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A reputation for service has been the key to our business growth over the years. When you bring your machine for service you will receive a free estimate that will not be exceeded without your approval. Our large inventory of parts and factory training means that we can usually provide timely repairs.

You may remember that on April 1, 2007, a beautiful Lexus pushed into our front wall, damaging merchandise against that wall and interrupting our business for weeks. Presumably the driver intended to park in front, but hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, propelling the car over the wheel stops and sidewalk.

Fast Forward to May 21, 2008. Pretty much the same story this time with a powerful Accura SUV, and not just into the front wall, but 25 feet into the store. The first casualty was a display with 15 machines, with a path of destruction continuing well past the cash wrap counter and into the ajoining DrapeRite business. We are fortunate no one was killed. The only minor injury came from falling in a desparate scramble to escape the charging auto with doors and glass flying in front of it.

Clearly we are in a state of limited access, and will be under reconstruction for some weeks. We'll post any significant news of progress here.

Light at the end of the tunnel!As of mid-June, we have the wall rebuilt, new window installed, and temporary doors. Many of you have asked about "those lovely oak doors." They could not be saved, but are being recreated and we hope to see them about the Fourth of July. Who knows, we may even be getting reorganized by then!

Hope Springs Eternal might have been a good title for those mid-June comments. In mid-July, as our Kids Klasses are meeting, we're still in some disarray, but we're hoping to get the doors and our full space back this week, and to be looking more beautiful than ever sometime in August!

We're very excited about new events and classes on the horizon Audrey Durnen, a fabric artist contributing to Fairfield and the Huston show, will present her work here on Saturday, September 6. Not only will we see the finished work such as garments, but we'll learn about the process of altering (e.g., dyeing) the fabric as part of the project. Call 909)624-8552 for details.

Also beginning in September, Marge Knoll will teach the classic Latte Quilt. This is a BIG project, so the class will meet twice per month to allow time to complete your work.

A bit futher downstream beginning Saturday, October 4, Sue Burmeister will teach the Stack 'n' Whack method of cutting and construction she used in creating the green quilt that so many of you have admired in our displays.

For most people sewing today, it's a very personal thing that directs people to diverse choices. So when it comes to selecting a gift, it's not so easy. We have Gift Certificates in any amount that are personal in recognition of this hobby, to say "Happy Sewing!"

No discounts, fees, depreciation or expiration! Many "gift cards" today have charges that are hidden until after you make the purchase, and your recipient will receive only a portion of what you paid. With our Gift Certificates, it's your money. Period.

First of all, the basic facts of where and when: We're at 855 W Foothill in Claremont (between Indian Hill and Towne). Best freeway access is from the 10 or 210 freeway, exit Towne. Go to Foothill, turn East to Downey Savings, then left into our shopping center. We're open 10 to 5 Tuesday-Saturday. Mondays we're open to 7 pm. "Never on a Sunday." Reach us by phone at 909)624-8552.

Brief history We began in 1969 with Judy Fisher and Clara Berg as Expres-Sew, the only Pfaff dealership in Claremont. We have opened other stores with other names in other locations and with other shareholders. We've also become sewing machine dealers for BabyLock, Singer, Brother, Necchi, Riccar, New Home/Janome, Bernina, Simplicity, and vacuum dealers for Hoover, Eureka, Bernina, Oreck, Sanyo, Simplicity, and Sanitaire (and probably more that have been forgotten). But our main store has always been in this shopping center and Bob Hagelbarger has always been an owner (sole proprietor since 1981). We remain a multibrand sewing and vacuum store, now with a strong emphasis on embroidery software.

worked for a Necchi/Elna dealer in Kansas from 1955, selling & servicing sewing machines part-time as a college student. After some years in higher education he came back to sewing in the mid-60's with S-t-r-e-t-c-h & Sew, supervising the national distribution and servicing of their sewing machine. In 1969 he joined others to open an independent sewing store on the present Bags & Bobbins site, and has operated as sole proprietor since 1981. With a California Teaching Credential, his sewing classes are registered with Claremont Unified School System's Adult School.

our Product Manager joined us in '97 with experience in retail management. She's the one that knows where everything is, what it's for, how much it costs, and when it was ordered. Holly is also an enthusiastic teacher with classes introducing new products as well as introducing new owners to main stream products.

In the fall of 2007, Holly takes on two new projects: leadership of the new Custom Quilt Block-of-the-Month Club, and (with Bob,) shared leadership of the In-The-Hoop Club.

Having been one of our teachers and club leaders in the past, and managed a store elsewhere in the meantime, Linda returned in 2003 to clerk part-time in the store. Beginning in 2006, she's again teaching special classes and co-ordinates our Pfaff Club.

Joining us in the summer of 2007, Felicia brings a history of working in retail. She's really a local, but has spent recent years in Texas.

came aboard in 2006 to assist us on the technical side. Neil is a retired engineer who served administrative positions in industry.

Mary Ellen didn't know what she was getting into when she married Bob! Now she does the bookkeeping for Bags & Bobbins. She also uses her considerable mechanical skills (a former IBM tech) in machine repairs. Besides that, she pitches in on teaching classes and on the sales floor.

We also enjoy several teachers who do not work in the store at present, but teach regularly and/or lead our clubs

As a customer, Linda has often delighted us with her clever projects brought to Show and Tell. Now she'll offer more ideas as she takes leadership in the Serger Club and with Candace Wright in the Club Sew and Sew.

is known to anyone sewing within 30 miles of the Pomona Valley in the last 25 years! Marge has retired from the helm of our sewing clubs, but her inspiration for sewing still may overflow into occasional class offerings!

joined our ranks in mid-2000 having thoroughly researched Janome equipment and software to be our Janome Club and Janome Software Club leader. She's our teacher for classes in Janome Embroidery Machines and Janome Software.

A former computer programmer, Jane is our go-to person for general computer problems on an individual basis. She also leads both the beginner and advanced sections of the Autodigitizing Club to help owners of autodigitizing software (such as MasterWorks, Generations, Origins) perfect their embroidery creativity. Jane also leads the .pes Club, exploring the creative possibilities in that popular digitizing software format.

teaches our Pfaff Software Classes, (whether "Creative Suite" or "3D Embroidery")and produces our monthly Club News for all club members. She occasionaly is inspired to teach other classes as well, when some irresistable design comes along.