Interview with Teri of Sew Terific Designs

How did you get started with digitizing? with embroidery?
I have been sewing since I was a child and have enjoyed all sorts of needle crafts over the years. In 1990, I started a custom ready-to-smock children's wear business out of my home. When monogramming became so popular, my customers asked for custom embroidery and monograms on the garments they were ordering from me. It soon became obvious to me that I could be more creative and cost effective by doing my own embroidery and digitizing rather than contracting it out. My first embroidery machine was the Viking #1+ and I started with Viking's DOS Customizing and Digitizing software. It wasn't long before I knew I had found a new passion! I had worked in the computer industry prior to having children and that combined with my love of sewing and needlework meant that computerized machine embroidery and owning my own web site were right up my alley!

Has your business changed since you started digitizing?
I was digitizing for about a year before I started my web site. I worked hard at building up a nice assortment of designs for my customers to choose from. Between creating new stock designs and the custom work that I do, I stayed very busy and soon had to give up the children's wear part of my business. I couldn't sew and digitize at the same time! LOL My business is now fully devoted to stock design creation and I still do a lot of custom digitizing. Probably the biggest change has been in the software and the machines. It totally amazes me how far we've come in the machine embroidery world just over the past few years!

What future projects are in the works?
I have a mile-long list of new designs that I want to do. :) More basket designs are definitely in my future, as they are very popular. I also want to try my hand at more in-the-hoop projects and lace. Beyond that, you'll just have to wait and see!