Founders Veronica Bermudez and Melissa Helms have unique experiences that have provided great opportunities for Keep Me In Stitches.

Veronica Bermudez has been in the sewing business virtually all of her working life. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Veronica has amassed product knowledge that covers virtually anything having to do with the latest technology as well as machine repair, including mechanical and computerized machines. Managing the store offers her the opportunity to combine a personal passion with her love of creative environments.

Melissa Helms shares her enthusiasm by offering an experienced perspective. Melissa has been involved in several successful specialty businesses and finds the challenge of exposing this hobby and creative outlet to the next generation both fun and demanding. "We have been told that sewing has been lost to at least one whole generation of women who for many different reasons have elected to do other things with their spare or leisure time," says Helms. "But once they are exposed to the creative and individual feeling of accomplishment that this kind of interest generates, I think it does many good things for anyone who participates - men and women alike."

A recipient of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce 2004 Small Business of the Year Award, Keep Me In Stitches has been offering sewing machines, supplies and classes to the Tampa Bay area for the past five years.

Keep Me In Stitches shares its passions with the community by coordinating programs such as “Quilts for Kids,” donating more than 500 quilts to patients at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Each quarter, two days are dedicated to the volunteer effort including time, space, machinery and supplies. This community lead volunteer effort helps provide handmade comfort to ill infants and children and solace to the families.

With two successful locations in Carrollwood and South Tampa, Keep Me In Stitches is an integral part of the $5.1 billion nationwide sewing industry undergoing a resurgence in recent years. Helms and Bermudez believe their approach to education helps customers find new and different ways to indulge creative interests. As a top national customer to vendors the business owners have clearly met a local market need.

Sewing is no longer a necessity or done as a cost saving measure. According to co-owner Veronica Bermudez, more than 30 million women in the United States are serious about their hobby of sewing, allowing for flexibility with some turning their creative flair into at-home businesses.

Helms and Bermudez opened the first location at 14833 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in Carrollwood and less than 18 months later opened a second location at 4237 West Kennedy Blvd. in South Tampa.