Sew What? Star of the Month - March 2010

Meet Susana, Sewing Machine Operator

Susana has been with Sew What? for 5 years.

If you could take a vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?  I would go to the Holy Land (Jerusalem) to learn more about where Jesus walked.

Who is your favorite recording artist?  Marc Anthony.  All romance music, cumbia, and all other kinds.

Do you have a special talent?  I like sewing a lot!  And dancing.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?  I like horror movies, science fiction, and suspense.  Also, I like Spanish soaps.

What is your favorite memory from Sew What?  The day I came for an interview.  If my car hadn’t broken down in the parking lot, I probably wouldn’t have been as memorable, and I wouldn’t have gotten hired.  It’s a good thing they felt sorry for me!

What project have you worked on recently that was interesting or challenging?  We worked on honeycomb swag drapes for a major entertainment industry awards show that required that onesie velcro cuffs be sewn onto the individual swags, in order to rig/attach these drapes to a 35′ h x 80′ w frame. Attaching these cuffs in just the right place allowed for these drapes to hang in a precise location that would allow this bi-parting drape to intertwine and look like a solid drape when it is drawn closed. 

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Sew What? Star of the Month - Feb. 2010

Meet Guillermina, Sewing Machine Operator

Guillermina has been with Sew What? for four years

If you could take a vacation to any place in the world, where would you go, and why?  I’d go to Africa to help as many malnourished children as I could.

Who is your favorite recording artist?  No one in particular - I like all kinds of music.

No you have a special talent?  No.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?  The news.

What is your favorite memory from Sew What?  When I first started working here.  I was so nervous because I didn’t know how to place a single pin!

What project have you worked on recently that was interesting or challenging?  I had the opportunity to work on a project that used 8,000 yards of powder pink crushed fabric, for drapes that were being expedited to Doha, Qater, to be used at a wedding there.

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Sew What? Star of the Month - Jan. 2010

Meet Gloria, Sewing Machine Operator. 

Gloria has been with Sew What? for two years.

Do you have any children?  Yes, three boys, ages 6, 1 1/2, and 8 months.

Do you have any pets?  What kind?  No pets.

What is your favorite food?  Chiles Rellenos.

What is your hobby?  Shopping!

What is your hometown?  Aguascalientes, Mexico.

What is your favorite sports team?  Chivas (Mexican soccer team)

What project have you worked on recently that was interesting or challenging?  The one project that was both interesting and challenging was the sunglasses printed on clear vinyl.  After that job, I knew I could accomplish anything.  I did it!

(Note:  The project that Gloria is referring to is the Soulja Boy Mixed Media Backdrop that Lynda blogged about in September).

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Sew What? Star of the Month - Dec. 2009

Meet Maria, Sewing Machine Operator

Maria has been with Sew What? for 3 1/2 years.

If you could take a vacation to any place in the world, where would you go, and why? I would go to Nicaragua to visit my kids.

Who is your favorite music artist?  Guille Avila - Christian music.

Do you have a special talent?  I counsel the youth surrounding me.  I tell them about how God loves them and wishes them well.  This way I gain their respect.

What is your favorite movie/show?  Para de Sufrir - Religious Testament Show.

What is your favorite memory from Sew What?  When I had to make some white pillow covers when I first started here.  I knew my job depended on it, but I hadn’t sewn zippers in several years.  It was quite a challenge!

What project have you worked on recently that was interesting or challenging?  When we worked on some yellow fine vinyl drapes that had angled cuts that were very tedious, but we approached the task with a positive outlook and a patient eye, and we accomplished it in the allotted time.

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Sew What? Star of the Month - Nov. 2009

Meet Lola, Project Manager

Lola has been with Sew What? for 8 years

If you could take a vacation to any place in the world, where would you go, and why?  I would like to visit Australia.  I like places that have beautiful landscape scenery.

Who is your favorite music artist?  Group Aventura.

Do you have a special talent?  I like to cook.

What is your favorite music/show?  I like action flicks.

What is your favorite memory from Sew What?  When we first came to visit the new building.

