Ernest Deroche Sr.
December 16, 2008
Whitney Nicole "Black" Jones
December 18, 2008
It’s been said that the key to loving one’s work is to make a living doing something you enjoy.
Charlet Brignac, of Thibodaux, is a prime example of that theory in action.
Eight years ago, Brignac purchased her first embroidery machine at a sewing shop in New Orleans. Enamored with embroidering, she’d taken up the hobby to relax.
Eventually, the 37-year-old mother of three began embroidering gifts for her family and friends in her spare time.
But the demands as a licensed nuclear medical technologist left Brignac little time for her two daughters Hannah and Maggie and son Landon. About two years ago, she decided a more flexible career was warranted.
Brignac and her husband, Coby, tossed around a few ideas. Opening an embroidery shop topped the list.
Brignac and her good friend Andrea Gravois set out to turn her hobby into a profitable business. Three Stitches opened on North Canal Boulevard in November 2007.
The original store offered Brignac and Gravois a place to sell their products. It was equipped with two computerized embroidery machines that ran virtually nonstop.
Within a year, Brignac had outgrown the shop.
In September, Three Stitches relocated to 371 N. Canal Blvd. A third computerized embroidery machine was added. The larger space also provides more storage area and room for daily store activities.
Brignac sees the operation continuing to grow. She’s making plans to add at least two more embroidery machines, a Web site for online business and additional staff.
At the heart of the business, little has changed. Three Stitches has something to suit anyone’s taste. Customers can choose from an array of totes, ropes, baby items, purses and accessories for school, work and everyday use. Three Stitches’ philosophy is that anything can be embroidered.
Looking for a gift idea for a new mom? Brignac suggests a diaper bag or various baby accessories with the infant’s name embroidered on it. For the older set, how about having something monogrammed on a shirt or jacket in their school colors?
Three Stitches even accommodates the business community with monogrammed company logos for shirts, hats and totes.
“This is what helps us stand out over the rest because we are so diverse and we have a lot of grab-and-go items,” she said.
The hottest ticket items for the fall season are the initialed school binders and case holders for iPods.
“The kids loved those binders because they can get them in any color and have their initials or name embroidered on it. And it seems that every child either wants an iPod or already has one. The case holder is just an added attraction,” she said. “A lot of people are using the binders and iPod cases for Christmas gifts for younger children.”
Christmas is the busiest time of the year for Brignac and her staff and meeting the demand can become overwhelming, she said, “Long hours and less sleep.”
In the end, however, Brignac said the added hours are worth it to know that someone is receiving a monogrammed gift from her shop on Christmas morning.
“There’s something about seeing a child’s face when they see their initials or name plastered on their gifts,” she said. “Having it personalized for them makes the gift that much more special.”
Christmas is the busiest time of the year for Three Stitches owner Charlet Brignac (forefront). Brignac, her husband Coby and trusted employee Andrea Gravois (middle) are working double time to fill Christmas orders. * Photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN
