The Quilter: Quilting with Malke

malke.y — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:16:16 +0000

Our mom has not been posting recently because she is really unwell. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you!

Tagged: cancer, Family, medical, New York

Quilters’ take on summer fun!

malke.y — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:37:06 +0000

The date for our next car trip will be June 22. We will meet at Sew Materialistic at 9:00 am.

We are sure to have a great time visiting Mouse Creek Quilts, Stitch n’ Sew Center, and A.C. Moore Crafts!

Yummy lunch is included, please call for the menu. The cost of the trip is $25, which includes lunch, a drink and snacks.

Limited space available, so call soon!
Take care,
Malke

Tagged: business, cars, Material, NYC, Quilt, quilt stores, quilting, Quilts, Sewing, Trip

Bits and pieces of me

malke.y — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:55:24 +0000

I was asked a while ago if I would be willing to be interviewed for an article on Jewish Women in Business and here are excerpts of some of my answers:

What inspired you to create your business? I had just moved into a new house in a new neighborhood and was in between having babies; and a friend of mine who also sewed a lot approached me and asked if I would like to open a sewing store in my basement, foolishly, I agreed.

Were there any areas where you discovered tricks to cut costs? If so, where and how? I started giving classes so that I could save on the cost of a teacher, even though teaching is not my favorite thing to do. We also are more careful in our ordering pattern. We order to restock sold notions but order new fabrics not more than once a month. We also moved from a store front bck to my house so tha I could cut down in the rent and other commercial obligations.

Have you encountered any challenges specifically relating to your being an Orthodox Jewish women business owner? Not so much challenges as venues that I cannot participate in because I choose to be orthodox.

If so, how did/do you deal with the challenge? I do not participate in the many shabbos venues for quilters.

What advice can you offer other Orthodox Jewish Women entrepreneurs? Realize that being a woman today is not what will make or break a business. Being orthodox puts many restrictions on you but you can compensate by working harder and manuvering around the system. Know your business inside and out, network, and most importantly, take some business courses.

How do you maintain a work-life balance, juggling the roles of a business owner and mother? Although any job outside of the home is stressful, if your goal is to work for pleasure because you love what youre doing, you can manage. I love to run my business most of the time. I have also been given the golden opportunity to work with my children. They were always with me when they were small and when they got old enough, the girls work for me, either full or part time, and the boys help with stock when they could leave yeshiva.

Tagged: Blogging, business, Challenge, Fabrics, Family, Material, New York

Upcoming Events

malke.y — Sun, 15 May 2011 15:29:43 +0000

We’ll be going Thursday, May 26 to the American Folk Art Museum at 45 West 53rd Street in Manhattan. There is an admission fee and we’re planning to be there for the 1:00 tour. We’ll be meeting at the Avenue J train station (Q train) to be able to visit B & J fabrics before the museum. You must call to register.

Another thing on our agenda will be a UFO Day. No, you don’t actually have to finish an object, but you do have to bring in UNUSED FABRIC OBJECTS. You can bring in as many fabrics as you want to trade- you know… the ones you have no idea why you bought in the first place! Or just leftovers from other projects you don’t want to use again (or eve think about again!). Fat quarters is the minimum size & 1 yard pieces is the maximum, but you can bring in as many first quality pieces as you wish. If you are interested, please email me! sewmaterialistic@yahoo.com

Take care,

Malke

Tagged: art, business, design, Exhibit, Fabrics, New York, NYC, Show, subway

Challenge Accepted!

malke.y — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:56:39 +0000

Our challenge quilts are due soon and I am pretty excited about it because quite a lot of people bought the challenge fabric. Remember: they are due the begining of March.

Tagged: advice, art, business, Challenge, New York, Quilt, quilting, Quilting Challenge, Quilts

More UFOs Landing!

malke.y — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:08:41 +0000

Thanks to all who brought in their UFOs for the contest. But…WE WANT MORE!

Why so shy? All you have to gain is finished projects and cleaner sewing room, and nothing to lose!

Thanks to Susan who sent in lot of of UFOs:

Click to view slideshow.

Good Luck to all quilters!

Tagged: advice, business, Challenge, Exhibit, New York, Quilt, quilting, Quilting Challenge, Quilts, voting

Sew Materialistic SALE!

malke.y — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:06:55 +0000

For those of you who live nearby or are coming to NY to visit- don’t miss out on our STORE-WIDE sale! We are putting every item in stock at a 35% discount!!! (when paying with cash, 30% when with a credit card… not including already discounted items)

Come in and stock up on notions and browse through our fabrics for great finds! This sale is really not to be missed and I’m not just saying that because it is my store :-)

Tagged: business, Fabrics, Material, NYC, Quilt, Quilts, Sale, Sewing

UFO Spotting

malke.y — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:01:57 +0000

Join our new “Finish-a-Work-in-Progress” challenge. It’s relatively easy: register your UFOs (UnFinished Object) by emailing info@sewmaterialistic.com or in person, check in with us your progress every 6 weeks, and when each project is completed, show-and-tell to receive a gift of fat quarters. The one who finishes the most UFOs by the end of the year 2011, receives a gift certificate. Remember, there are consequences for those who don’t finish… Let the race begin!

Check out the store’s blog for the first UFOs to be submitted! www.sewmaterialistic.blogspot.com

Good luck!

Tagged: advice, Challenge, crafts, Exhibit, Quilt, quilting, Quilting Challenge

2011 Quilt Challenge

malke.y — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:00:58 +0000

2011 Quilt Challenge Guidelines:

Deadline for entries: Sunday, March 27

1) Purchase our challenge packet which includes:

*This fat quarter

2) Create a wall hanging using a recognizable piece of challenge fabric plus fabrics of your own choice.

3) The finished quilt cannot be larger than 24” x 24”.

4) The quilt must be made of three layers top, batting, and backing. The three layers should be attached in some way ie. tying, quilting etc.

5) All quilts must have a sleeve and paper label pinned to the quilt. The label should include your name, phone number, or/and address.

6) Your name should not appear anywhere on the front of the quilt.

7) The quilt must have a title and artists’ statement. Please type approximately 50 words.

8) The quilt must be delivered to SEW MATERIALISTIC by 6:00 on March 27. Quilts will be on display from March 28- May 1.

9) The public is invited to vote for the favorite entry (once a day) until March 18. The winner of the $72 and $36 gift cards will be announced May 2. The exhibit will be closed on May 1.

10) Please pick up your quilt between May 1- 8. We can make arrangements for return shipping.

Quilt Challenge Fabric

Tagged: 2011 Quilt Challenge, Challenge, crafts, Fabrics, Material, New York, Quilt, quilting, Quilting Challenge, Quilts, voting

Wedding Planning

malke.y — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:32:57 +0000

I’m taking off a day from work today with 2 of my daughters to go to Manhattan to find material for Blima’s wedding. She wants the color purple for all the family and I’m happy to report if you don’t already know that purple is a hot color this season. I think I’m too old to actually wear all purple (I’ll feel like a huge grape) but a shade of it will work for me. I usually provide dresses for all the grandgirls and I’m happy to report that was already taken care of! We are now trying to decide if all the guys should wear purple ties (or socks— just joking) or just buttoneers. They seem to be balking at the buttoneers, but I’ll just threaten them a little more.

Tagged: children, dress making, Fabrics, Family, Material, New York, NYC, Sewing, subway, Wedding, wedding dress