Check out our bags

Recently, a customer sent us a photo of our Sew What? Drapery Bags.  He snapped the pic last week during set up for a major U.S. sporting event.  Wow - take a look at this pile of bags - that is a lot of drapery!

I’ve shown you the Sew What? drapery bags in Qatar, and even as luggage on an airport carousel in Germany, but this pile of bags is the biggest yet! 

We used to pack our custom stage curtains and other soft goods in plain clear vinyl bags, but we found that, while the drapes were protected in transport, the vinyl bags weren’t very practical from a customer’s perspective.  The tops were just tied shut, so there was no easy way to carry them, and they didn’t work well for storing drapery (due to humidity issues). 

So, a few years ago, we did some research and ended up deciding to have these bags made.  They are a durable non-woven polyester (so they “breathe”), which works well for storage, and the drawstring top with locking clip makes the bags easy to pick up.  We pack our drapes in these bags (complimentary), and our customers find them really helpful for transporting and storing the drapes.  They certainly are popular, as the photos prove!

(FYI, we also offer them on their own for sale.)

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January Anniversaries

January seems to be the time for new beginnings.  The holidays are over and the new year has begun.  I guess one of the “new beginnings” at Sew What? includes hiring employees. 

After the slow anniversary month of December, I am happy to report that we have THREE anniversaries in January.

Shane, Account Manager / Creative Director - 5 years

Veronica, Sewing Machine Operator - 4 years

Vicente, Assistant Cutter - 3 years

Happy Anniversary to all!  We are so glad to have you as part of the team.

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Happy New Year!

Well, here we are, the first day of 2010.  It has been a challenging year for many of us, given the state of the economy, but I am proud to say that Sew What? has weathered the storm and come out strong.

One of the elements that has really helped Sew What? in this tough economy is the implementation of lean manufacturing principles.  While other companies faced red ink, our ability to become more efficient through lean manufacturing has allowed us to cut costs (without cutting staff) and remain profitable.  The assistance of our lean manufacturing consultant, Angel De Sevilla, and all of the folks at CMTC (California Manufacturing Technology Consulting) has been invaluable.  CMTC really is a terrific resource for small manufacturing businesses like Sew What?

Even more important, in my opinion, is the dedication of the staff here at Sew What?  Everyone here has contributed to the continuing success of the company, from the cutters and sewing machine operators, to the quality control team and project managers, from the Shipping & Receiving Coordinator to the Production Manager and Director of Operations, to the Sales Team, Bookkeeper, Purchasing Agent, Human Resources Manager, Sales Support, and the Sew What? Management team.

Do you remember that old cliche (I think it came out during the Clinton administration) - it takes a village to raise a child?  Well, Sew What? reminds me of that.  The products we produce - custom stage curtains, digitally printed backdrops, exhibit booth drapery - aren’t produced by just one person, or even one department.  It takes the entire team to make this company shine, and I am proud to say that (despite the occasional squabble, as will occur from time to time in any family), we really are a family.

So, from our family to yours, here’s wishing you a Happy and Successful 2010!

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Sew What? Rockin’ T-Shirt

Each year around this time, we print a limited edition of Sew What? tee shirts - not for sale, but to give to employees and customers.  Awhile back, I posted a photo of the 2008 tee on a laundry line in Italy.

Up until now, the shirts have all been pretty similiar - black shirts with our logo and sometimes a catchy phrase.  This year, though, we were so impressed with the artwork that graphic artist John Rios of GrafixJam created for another project that we decided to have John create a unique “Rock-N-Roll / Metal” style design for the 2009 Sew What? shirt.

Check out the front design:

And on the back shoulder was the “DrapeMonster” logo:

Pretty cool, don’t you think?  We usually just have regular tee shirts made, but this time we also got some tank tops, for something a little more feminine (but still rockin”).

Thanks for the awesome design, John!

By the way, I have also recently discovered that John has a blog.  I just took a quick look through it and really liked it, and I am majorly impressed that he has been at it for two years now (I’ve only been blogging for about six months).  Keep up the good work, John.  I can’t wait to read more.

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Sew What? seen all over the world

A while back, I posted some photos of our Sew What? drapery bag in Germany and our tee shirt Italy.  This time, Sew What? has travelled even further - to the Middle East.

Take a gander at some folks with our drapery bags, preparing for an event in Doha, Qatar:

Now, I must confess that I had very little knowledge of Qatar prior to this project (I wasn’t exactly a geography wiz in school)…in case you are the same, here is the scoop according to Wikipedia.  Qatar is an Arab Emirate in the Middle East, surrounded by the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia.  It is an oil-rich state ruled by a monarchy.

It really is fascinating to see our bags in locales throughout the world.  It is so easy to sit here in my office in Southern California and forget that our custom stage curtains, backdrops, and other soft goods really do get used by customers in places like Germany, Italy, and even Qatar.  I love it - I get the chance to travel vicariously!

I don’t know if I will ever travel to Qatar, but if I don’t, at least I know that a little piece of Sew What? has!

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Happy Anniversary!

We are so proud of the fact that we have minimal turnover here at Sew What?  I guess we are doing something right, since our staff tends to stick around!  A couple of our staff members have even been here 10 or more years.  I myself started at Sew What? in 2003.

To celebrate, I will be posting employee anniversaries every month or two.  This month, please join me in wishing the following employees a happy anniversary!

Maria de Jesus, Sewing Machine Operator - 2 years in October 2009

Daniel, Quality Control - 2 years in October 2009

Guillermina, Project Manager - 4 years in November 2009

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