Goodrich – With delicate scissors, Norene Newton snips threads between embroidered letters. Then she irons them smooth.
Along with her floor-to-ceiling commercial embroidery machine, Newton’s meticulous attention to detail is what sets apart a ‘Snip and Stitches? custom-created garment.
‘It makes all the difference in the world,? said Newton, also known as the Village of Goodrich treasurer.
Although Newton hesitated to promote her business before perfecting her technique, examples of Newton’s prize-winning work are sported all over town, by customers and members of Cranberries Caf?, Bank One, local cheerleaders, the Flying M 4-H horse club, Direct Properties, John’s Steak House, area dancers, the Goodrich High School equestrian team, local bus drivers, an Ice Mountain hockey team, a local Red Hat Society, and countless local residents.
‘I love sewing, I love creating,? said the seamstress, who created a cape for leading lady Brittney Barnette in last spring’s GHS production of ‘My Fair Lady.? She also combines sewing and embroidery in some of her custom creations, and will fashion a wedding gown for her co-worker as a gift.
Newton first picked up a needle and thread at the age of 12, and realized she had a knack for sewing.
Years later on a Christmas shopping excursion her future husband presented her with a shirt, embroidered with a dog.
‘I literally wore it out because I loved it so much,? said Newton, who began seeking out specially-made embroidered items.
As a certified sewing teacher, she was eager to try her hand at embroidery.
‘If it wasn’t for my husband, I wouldn’t have done it,? she said. ‘He was very supportive about getting the machine.?
A former fireplace wall is now drywalled and racked with a rainbow of embroidery thread colors, which she uses to stitch designs on T-shirts, sweatshirts, polo shirts, backpacks, hats, pants, socks, duffel or dance bags, jackets, golf bags, or even quilts.
Newton begins with only quality garments, including Egyptian cotton or beefy cotton blends in a variety of styles and colors, including tie-dye patterns.
‘A cheap knit isn’t even worth doing,? she says. ‘I try to make nice quality items because then they’re going to last longer.?
Embroidery designs are nearly limitless, with choices including sports, animals, words and phrases, monograms or athletic letters, mascots, watercraft, fire, police, medical, children’s themes, vehicles, religious symbols, and seasonal designs. Some are also available in puffed versions.
Customers have even combined embroidery designs for a one-of-a-kind garment. In most cases, Newton doesn’t charge a set-up fee unless computer digitizing is involved, she says.
Newton charges roughly $1 per 1,000 stitches in a design, with a $5 minimum, plus the price of the garment. She guarantees customers will be happy with the finished product or she’ll redo the item at her own expense.
‘I’d rather have a customer happy,? she said.
Creating is the best part, says Newton.
‘I like seeing nothing and then seeing a total design appear.?
Call Norene Newton of Snip and Stitches at (810) 636-7206 or (810) 691-9936.