I went into Joann’s today to get some denim fabric — sounds simple enough.  They had all their denim fabric on a round table type rack with a price sign above the bolts “denim $12.99 yd”.    Some bolts were 45″ wide and some 52″ wide, so I started picking up the fabric so I could read the bolt end to see if they were 100% cotton, or what the fabric make-up was.  WELL, I noticed SOME bolts had the regular printed $12.99 per yard on it, some had the “original” price blacked out and $12.99 hand written on the end of the bolt,  some had the original price blacked out and a printed new tag (from a tagging gun) with $12.99 on them, and ONE of the bolts still had the original $9.99 price on it.   I made up my mind very quickly that the $9.99 denim was exactly what I wanted —- AND I had a 50% off coupon.   When I went to the measuring counter I told the lady that I wanted to confirm the price to be $9.99/yard.  She scanned it with her little hand held device then informed me that the price of the fabric was $12.99, but was on sale 30% off (NO sale price was anywhere by the fabric bolts), so I’d be getting it for $9.09 per yard.  I told her that the price on the end of the bolt said $9.99 per yard, and asked if she could do a price over-ride to give me the price that was on the bolt.  I figured if she could do that I could maybe use my 50% off coupon.  Well, she did the price over-ride at $9.99/yard, but the charge slip showed that it was a SALE PRICE, so I wouldn’t be able to use my coupon AND I’d be paying more than the 30% off the newly raised prices.   So I asked her if she could do the price over-ride and take into consideration the 30% off as well to let me take advantage of the sale.   She really didn’t want to but finally said, “let me see if the hand held device will let me”, so she did figure the 30% off the $9.99 price and used that as the over-ride price and it went through just fine.   The facts are that all prices keep going up and up, however IF a company changes the prices, but leaves the end of the bolt with the old price, they are obligated to sell it to you for THAT amount, not the higher amount.  If you are not observent and notice the little things, you could end up paying the higher price, even though the price on the end of the bolt is the old price, simply because the NEW price is in the computer and that’s what you’ll be charged if you don’t question it.

We buy a lot of fabric and there have been times that we’ve gone in one week to buy certain fabric, and the next week the price has been raised by $2 or $3 per yard  —- in one weeks’ time!  Or some specialty fabric that all of a sudden jumps up by several dollars a yard.   I would suggest to you to check the prices very carefully on the fabric that you need — and if at all possible save up some discount coupons that you can use.  Most of all, be sure you read the prices on the end of the bolts and CONFIRM with the measuring person that the price you see is the price you will be paying!  You could just be saving yourself a couple dollars per yard by getting the price verified and confirmed.

We encourage all of you who are in the sewing, crafting and art businesses to proudly proclaim that your items are INDEED made in America.  There are many folks who have made a decision to buy American made items if at all possible, so be sure to spread the word about your items.  If you have an on-line presence, be sure to make known in your website that you sell “made in America” products!

Happy New Year to all of our sewing/crafting friends.  We hope this will be a really great year for you!!!

 New EmbroidMe Franchise Opens in Barboursville, West Virginia
With nearly 400 retail locations, EmbroidMe provides full-service custom embroidery and screen-printing for apparel, as well as promotional products and gifts to both the private and commercial segments of the business community. For more information on

MedHub Leverages HIPAA Compliant Colocation from Online Tech
Before becoming EmbroidMe franchisees, the Hoffners were running a small embroidery and screen-printing business out of their home. “Discovering EmbroidMe came at a perfect time in our lives because we were ready to move the business out of our home so

Citrus Sew & Vac is almost all the way back
Lapham pointed to one large room and explained that for the first time he will have a location to hold large sewing classes. The business once only had room to provided one-on-one instruction. Beginning at about 5:30 p.m. today, the Ocala

Small Business: Designing, sewing keep Texstyle Bags owner in stitches daily
Samilia Colar could use an extra set of hands. Or three. When she’s not looking after her 2-year-old son, Liam, she’s fiercely sketching new ideas or implementing them on her sewing machine. “I’m a team of one,” said the 27-year-old owner and

America doesn’t want my business
But apparently America doesn’t want my business. China currently owns most of our industry In fact, I have considered opening a small sewing operation again, but for a variety of reasons would prefer to partner up with one.

