My story of learning to love sewing began many years ago. As a child, I would sit with my mom while she made clothes, curtains, costumes and many other items which she sold on the festival circuit. I was fascinated and soaked up every moment. When I was eight, I was given my first sewing machine and I took to it, as they say, like duck to water. I began making envelope purses and the entrepreneur in me, took them to school and sold them to my classmates. I loved sewing and was good at it. In High School, I designed and created my own prom dresses and other outfits for special occasions. After graduation from high school I went on to study fashion design at Bauder Fashion College in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

After graduating from college with a degree in fashion, I began making children’s clothing to match the adult items my mother was making. I went with her to festivals and successfully sold my designs. A few years later, my mother bought me an embroidery machine and that is when my true obsession with stitching began. I embroidered everything I could find. At that time, I called my business Kodi and Kiki after my two schnauzers and opened my Venmo account. This worked wonderfully for selling at festivals, to friends and through Etsy. I had so many orders, I couldn’t do them all and had to hire people to help me. They would cut and I would sew. As time went by, I purchased a multi-needle embroidery machine so I could embroider on larger items.  In addition to festivals, I rented a booth at a local Antique Mall and my clothing designs have sold well. I have worked endlessly to keep enough inventory to keep my booth full and have enough inventory to take to festivals. In order to keep the business growing and keep the cash flow moving, I have continued to work full time as a High Risk Pregnancy Sonographer and run Stacy’s Styles and Stitches.

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The business continued to flourish over the next few years causing me to take another look at the future. I decided to change the name of my company, work on a corporate branding strategy and have a website designed and built to create an online store and build a  larger presence. I have truly enjoyed this entire business format but deep in my heart, I knew, one day I wanted to own my own retail store. I am very excited to share, that time has arrived and I am opening a store on Shorter Avenue in Rome.

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My goal for Stacy’s Styles and Stitches is to provide an excellent source for sewers, quilters, embroiderers and anyone who wants to learn these crafts. We will carry fabrics, notions, quilting and embroidery supplies, machines, furniture and custom clothing. Stacy’s Styles and Stitches will hold all sorts of classes with a goal for the future to hold Sewing 101 classes to fill the need left behind when Home Economics was removed from the public school system.  There is a whole generation that doesn’t even know how to thread a machine. We want to fill that gap as well and give young people the chance to learn these skills. In addition to being a practical skill, it can provide a sellable skill, a healthy hobby or even give someone the tools to start their own alterations or custom sewing business. 

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I am very excited to have the opportunity to serve Floyd County and beyond, providing beautiful fabrics, sewing supplies and a place for like minded people to get together and build long lasting friendships. I look forward to seeing you at the store!