Window drapes??

You sew, don’t you?  So why can’t you fill my order for some window drapes?

If I had a dollar for every explanation that I have offered new callers who were in the market for economical house drapes, I’d be cruising the Med right now.  It seems logical enough.  Indeed, we do know how to sew, we sell fabrics, and we make curtains and draperies.  But there are so many differences between residential-style draperies and those which we produce for the concert stage and theatre.  Here are just a few of those differences:

Types of Fabrics:  We are very limited in our fabric range compared to that of a retail fabric store.  Our materials must all be of very durable fibers, must come at least 54″ wide, must be available in large runs and have little or no dye lot inconsistency.  Many of the materials milled for our purposes are made in very commercial and utilitarian color lines.  There aren’t a lot of choices in cotton velour colors, for example - just three blues in total, 4 red tones, and one very ugly god.  Good luck finding carpet to match.

Flame Retardancy:  We typically deal in materials which are flame retardant - or treated to be such.  The laws in the United States require that we put only positively tested FR materials into public spaces such as theatres and concert halls.  In fact, the same requirements apply to all public spaces with drapery style textiles!  Many of our materials have lots of chemical flame retardancy applied to them.  Don’t know about you - but I would not want those chemicals hanging at my windows or on my bedspread or upholstered onto my sofa.

Cutting and Finishing Tolerances:  Our drapes are all hand cut and typically very big.  We once made a 1200 lb drape - it took a forklift to get it out of the building.  As you would imagine, the sizing tolerances are loose in pieces that big!  Even in a standard theatrical drape, acceptable industry tolerance would be within an inch to an inch and a half.  Of course, that would never work in a home kitchen window.  In comparison, residential tolerances would be within 1/4 to a half inch.

Sewing Machines: We use walking foot upholstery machines to create our durable and economical stage draperies and backdrops.  No blind hems, no invisible seams.  When it comes to thread, we use heavy spun nylon that is as thick as fishing line, and we stitch right through the face of the fabric!  No - just because it seems less expensive does not make it look any better in your dining room.  Trust me.

Pleating Styles:  We box pleat.  And knife pleat.  We even shirr occasionally.  But no - French pleating, triple pinch pleating, and other such fancy top finishes aren’t our forte.

So - where should you go for home drapes?  For off the shelf drapes in a variey of very nice materials and fashion colors, I personally think Restoration Hardware has the best selection.  The prices are fair for the very elegant textiles that they offer.  The sewing quality of their pre-made panels is also very good.  If you want something custom - try a local residential drapery and upholstery provider.  Ask for references first and be prepared to pay a 50% deposit (at minimum).  Let them measure and, if at all possible, let them install, too - it will be worth it to have the pieces hung and installed “just so.”  Hey - it is your HOME.

Happy house hunting!

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What would Emily Post do?

In referencing some classic Emily Post etiquette books published in the mid 60’s, I read that one should never make a call during the week before 9 am.  Or after 8 pm.  Nor should we call someone on a weekend before 10 am.  And never on a Sunday without invitation.  All communications should start with “Dear” or “To Whom It May Concern,” and be in one’s very best cursive script.  Remember - never abbreviate, never exclamate. (!)

So……

How about this iPhone that I have then, Emily?  If I get an e-mail at 11 pm on a Friday, mid-martini, should I jump to call, text, e-mail, and resolve the query?  Or does one wait till Saturday after 10 am?  Alas - Saturday is not a typical work day - so would I therefore further delay my response to the next business day after 9 am?

Oh my!

Being an anxious Capricorn, there is a very good chance that my clients will get that immediate knee jerk reaction, while my friends continue the conversation without me.  When my phone bleeps, my 6 year old comments - “Mum - you’ve got e-mail” (who needs AOL?).

Do we respond as honestly - and with as much thought - when we fly at an answer instantly?  Do we give our clients (big spenders and small alike) a warm fuzzy feeling when there is no “by the way” or “thank you”?  And what of the lack of capitalization and punctuation?  Does one assume the user is uneducated?  Or just too busy to backspace and correct it?

My challenge for the week is to locate the most current etiquette opinions on the matter from the SMB world.  I will let you know what I find.  Stand by - this should be pretty funny.

Yours, remotely, wirelessly, and conveniently connected in the palm of my hand.

Megan

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Travelling for Work

I was surfing the Internet recently - a late night habit I have developed - and struck upon some travel commentary.  It reminded me just how much I love to travel - and in turn got me thinking about all the amazing travel opportunities I have had which have been work related.  International and domestic - I admit to having had a pretty good run of it.

GREECE - yes- you heard correctly - 14 days in fact on board a luxury cruise liner visiting Mediterranean locations as exotic as Santorini and Venice, even stopping in Corfu just in time for the breaking of the pottery urns at Easter time.  I was not sewing stage draperies at the time - rather was a project coordinator for a privately chartered sales incentive program - back in 1993 or so when there were budgets for such extravaganzas.  These days they don’t go to Greece - they just serve Feta on the salad in an attempt to give some international flair.

NEW YORK CITY - the Big Apple - a product launch.  As a selected speaker for the launch of the Dell Computer Vostro computer lineup, I had the pleasure of visiting the top floor of the Reuters building and seeing our company posted on the LED billboard in Times Square.  Amazing!

