Marlene Ingraham
President
When her mother taught her to sew at the machine when she was 8 years old, neither had any idea where this hobby would lead so many years later. Marlene and her best friend both made royal blue poplin, sleeveless (with facings!), zip-up-the-back A-line dresses as their first projects – and they were hooked! By the time high school rolled around she and her friends would often cut out and sew a new dress after school to wear the following day – set-in sleeves and all
Marlene sewed nearly all her clothes through high school, college and her working life. She attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison in the early 1970’s when Home Economics Education was still called just that, and has worked in the sewing industry ever since. Selling fabrics and sewing machines, eventually becoming one of the first female store managers for the Singer Company, she realized how attached to sewing – and the people who shared her interest in it – she had become.
A move to the Cleveland, Ohio area in the mid-80’s proved it, when she decided to work for an independent sewing machine dealer just so she could meet and talk to women who sewed! As usual, she gravitated to others who enjoyed sewing too, and to this day she counts among her closest friends those she met because of her sewing passions. Her personal and professional activities have always involved some aspect of sewing, and include unique projects like Kid-Sacks™, a week-long production-line public volunteer project set up for a week to sew sleeping bags for homeless children in the Cleveland area.
She was a founding member of the Professional Needle Guild, Inc., serving in many capacities as the organization grew, including as President. She and a friend offered small-group apparel sewing and serging classes for many years, during which time she also sold high-end fabrics to private clients. In 1993 she was hired as an educational consultant for a new public event being developed for sewing enthusiasts. When the company that owned the event decided after just two seasons to eliminate the division, she looked around and decided she could do it herself (along with Kathie Principe and a few others, of course), and Original Sewing & Quilt Expo was born.
She founded MS. Productions, Inc. in 1995 and has enjoyed every minute – and every challenge – along the way. Perhaps her husband said it best when he encouraged her by adding: “You need a complex project like this to hold your interest.” And although it is complex, growing from just two other staff members in 1995 to fourteen office and six on-site staff members today, she still thinks the best part is the chance to meet, share and make friends with all those thousands of sewing enthusiasts that come together in eight cities each year.
Kathie Principe
Director of Operations
Eleven years ago, Kathie and Marlene worked together to create Original Sewing & Quilt Expo. They previously worked together on Kid-Sacks™, a volunteer project producing sleeping bags for homeless children, and on producing an expo for another company. Kathie is Director of Operations, where she handles the daily management of the office, oversees contracts, and tracks projects that make up the great programs at Original Sewing & Quilt Expo. Kathie is all about her family – her free time is spent entertaining family and friends. It’s always a party at Kathie’s house! Her two grandchildren are her greatest joy.
Mark Ingraham
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Mark Ingraham's career in the sewing industry began as a 6 year-old star attraction at his father's sewing machine store inside a shopping mall in Madison, WI. During this period Mark completed the world's longest buttonhole and successfully dismantled and put together a zig-zag sewing machine. Years later, on a break from his first job after college, Mark attended the newly established Expos in Reston, VA and Minneapolis, MN. Immediately, Mark recognized a place to share his talent, so he packed his suitcase and moved home to work for the family business. Creating a unique position on the Expo staff, Mark soon added technology, sales strategy and a little brute strength to the crew. Because Mark has a lifelong passion for all facets of sewing, he instills confidence that as a promoter he will do his very best to make every Original Sewing & Quilt Expo a fun and flourishing event. Mark and his wife Tina are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters – Angelina and Amy.
Donna Miller
Workshop Coordinator
Donna is a confirmed fabricaholic, who started sewing clothing in her 7th grade Home Ec class. She then went on to receive a B.S. in Clothing & Textiles from Penn State. Donna’s previous endeavors include a home-based monogramming & personalization business, managing a Viking sewing machine store, and constructing and beading her daughter’s competitive roller skating costumes. She lends her expertise to the education department for which she coordinates supplies and materials for hands-on classes. Donna enjoys reading a good mystery and piecing quilt tops.
Bonnie Escher
Senior Registration Specialist
Bonnie started sewing for her "high fashion" Barbies in the 3rd grade. She constantly had a sketch pad, designing "paper doll" clothing and shoes. She received an Associate Degree in Fashion Design from Chamberlayne Jr. College in Boston, Massachusetts. Bonnie had a small home-based alterations/home décor business in Milwaukee, Wisconsin until she relocated to Cleveland, where she stayed home raising 3 busy boys. Back in the work force, she is our Senior Registration Specialist and teaches sewing classes at Virginia Marti College of Art and Design. Bonnie enjoys apparel and home décor sewing and attempts to dabble in knitting. Her most recent venture is beading. She loves her family, fabric and shoes!
