Sponsor Spotlight: Bobbie Lou’s Fabric Factory
I think this photo pretty much sums up Chelsea Graham from Bobbie Lou’s Fabric Factory perfectly; family and fabulous fabric. This photo is actually Chelsea’s top nine Instagram photos for 2016 and it looks like a pretty amazing year. I’m really proud and honoured to have Chelsea on board as a sponsor for GnomeAngel.com. It’s having great sponsors like Bobbie Lou’s Fabric Factory that help me to do all the things I do for free here on the blog. Sponsorship also helps me to be able to provide you with great deals for adding to your stash! At the end of this interview you’ll find a discount code to use at Bobbie Lou’s Fabric Factory. So how about we kick things off so you can get to shopping!
How did you come to be in business?
Two people made Bobbie Lou’s Fabric Factory what it is today.
First, picture Chelsea Graham (aka, me) in 2009, sewing bundles of blankets, burp cloths and onesies for my many friends who were having babies at the time. They were such a huge hit that I opened an Etsy shop for them called “Lola Miren” and soon (you know how this part goes) my stash was out of control. What to do with the beautiful, colourful bolts of fabric that’d begun accumulating in my small basement studio?
Share, of course.
Which is where Bobbie Lou came into the picture. My grandmother was an amazing seamstress who sewed clothes, dolls, blankets and whatever else our imaginations could conjure up for her three daughters and eight grandchildren. I still treasure every party dress Bobbie Lou made me, which is why her spirit is the inspiration for everything I do.
Since opening Bobbie Lou’s, I get to do what I love most: find fun, bright fabrics for endless beautiful creations. Having grown up all over the world—Africa, South America, Australia, Europe, the Middle East—I tend to gravitate towards the vibrant and eclectic. I only sell fabrics I truly love and would love to sew with myself. Bobbie Lou would approve.
Are you a quilter?
I’ve dabbled a bit but really love sewing things for my kids and my home. I hope to find more time in my life for quilting when my kids are a bit older. I think it is such a beautiful art form!
What gives you the most joy from being in business?
Being able to provide for my family while doing something I love.
What’s the hardest thing about being in business?
Wearing ALL the hats!
What are you most proud of from your business experience?
Growth and happy customers.
What’s the one product that you stock that you think everyone should have?
Something by Tula Pink.
How do you choose which fabrics to stock?
I buy what I love. It’s important to me to carry an eclectic and beautiful fabric selection that is carefully curated. I want people who visit our website to want one of everything! Not have to weed through a bunch of not so pretty fabric to find something great.
What do you wish people knew about your business, but don’t?
That my Mom cuts almost every fabric order that goes out the door.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes! We ship worldwide.
Rapid Fire Questions
I love finishing up an interview by asking a quick ten questions. They’re a great way to see how much we all share in common regardless of who we are, where we are or what we’re doing.
If you could only have one or the other for the rest of eternity what would you choose?
- Fabric: Solid or Pattern? Pattern
- Quilt Styles: Pattern or Improv? Pattern
- Seams: Open or to the Side? Open
- Stitching: Hand or Machine? Machine
- Binding: Hand or Machine? Hand
- Food: Sweet or Savoury? Sweet
- Entertainment: Books or Music? Depends!
- Entertainment: Television or Movies? TV (on my computer)
- Computer: Mac or Windows? Mac
- Social Media: Facebook or Instagram? Instagram
Discount Code: Chelsea has kindly offered the GnomeAngel.com community 10% at Bobbie Lou’s Fabric Factory from 12 January 2017 to 19 January by simply using the code ‘GNOMEANGEL’ at check out.