Nancy has been with Sew Vac since 1997, most of that as store manager. She actually started as a customer and fell in love with the people and the product.
Nancy worked in sewing factories, more specifically Roanoke Fashions and Buster Brown, for several years. She moved on to lead cake decorator and assistant manager of her department at a local grocery chain.
While raising 3 children, she was always sewing either to repair or alter hand me downs or to make clothes for her children. So she has been sewing most of her life.
Nancy attended Janome Institute as part of her training for Sew Vac. She was also trained to repair sewing machines and has been doing so for many years.
Since our original founders, Maye and Grover Bolton could no longer take care of the store and Bob was focusing on the store in West Virginia, Nancy became the glue that held Sew Vac together. She is still our solid rock and Sew Vac without Nancy just wouldn't be the same.
Bob is the owner of Sew Vac Sales and Service now known as Sew Vac & Long Arm Quilting.. His mother, Maye Bolton started the business in 1974.
Bob went to college with the intention of being a high school teacher and coach, but found that although he loved teaching, high school was not where he was destined to be.
Bob began working with Maye in the Sew-Vac business where he found his passion. He became district manager for Janome, Pfaff and Riccar sewing machines traveling America and even overseas.
There are few people who know more about sewing machines than Bob. I've been impressed with his near encyclopedic knowledge of sewing, embroidery, and quilting machines. his degree in education, his knowledge of all things sewing, and his passion for what he does, and you get an absolutely amazing instructor.
He is an expert digitizer (designing your own embroidery images) and the best teacher around. He can train all ages, and people of all computer literacy levels. He insists that his customers re-take their class at his expense until they are comfortable and confident they know what they are doing.
Bob strives for perfection and see's everything as a challenge. When it comes to sewing machine repair, he refuses to make his customers wait for weeks for their machines. His goal is a one day turnaround. He also hates to give up on a machine just to sell a new one.
Above all, Bob adores his customers. He knows them by name and does everything he can to meet their sewing, embroidery, or quilting needs.
As a boss, Bob does his best to emphasize the skills of each employee, and make them feel like part of the family.
Michael is a man of many talents and has a great sense of humor. When I asked him to tell me about himself, he replied "We were so poor, I had to make my own diapers". Then he started laughing.
Michael started making clothes at the age of 8 for Barbie Dolls. By 12 years of age, he was sewing full garments. He still recalls a vest being his first creation.
He started working after high school as a sewing machine operator. He moved up to plant manager in time. For a time he worked with our founder, Maye Bolton, at Sew Vac.
Michael designs and creates clothing not only for himself, but for friends and customers. He has made over 40 wedding gowns. At one time he was approached by a father of the bride whose wish was a $42000 wedding gown. He asked Michael if he could make it for less and make it look the same. After 6 months of work, he created a beautiful gown that looked no different than the one the daughter wanted. She was ecstatic and so was dad.
He has created his own brand of jeans called Body Mechanics. They come in many styles and looks. He has been teaching me some of his tricks to the amazing designs he creates on denim. I can't wait to see more. In addition to Body Mechanics, Michael has created Kamo wear which is all things camouflage. He also has a beautiful line of girls Lil' Ms. dresses. Michael also does most of the alterations that customers bring in.
He teaches his skills to others through our Sew Addicted University, as well as one-on-one opportunities through Helping Hands. To meet Michael and learn about the classes he offers, drop by the store! He'll be there!
JC is the behind the scenes employee who works mostly from home where her creative juices flow the best. When she is not working for Sew Vac, she is running her animal rescue and writing. She is the author of several books and blogs including ours. To find out more about JC, log onto her website www.jcfarris.com
When in the store, you will find JC with Ms Ruby, her service dog. Ms Ruby's favorite day is the first Saturday of every month when Sew Addicted Club meets. She gets a chance to see her favorite people who always bring her treats.
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