Emeline Villedary, Co-Owner

I have lived in: Toronto, Montreal
Book(s) on my nightstand right now: Can’t remember the title- an impulse borrow from the library
My Imaginary best friends: Drew Barrymore, Marilyn-the later years, Nancy Drew, Eli Cash
Mortal enemies: Mariah Carey, babies in diaper commercials, manager of Premiere Moisson, the girl who made fun of my wolf tee-shirt on the 24 bus in 1996.
Overrated: being thin, arcade fire
Guilty pleasure(s): hot dogs and root beer, Black Eyed Peas, Lands’ End catalogs, cowboy hats, The Royal Winter Fair in Toronto
If I go to hell, I’ll be forced to: make mashed potatoes while listening to the Barenaked Ladies
Right now I’m wearing: My own ruffle tee shirt, Joe Fresh Jeans, Banana Republic orange cardigan and my new Tretornboots
Sew do’s & don’ts: DON’T SEW OVER PINS; if you think it’ll “just take a minute” be prepared to be at it for at least an hour.
This designer would dress me for the Oscars: Vintage Ralph Lauren,
This actor/actress would play me in my Hollywood movie: Drew Barrymore, Maggie Gyllenhaal
When I grew up, I was going to be: A fashion designer in the winter, a horse veterinarian in the summer and a florist in spring.
My friends call me: Em, Millie, EmmyLou, Shmeline, Munkeee, Mama (repeat 10 000 000/hour),
Favorite quote:

“Shut it Down” – Liz Lemon

I love: getting my nails done, horses, being right, buying flowers, Mrs Meyers cleaning products, buttered toast, country fairs

Annabelle Agnew, Co-Owner

I have lived in: Vancouver, Ottawa, Banff, Montreal
Book(s) on my nightstand right now: The Chrysalids by John Wyndham & LL Bean Catalog
My Imaginary Best Friends: John Lennon, Amy & David Sedaris, Katniss Everdeen, Louis CK… and Gwyneth
Mortal Enemies: the hair on my upper lip, maggots, bungee cords, migraines, kim crawford
Overrated: Al Pacino, lasagna, public transit, positive thinking
Guilty pleasure(s): twizzlers, steamies, lainey gossip, the bachelor/ette, Matt Damon
If I go to hell, I’ll be forced to: listen to people chewing in a dark movie theater
Right now I’m wearing: pajama bottoms, Dave’s t-shirt & slippers
Sew do’s & don’ts: Do adventure out on your own, Do ask for help, Don’t be so hard on yourself, Don’t sew with materials you don’t like
This designer would dress me for the Oscars: anything that Cate Blanchett would wear
This actor/actress would play me in my Hollywood movie: Tina Fey/ Winona Ryder
When I grew up, I was going to be: Photographer for Oceans magazine/ Fly Girl on the show In Living Color (think J.Lo)
My friends call me: Abe, Annabelle, Annasmell,
Favorite quote(s):

“I’m fartin’ on some money and I’m a prize” – Leslie Knope from Parks & Recreation

Richard: I think your brain has a thick candy shell.
Tommy: Your… Your brain has the… shell on it. – Tommy Boy

I love: family & friends, the shop, new agendas, a chilled glass of white wine on a hot day, wine…, ….heat, my mother’s paintings, cup of tea, completing what I thought would be impossible, Kilkee, dancing

Daniel Beaudet, Instructor

I have lived in: MONTREAL, BELGIUM, MONTREAL, LAOS, MONTREAL…
Book(s) on my nightstand right now: l’INGÉNU from VOLTAIRE
My Imaginary Best Friends: COCTEAU, CHANEL, OSCAR WILDE…
Mortal Enemies: RIGHT WING MINDED CREEPS
Overrated: EVERYTHING AND NOTHING IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE POINT OF VIEW
Guilty pleasure(s): JUJUBES AND EXPENSIVE DESIGNER KNITS, BAGS, SCARFS…
If I go to hell, I’ll be forced to: LISTEN TO ALL THE STAR ACADEMIE SINGERS ON A LOOP FOREVER AND EVER
Right now I’m wearing: MARGIELA SWEATER, COMME DES GARCONS SHIRT WITH GAP JAPANESE RAW DENIM JEANS
Sew do’s & don’ts: SEW FOR FUN AND NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO. IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP ENJOYING IT
This designer would dress me for the Oscars: HERMES
This actor/actress would play me in my Hollywood movie: PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN
When I grew up, I was going to be: A DESIGNER BUT RIGHT NOW ???
My friends call me: NO THEY EMAIL ME
Favorite quote:

I HAVE REALLY SIMPLE TASTES, ONLY THE BEST (Dear Oscar)

I love: EVERYTHING AND NOTHING IT ALL DEPENDS OF THE MOOD AT A CERTAIN POINT.