Holly Colleran
Registration Specialist
Holly was in second grade when she convinced her mother she was old enough to use the sewing machine, and has been sewing ever since! Her years in 4-H led her to Iowa State University where she received a B.S. degree in Apparel Design and Pattern Making. Holly then spent ten years with Viking Sewing Machine Company in the Education and Marketing Departments. After taking twelve years off to stay home with her two sons, Holly joined us as Registration Specialist. While garment sewing ranks as her first love, Holly also enjoys home décor projects, tatting, counted cross-stitch, smocking, needlepoint, and crewel embroidery. Other hobbies that don’t involve a needle and thread include gardening and cooking as well as camping and hiking with her husband and sons.
Monica Vay
Director of Production & On-Site Operations
Monica designs and maintains the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo website. She designs much of the Expo's collateral materials and coordinates many of the new projects you see at the Expo. A graduate of Bowling Green State University, she received a B.S. degree in Visual Communication Technology and Marketing, and was the webmaster for her Delta Zeta Sorority. She previously worked at The Electric Quilt Company, where she was a graphic designer and trade show manager.
Justine Walsh
Registration Specialist
Justine is a Registration Specialist for Original Sewing & Quilt Expo who began sewing at age 10. She has sewn everything from doll clothes and aprons to ball gowns and coats. She also enjoys embroidery, counted cross stitch, and knitting. Justine loves to take all kinds of sewing and craft classes. Her daughter is now teaching her to quilt. She has taught many classes to Girl Scouts as a scout leader and enjoys spending time with her husband, three children and four grandchildren.
Kari Eckel
Registration Specialist
Kari is a Registration Specialist for Original Sewing & Quilt Expo, and has been sewing for many years. She graduated with a B.S. Degree in Fashion Merchandising and worked for several years in retail department stores. Kari sews dolls, stuffed animals, and clothes, and also enjoys weaving, cross-stitch, embroidery, scrapbooking, painting and drawing. She is involved with the local historical society and has been a girl scout leader for three years. Her other hobbies include riding horses, helping her daughter show her dog and rabbit, gardening, and playing games and cooking with her two children.
Suzanne Mayer
Registration Department Manager
Suzanne was first taught to sew by her mother when she was a young girl. Through high school she sewed many of her own clothes, including her prom dress. She attended St. Alexis School of Nursing, and worked as a surgical nurse for 10 years. As a nurse, her love of sewing remained with her as she continued honing her skills. After meeting the love of her life, Suzanne sewed her own bridal gown, and then began sewing for her two daughters. She entered her daughter’s dresses, many of which were hand smocked, and other crafts in county fairs as well as the Ohio State Fair and won numerous ribbons. Suzanne returned to college and received her B.A. in Fashion Merchandising from Ursuline College. While her children were growing up she began teaching them to sew. Both daughters are now out of school and continue to improve their sewing techniques and skill. Suzanne also enjoys crocheting, gardening, cooking and spending quality time with her family.
Gini Baldi
Marketing Manager / Quilter in Residence
Gini started her passion with sewing as a Girl Scout and can clearly picture the first skirt she ever made. Many items of clothing later, she discovered quilting. With a background in art, she attended OSU and graduated with a B.S. in Visual Communications. After working in the Printing and Publishing industry, she “retired” to raise two sons and her love of quilting blossomed. Gini joined the North Coast Needlers Quilt guild in the mid-80’s and was responsible for originating what has become the largest quilt show in northeast Ohio. As a founding member of the North East Ohio Regional Quilt Council, she serves on the Board of Directors as the Getaway Coordinator (a lifetime appointment!), hosting the annual Getaway Weekend in February. Gini comes to us from Moen Incorporated’s Marketing Services department, having recently been instrumental in the redesign of their retail packaging. When not sitting behind a computer, she can usually be found with a piece of appliqué in hand.
Laura Bring
Accounting Manager
Laura graduated from Baldwin Wallace College with a degree in accounting. She worked as an Operations Analyst at GTE Wireless until her first son was born in 1998, and passed her CPA exam in 2000. Laura was active as a stay-at-home mom with her two boys for the next seven years, while continuing to work part time from home. She joined Original Sewing in Quilt Expo in the fall of 2007 as the Accounting Manager. Laura and her husband enjoy watching their boys play baseball, basketball, football and soccer. The whole family spends time together skiing, camping and swimming. When not on adventures with her family, Laura can be found running or playing tennis.
Liz Fredrick
Sales Manager
Liz grew up surrounded by excellent sewers. Her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother shared their love of all the needle arts with her, as well as a very talented 4-H teacher/leader. In first grade Liz began with a stamped cross-stitch sample and developed into a seamstress specializing in bridal attire.