What project have you worked on recently that was interesting or challenging?  I consider each and every job a challenge.  I make sure it goes out on time, and in good quality condition.

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Sew What? Star of the Month - Oct. 2009

Meet Alberto, Sewing Machine Operator

Alberto has been with Sew What? for 7 years

If you could take a vacation to any place in the world, where would you go, and why?  I would go to Mexico, because I haven’t been in a long time, and I’d like to go remember the good times I had in Mexico City D. F.  I’d also like to go visit the graves of my loved ones who have passed there.

Who is your favorite music artist?  Ray Conniff and Santana

Do you have a special talent?  I sew.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?  The Six O’Clock News in Spanish.  I never miss it.

What is your favorite memory from Sew What?  When I went to a job in Las Vegas, because I won $600 from $20 I had.

What project have you worked on recently that was interesting or challenging?  The one we worked on last week where we had to glue acrylic pieces on soft goods.  It was tedious and required lots of manuevering, but I thought it was different and I loved it. (Note: Alberto is referring to a mixed media project using mirrors that we did for the Maxwell tour).

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Sew What? Star of the Month - Sept. 2009

Meet Daniel, Quality Control Lead. 

Daniel has been with Sew What? for two years.

If you could take a vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go?  Rome, because that is where Jesus Christ travelled.  I want to get to know the holy land.

Who are your favorite music artists?  Mariachi Vargas, the best in the world, and Los Hermanos Martinez Gil.

Do you have a special talent? I am a businessman.  I learned here in the United States.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?  The news.

What is your favorite memory of Sew What? All of you

What project have you worked on recently that was particularly interesting or challenging? I give all projects the same enthusiasm, be they large or small.  They all interest me equally, and I love getting organized to complete my daily tasks.  I want to always give 100%.

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The Sew What? Family

Here at Sew What? we think of ourselves as a family.  Many of us have been working here for five or more years - and the very first employee, Maria, is still with us after more than 11 years!

We thought that you, our readers, might like to get to know the Sew What? family as well.   So, I’d like to introduce you to Silvia Soler.  Silvia is our Human Resources Manager and is a new contributor to this blog.  Each month, Silvia will be presenting to you the Sew What? “Star of the Month,” a feature in which you can get to know our employees.

I hope you enjoy learning more about all the dedicated and talented people here at Sew What? Inc.

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Nice to Meet You

I am often asked how it is that I ended up doing what I am doing, that is being the founder and President of Sew What? Inc. - a Concert and Special Events Softgoods Supply Company.  I usually respond with “wrong place at the wrong time.”  Well, in all honesty it was not planned nor do I think it was preordained.  Rather that it was the result of not having a real job and wanting more for myself than a studio apartment and a diet of cigarettes and peanut butter.

I knew not of digitally printed backdrops and the equipment required to produce them.  Nor did I have any experience in theatrical drapery manufacturing of grand drapes or sharkstooth scrims.  I could not even sew!  I seem to recall that from an early age sewing made me nauseous.  (Don’t you recall the clickety-clack of your mother’s knitting needles while you were trying to watch the Cosby Show?).

My move to California from Melbourne was mostly inspired by some amazing and dedicated roadcrew whom I met in 1989 in Australia.  Steve Gomes, Dave Agar, Bobby Thrasher - just a few of the friendly faces who were touring with Billy Joel on the Storm Front Tour.  I got to meet lighting designer Steve Cohen, and as production driver for the crew and band I had a great gig - traveling the Southern states of Aus with them inspired me.

I would go to America, be an electrican - or failing that possibly a rock star.

Yes - you have my permission to laugh loudly.

So enough of my reminiscing - or there will be nothing for next time.

Fast forward 20 years later….now a stage drape selling, karaoke-loving wife, mother, and seamstress, who is very proud of her Sew What? family - I am contemplating enrolling in the next round of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp.  I am figuring it could only be good to get my “rock and roll” energy out - and belt out a few Meatloaf tunes while I am at it.  If I do, you will be the first to know.  I promise.  (Really).

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