Claudia and Karen have recognized over the years that those who sew "home decor" for their homes or as a business, would like to attend specific workshops. Many cannot spend long periods of time away from home or work to further their sewing education thus, the idea of the 1 or 2 day workshop came to light!
Karen Erickson has been in the Home Decor business for 21 years. In 1986 she started Fine Finishing by Karen as a part-time home based business, fabricating draperies, slipcovers and other accessories. Long time member of Drapery Pro, supporter of WCAA and avid educator in Sustainable Living (green interiors)
Karen works with designers, decorators and retail customers throughout the United States, specializing in ON-Site slipcover fabrication. She continues to instruct both in the US and Canada doing Seminars/Demonstrations of how to sew home decor with that professional look, for fabric stores, sewing guilds, professional workrooms,and for ASID groups. 4 years she was on staff at the Custom Home Furnishings Industry (CHF) in North Carolina.
Photos and articles regarding slipcovers have been published in magazine as well as online publications. Most recent Sew News Magazine April 2007.
Claudia Buchanan is backed with 9 years of industry experience and 40 years of sewing experience.
Claudia is the owner of Sew What! Custom Home Decor & Slipcovers and HomeFabrics4u.com in Peoria,AZ. Sew What is a retail-wholesale professional workroom that provides custom sewn decor to designers, decorators, and retail clients.
Claudia is an past officer of the Arizona Window Coverings & Design Association, A Window Fashions Certified Professional, Member of WCAA, Member of American Sewing Guild, Drapery Pro and the Slipcover Network.
She is an experienced seamstress with attendance at workshops including but not limited to the Home Furnishings Industry Educational Conference in Greenville, SC, and the Slipcover Summit in St. Louis, MO. Taught at the 2004 Slipcover Summit in FT Collins, CO. and 2005 Slipcover Summit in Tampa, FL.. Sew What! was the past host of 2006 Slipcover Summit in Peoria, AZ.
"My entrepreneurial spirit created an exciting career move to the Home Furnishings Industry in 1999. I have been sewing since the early age of 10 and love it! I design and sew all facets of Home Decor, specializing in slipcovers, bedding, window treatments, and children's decor."
