Welcome to another stop at Michelle’s Creations. Today, as part of our Canada Cups Cross Your Heart Relay blog tour, 2016, I’m featuring Central Sewing Machines in Edmonton, Alberta.
Before we start our interview, did you see my post saying why I’d become a Craftsy affiliate? I think Craftsy is great!
Now, on to our feature post. You might be wondering how a sewing machine store features in bra-making/lingerie tour. Let’s find out!
Who is Muriel? Tell us a little about your new ownership venture.
We are very proud to be a brother and sister duo owning Central Sewing Machines. Our official start date was July 19, 2016. We are thrilled to be part of this new world and look forward to bringing our brand to a whole bunch of new venues.
In fact, if you’re in the Edmonton area, tomorrow (September 17th) it’s Central Sewing Machine’s Fall Open House.
Where is Central Sewing Machines located?
Central has two locations and classes are held in both our South and West stores. Our South store is at 8649 – 63 Avenue, and our West store is located at 10642 – 170 Street. Both in Edmonton.
Central Sewing Machines (CSM) offers bra-making classes. Will that continue now under your new management?
Absolutely! We love the idea of offering a lot of variety and as long as our clients want to take these classes, we will continue to offer them.
The Basic Bra-making class offered this fall.
Oh, that’s wonderful news! Any plans to expand the classes? Offer more? Or have the classes held more often? Or other lingerie classes?
Expansion of classes? Absolutely! We have set up an Education Team. This Team is looking for other types of classes we can bring to our store, along with new teachers who are interested in bringing something unique. I cannot speak directly about other lingerie classes, but if there is a desire for this, and a teacher willing to offer this, we would love to bring these to fruition.
Mrs. Weaver? (Nudge. Nudge.)
How long do you see this trend of making our own bras/panties/lingerie continuing?
I think this trend will continue to be very strong. It is something that speaks to all ladies, ways they can personalize their own look.
This lovely bra is on display at the South store. Ooh, I love the bow on that bra!
How do you get the word out?
We send out email blasts on our courses. We also have a new website that we will be unveiling shortly which has all of our courses listed. You will be able to search and purchase classes online.
CSM has been offering bra-making classes for close to 20 years. In fact, the first bra-making class at Central was with our very own Fairy Bra Mother!
Yes, that’s right. Beverly Johnson was the first woman to teach bra-making classes at Central.
Beverly, when did you teach at Central Sewing Machines? For how long?
It had to have been 1999 or earlier. I talked to Bev S. (Bev still works at Central) and she wanted to book one class. I told her she should book at least two, as they would sell out. She announced it to her customers and we sold out 3 classes. The next time I was there I taught 8 classes in a row!
At that time the classes were only offered once a year. Is that right?
Yes. I was in Edmonton once a year, but it was always for multiple days at a time.
What were those early classes like?
They always put 24-25 women in a class. Imagine 75 women on that first trip! No helper either!
Here’s the classroom where the bra magic happens. Twenty-five students would be really crowded.
That must have been a challenge to try and work with that many women at one time. The classes now have a limit and a waiting list. No more 25 women in one class.
Classes that are too big are not good for the learning process.
How long were you teaching at Central?
I taught there for four years, maybe five.
Who is there now?
Margaret started teaching there about five years ago. She is a great teacher!
Margaret Ferguson is teaching two bra-making classes this fall. Bra Making – The Basic Bra, and Bra Making – Cup Design Styles.
It’s so great we have some local access to bra-making, and for those who aren’t local, there are bra-making classes on Craftsy!
I would like to thank Muriel from Central Sewing Machines, and Beverly Johnson, from Bra-Makers Supply, for taking the time to allow me to interview them.
Have you (my readers) taken bra-making classes? The Craftsy classes count.
Tour Schedule Itinerary
Follow the magical tour to see what we all have under our clothes
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Friday, September 16
- Wild Stitch Rachel tries her hands at designing her own assets
&
So does her Cross Country BB Jess from the west - Valérie est du rétour avec une entrevue de Blackbird
- Michelle takes us to a secret spot in the centre of things
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Thank you to our wonderful bloggers for making this such a great tour!
You’ll see in my sidebar menu, I’m an affiliate with Craftsy. I decided to do this because I can do it without any compromise. I really do think they’re great. In fact, I love the whole concept: You buy a class that never expires; you can watch it anytime; the instructors answer your questions. From sewing to cooking to gardening and more, they have classes. They really are great!
Here’s Beverly’s Heather bra. It’s gorgeous!
Once the pattern was done, it was time to cut the bra out. I’m always amazed at how little fabric goes into a bra. This little pile is about to become something very pretty.
I love it! Don’t look for it though. Sewy only a little left. Once I’d made my purchase it was gone from the website. It even came in that adorable Sewy bag for storage.
These will go right behind my nicely organized patterns in my sewing binder. I also plan to work through all my classes. Some classes I devoured as soon as I bought them; others well, others have never even been opened. It’s time.
Curls!
Although this outfit is good, I think the next one I’ll try will be an actual Preemie outfit.
