Conversations with Industry Experts and fellow Sewing and Embroidery Enthusiasts just like YOU!
Don holds many titles and designations! A retired United States Navy man and former Blue Angels#7 Crew Chief/Maintenance man, he’s a Helpful Husband, Doting Grandfather, and a Devoted Dad. Added to that mix he’s a Machine Embroidery Enthusiast who can drive a Harley and put the pedal to the metal on a Featherweight sewing machine too!
By way of introduction, I met Don last fall at a very special Tidewater Sew-Vac weekend event in Virginia Beach. Tidewater's educational director, Mary Beth Dodd wanted to make made sure I had support from an expert. She commissioned Don to be one of my capable and ever helpful classroom assistants as I taught In-The-Hoop embroidery classes on the Brother PRS100 machine. Owning this machine himself, he enthusiastically showed students the ins and outs of threading and pushing buttons on the screen, helping them master the machine, have fun stitching, and make the most of the time spent in class.
Don and his wonderful wife Debbie became fast friends of mine during that enjoyable weekend of classes and sewing camaraderie.
I thought you’d like to hear how this aviation mechanic started stitching and soon found himself helping others make the most of their machines.
Don and his wonderful wife Debbie became fast friends of mine during that enjoyable weekend of classes and sewing camaraderie.
I thought you’d like to hear how this aviation mechanic started stitching and soon found himself helping others make the most of their machines.
Debbie and Don Strahan
Hello Don! Thanks for sharing some details about yourself today and giving us a glimpse into your life in stitches as well.
Hi Joanne! I'm glad to talk to you and all your online friends. Debbie and I happily include ourselves in the group of regular readers here :-)
Right now, everyone can see you on your (conspicuously BLUE) Harley at the top of the page. I bet they are asking this question . . . How in the world did this guy get interested in Sewing?!?
Did you have any family members or friends that had sewing or embroidery machines? Please tell us the whole story as to how you got started.
Did you have any family members or friends that had sewing or embroidery machines? Please tell us the whole story as to how you got started.
Well, I have to start by saying that my wife Debbie is a super sewing enthusiast! With her encouragement I originally got started while recovering from a second round of shoulder surgery. At first I thought it would just be a good way to pass the time while I recovered. Then the whole thing turned into an interesting hobby. Eventually I started training others on how to use personal embroidery machines like my Brother PRS100, and also the Brother multi needle machines. I've been certified to service them as well, which is a natural direction for me to go since my "day job" involves working on high tech aircraft.
As far as family goes, I can remember my talented and wonderful mom used to sew by hand.
As far as family goes, I can remember my talented and wonderful mom used to sew by hand.
Interesting! Perhaps the gift of sewing is somewhat inherited but also greatly influenced by the caring and supportive people in our lives.
Gift making and gift giving plays a big part in many of the special items you make. Would you care to share a few examples?
Gift making and gift giving plays a big part in many of the special items you make. Would you care to share a few examples?
It's funny because my very first embroidery projects ended up being gifts. I embroidered a towel with my name on it and took it to work. My co-workers wanted one for themselves so I made them their own personalized towels!
Ha! I'm picturing that and smiling!!! That must have made quite an impression! From a few of our past conversations I think we could do a whole story on your special gift giving! You have quite a reputation for embroidering gifts for others.
A lot of embroidery enthusiasts like to make repeats of a favorite project or design. How about you, do you like to make multiples of the same basic items, or would you rather mix it up and try something new all the time?
I do mix in new stuff all the time, along with repeats of favorites such as bibs for my granddaughter and lots of hats. I also have friends pay me to do things for them. Since I can do hats with the cap frame on my machine that's a popular item I get requests for.
Don with his darling granddaughter.
Speaking of repeats, I seem to remember you making dozens of in-the-hoop embroidered lace doilies for Debbie's Mother's day tea party at church. She sent me a photo of you with your apron, tie, and tuxedo shirt after serving all those ladies.
Yeah, we had over fifty ladies coming for Mother's Day tea and we wanted to make it a really special day for them.