Initial Impact, a Spring Lake embroidery business, helps woman stitch together career
I grew up in a very blue-collar, industrial steel and auto manufacturing town in Ohio, where almost everyone worked for the same two large companies. Most jobs were assembly-line related and many of my friends and family members worked shifts. I

Embroidery and work wear designed to work in your business
Embroidery and work wear designed to work in your business. Special ranges of work wear are bought together for your most popular needs in the workplace giving a great look and style.Embroidery and work wear can be found online and work towards functional

BUSINESS SCRAPBOOK: Clever Catsup
The softies run from $5 to $45 each. Business size: Cook is the sole employee. Owner information: Cook, 32, got into sewing and making art when she was 12. The freelance writer has a bachelor’s in English from Cal State Long Beach and a master

Business Spotlight: Alfano Sewing Machine Sales and Service
Jerry Alfano says he has built a loyal customer base, repairing home and industrial sewing machines in Fayetteville and eastern North Carolina. He sells machines for industrial and home sewing through his business. How did you first get started

Jazz club building re-opens
Three years after the Main Street Jazz Restaurant closed, it is getting new life in the form of a business moving into the property. Embroidery Etc. moved into the building from a shop next door. Owner Jennifer Groves said she was grateful she

 GSC team places 6th in free enterprise competition
Access North Georgia
The Sewing Company, or SewCo, will be a non-profit sewing cooperative targeting unemployed or under-employed individuals who would like to become entrepreneurs. The GSC SIFE team has developed a two-part plan targeting women with young children who may …

Veteran shoe repairman looks for wounded heels in Fairbanks
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Hornbostel is partners with Marsha Panfil, who is handling the marketing end of the business. The shop is stocked with equipment they purchased from a gentleman in Illinois who was getting out of the business and includes a 1929 Singer sewing machine, …

Bus crash tragedy inspires act of comfort by grieving Sunderland mum
Sunderland Echo
Lesley, 56, who was living in Twickenham Road, Thorney Close, at the time of the tragedy, said: “I got into sewing after we lost Janine. “It became a sort of therapy for my grief. I made dolls’ clothes for my nieces and that sort of thing. …

Mitten maven: Leslie Ogden loves making mittens
Ogden owns Smitten with Mittens, a sewing business she operates from her home. Ogden, who lives on a farm near Cavalier, N.D., started making mittens after she retired from 31 years of teaching school, the last 19 in Cavalier. CAVALIER

The fabric of life
Today her business, Judy Stokes Sewing and Design, operates largely via word-of-mouth. “My goal was to have a studio where a bride could bring her mother and friends and savor this special time,” Stokes said. “I really feel joy when I see

Yarn sale: Crafters Gallery has 30 percent off all items through November 24
This division of Mary Maxim is more focused on crafts such as knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting and paper crafts The Port Huron store is still open for business and offers weekly sales. Mary Maxim Retail Store is located at 2001 Holland Ave, Port

Embroidery sector of Surat faces shut-down with rising losses
Unable to bear the crisis, many unit holders are switching to other businesses. Embroidery sector provides employment to more than seven lakh people in Surat. While the sector was booming during 2001-2008, it started to lose its sheen during the recession

Learn to Fabricate Designer Custom Drapes with Workbooks from New Site
and bed treatments can purchase detailed workbooks compiled with the knowledge of 40-plus years of sewing experience. Web entrepreneur Marie Malone is pleased to debut http://www.SewCustomDrapes.com, an accompaniment to her existing web business

Ministry aids women from wartorn places
The Refugee Sewing Society is a nonprofit business as well as a Christian ministry serving some 30-50 legally resettled women from war-torn countries such as Somalia, Congo, Sudan, Bhutan, Iraq and Ethiopia. These women have all endured genocidal regimes.

Contact 6: Sewing machine company gives woman $10,000 machine
Her weapon of choice used to be a machine called the Husqvarna Viking Designer SE, made by SVP Worldwide, a well-respected maker of sewing machines that rates an “A-plus” with the Better Business Bureau, but D’Amato gave her machine an F after

For first time, Seward turns to TIF
Sports Express plans to build in vacant space north of the town square and relocate a home-based screen-printing and embroidery business from nearby Pleasant Dale. Progressive Sheet Metal Inc. is moving ahead with an office and warehouse a few blocks away

 Woman invents ‘green’ sewing machine light – Idaho Statesman
I have the only LED lighting of this type that fits on any size, make or model of sewing and quilting machine from Singer Featherweight to long-arm machines. Do you partner with other businesses? Yes, we partner with Idaho Sewing and Vacuum and

Shop owner growing her business one stitch at a time – Daytona Beach News-Journal
At first she had space inside the Sew & Quilt Shop at the commercial plaza on State Road 100 but moved to her current location when the opportunity opened up for space. Durling said her loyal customer base has kept her in business despite

Soldotna’s J & H Sewing & Vacuum is #1 Pfaff dealership in the WORLD! – Kenai Peninsula Clarion
Anyone who knows or has done business with Jess and Helen Tubbs at J&H Sewing & Vacuum in Soldotna over the last four decades wouldn’t be surprised to learn that they were the number one Pfaff dealership in Alaska or in the nation for that matter.

