I began sewing a little later in life.   Once I started sewing I just knew I had to start my own sewing and embroidery business. In order to make my dream come true, I attended a Martha Pullen licensing and graduated at the top of the class.  (This is kind of a joke because everyone graduates at the top of the class!)  I particularly enjoy teaching beginners how to sew or help people revive their sewing skills.  As many of you know, getting together and sewing is a fun social event and you learn just as much from one another as you do from the instructor.  Sewers of all kinds are truly wonderful people and I have developed some really enduring friendships.  I am also a Certified Sulky Teacher and love all the techniques I learned and have a greater appreciation for stabilizers.  Who knew they were not just for embroidery.  I also love the finishing details decorative threads adds to sewing projects.  They are not as intimidating as you think they are.  You just can't treat them like traditional thread.

 I am also a member of the Maryland Chapter of the American Sewing Guild.  Before relocating to the Deep Creek Lake area of Western Maryland, I belonged to two neighborhood groups.  I hope to establish a neighborhood group here in McHenry, Maryland in the coming year.  ASG is a national non-profit organization and has a diverse group of very talented seamstresses.  If you are not a member, you should consider joining.  ASG members get a lot of benefits. 

I have had the pleasure to take classes, train and work for some some popular names in the sewing industry to include Martha Pullen, Margaret Moorhead, Hope Yoder, Pam Damour, Christopher Neijam, Jenny Haskins, and Simon Haskins

I have had the pleasure to work with a diverse group of students.  The youngest was 7 and the oldest was 80.  Most were beginners, and some were refreshing their sewing skills.  I have taught people of different nationalities.  One lady said she understood about 80% of what I said.  I knew just enough Spanish to help us get through the class.  It was very rewarding to see the look on the face of a deaf student who so proud of her finished project and was inspired by little ol' me.  I have taught classes for the ASG and 4H youth members.  In addition, I have worked with quilt shops, sewing lounges, recreation councils and community colleges.

Sew Simplified is approached  its 1st birthday in July.  I can't believe how far I have come over the past year.  We've had some stumbling blocks and some growing pains, but it has been very fun and personally rewarding.  Later in the Summer of 2010, my family relocated to Western Maryland.  The only thing that has changed is my zip code and I am starting anew in my new home town.  

People often ask me what I enjoy sewing and I do not have a straight answer for them.  My sewing skills in garment construction needs some work, but I can make an outfit.  I do enjoy quilting, though I would not classify myself as a quilter.  I learned quickly that you do not say this while around a bunch of quilters at a quilt show.  I literally heard jaws drop and saw the heads turn at the bargin book bin.  I think what I enjoy about quilting is the precision and the likeness to assembling a puzzle.  Recently, I a workshop on sewing home decor and learned that precision is not as much of a prerequisite.  So I might just dabble in that a little more. I just sew and embroider what ever inspires me.  I also learned that I do not like to follow patterns, but I also discovered that I am NOT a technical writer either!  Especially because I am not brief when it comes to writing!

Thank you so much for stopping by my website and taking the time to learn more about me.  Drop me a line, I'd really love to hear from you!

Sew Long & Happy Sewing!

M.