Margaret Islander, founder of Islander Sewing Systems.

Islander Sewing Systems was developed by Margaret Islander, who was first a home sewer and then learned professional/industrial sewing techniques. She received this information while working at a training center for the garment industry in Southern California. As a home sewer now armed with industry knowledge including more efficient and easier techniques, she set out to teach other hobbyists this exciting information. Margaret taught her "Industrial Shortcuts" classes at colleges and guilds for several years before transferring them to video (which are now on DVD). When long time sewing enthusiasts finished one of Margaret's classes they were often heard to say, "I wish I had know this 20 years ago". Ms Islander is retired now and has passed the baton of teaching home sewers that sewing is easy and fun on to her niece Janet Pray.

Janet Pray, owner of Islander Sewing Systems

Janet has an educational background in business and fine art. She has been self employed since 1981 as a Fiber Artist, Fiber Arts teacher and Sewing Instructor, Ms Pray began her career in the sewing industry creating a unique line of artistic women's clothing. Her specialties were coats and scarves sold at fine art fairs and boutiques and her financial success can partly be attributed to her knowledge of the Islander Sewing Systems. While Creating her clothing line she found that dyeing the fabrics became a passion and added tremendous opportunities for creativity. Janet soon began teaching dyeing and discharge techniques and created the video , "Bleach or Dye". She also taught industrial sewing techniques developed by her aunt, Margaret Islander. Janet's next venture was developing the largest independent sewing expo in the United States, The American Sewing Expo, held annually in Novi, Michigan. Soon after, she took over the operation of the Islander Sewing Systems Company. As the owner of this company Janet published several of her most popular patterns from her clothing line and went on to design many more garment patterns all with industrial sewing techniques included in the pattern guides. Ms Pray wrote the book, Islander Sewing Systems TM I. and co-authored the popular DVD, Easy Zippers. Recently Janet's enthusiasms for the sewing industry lead her to establish The National Sewing Council, a non-profit organization focused on encouraging more people to experience the joy of sewing, Janet serves as the Executive Director for that organization.

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