About Us
Sometimes you have to stop doing something you LOVE,
so that you can do some things that you haven’t had time to do!
The Retail store is now CLOSED.
SEW BIZ Inc.
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Celebrating 41 Years in 2024
On “A Wing and a Prayer” and a “shoestring”, I opened the doors of SEW BIZ on June 20, 1983. Located at 3120 S. Washington St., in Marion, Indiana, we were located directly across the street from a Bar and right next door to a Bar. Ironically, when we moved to our current next location in 1985, our old location became…you guessed it – a Bar! That first location had 600+ square feet of space that included a small classroom. We offered items for Counted Cross Stitch, Candlewicking, Basket Weaving, Viking Sewing Machines and let’s not forget … 32 bolts of very carefully selected fabric! That is the truth – I began my store with only 32 bolts of fabric. I am not sure how we survived that location (size of store, neighbors, small product mix) but almost 41 years later we are still going strong. And I praise the Lord for that! Our retail location is closed, but we continue to have an ONLINE Store. www.sewbizmarion.com
My first customer was a classmate’s mother who was also a member of our church – Darlene Boen of Marion, IN. Like many store owners, I still have the receipt and Dollar Bill from that sale framed with my Indiana Resale License. We appreciate our customers who have supported us down through the years. Many of our customers have met life-long friends while attending classes and events at SEW BIZ. Others have renewed friendships from the past and have become re-acquainted with friends while taking classes.
After relocating to 3722 S. Western Ave., Marion, Indiana in the fall of 1985, we were able to expand to approximately 2000 square feet. And then we added more space in 1989 and again in 2000. We then had nearly 6000 square feet which allowed us to have a spacious, well-equipped classroom. And yes, we did have a few more bolts of fabric! Actually, we had well over 4000 bolts of beautiful fabric.
In 2005, I began marketing quilting tools. Today, we have 5 Quilting Tools and 13 Patterns that are carried by major distributors and sold in many quilting stores across the nation and around the world. Visit our Online Store.
Thank you, our customers, for supporting SEW BIZ and allowing us to serve you! Spreading the joy of sewing, quilting and related projects is truly rewarding. Our greatest rewards come from seeing customers who are satisfied with and excited about their projects and then share their enthusiasm with others!
On February 27, 2018 after 35 years in the retail sewing business, I closed SEW BIZ. We are still available online and will continue to keep in touch with you on our FaceBook page, via email blasts and here, on our website. Thank you for 41 great years of sharing the love of sewing and quilting! .....Donelle McAdams
Donelle McAdams, Owner & President
I am married to John McAdams and we have 2 children. John was a Plant Engineer at Chrysler in Kokomo, IN. He is now retired. He is also Vice President of SEW BIZ Inc. Megan is in her 14th year of teaching and is a 5th grade Special Education teacher at Justice Intermediate School in Marion, IN. Matthew is a graduate of Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine and is in Residency at Trinity Health in Livonia, MI. SEW BIZ is a family run business, so John, Megan, and Matthew all have very important jobs behind the scenes. During the Summer months, Megan can be found traveling with me to shows and retreats.
I have lived in Marion, IN all of my life except for my college years and my first 2 years of marriage. I graduated from Marion High School, Purdue University and received my Master's Degree in Secondary Education from Ball State University. I taught Home Economics (now Family & Consumer Sciences) at Maconaquah Middle School, in Bunker Hill, IN, for 7 years. While still teaching, I began this great venture called SEW BIZ! After 2 years and teaching interrupted by a health issue, I resigned my teaching position to become a full-time Quilt Store Owner! I love teaching and this opportunity was perfect for me! I am still teaching after 46 years!
I have had the opportunity to teach at International Husqvarna Viking Convention on many occasions, participate as a presenter at School House and have taught business classes at International Quilt Market, write for a variety of Sewing related publications and I currently write a column for Fab Shop News entitled Profitable Promotions. I am a Gold Accredited Teacher for Westalee Quilting Templates and travel the USA and Canada teaching and sharing the love of quilting. I will share my passion for sewing & quilting and teaching others at any opportunity. God has given me the talent to sew and I thank Him for allowing me to share that gift with so many wonderful people! I feel very BLESSED.