Our OneSpark: Sally Ann's Sewing Lounge

Okay, so you're wondering, what is One Spark?

One Spark is the world's largest crowd funding festival, and it just happens to be here in Jacksonville. It is the second annual One Spark this year, with over $300,000 in crowd funding to be dispersed to small businesses and big ideas, and over $3 million in potential investments. This year, we are submitting an amazing initiative. We want to open a local sewing lounge. Read more about it below, and how you can help out!

About Our Project

My name is Sally Keiser, and I am a Jacksonville based clothing designer. When I first moved to Jacksonville in 2013, the creative scene blew me away, with creative spaces for artists, but none dedicated to sewing. This shop would offer sewing machines, tools, cutting tables, dress forms, lessons, rentable machines, and everything necessary for any sewing project. A one-stop shop for all things sewing, with a local fair-trade feel, setting itself apart from the big chains stores. Even a communal fabric area, to recycle unused fabric. A coffee house / creative sewing space feel for locals to drop-in, sew, collaborate, chat, receive sewing lessons, rent machines, buy and trade fabrics and notions, and build a community presence with sewing. Offer locals to teach sewing lessons, giving back in their own way, as well. Sewing is quickly becoming a lost art, but at the same time a sought after skill with social media sites like Pinterest reigniting interest in sewing and home decor with young women. We will bring the digital presence to the shop as well, with iPads at each station, to refer back to online favorites. 

Project Showcase Proposal 

A 1973 Shasta Compact, my mobile boutique, with a few tables with sewing machines out front, with small scraps and little sewing projects for attendees to sit down and sew. They will see just how easily they can sew, building interest in sewing and lessons.

What sets your Project apart from what is currently available? 

 There are no sewing studios in the city. Sewing is quickly becoming a lost art, but at the same time a sought after skill with social media sites like Pinterest reigniting interest in sewing and home decor with young women.

Why are you and your team the best people on the planet to handle this project? 

Sally Keiser, a seamstress of 20 years and designer of handbags and clothing. Working exclusively for myself for the past 6 years, I am very knowledgeable in sewing and business. I am very passionate about paying it forward with knowledge and skills. I want to be the go-between and teacher, bringing people together and teaching others how to tap into their creative brain. I have been a mentor and sewing instructor, a bridal seamstress, a self-employed designer, and more. 

View our project here, and learn more about One Spark here. The festival takes place from April 9-13, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida. Interested in being a part of our team? Email us at sallyannfashion@gmail.com or comment below. Ideas? Suggestions to make our project better? Let us know what you'd want from a sewing space!

More into coming soon! We are SO excited to showcase this year!