Creative Sewing Centers is proud to welcome a new teacher to the team. Dianne Sanders.

I have enjoyed creating original art quilts for over 30 years working mostly with commissions. In the 1970’s I received a job to sew 27 quilts for condos at Sun Valley Idaho. But then my career as a Chief Mate driving ferryboats in Washington slowed my production. However I was constantly moved and inspired by the whales and beautiful scenery on the water. When my son was born I decided being with him was most important so I let go of that career and got busy with my sewing machine. I worked mostly with large landscape quilt bedspreads and even ones for yachts and sailboats. One of my fun commissions was airbrushing pictures of hydroplanes on pillows for the Budweiser racing team. Later in the 90’s I taught art in the school my son attended for several years. In 1996 I moved with my husband to the beautiful valley of Huntsville, Utah and started teaching quilt making in the area at local guilds and stores. I love to inspire people to unleash their creativity and help them have more confidence in their sewing.

Norman McKeague-Foster is one of the most recognized people in the North American sewing industry. After 43 years with Pfaff, including the past 15 years spent traveling the Western States as a Regional Manager, Norman decided it was time to make a change. "I just wanted to spend more time with my Sweety (wife Didi). It was time to get off the road".

In addition to the time spent with his dealers, Norman was a regular at Quilt Shows, State Fairs, Sew Expos, Conventions-every place connected with sewing. With his well recognized English accent, and a great sense of humor, Norman made lifelong friends quickly and easily.

Earlier this year, Norman joined forces with Debra Wheeler and Mike Begley of Boomers Sewing and Vacuum in Mount Vernon and Bellingham, Washington. They had previously agreed to open new Pfaff concept stores in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. These stores feature Pfaff sewing machines and related Pfaff products in a unique environment that is completely "untraditional" in presentation and merchandising.

On August 1, 2005, Norman opened the first of these "Creative Sewing Centers" in the Salt lake suburb of Murray, Utah. In his own words, Norman has "much better understanding" of the day to day challenges of running a retail store. "I'm having fun," says McKeaque-Foster, "but there sure are a lot of things to learn." In the first six weeks, Norman has hosted the Pfaff Truck, a Cindy Losekamp Seminar and Michelle Ryan's Notions Commotions.

With his ever present sense of humor, Norman is a cinch to be a huge success in Salt Lake. Watch for his second store to open in early 2006.