Joey Silverthorn started out in the haberdashery industry through working from home. She had two Etsy stores. One of them arose out of necessity - when she went looking for crib sheets and couldn't find any, she opted to make her own. Eventually, Joey became a distributor.
After building a successful business from home over 8 years ago, she made the decision to branch out into educating others about how to sew and knit. She admits that part of that decision had to do with a desire to make a change from the tedium and frequent isolation of solopreneurship: "You're there by yourself churning away;” she lamented. The change proved refreshing. "[Educating others] is so much fun;” she said. “I get to meet other creative people in the neighborhood."
In fact, Homesewn’s summer camp for kids filled up quickly. But people of all ages can learn how to make a quilt, an article of clothing, a bag, stuffed animal or learn how to knit through their ongoing courses, usually taught in 2-hour bite-sized intervals. Workshops have up to 6 students per session, with participants working on their own unique projects.
Of course, not everybody is a beginner, partially thanks to the pandemic. Yarn work in particular gained in popularity during the COVID pandemic. Lots of people learned the skill, not just to create, but simply to occupy their minds, using it as a form of meditation.
More experienced craftspeople can get their supplies of yarn and fabric. The materials provided in Homesewn’s products and their courses are top of the line: "We don't sell any acrylic yarn,” Joey explains; “we only have natural fibers." Although she claims that there's arguably nothing wrong with non-natural fibers, she discloses, "I don't want to wear a plastic sweater!" They also have a selection of organic fibers available. You'll find a collection of bright colors and mix and match patterns on offer.
For those who want to work on their projects at their facility, the center opens up their workshop at designated times where people are welcome to use the machines, tables, cutting tools as well as enjoy a large ironing station: "If you iron a big space of fabric, it's hard to do it on a small ironing board;" Joey explains. "It also provides a great opportunity for likeminded people to socialize as they create." Open Sew is available Wednesday nights from 5:30-8pm and Friday afternoons from 1-3:30pm.
Homesewn is conveniently located across from Trader Joe’s on State Street
"We don't sell any acrylic yarn,” Joey explains; “We only have natural fibers." Although she does say that there's arguably nothing wrong with non-natural fibers, she admits, "I don't want to wear a plastic sweater!"
