Michael Miller Fabrics — SCHMETZ Needles

Coping with the Pandemic – Rob Appell

I know folks are really suffering out there, but my life has been blessed beyond belief the past few months. Although, at first, when we were told here in California, that we would be sheltering in place for about thirty days, I did panic.

My travel schedule for April and May was booked solid with live trunk shows all over the USA. Overnight, everything was postponed. I was heartbroken and overwhelmed.

But, soon I realized I had everything I needed within reach. My wife and two teenagers were also home, and we would all be together. I am the Sales Manager for Michael Miller Fabrics, so I have a job I can do from home, (that comes with fabric as a perk). I have my YouTube studio in my house. And I have all new machines, Thanks to JUKI!

When I get nervous, I make stuff. I needed to process my emotions, so I made a lot of stuff! And I filmed everything. Because I was in one place long enough to focus, it became a truly creative journey.

Challenged to create something for the Virtual Quilt Market and School House, I made a short film highlighting the Michael Miller Basic fabrics that I love to use. My folks live in the country next door to a vineyard. I went there and set up all the fabrics just right and waited for the light. I spent about two and half days filming outside, in the garden, at a Farmers Market (wearing a mask, of course) at sunset and sunrise, and it really came together in the end. I had the best time, working creatively outside with my quilts, cameras, and my family.

www.robappell.com

If you can’t wait to read the individual stories, you can view SCHMETZ Inspired to SEW #79 by CLICKING HERE.

Rob Appell – The Next Chapter

(Originally published November 2019 in SCHMETZ Inspired to SEW #71. Article written by Rita Farro.)

Some people think of their life as a book, and each year is a new chapter. Rob Appell thinks of his life as a surfboard ride, and each year is a new, exciting wave, accompanied by a Rock and Roll soundtrack.

And, just as he was riding high as the star of the popular YouTube channel, Man Sewing, Missouri Star Quilt Company canceled Man Sewing, so Rob was suddenly unemployed.

I was pretty low and heartbroken, but, after I settled into my new reality, I realized I had a whole new set of skills to take out into the world.

For starters, Rob knew he could make his own video magic happen. Content was never an issue. My head is always racing with a dozen ideas for new sewing projects. At Man Sewing, I came up with all the creative concepts and did the sewing. But it was filmed by a team of people running up to five cameras and microphones, plus a photographer and writer for patterns and magazines. I never touched a camera, mic or editing software.

Rob believes the beating heart of the quilting industry is the independent retailer. After all, he got his start in his mother’s quilt shop, The Cotton Ball, in Morro Bay, California. His new challenge would be to bring together his creativity and his new video skills to benefit those brick and mortar stores. Rob knew he could come up with the content, but he also wanted to film, edit, and write the music. To develop this ambitious platform, he knew he would need a partner. He didn’t have to look far. He realized the answer to your future lies in seeds from your past.

Click HERE to read about Rob’s next chapter.