Heard on the Street: Embroidery shop finds new home – Post-Bulletin
A-Z Embroidery & Screen Printing hopes its move goes without Rush is moving his 12-year-old Rochester business to a commercial condo at 4481 U.S. 14 N.W. from 7 Ninth St. N.E. The plan is to make the move at the start of November.

Made in the USA & Making your dreams come true. 2 things we have paid attention to. – PRLog (free press release)
ITC Manufacturing is a woman owed business. We offer over 20 years of experience and Our services include the following – Product Development, Pattern Making, Cutting & Sewing, Packaging and Shipping your finished products. We also offer heat-set

Creating Christmas Traditions with Jo-Ann – Yahoo Finance
Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the leading fabric and craft specialty retailer in America, is celebrating Christmas with a new collection of sewing and crafting projects designed to inspire creativity and new holiday traditions

EmbroidMe Launches Comprehensive Embroidery Services – PR-USA.net
Embroidery services have a wide spread application and this company offers comprehensive solutions for business as well as personal needs. Their services include embroidery, garment printing, screen printing, apparel designing, customization of promotional

** Make a list of every person you’ll be giving a gift to — friends, relatives, teachers, children’s friends, office mates, etc.

** Try to think about something each person enjoys — a special hobby, their favorite sports team, color schemes in friends’ homes — and write that next to each name.

** Decide which people on the list you can “make” something for and those that will require you to “buy” something.  For those on the “buy” list, you can be on the look-out for sales that will certainly be starting very soon.  If a camera is at the top of somebody’s want list — you can be scouring the sale papers for the best deal — getting the best deal for the person and probably saving you a bundle at the same time.

** For those you can “make” something for — would it be a sewing project, a knitted item, kitchen aprons?  There are many tutorials all over the internet, as well as patterns available for just about anything you’d want to make.  Check out Patterns2Go for dozens of items you can make.  Many times there are certain craft/sewing books that those on your list would be very happy to receive.  You might check out the SewMachineRepair website for books for those on your list that do a lot of sewing or crafting.  Do you have family/friends that are major couponers?  I’m sure the gift they’d love above all things is the “designer tote” coupon clutch for carrying/organizing their coupon stash.

** I like to personalize each gift according to the receivers’ own tastes — this takes a little bit of thinking in order to get the perfect gift, but the time you spend in getting the list organized is well worth the time, and in the end actually SAVES you time during the shopping or “making” process.

** By making your holiday gift list EARLY, there’s much less chance that you’ll forget anyone!  Have you ever started wrapping gifts a couple days before Christmas and somebody’s name flashed through your head — one of the MAIN ones you wanted to get a gift for and because you’d gotten in a “last minute hurry” forgot to get them a gift?  To tell you the truth, I don’t know how I’d survive without my list!!

Do you have any other hints or tips you’d like to pass along?  We always like to share the tips our readers have.

EmbroidMe Launches Comprehensive Embroidery Services – PR-USA.net
Embroidery services have a wide spread application and this company offers comprehensive solutions for business as well as personal needs. Their services include embroidery, garment printing, screen printing, apparel designing, customization of promotional

Apprenticeshop’s ditty-bag workshop focuses on knots, sewing – VillageSoup Belfast
The basics of hand sewing and marlinspike knot work will be taught at The Apprenticeshop’s next evening marine craft workshop series. Students will make a traditional canvas ditty bag, often the first project undertaken by a sail maker’s apprentice.

