CLEVELAND, Ohio — Craig Conover didn’t plan on becoming a sewing entrepreneur.
Long before the reality TV fame and before his Charleston-based lifestyle brand Sewing Down South became a household name for Bravo fans, Conover was a kid in home economics class, learning to cook, sew and garden alongside his classmates.
“No matter what sport you played, everyone took home ec,” Conover said.
That early exposure stuck.
“My mom was a school teacher, she was perfectly fine with me cooking dinner each day,” he laughed.
Years later, navigating a difficult breakup, Conover found himself returning to the sewing machine he’d originally purchased just to customize his clothes.
“I had left the house, left the garden and the workshop,” he said. “But I still had my sewing machine.”
What began as a creative outlet became something more. Conover started making throw pillows and diving into home interiors.
“There is a therapeutic rush of creation that comes over you when you finish something,” he said.
That hands-on philosophy is one of the central themes Conover will explore during two fireside chats at The Great Big Home + Garden Show in Cleveland. The conversation will touch on creativity, entrepreneurship, and how side hustles can turn into full-scale businesses — a journey Conover knows well.
Now 37, Conover began filming his first television show at 24. Over the past 13 years, viewers have watched him evolve into a business owner, author and philanthropist. His memoir, “Pillow Talk: What’s Wrong with My Sewing?” became a bestseller, and Sewing Down South has grown from a passion project into a nationally recognized brand.
One of his biggest lessons: collaboration.
“A lot of people are intimidated to accept help,” he said. “We all watch ‘Shark Tank’ and think you’re not supposed to give up anything. But bringing on partners changed my life.”
Conover’s interests continue to expand. He recently learned how to quilt, documenting the experience in a six-part YouTube series that coincided with the launch of his first fabric line, now available in quilting stores and online through Missouri Star. Knitting may be next.
“I’m very ADD,” he said, laughing. “I get hyper-passionate about hobbies. But no one is born an expert. It’s never too late to learn — especially now with the internet. You’re not bad at it. You’re just not good at it yet.”
Connection is what draws Conover to live events like the Home + Garden Show. While Sewing Down South products will be represented, he emphasizes that sales aren’t the point.
“I don’t do these for the sale,” he said. “I love the human connection.”
Attendees can expect giveaways, a Q&A session where no topic is off-limits, and time afterward for photos and conversations. Each audience, Conover said, brings something different.
“At this point, I’m juggling a lot — philanthropy, visiting military bases, working with transitioning veterans, launching a production company, designing new collections,” he said. “I try to stay as busy as possible. It keeps me healthy. It gives me purpose.”
The Great Big Home + Garden Show will be at Cleveland’s I-X Center from Friday, Jan. 30 to Sunday, Feb. 8. Conover will speak at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 and noon Saturday, Feb. 7.
Sewing Down South will have a popup shop of Craig Conover’s lifestyle products from Feb. 6-8. It will offer custom kitchenware, pillow, books and accessories including hats, bags, and tumblers.
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Tickets
Adults (at the door): $15
Adults (online): $13
Seniors 65+ (Mon–Thurs, box office): $11
Groups (20+): $10
Children 6–12: $5
Children 5 & under: FREE
Parking — $12 per vehicle