Liz came to us from Jo-Ann’s Fabric and Crafts where she was an Education Coordinator and wrote sewing curriculum for national distribution. Prior to those opportunities she managed a Viking Sewing Gallery. She is married to an architect with a high tolerance for fabric and who doesn’t mind sharing the dinner table with the sewing machine. Jim and Liz have one son at Capital University, another son in Bamberg, Germany and a lovely daughter-in-law who is serving in Iraq. A portly aged beagle (that answers to “April, come get a treat”) guard their home of more than twenty years.
Cynthia Fellows-White
On-Site Registration
Cynthia is rather new to sewing, and has been working on home décor projects for the last 5 years. As an avid camper, she heads west to visit her son in Montana and east to visit her daughter and grandkids. Cynthia is the proud owner of two Kerry Blue Terrier show dogs, one of which is her third American Kennel Club champion dog. Cynthia is known as Grammy "Tutu" to her 3 grandchildren. (Tutu is the Hawaiian word for grandmother.)
Terri Sheetz
Ambassador Coordinator
Terri joined us in 1994, at the time of the first show in Reston, Virginia. She is our Ambassador Coordinator, and makes sure everything is running smoothly in our classrooms. Terri’s sewing days began 60 years ago when she learned to sew on a treadle machine located on the third floor of her home in Budapest, Hungary while her father was stationed there. She has had a wonderful sewing experience, learning from many respected educators and becoming certified to teach their techniques. She enjoys teaching others and is currently teaching for her local Pfaff dealer. Like many of us, her sewing interests are too varied and she has many "UFO’S". She and her husband live in Colesville, Maryland where they raised their family, which has expanded to include seven wonderful grandchildren.
Susan Mathes
On-site Registration Manager
Susan was a volunteer for the first Expo in Reston, VA in 1994, and now works as the On-site Registration Manager. She began sewing in 6th grade, and has enjoyed taking classes and becoming a certified instructor from well-known educators. She has made many garments for her three children who have given her eight grandchildren to sew for. Her sewing interests run the gamut from garments, quilts, and heirloom to collecting fabrics and machines. Her greatest achievement has been a beautiful Martha Pullen christening gown with lots of lace and machine embroidery. In addition to traveling with her husband to places like England, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Italy, France and Hawaii, Susan works and teaches part time at her local Husqvarna Viking dealer, Tomorrow’s Treasures, in Crofton, MD.
Julie Aulwes
On-site Registration / Model
A sewing enthusiast since the fourth grade, Julie holds a degree in Clothing Design. She enjoys creating special occasion wear for her clients in Minnesota with her business, Always Designs. Her passion for sewing and fiber art is fulfilled as president of the board of directors for the Textile Center in Minneapolis. She enjoys the interaction of many different fiber art enthusiasts and the energy that is created there. Julie works at each event at the Registration Desk and as a model in the New Designers Fashion Show. She also organizes the hanging of the beautiful exhibits that travel with the Expo. When she’s not at the sewing machine or traveling with the Expo, she can be found on the golf course.
Louise Garfoot
On-site Registration
Sewing became a necessity for Louise after she was married and had a baby. She chose to make her son Wayne a suit, where she learned how to do a set-in sleeve, collar, hem, lining, waistband, zipper, pockets, and bound buttonholes. It was a success, and she was off and running, sewing and knitting! Louise enjoys seeing all the new handy, dandy "helps" and easier ways to do things. After having worked as a legal assistant for more than 20 years, she is now mostly retired. Louise works with us at each event, and is the friendly face you see at the Information Desk. She likes meeting and getting to know the people who come to the Expo, and then greeting them the next year.
Carole Watters
Model / On-site Registration
Carole works at each event as a model in our New Designers Fashion Show and at the Registration Desk. She has been sewing since she was a little girl, starting out by making clothes out of toilet paper and tissues and then her mother’s scraps. She has a degree in Clothing & Textiles Fashion from Akron University, and is most proud of a tailored suit she made in one of her college courses. Carole models for couture designers, including Carolina Herrera, Pauline Trigere, and Geoffrey Beene. She enjoys traveling to new places and meeting new people, and hopes to make it to Tahiti someday. Carole also loves to read everything she can and eat, especially seafood and French cuisine.
Rhonda Lane
Model / On-site Registration
Rhonda works at each event as a model in our New Designers Fashion Show and at the Registration Desk. She began sewing in her 8th grade Home Ec class, which led to her future job as a Home Ec teacher. Garments being her favorite type of sewing project, her most challenging accomplishment was a tailored suit. Rhonda works at a women’s boutique specializing in special occasion wear. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and traveling. Her favorite trip was a cruise to the Caribbean.
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