Our Team
..... I have always been into arts and crafts. My interest in sewing started when I got my first pair of Barbie and Ken Dolls. Having limited availability for doll clothes in the Philippines, I had to rip out out my only pair of pants for Ken to use as a pattern and had to sew more pairs by hand. From then on, my mom who was not so crazy about being crafty made sure I was capable of mending and hemming my own school uniforms by getting me a "portable" sewing gadget that looks like a stapler so she never had to hire someone else to do it. Yes, from that, creativity was enhanced and has embellished many well-known projects to date and has allowed me to believe that I can "DIY" everything. I was able to make use of that creativity when I became an event planner in Washington, DC. Today, I continue to strive for the latest sewing trends and techniques as I apply it to help the younger generation and the young at hearts learn to sew.
My husband, Macky and I have four kids that we homeschool: Nikki, Casey, Paolo, and Bella. On my free time, I enjoy spending time, if not with my family and friends, then of course with my sewing machine (or the karaoke) :-)
I've always believed that each of us was uniquely created. We will all learn and grow in different ways. What motivates one, might fail with the next. We cannot assume that one method can "fit all sizes". This is about getting to know your students by not limiting your time spent with them with a couple of "sessions". Each has his/her own way of learning and understanding things. With a very small teacher:student ratio at our studio, this is made possible. It's easier to explain how and why things are done, rather what needs to be done. Understanding, not memorization.
teaching skills~not projects ;-)
My Teaching Philosophy
Precious H. Lopez
Owner/Instructor
Ellen has been with Sew Magarbo since January, 2013. She has raised four children and enjoys her four (and more on the way) grandchildren. She started sewing when she was young. Her grandmother’s treadle machine was her first experience on a sewing machine. Using a needle and thread, Ellen also made and designed clothes for her Barbie doll. In the eighth grade she got her first sewing machine. Even though she has added others to her collection over time, including a serger and embroidery machine, her first love is her first sewing machine. At age 8, Ellen taught herself to knit She went further and taught herself to crochet, embroider and cross-stitch, to name a few. Some skills to learn that are still on Ellen’s bucket list include tatting, lacemaking and weaving. Ellen’s repertoire of “things created” spans the different genres of creativity.
While Ellen’s philosophy is similar to Miss Precious’, Ellen believes that if you teach someone to do something instead of doing it for them, it empowers them. This builds self-confidence, skills and self-reliance. They can, in turn, pass that knowledge onto future generations. Ellen goes on to say that sewing and other forms of creativity were becoming extinct in this culture. It is exciting to see a renewed interest again. Creativity is very healthy for civilization if it is to thrive. She also says, “I am so impressed by what Miss Precious is doing with her sewing school. You can see her care for each and every one of her students. Thank you, Miss Precious.
Ellen Vermillion
Instructor
Miss Debbie has lived in Sterling Park since 1964 when her father retired from the USMC after serving for 23 years. Miss Debbie attended schools in Loudoun County and is a graduate of Broad RUn High School. After graduating from Radford College, she worked for the governemnt as a finance officer for the CIA for 33 years. She has been sewing for about 50 years and now finally able to fulfill her lifelong wish of being a teacher :-)
Besides sewing, Ms. Debbie also loves scrapbooking and a cake decorating.
Debbie Jacobus
Instructor