Nikol Gianopoulos (owner/instructor)

is a self taught sewer who made her first hand sewn gift when she was nine years old.  Since then Nikol has made a variety of items including clothing for herself and her kids, home furnishing and more quilts then she can remember. 


Nikol has lived in a variety of places including Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Montana, Idaho, California, Texas and Turkey (as in the Country).  Nikol served 8 years in the U.S. Air Force and is a veteran of Desert Storm.  Nikol moved to the Twin Cities with her two sons in 2000 and plans to stay put for awhile.

 

When Nikol isn't running her business or sewing store samples she loves to bake, travel and spend time with her boys.  You can read about what she's up to at  the Shop Blog
Laura Poehlman (Shop Girl/Instructor)

Laura Poehlman used to walk up to her disconcerted mother at the fabric store with a bolt of fabric saying "make me something of this!" It usually worked out, but there finally came a time when her mother no longer had time to sew, and Laura uttered the fateful words, "Show me how to thread this thing!"

Laura loves garments that are full of pattern and color, and has a soft spot for a retro sillohuette.  She believes in pressing as you sew, and putting down your creation to take a breath in moments of frustration.  She lives in Lowry Hill with her two daughters who she hopes will soon realize that the easiest way to clothes yourself is by putting on a dress.  You can read more about Laura and her sewing adventures on her blog

Raina (Shop Girl/Instructor)


Raina is a recent graduate from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.  If you visited the 2011 State Fair chances are you saw one of her pieces.  She is the artist behind the 17 foot sculpture completely made of trash! 

When she's not sculpting, Raina enjoys knitting, sewing and creating her own unique bike hats.  You can check out her handmade accessories and designs on her Etsy store. 


Annie (Shop Girl/Instructor)

Annie is a student at the UofM and enjoys puppies, knitting, puppies and quilting .... and puppies.  Annie is a member of the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild and even though she had never quilted before her first quilt stood it's own among all the others, thanks to her determination to teach herself how it's done.

When not quilting Annie enjoys blogging, documenting the adventures of her puppy, knitting and of course quilting. 







Skilos  (Shop Dog)
Meet Skilos our guest greeter extraordinaire.  She loves a good scratch behind the ears and, if you have the time, a good belly rub.  She's not much of a sewist,but she does love the social aspect of sewing.  When she's not greeting customers as they come through the door you can find her in the studio keeping our guest company.  

During her free time she loves to chew on good bone and play with her two boys. Her favorite toy is a Teddy Bear, which she has been seen snuggled up with it at night (though if you ask her she'll never admit that she still sleeps with a Teddy Bear) 

You can find Skilos on Facebook.