By J.R. Tidwell / Editor

Sew Charming in Clanton has been open for business for four years now. While the store has previously been located across from Regions Bank, Sew Charming has recently moved to a new, larger location at 213 Seventh Street North.

“Sew Charming has been open since April 1, 2014,” said storeowner Penny Smith, who runs the business with the help of her daughter Emily. “We needed more space. We tripled in size. We went from having less than 1,200 square feet to over 3,900 square feet. Hopefully it will help us continue to grow.”

Sew Charming offers a variety of services and items.

“We do embroidery, vinyl, applique and lots of monogramming,” Smith said. “We sell fabric, thread, sewing [supplies] and vinyl. We have lots of blanks that customers can put whatever they want on, whether its hats, purses, jackets or baby items.

“We sell vinyl and fabric if people want to make things on their own. We can do anything from monogramming initials on something, putting a name on something. We do things like baseball hats for teams. We do dance groups and cheerleading groups, things like that. People can bring us designs or we will find them based on what they are looking for.”

Smith said the store’s busiest times are usually around special occasions. Outside of holidays the store offers two-day turnaround on orders.

“We do a lot of wedding gifts and baby shower gifts,” she said. “At Christmas, we are slammed with people making Secret Santa gifts or regular Christmas presents. People like to customize things for their kids or grandkids. We have quilt groups that come in to get fabric.”

While Sew Charming may be open for business now, Smith said work on the new location is not finished yet.

“We have more items and fabric to come in,” she said. “We are close, but we are not done, yet.”

Sew Charming is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays but is closed from 1-2 p.m. for lunch those days. The store is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

There is additional parking in the rear behind the building and a door in the back of the establishment.

“Both doors are unlocked during business hours, so [customers] can come in either way,” Smith said.