Local shop Can Make Ordinary Clothing into Something New and Fun

Looking for that special gift? Or need a team name on a jersey?

Well, look no further than Silks and Sew Ons Embroidery & Screen Printing in .

Karen Smith will screen or embroider hats, scarves, shirts and jackets. She even has Channahon and Minooka school spirit wear onto which she can embroider a name. Customers can even add a photo, screened onto a white or light-colored item.

“I can embroider almost anything that my machine will handle,” Smith said. "There are some things I’m limited to though, especially if the material is too thick.”

She also sells wristbands in the Channahon and Minooka schools colors, which also can be embroidered. Colors are red, white, orange, black and blue.

Currently, Smith is running a promotion of 30 percent off purchases on all items in stock. If a customer buys two or more items, an additional 10 per cent will be taken off the bill. The sales promotion expires November 15.

Smith finds her shop is busiest during the 's fall and spring soccer seasons. Coaches will have the individual players names screened on the back of the jerseys.

She also has a very specialized order that grows during the Christmas season. She has several requests for names to be embroidered onto Christmas stockings.

Baby blankets are another popular item for embroidering and make great gifts for newborns, Smith said. The blankets can be purchased at her store and embroidered with the baby's name, date of birth and height and weight.

Fleece blankets can also be embroidered, however it should be done prior to tying the knots to connect the fabric, Smith said.

Smith said her services are a maximum two-week turn around, however it is usually done in a week. Periodically she will have rush orders as well.

“I emphasize on the quality of the product and not so much the cost,” Smith said. “It has to last.”

Smith said she also specializes in sewing badges onto Girl Scout and Boy Scout uniforms. She has many years of sewing on badges. Her two sons, who are older now, were involved in scouts and currently hold an Eagle Scout rank.

With the amount of badges that are earned, it is best to make sure they are properly sewed on to prevent the badges from falling off and to make sure the badges are placed properly to allow room for future badges, she said.

History

Born and raised in Channahon, Smith is one of eight siblings. She went to Channahon schools and attended . Prior to the embroidery business, Smith owned Smitty’s Ceramics.

At Smitty’s Ceramics, Smith was a certified instructor who taught predominately women the basics of ceramics and to create items for their homes or gifts. However, in 2000, Smith closed the business.

“It was due to 90 percent of the women not having the time to pursue their hobby because they were taking their kids to practices, etc.,” Smith said of the decision to close. “It was also the beginning of the economical plunge.”

After the closing of her first business, Smith decided to take her art expertise into her current business.

Silks and Sew Ons Embroidery & Screen Printing is located at 23956 S Northern Illinois Drive. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. The store is closed on Sundays.