I'm sure there were many happy faces at the tea party! Speaking of happy faces, that is yet another one of your special gift items - stuffed happy faces. I'm inserting a photo of the happy face emoji you personalized for me!
I've made lots of those smiling faces, personalized towels, hats, etc., etc., etc.!!!
Wall hangings and shirts are yet another big interest for me. I've made large embroidered wall hangings using the 8-inch hoop on my machine. And here is a photo of a panel style wallhanging I've been working on.
Wall hangings and shirts are yet another big interest for me. I've made large embroidered wall hangings using the 8-inch hoop on my machine. And here is a photo of a panel style wallhanging I've been working on.
I remember you telling me you do more in the way of machine embroidery than sewing. Do you have some favorite embroidery collections?
Yes! I really like the Floriani Under the Sea collection and I have a lot of the Anita Goodesign CD's.
You have a dedicated sewing space and it's pretty unique at that! Can you tell everyone a bit about it?
Debbie and I share our sewing room/shed. It was going to be my tool shed till Debbie said she wanted it for the sewing room. It's just a few steps from the house, near the Koi ponds we enjoy. With heat and air conditioning inside, it's quite comfortable and we can keep everything all in one place.
Here's Don in the sewing shed - getting ready to start stitching something great on his Persona!
Along with the Persona for embroidery, my '59 Featherweight is part of the machinery I use to tackle a project.
Debbie has her own favorite machine but I've been known to sneak in some sewing time on that machine too ;-)
Debbie has her own favorite machine but I've been known to sneak in some sewing time on that machine too ;-)
You are a valued member of the educational staff at Tidewater Sew-Vac. Having you as an assistant I appreciated not only your enthusiasm but you were utterly patient with everyone in class! What do you like most about teaching and do you have any special tips you'd like to pass along?
I love helping other people learn about their new machines so that they can enjoy sewing as much as I do.
I remember the learning curve myself and I also know that you have to be comfortable pushing the buttons in order to master the machine and make full use out of it.
I tell everyone to just relax and enjoy the machine. I make a point to tell them the machine is "color blind" and you can do whatever you want with thread colors! I also teach them how to hoop the right way so they won't have "hoop pop". Thank you Joanne for that phrase :-) As you know it happens when the fabric isn't snug and all the way down in the hoop where it should be. One little thread tug in the wrong place and POP goes the hoop!!!
On the free arm style machines I like showing them how easy it is to hoop a hat with the cap frame. Caps are really a popular item for embroidery and they're easy to do. I've embroidered lots and lots of hats!
I remember the learning curve myself and I also know that you have to be comfortable pushing the buttons in order to master the machine and make full use out of it.
I tell everyone to just relax and enjoy the machine. I make a point to tell them the machine is "color blind" and you can do whatever you want with thread colors! I also teach them how to hoop the right way so they won't have "hoop pop". Thank you Joanne for that phrase :-) As you know it happens when the fabric isn't snug and all the way down in the hoop where it should be. One little thread tug in the wrong place and POP goes the hoop!!!
On the free arm style machines I like showing them how easy it is to hoop a hat with the cap frame. Caps are really a popular item for embroidery and they're easy to do. I've embroidered lots and lots of hats!
You are certainly an expert hat stitcher Don!
I haven't done many hats myself. You not only gave me some good hat hooping tips last fall, you stitched a monogrammed hat souvenir for me in no time flat. It's here in my sewing room along with my stuffed smiley face!
You and your family have a busy life full of good things. What are some of your other favorite hobbies or creative endeavors when you are not working or stitching?
I'm retired from the Navy but my work today is in the same field. Family is a priority and fills our days with many different things. For relaxation I enjoy my 3 koi ponds and riding my motorcycle, either alone or with a group.
Suited up and ready to ride in a Veteran's Day parade.
We've covered a lot of sewing ground today! It's been fun re-living some of the happy memories we have from the retreat. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk and share your stories with us! Happy sewing Don!
Thank you Joanne for all that you have taught me and most of all for being such a great friend.
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