and wonderful ideas. I have not been online lately do to sewing. LOL. But , I took my viking in to have the yearly service today and it will be gone for two weeks. I am already having withdraws. Now I am knitting to keep busy till my machine returns home. LOL. Again, thank you all for your articles and ideas and just for your time.

4. 
   ThreadKoe | Jul 24, 2008 03:15pm | #14

   OH NO, your sewing baby is at the hospital! my most sincere sympathy. We will help you through it. ;) Cathy

5. 
   sewhappy123 | Aug 04, 2008 01:31am | #15

   Thank you Cathy, The baby is still there, but we are a resourceful lot, I had given my old sewing machine to my daughter hoping she would be inclined to use it (LOL) and so I just borrowed it back till mine is fixed. Older model, but will work till mine is returned. We just keep on keeping on. LOL