Margaret Debiec, a lifelong crafter and former sample knitter for The Endless Skein, is taking her craft to a whole new level. She’s launching a new business, In The Loop Crafting, and some of its sewing machine clinics will be held right here at your favorite yarn store! Whether your machine needs troubleshooting or you want to build your sewing confidence, Margaret can help. Her first visit is Friday, October 23, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, and appointments are required. Read on to learn more!
What is the name of your new business and how did you get started?
My business is In the Loop Crafting and I started my business after leaving the world of corporate training and education (which I’d been a part of for over 20 years!).
I got my first sewing machine when I was 9 years old and have been sewing ever since. I am a maker and love trying new crafts – everything from sewing, knitting, and spinning to spoon carving and basket weaving. Once I left my corporate job, I knew I wanted to do something that involved my love of making as well as my passion for teaching.
How did you get interested in and learn how to service sewing machines?
Oddly enough, one night, I was watching YouTube videos about sewing and saw an ad for Sewing Doc Academy. I did my research and enrolled in the Academy. I’ve had over 50 hours of training, attend ongoing training sessions, am involved with the Academy’s business group, and attend weekly meetings to talk about sewing machine servicing and repair issues.
I really love the idea that I get to help people with their sewing machines, potentially keep machines out of landfills, and I can educate people on ways to maintain and use their machines so they can keep on stitching.
What services will you be offering and how will it all work?
The main service I offer is modern and vintage sewing machine servicing.
I have started offering Quick Fix Clinics, where people can leave their machine with me and I will diagnose and attempt to fix immediate issues, like skipped stitches or thread nesting, within 30 minutes. This is not intended to be a full servicing, but rather a way to get folks sewing again quickly.
My regular machine servicing includes deep cleaning, oiling/lubricating the machine, and balancing tension. Minor repairs or part replacements may be included in the servicing (for things like bobbin tires or bobbins). I always do a complete write up of what I have done with the machine. In addition, I talk with my customers to make them aware of some simple things they can do to make their sewing more enjoyable. If a machine needs major repairs, then I talk with my customer about options and go forward from there.
Most of my offerings are by appointment only, so I ask that people go to InTheLoopCrafting.com for more information and to schedule an appointment.
Will you be offering any classes or workshops?
I do offer a “Get to Know Your Machine” class that can be a standalone class or an add on to servicing. In addition, I offer beginner sewing, knitting, and cross stitch classes.
I’ll be speaking at a local quilter’s guild meeting in November and will be setting up more Quick Fix Clinics soon.
You have worked as a sample knitter for The Endless Skein. What other crafting work do you enjoy?
It may be easier to list the crafts I don’t enjoy!
I enjoy spinning, cross stitch, basket weaving, and quilting. I took some water color classes and while I enjoyed it, it’s definitely not my strength!
Besides a new business, what other project have you recently completed and what did you enjoy about it?
I am part of the Elmendorph Handspinners Guild and recently I was fortunate enough to take a basket weaving class (offered through the Guild) with Mary Ann Williams. It was so much fun to learn some new techniques as well as spending time with others who were learning as well. I ended up with a really lovely basket which I am using to hold some of my sewing machine servicing tools.
