02/17/2026
Hello Everyone!
Well, according to Puxatawney Phil, we’re in for about 6 more weeks of winter. I don’t know about you, but I am sure ready for some sunshine! Hopefully you are enjoying the extended time indoors to work on your current sewing projects. While we are all cozy, I wanted to share some news that may surprise some of you.
I have come to a point in my life that I, Tim Shields, need to make a change for myself and my family. I will be leaving the sewing machine industry all together to pursue another career. This has not been an easy decision to make. When my father, Ken Shields, began the business in 1976, he did so on a bet from a friend that he couldn’t sell 5 Singer sewing machines in a month. Not only did he win that bet, but he went on to build a successful business that has supported our family for two generations. While running this business, he formed relationships that have lasted decades. Many of our customers are people that I have known since I was a kid running around the store. When I joined the business in 2001, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to continue the path of success that my father had made. However, this community welcomed me with open arms. I am so grateful to our customers for allowing me, my family, and my staff to be a part of your lives. Watching you share your sewing projects that commemorate the milestones and joys of your own families has been a true honor! These relationships are what has made running a small family business so rewarding.
However, with my children all raised and gone from home, my wife and I are looking forward to a bit more freedom in our schedules. With that, I have accepted a career option with more flexibility. For Shields Sewing Center, my hope is that I will find someone that would like to continue to serve the Iowa City area as a sewing machine retailer and service provider to keep this industry thriving into the future. Therefore, if you or anyone you know may be interested in acquiring this successful business, please send them my way. I am more than willing to help guide anyone that would like to continue this family tradition and mentor as needed. In the event that I am unable to find a successor, Shields Sewing Center Iowa City will be closing the doors in mid-March/early April - roughly the same time frame as our old groundhog friend has predicted us finally getting relief from this long Winter.
I would like to thank my extraordinary staff for their support all these years. In particular, my loyal manager, Jan Schwartz, who has been a dedicated and wonderful anchor of our Iowa City store. I could not have made running multiple locations while raising a family work without her. She has been invaluable to Shields Sewing. With that being said, I am happy to announce that Jan will continue to offer her wealth of knowledge by working and teaching at the NEW Busy B's Sewing Center in Davenport. We do not have an exact start date for her yet, but will continue to keep you informed moving forward
This will not be my last post, but as far as some housekeeping issues, I will share the following: We are no longer taking machine repairs. If I currently have your machine in-house, I will be working on it as I am available, and you can expect to be contacted upon its completion in the next few weeks.
Tim Shields
