Sewing is not some foregone talent from the past; it is an activity that is alive, well and thriving in Evansville’s eastside. Sewing is a way of life for the experienced seamstress and an art form of intrigue for the beginner.
A gifted seamstress has the ability to take an ordinary piece of cloth and create an outfit tailored to fit an individual’s unique attributes. Learning the skill of sewing can help to refurbish outdated clothing by redesigning, mending, or tailoring the clothing so that it fits once again, even when attributes have…well, shifted over the years.
News 4U contacted the owner of Let’s Sew, LaQuinta Schum, to learn more about the business of sewing.
What is Let’s Sew?
Let’s Sew is a new twist on an old concept for fabrics stores. Our focus is on fashion sewing and textiles. Our soft opening was December 29, 2011, and we celebrated our grand opening on January 25, 2012. A few of our goals include:
• Bringing high quality goods to the Evansville market
• Educating the sewing and non-sewing community
• Providing sewing tips/techniques to both experienced and beginners
Tell us about your background and your interest in sewing.
Although I hold a CPA degree, my passion is sewing. My Grandaunt taught me how to sew when I was eight years old. While a student at SIU Carbondale, I studied textiles; I then began to teach sewing in the college lab as a proctor.
My credentials include:
• The Martha Pullen Company Teaching License (September 2000)
• Traveling and teaching through MPC as an educator
• Being a certified Palmer/Pletsch Sewing Associate in Master Level-Sewing Instruction and Pattern Fitting
• Being a Trained Sewing Instructor for the Sewing and Craft Alliance
Can you explain a little bit about textiles?
When I speak of textiles, I am referring to cloths and trims. Our focus is fashion textiles. These fabrics are great for making fashion clothing. Below are a few of the fashion textiles that I endorse:
• Wool – Italy, England and Europe (cashmere and camel hair suiting)
• Cottons – Switzerland, Italy and the U.S. (organic cottons are also available)
• Silk (various countries)
• Polyester
One of your goals is to educate the sewing and non-sewing community; are you offering sewing classes?
Yes we are. Currently, we are developing our class list. Our classes will instruct and encourage both experienced and beginning sewing enthusiasts. We will also be offering a series of classes for beginners to help them with their “Uh-oh” moments.
What sewing tips would you offer to beginners? Advanced?
Beginners: Purchase the best sewing machine you can afford, new or used.
Advanced: Take classes to improve your skills, and break projects into small units to maximize your time.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes. We have a 5% membership club discount as well as a student discount on supplies for people who are enrolled one of Let’s Sew’s classes.
Visit or contact at Let’s Sew at 4400 E. Morgan Ave., online at www.letssew.com or phone at (812) 471 7945.
