After 3 years, 2 locations, and hundreds of Knitting Bootcamp, Make Your Own Jeans, and Needle Felted Monster Balls classes, Heights DIY needle shop Sew Crafty has announced it will be closing its doors at the end of February. In a post on the store’s Facebook page, store owner Sarah Gabbart talks about the difficulty of running a small business in the current economy, the joys of seeing customers put together their own stuff; and she encourages everyone to keep on crafting. Then she gets down to business: Sale! Starting this Friday: sewing supplies, remnants, furniture and fixtures — everything must go! (Except all those rented sewing machines, of course.) Plus, the 2-story space at 321B 19th St. is now available for lease. Just call Marcela — she’ll hook you up.
- Sad news peeps – we’re closing [Facebook]
Photos: Sew Crafty
Very sad. With a cigar bar and new coffee house opening on 19th and two big new housing developments going in down the street, I hoped that some of those who struggled during the economic downturn would be able to hang on for better times to come on 19th. I hope other businesses will stay afloat. I think the future for 19th street is very bright. I hope that another creative local entrepenuer takes the place of sew crafty. I would hate to see chains invade 19th street.
What happened to the “support local business” mantra of local residents?
While I may be dating myself, back in the early 70’s there were small craft shops all over that area and beyond. Those shops offered classes too!! I lived in one of the apartments on W.18th and I already had a sewing/crafting background so I sought the shops out when I moved to the area. This was BEFORE the big box craft stores.
Sadly, when the LeeWards, Crafts Etc., Michael’s began arriving, the small ones could not keep up.
So, while this place may think they offered something that other places do not or did not, they are certainly not the first to do so.
Thank you for the kind words Swamplot! We will miss being part of the Heights community, but are still just thrilled that we lasted 3 years :o)
PYEWACKET2: You are totally right – we were definitely not the first! It’s only be the grace of a long-standing small quilt and craft shop legacy that we were able to exist at all! Very cool that you were part of that before all the big box places – the small shops were a great part of Houston’s history and I bet their customer service was WAY better than JoAnn’s ;o)
“LeeWards” – Dang, you are old. Mee too, I guess. I loved that place as a kid and still have the birdhouse I made from a kit from there. I know, they are supposed to be the bad guy chain store but I have nostalgia for them too.
I’m really sad. I just took a knitting class there in December. I’m surprised because I had a hard time getting in a class because the one I wanted was booked. I want to take more classes! :(
My wife contemplated starting a fabric store in Houston because there weren’t any good ones. She never did get a chance to take sewing classes at Sew Crafty, which is too bad. I’m sure she’ll be at the sale on Friday.
In case my last comment is misconstrued…she didn’t know about Sew Crafty until recently. She liked the store, but didn’t think it carried enough fabric. Rather, it had more crafty items. Go figure. :)
Sew what, a rather niche market. I do support local businesses but I have zero interest in knitting/sewing/being a crafty guy. I’d rather brew my own ale, or make the world’s best garlic dill pickles. Sounds like a bored housewives store to be perfectly glib. Disappears into a cloud of smug (yet again).
Thanks Corey for your kind words during this difficult time. *poof – disappears into a cloud of smug!*
Sew Crafty wasn’t just a place for bored housewives. It was a place for people, young and old, to share their love of crafting, sewing and otherwise. I took the T-shirt Quilt class there with Jenny and it was fun working out the project with others who were doing the same thing, instead of just plugging away on my own. I also turned to Sew Crafty when my sewing machine died and, because of Sarah and Jenny’s recommendations, got a better machine at a fabulous price. Even my son loved Sew Crafty, where he could pick out a kid’s craft kit or do a take-away project. Is it a niche market? Perhaps. But that doesn’t mean the store didn’t mean something to those of us who frequented Sew Crafty.
Corey, when you hear that so many microbrews can’t make it in this world of beer-drinkers, you don’t say: sounds like a bunch of useless drunks. This is the same thing, it’s not about bored housewives, it’s about a small business roughing thru this economy.
OMG Corey! My grandmother used to LOVE making pickles when she was a housewife! Weird!
Sew Crafty made a lot of people smile, even some dudes. I was happy to have them in my classes and will miss our little patch of crafty heaven very much.
Darn it.
My sister gave me a gift certificate for Christmas. I see that they’re still offering classes, but I’m sad that this will be a one shot deal. It was a cool idea, I thought.
I’m not selling my wares aside from the pickles/jalepenos, and by default as a man I am useless. :) No worries. Though if someone wants to sew my button back on to my coat, I’d be very appreciative. No disrespect intended ever. All the best, I wouldn’t suggest opening a book store or record store either. Want to be ahead of a trend, sell overpriced fixed gear Italian bikes, hispters will come for miles..
Bring your button in darlin, and maybe a kindness will encourage you to go out and visit some of these places that struggle, and who pray they won’t make onto swamplot for this reason.
And PS: I’m really sorry now for the snarky things I said about Scott Gertners sky bar!