Suzanne Bateman, Instructor

I have lived in: Nanaimo BC, Brighton England, and Sydney Australia
Book(s) on my nightstand right now: Three Cups of Tea (from Emma) and Australian Vogue Living (which is always there to cover my hideous nightstand)
My Imaginary Best Friends: Madonna, and Anna Wintour…What? I love empowered women.
Mortal Enemies: Britney Spears: take off the jean shorts NOW!…and then you can hang with Madge, Winney and me.
Overrated: HDTV
Guilty pleasure(s): Shopping… I’m only guilty because its never done with cash.
If I go to hell, I’ll be forced to: Never drink coffee again.
Right now I’m wearing: Pajamas…its raining out and its laundry day.
Sew do’s & don’ts: Don’t skip a step… it always comes back to haunt you. Do press open all seams for a nicer finish.
This designer would dress me for the Oscars: Cacharel, or Haider Ackerman
This actor/actress would play me in my Hollywood movie: Sandra Bulluck…goofy thats me.
When I grew up, I was going to be: A wildlife photographer.
My friends call me: Sleazanne (no I’m not easy! It’s my James Bond-Girl name)
Favorite quote: Take your pleasure seriously – Charles Eames
I love: Dave Beaupre and his evil offspring.

Meghan Hoyt, International Correspondent

I have lived in: Ottawa, Montreal, Dublin, Belfast
Book(s) on my nightstand right now: Radical Homemakers, The Year of the Flood, Winnie the Pooh
My Imaginary best friends: always and forever… Anne of Green Gables
Mortal Enemies: I honestly can’t think of any… but the second i do, you will be the first to know.
Overrated: reality TV
Guilty pleasure(s): (lots of) wine
If I go to hell, I’ll be forced to: match socks
Right now I’m wearing: jeans, birkenstocks, t-shirt (hopefully clean)
Sew do’s & don’ts: I’ll try just about anything once, but i have come to love things with clean, simple patterns.
This designer would dress me for the Oscars: People Tree
This actor/actress would play me in my Hollywood movie: hmmm, like a cross between Nicole Kidman and Meg Ryan?
When I grew up, I was going to be: Oh lots of things! Doctor, Lawyer, Writer, Crusader of the People… the usual
My friends call me: Meg
Favorite quote:

Anne: Don’t you ever imagine things other then they are?
Marilla: Never
Anne: Oh Marilla, how much you miss!
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

I love: Oh this is hard! Those contented moments with my kids and husband. Coming home to Canada. Living in Europe. Reading. Traveling. Dreaming… etc.

Pia, Shop Baby

I have lived in: my mom
Book(s) on my nightstand right now: Good Night Moon, War & Peace
My Imaginary Best Friends: top-stitching thread, fabric scrap stockpile,
Mortal Enemies: 6×24 quilting ruler
Overrated: baby food, age-appropriate toys
Guilty pleasure(s): throwing folded laundry off the bed, attacking the embroidery floss cabinet, attacking Baby James
If I go to hell, I’ll be forced to: get my bum changed all day long, not eat canteloupe, live alone
Right now I’m wearing: Waffle long sleeve top, bloomers and tights
Sew do’s & don’ts: Bobbins leave a slight metallic taste in the mouth, spools are much tastier.
This designer would dress me for the Oscars: Stella Mccartney
This actor/actress would play me in my Hollywood movie: she hasn’t been born yet
When I grew up, I was going to be: a geologist, like my papa
My friends call me: Pia, Ms Pia, OohTheresababy
Favorite quote:

“Yes, we DO give sewing lessons” – staff at E & A

I love: Canteloupe, Luca, Daniel’s shoes, stealing food from Annabelle

JENNIFER TOPP:

I have lived in: NDG
Book(s) on my nightstand right now: Second book in the Hunger Games series (yeah, I’m a little slow on the trends), Sunday Morning Quilts
My Imaginary Best Friends: Every one of my Twitter friends.
Mortal Enemies: My refrigerator, things up on high shelves, people who think it’s okay to mistreat service industry workers
Overrated: Having bangs, Rufus Wainwright
Guilty pleasure(s): 80′s and 90′s pop music on my iPod, ice cream, FABRIC!
If I go to hell, I’ll be forced to: Fold laundry while listening to Nickelback
Right now I’m wearing: Pink Crocs ballet flats (I swear they don’t look like Crocs), capri pants and a t-shirt.
Sew do’s & don’ts: Do use a 1/4 inch foot when piecing quilts, check twice cut once, use lots of pins on curves (and forget about the pins on straight seams). Most importantly don’t be afraid to try new things.
This designer would dress me for the Oscars: Christian Lacroix would come out of retirement/bankruptcy to make me a dress.
This actor/actress would play me in my Hollywood movie: Drew Barrymore
When I grew up, I was going to be: A nurse, a teacher, a fashion designer. Pretty close! (I have a degree in art therapy).
My friends call me: Jen, Jenny, never Jennifer.
Favorite quote: “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar” -Sigmund Freud.
I love: Watching my son sleep, being greeted at the door by the cats, and how my geek husband is always trying to incorporate electronics into my sewing.