Shirley started coming to Luke’s Elsmere location “ages ago” when her Kenmore needed regular servicing. She bought her SE from Margaret shortly after her first grandbaby was born – and has been an embroidery and quilting addict ever since. “I liked the idea of putting pictures on things. It started out so simple, and over the years grew to where nearly everything I do is in the hoop,” she reminisced, “In the hoop projects are so easy! They even put the zipper in for you sometimes, it’s amazing.” 6 more grandchildren later, she most of her projects are gifts for her family. In fact – Shirley is already working on Christmas presents for everyone – In May! “Well, I just have so many to make, how else am I supposed to get them all done?” She remarked. Keep at it Shirley! We love that you plan ahead so well.

Shirley loves making small bags and pouches in the hoop!

Recently, Shirley’s been experimenting with making patches, too!

In recent years, Shirley upgraded to the Designer Diamond. “I love the big hoops and the fact that it’s got a big throat for quilting. That way I can make things at any size,” She mentions, adding: “It’s also so easy to use.” It’s true, the Viking Diamond has a spacious 10″ throat space and 8″x14″ hoops – eclipsed only by the Viking EPIC in scale. The 8″ touch screen is also extremely easy to see and navigate.

Shirley is working on a car track for her youngest grandson! He’s obsessed with Hotwheels – so when Anita Goodesign released this “play set” design – she knew she had to make it!

 

In order to make her sewing and embroidery even more efficient, Shirley recently purchased the Elna Multi-needle machine during the Anita Goodesign Party. “I can work on two things at once,” she exclaimed, “I can let it embroider, not have to worry about stopping to change thread, and quilt on my other machine!”

This bowl is reversible and made completely in the hoop. Shirley made one for herself – and now all her kids want one too!

Luke’s annual Anita Goodesign Party is one of Shirley’s favorite events. “We get to actually sew things, hands on!” she explained. Anita Goodesign Part is a two-day event Luke’s hosts in the Spring. We bring in our own machines and provide the thread, stabilizer, and fabric for you to gets hands on experience with some of the latest and greatest embroidery techniques.  She also loves Soni Grints software camps “She’s so good at teaching, and I always have questions for her to answer,” she explained, and Shirley never misses a VIP club meeting “It’s good to see the new designs and what everyone is working on,” she mused, “and the special presenters are great to get ideas from!

These are Shirley’s two favorite projects from Anita Goodesign Party! She learned how to use printable fabric in embroidery, and how to add dimension to quilting with trapunto!

 Finally, she explained why she’s loved Luke’s Sewing Centers for so long: “Luke’s employees are easy to talk to, and helpful,” she explained, “if they don’t know the answer to my question, they’ll find it for me.”