Creating Christmas Traditions with Jo-Ann – Yahoo Finance
Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the leading fabric and craft specialty retailer in America, is celebrating Christmas with a new collection of sewing and crafting projects designed to inspire creativity and new holiday traditions

Breast cancer survivor’s reminder: ‘You’re not alone.’ – MPNnow
Her daughter Kasey, a graphic design student, designed a special logo and the shirts were printed by Kathe D’Alfonso, of Penfield, who runs her own promotional screen printing and apparel embroidery business called Expozures. Together they started a

GG’s Fabric filling niche in Phoenix – AZCentral.com
Question: How did you get interested in the fabric business? Answer: When I was a little girl, I learned to sew at my mother’s knee by watching her. I never went to school to learn about it. Then, when I was an airline stewardess with Pan

Chonbang Co Ltd (000950) – Financial and Strategic SWOT Analysis Review – new company profile – Transworld News
The product portfolio of the company includes yarns, fabrics, knit, dyed yarns, embroidery threads Co Ltd provides you an in-depth strategic analysis of the company’s businesses and operations. The profile has been compiled to bring to you a clear

Clothing Manufacturer Says the American Jobs Act “Will Change the Global Scope of Apparel Manufacturing” – Whitehouse.gov (press release)
Yura says that by partnering with small businesses on production (two spinning factories, three knitting factories and four cut and sew factories), “our model is one that encourages people to hire back the unemployed and keep our existing

Colorado’s rising stars of fashion to be feted Saturday – Denver Post
It seems that just about anyone with a good idea and a sewing machine is whipping up a fashion business in Colorado these days. They are creating leather bags and wedding gowns, 1930s-inspired sport coats and fine jewelry, to name a few.

Outright Responds to the “Dual Personalities” of Online Sellers – Consumer Electronics Net
Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Beth Rosa of Medford, Massachusetts has an infant. She also has a part-time, home-based handcrafting business called “I Sew”, which sells custom-designed baby and mom accessories – diaper bags, car seat covers, changing pads

The annual Sewing & Stitchery Expo will be held on March 1 – 4, 2012 at the Puyallup Fair & Events Center in Puyallup, Washington.  The largest consumer sewing show in America, it is the perfect place for both experienced and beginning sewers and quilters (and everyone else!) to indulge their creative passions or explore new ones. There are more than 400 booths to shop from so you’re sure to find what you are looking for!  Online registration will start in January and you can sign up here to receive email announcements.  Although the deadline to apply to be a vendor or speaker has passed, you may want to go ahead and get on the mailing list for next year if you’re interested in setting up a booth next year.

Schattenmann enjoying success with Main Street business – Midland Daily News
Sheree Schattenmann, an entrepreneur from Midland, is enjoying success with a business she opened on Main Street in May 2011. The store, Sheree’s Alchemy Fabric Shop, is a sewing-based business in which Schattenmann offers adult and children

Nigeria : Women Entrepreneurs – Making Money Through Tailoring – AllAfrica.com
Passion for sewing and wearing good clothes inspired Ahman to venture into tailoring business. A graduate of political administration, sociology and psychology from South Weld University in Britain, Ahman has been in the tailoring business for

Aces of Trades: Hard work turns hobby into business for Pataskala retiree – Newark Advocate
sewing or chatting with the numerous women who come in every day to work on their quilts. But being a shopkeeper, especially of quilting supplies, you have to be more than just a business owner, accountant and janitor. You have to be a good listener.

Egyptian club discovers the power of microlending – Rotary International
The Rotary Club of Alexandria Sporting, Egypt, rose to the challenge by focusing on microcredit loans, literacy classes, and a sewing workshop to meet the needs of low-income community members, helping women in particular to start businesses and learn

QR Code Generator + Custom T-Shirt Design Tool SuperCustomShirts.com – Consumer Electronics Net
SuperCustomShirts.com a San Diego based custom printing and embroidery business, this week launched an innovative website combining a custom QR Code generator with a fun and easy to use custom T-Shirt design tool. As the first website to combine these fun

Embroidery Machines Cause Every aspect You may Expect Conceivable – Zimbio
Team people will have feeling of pride as they carry their new luggage to every celebration with Embroidery Machines! While having cell inkjet t shirt printing models means that you could have machines your place of business and also take them along with

Colorado’s rising stars of fashion to be feted Saturday – Denver Post
It seems that just about anyone with a good idea and a sewing machine is whipping up a fashion business in Colorado these days. They are creating leather bags and wedding gowns, 1930s-inspired sport coats and fine jewelry, to name a few.

Silver Spring entrepreneur patches together new business – Maryland Community Newspapers Online
The 25-year-old entrepreneur started her own business in Silver Spring this summer called Think Outside the Store. She custom designs clothes, turns old clothes into new outfits and hosts workshops on basic sewing and design skills. Gingold does