By Keaven Willa Hartt
Those who have been lucky enough to attend the Custom Workroom Conference at one time or another will understand why here at the NUA we get so excited about it every year: it’s kind of a big deal!
From the classes, to the parties, to the networking and community strengthening, not to mention the industry-specific full-day trade show extravaganza filled with everything a quality workroom owner could ever want. It’s a good way to take a few days “off” from work, while still adding value to your business. And it gives many of us an excuse to see places in this country that we might not otherwise get to visit. (Hello, Kingsport, TN.)
As an attendee, the world is your oyster when it comes to class selection, with a wide range of topics available each year for both draperies and soft furnishings enthusiasts. This year one of my personal favorites from the selection I chose was Traditional Trims with a Modern Twist taught by Kari Culberson, and I also loved Getting the Most from Your Walking Foot Machine taught by Jeanelle Dech.
Work Pictured by Kari Culberson
Although my focus is primarily on upholstery, I enjoy taking some of the draperies classes each year to expand my mind, and hopefully borrow a few tips and tricks. I know that many draperies makers do the same when it comes to classes on upholstery.
The trade show is always a highlight of the conference, with demos on a variety of techniques and skills running throughout the day (I managed to step away from the NUA booth for a moment to catch Rhonda Shanahan demonstrate some lampshade making!), vendors with tools and materials to see, feel, and purchase, as well as plenty of free give-aways and raffle prizes to be won. And it’s always fun to catch industry celebrities milling about with the rest of us. :)
The NUA has a booth at the trade show each year, where we run a membership drive and try to sign up some new members - this year there were many new faces at the conference, and we signed up several new members at the trade show. I was proud to staff the booth with long-time board member, Grace Reff, who is wrapping up her sixth year on the Board! (One of the many reasons why she is the current Volunteer of the Quarter!)
Along with soaking up any new skills like a sponge, and stroking fabric samples at trade shows, all custom workroom owners also seem to have in common a love of a good party, and any excuse to dress up. Each year we see some serious costume making skills (and even better dance moves!) on display at the social mixer.
This year’s 1950’s-hot-rod theme had everyone decked out in their best poodle skirts and greaser jeans, and found many makers doing the Twist, the Hop, and even a hilarious group effort at the Hand Jive.
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners of this year’s costume contest, former NUA Board Member, Jonathan Bennett, and current NUA Board Member, Ragne Smith, (hm, who both seemed to win despite dressing in their everyday clothes…?)! (Costume-assembly skills is not a prerequisite for Board service…)
Even with all of the fun already mentioned, the NUA is always honored to host a pre-event to kick off things off, for those looking to add a little extra to their conference experience.
This year we hosted a 6th birthday party for the NUA, complete with cake, balloons, and a rousing game of -extremely hard- upholstery trivia, hosted by the incomparable Gareth Rees, some pin-the-tool-on-the-upholsterer, and some awesome prizes on raffle donated by our generous sponsors, Casper Hill Leather, the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library, Workroom Buttons, and CS Osborne. We are very proud of turning six, and of all of the hard work that milestone represents, and are grateful to each and every member for your support in our mission.
Pictured: Current Board Members Grace Reff, Keaven Willa Hartt, Ella Hall, and Scott Coley at Pin-The-Tool-On-The-Upholsterer
I hope that those of you who attended this year’s Custom Workroom Conference left feeling as inspired as I did. And I hope that those of you who didn’t make it this time around might be able to attend next year!
I’ll end with a huge amount of gratitude to Susan & Roger and the rest of the Custom Workroom DreamTeam. I am always in awe of the show they manage to put on, and know that I speak for the rest of the industry when I say THANK YOU for giving us a place for custom soft furnishings makers to get geeky together.
Hope to see you at CWC 2026, in Erie, PA! (Another place I’ve not yet been!)
