Interview with Linda of LJI Designs

How did you get started with digitizing and embroidery?
I started sewing as a child with one of those 'toy' machines making clothes for my dolls. I remember the machine was very frustrating and it didn't work the way it should have... it was only a toy. My father spent a lot of time fixing it for me. My mother taught me to crochet and my aunt taught me to knit. This still did not satisfy the creative side of me so I taught myself hand embroidery. I took 4 years of home economics in high school. The teacher didn't want me to make my prom gown with the silky type fabric... she didn't think I'd be able to handle it. I did... and wore that gown to my junior prom. A few years ago an elderly woman at my church taught me to tat, something I always wanted to learn.

I learned to use the sewing machine to create thread paintings and to do other types of embellishments but still wanted a 'real' embroidery machine. I bought the Brother PE200 (Snoopy!) machine and PEDesign version 1 in 1998. The first version of PEDesign was difficult to learn as there wasn't much help around other than the original BBD list. I opened LJI Designs in 2000 after spending a lot of time practicing and sending my designs off to Ann The Gran.

Has your business changed since you started digitizing?
My business is evolving on a continual basis. In 2000 I added the Brother 8500 machine but I would not trade in my Snoopy for it. In 2003 I added the ULT machine. I used PEDesign 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for digitizing designs. In 2004 I moved my site to my own domain. I purchased Embird Studio last year and have used this software for most of my new designs. I have a custom photostitch design service that is thriving. In April of this year I opened another part to my business with another website to host it.

What types of future projects are in the works?
I have a lot of irons in the fire and a lot of designs I want to make. I am working on many things at the moment. I will be adding to the quilt block designs in the near future and adding to other collections as well.

What personal information would you like to share?
My husband and I will be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary on June 9th. We have three beautiful daughters, two of which have shown an interest in sewing and embroidery. Running my own business has been a rewarding experience and has been such a blessing. I have found my creative outlet and I thoroughly enjoy it.