Myron Schwery
Owner - All Locations
Started at Bernina: 1974
Purchased Bernina Sewing Center of Overland Park in July of 1988, and expanded it to 3 stores over the past 22 years.
Joel Schwery
Manager - All Locations
Started at Bernina: 1998
"In the early 80s, I managed men’s clothing stores. The stores always had tailor shops within them. The tailor shops main item was the sewing machine which was my first introduction to the sewing industry. I enjoy learning about sewing and have taken several courses from the Bernina Education team, including technical and repair courses."
Jaime David
Assistant Manager, Sales
"I didn’t start sewing until I was 25, married and in need of a hobby. I would say I am self-taught, although I’ve learned a lot from the internet, books and several good sewing friends. The first thing I made was curtains. I had no idea what I was doing and had to call my mom to ask how to wind a bobbin. I then became interested in quilting and bought a new Bernina from Colonial Quilts, in Savannah, GA. I had no idea how this would change my life. I have been on the sewing fast track since then, learning any and every thing I can about sewing. Sewing is my calling and my Bernina is my tool of choice."
Annette Lagerstrom
Associate, Teacher
Started at Bernina: 2008
"I have been sewing since I was 7 years old. My first sewing project were 4-H projects and I just kept sewing. I studied at Kansas State University to teach Home Economics. I taught Home Ec for many years and continued to sew. Since I have retired from teaching school, I have enjoyed sewing and teaching at the Bernina store."
NaDene Bartholomew
Teacher
Started at Bernina: 2010
"I have loved sewing. My Mom wouldn’t let me use her sewing machine so I dug in her scrap bag and sewed lots of clothes for my dolls by hand. The first thing I bought after I was married was a sewing machine. A Bernina. I have taught a lot of classes on sewing at church and have sewed all of my childrens clothes till they went to high school. I'm now moving on to my Grandchildren. I love working at Bernina. It truly is my Dream Job. I love teaching people to love their machines as much as I do."
Diane Feltman
Instructor
Started at Bernina: 2000
"I learned to sew from my Grandmother and Mom. I was also in 4-H and took Home EC classes. I sewed most of my clothes throughout High School and College. Then in the 80's, I caught the quilting bug. Now I love Quilting, Machine Embroidery and using the computer to enhance my creativity."
Karin Kraft-Stuppy
Events Coordinator, Sales - Overland Park and Blue Springs
Started at Bernina: 2006
"I am a self taught sewer. I actually had some sewing in my 8th grade class at a Catholic school. We had to make our graduation dress. I had to get lots of after school help! I did not sew again until I had a baby. So 25 years ago I began to sew my son’s clothes then my daughters heirloom and smocked dresses. I have sewed quilts, home dec and now am really enjoying garment sewing for me."
Chris Schwery
Owner
Started at Bernina: 1988
"I have been married to Myron for almost 38 years and when we got married I did not know how to sew and he was an "On the road " salesman. He was selling sewing machines from "the Trunk" of his car, making a little money but we never saw each other. So he and his partner decided to buy one of the stores from their employer and try and make it work. At that point, I decided if my husband was going to be in the sewing machine business, I should probably learn to sew. I took a basic "Learn to Sew" class from J.C.Penney's in Omaha. The rest is history. I began teaching serger guide classes here at the Overland Park store 23 years ago and am still enjoying watching the "Lights come On" when the students become friends with their sergers.I have recently been bitten by the quilting bug and am really being challenged and entertained by the world of fat quarters, quarter inch seams and half -square triangles."
