My first real experience with homemaking/sewing was 7th grade home economics in 1966. My Mother encouraged me, letting me pick out my material and at $2.50 a yard, it was extremely expensive for those days. Being an experienced seamstress she was good at laying out patterns and reducing the amount of material needed. I on the other hand did not have this skill, yet. The project went well and the teacher gave me a great grade of 97 taking off only 3 points for sewing the right,front part of the bodice inside out. It was the only way to make the pieces I had cut out fit together. Well to say the least - my mother was not happy at all with the grade I was given. The teacher tried explaining to my mother that she had given such a high mark to acknowledge the excellant workmanship, other than that one mistake, but Mom would not have it. She made the teacher change the grade to a F because it was not wearable. After going back for more material, ripping everything out and re-sewing the garment, I got it right and along with it an appreciation for the value of a job done well.
My professional sewing started in bridal shops in California from 1973 to 1976 when I moved to Texas and started with Sue Anne's Apparel Shop and later with Brides and Belles in Tyler,Texas with this experience taking me into 1995. I then started working for the Bridal House in Athens,Texas until it closed in 2000. At that time, with alot of encouragement from my family - my Uncle in particular - I started my own business which opened on January 27,2001.
I have had clients from my local area of East Texas, many States in the U.S., and worldwide clients coming from Germany, Japan, and Canada. I have altered wedding dresses and custom-designed clothing for two Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, and handled the wedding for Toby Gowin - a kicker for the Dallas Cowboys. I have also designed and made costumes for the Ice Capades and some Country and Western singers. My work also includes a lot of costume design for participants in the Ms.Texas, Ms. Tyler, Ms. Sunburst, Ms. Covergirl, and International Miss Pageants.