BARCELONA - the Olympic Stadium was new, just post-Olympics, and then there was the trip to the convent on a Sunday to take fresh eggs to the nuns - a village tradition.  This time in charge of a large drapery installation amongst other elements for a privately sponsored event, this work trip left me with memories of La Segrada Familia and a fond appreciation for all things Gaudi.

CANCUN - Oh my - building a tent on the beach in the middle of college spring break.  Is it OK if I try to forget this “gig” memory?  Thanks.  I think we should let it go quietly.

TURKEY - I departed a cruise ship in Kusadasi after 5 days on board.  This time doing  a large upholstery project singlehandedly - it was a work-all-night-and-sleep-all-day kind of scenario.  No matter, however - with the time difference between there and America, it was easy to work the schedule.  I covered several hundred running feet of ducting with flame retardant Sunbrella® brand fabric - hard work but rewarding.

NEW ORLEANS - there were hurricanes - lots of them.  And I am not  talking about wind and rain.  WOW - New Orleans is a really hard city to stay focused in when it comes to deciding whether to work…or eat crocodile.

BRUSSELS - Not sewing concert curtains - but SPEAKING!  Yes - I was invited to speak in Brussels at an IFAI conference, on the subject of wide format digital printing.  This was a terrific experience where I met some very educated people on the subjects of “smart” and “intelligent” textiles.

So - my point here, I think, is that I have been fortunate indeed - to have been invited to work on high profile projects, in interesting places.  My grandparents and parents alike loved to travel - Adam and I have the bug too - so I picked the right profession, you might say.

Next……the stars?  Oh no - I am already reaching for them.

Megan

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Small Business Madness

Lately I have been feeling both humbled and thankful.   We have been busy selling.  Very busy.  While witnessing personal family friends relocate to Nebraska having lost both job and home, our team has worked extra hours on nights and weekends to keep up with client needs.  We are fortunate indeed.  Dedicated too - but I recognize that dedication is not enough.

It has prompted me to ask myself - what is the differentiator in a floundering economy that causes one business to fail while another finds growth?  Is there one single factor that assures measurable success?

What is it that keeps the phone ringing, and how do you keep vendor / client relations fresh? - is it just service?  Does knowing what you’re selling make any difference - or does price point seal all deals?  All clients needs are different.  So it is a function of understanding what is best for each and every project on a case by case basis.  There is no “one size fits all.”  And no one catalog or fabric swatch card to suit all needs.  While we are small, we are mighty in our ability to personalize our services…and turn on a dime.  I no longer think that “bigger is better” - rather, that “better is best.”

Like my parents told me, you can’t have your cake and eat it too - so invariably premium quality and low price don’t usually meet on a single contract.  But that seems to suit our clientele - we are not the low price leader - rather a supplier of premium products for clients wanting professionalism, quality, timeliness and value.

I am very thankful for the loyal clientele, many of whom we consider to be dear friends, who have brought their business to us over the years.  I along with all Americans hope that the economic climate continues to improve so that our family, friends, clients and vendors may all find growth and success in their chosen fields.

Megan

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Memories on the Road and at Home

I am still working the deal for Fantasy Rock Camp.  I am told that my personal hero Mr Meat Loaf will be the host.  I am very excited to say the least.  LOL.  No - you can never be too old to appreciate such an opportunity.  You love him too - I just know it.

Speaking of opportunity - I have lately been thinking about the various artists whom I have had occasion to come in contact with over the 20+ years that I have been in the industry.  “Why?” I hear you ask, “would you possibly want to remember the night when the audience rushed the stage at an Anthrax concert while you huddled up the truss in a follow spot seat above the crowd quivering with fear and mild excitement?”

Hmm - good question.

The newer members of the Sew What? family tend to be infinitely amused by these stories, and the old-timers know them verbatim and can repeat them on cue on my behalf when required.  Not to mention the fascination that our son William has developed hearing these road warrior stories.  There is much reason to reminisce.

Joe Gallagher and I once pushed the bus (literally) up Wilshire Blvd when King Crimson’s tour bus broke down.   On the very same tour, I think I may have even fallen asleep up on the dimmer rack mid “thrak-attack” at a show at the Greek.  Any genuine King Crimson fan would appreciate how very difficult that would be.  To achieve a degree of exhaustion capable of blocking the volume and the vibe is noteworthy.

More memorable moments - sitting with Rod Stewart on the stage steps in front of the custom draperies we created for him.  I posed for the photo opportunity - he did not need to - casual and cool, he looked like a rock star without any effort.

Meeting Queen Latifah in her blue jeans and striped sweater top - shaking hands - “Hi, I’m Dana.  How are you?”  WOW - amazing, talented, genuine and beautiful.  What a pleasure to work with such artists.  I am truly fortunate.

I have been told that success begets those who surround themselves with successful people.  We have not only successful clients, but successful employees too.  I love to see creativity and talent at every turn.  It is another great day for us at Sew What? - living the high life on the sunny side of Compton.  So, back to work for me now - and let me see from whom, and what, I might learn today.

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