The Sewingly Yours Family Expands By Lindsay Craven
T
he Sewingly Yours family has grown in 2015 and that growth has brought along technological advancements and expansion to provide even more services and programs for loyal customers. In their 12th year of business, the owners of Sewingly Yours take pride in its development and progress. It is not only a trusted retailer for customers but a trusted friend. “This business is not a regular retail business, this is a relationship business,” said Co-owner Teresa Conrad. “We offer a support system here and we’ve built lifelong friendships with people through this store. It’s a sisterhood.” The sisterhood recently became even more of a family affair earlier this year with the addition of new Co-owner Amber Dietz, Teresa’s daughter. With Amber’s arrival, the store now has the leadership of three generations. Amber moved back to North Carolina from Boston and joined the store in February. “I consider moving back here and joining the store my second life,” said Amber. “I’d been away for seven years and it was like coming in to another family, because not only am I joining in ownership with my mother and get to work with my grandmother, but everyone here considers each other family.” Amber has a background in software consulting and finance for over 10 years and her strong technical background has meant lots of advancements for Sewingly Yours. She immediately got to work updating the store’s website, making it possible for regular class calendar updating and easy online newsletter access. “Where you used to have to come in to the store for new information, you can now visit the website and find a complete listing of our current and upcoming classes, and you can even register for classes and receive your supply list online,” said Amber. The store is also in the process of developing an online store where customers near and far will be able to find many of the items for purchase in the store. “We’ll begin with the sale of our kits and other items custom to Sewingly Yours and then expand,” said Amber. The store has also become more active on its Facebook page and created and Instagram and Pinterest posts so that customers and fans can stay abreast of all the exciting new products arriving daily. “We have increased our fabric lines with new items such as Tula Pink, Andover, Alison Glass and Cotton and Steel,” said Teresa. “We’re also
expanding our products to include more dual-use items that can appeal to our crafting customers, such as the Silhouette Cameo. This product is not only great for cutting fabric kits but can also cut paper, vinyl and cardstock.” The store is also reaching out to crafters by adding more “Make It and Take It” classes that last only two hours, in which students will have a completed project before they leave. Students will be making items such as a clutch, men’s wallet and more. Teresa said that Sewingly Yours will also be expanding its youth program. Previously, youth classes were only offered as a summer sewing camp during July and August. Teresa said the program will now be offered year round. To learn more about Sewingly Yours’ newest developments, as well as classes and events, sign up for monthly newsletters at sewinglyyours.net, and visit the Facebook page at Facebook.com/sewinglyyours. Sewingly Yours is located at 1329 LewisvilleClemmons Road in Lewisville. Hours are Monday through Friday 10am-5pm and Saturdays 10am-3pm.