About SewBoji

SewBoji has been a dream of mine since 2015 and it became real in April of 2024.
I am Billie Jo Howard Knaack

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    Billie Jo, the owner/operator of SewBoji has an extensive family history of quilting and she isn’t the first in her family to operate a quilting focused business. After the advent of the rotary cutter in the 80’s, Billie Jo’s grandparents designed, cut, pieced and quilted nearly a thousand quilts, selling them nationwide - even before online stores were an option! Creating a business to follow in their footsteps while adding her own modern skills (experienced technologist with 25+ years in corporate roles) has been a dream of hers.  Growing up in and then coming back to the  Okoboji, Iowa area has fueled that entrepreneurial desire, being a part of this community made up of so many wonderful small businesses that serve our seasonal visitors and our year round crowd is inspiring. The Okoboji area is often called "Boji" for short, this inspired the SewBoji name. Beautiful views, the fun, the relaxation - are all core to the vibe SewBoji hopes you enjoy.

    Billie Jo's first quilt was an art piece for her home, she needed a piece for above the fireplace and had visions of a small quilt that could reflect the colors desired and add warmth to the room. Since then, she has continued expanding her quilting skills through trying new techniques and connecting with those who have mastery in the skills she is seeking to learn. When she upgraded her machine to include an embroidery arm and integration with computer software, she fell in love. Being able to use the computer to make custom designs and seeing technology modernize her machine was exhilarating. She also loves making bags, the options for customization are endless and you get the product in a much shorter timeframe than most quilts. Where some people struggle understanding all the things that make bags softer, stronger, richer and more casual she has been able to navigate those decisions with ease. She has been creating sample bags for Old Alley Quilt shop in Sherburn, MN as well as teaching bag making classes, hosting and trunk shows and this summer became a Certified Sallie Tomato Educator. She is also a member of the Longarm League - Rookie year 2024!