Felicia "Mimi" Goss

Emerging Member

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Sewing with leather

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Draping and Designing

What goals do you have for your business (or yourself professionally) in the next 5 years?

To build my skills as well as my online presence.

What else should we know about you or your business?

Nothing at the moment. I put down sewing for a little while to finish my dissertation and now I am ready to move forward with my designs and sewing.

Melissa Klaassen

Emerging Member

My love for sewing and design started when I was in junior high and I started my own business. I went on to earn degrees in Fashion Design from Purdue University and The Fashion Institute of Technology. I've worked with knitwear designers, specialized in lingerie at FIT and have extensive experience in bridal and formal wear. I got more training and added home décor to my business, but my true joy is working with apparel and teaching. While getting my masters at Miami University in Education, I was the Textiles and Clothing Construction Teaching Assistant. I fell in love with teaching and have since had hundreds of students of all ages in schools, stores, 4-H and home settings. I have a special passion for modifying and designing clothing for individuals who don't fit in ready to wear clothing, especially those with disabilities, which started with my own daughter. I volunteer many hours with all sorts of groups using my sewing knowledge from 4H to Cinderella's Closet altering formal wear for young ladies needing some assistance.

What professional title do you use?

Seamstress, Designer and Teacher. Because I also emphasize teaching it's important to included that title.

How long have you been sewing professionally?

20+ years

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Design or modify apparel for those with health issues or disabilities that don't allow them to fit into off the rack apparel. I have a daughter who is very medically fragile and I had to sew or modify most of her clothing from birth. I also love working with knits and formal wear and teaching others about textiles and sewing skills.

What goals do you have for your business (or yourself professionally) in the next 5 years?

I'd like to get a grant or somehow get funding to allow me to work with people who need their wardrobe modified due to medical issues or disabilities. That population is often also low income so grants or financial assistance will be needed. I took a significant amount of time off sewing to teach HS full time and am just now coming back into making sewing/design my primary business. I also want to figure out how to make sewing as a business profitable and a living wage. I want to refine my target market and products. I also want to completely renovate my workspace and make it organized and efficient and a space I want to be in to work.

I have volunteered thousands of hours for so many charities sewing everything from full sized dinosaur Halloween costumes (dressing the dinosaurs), to making thousands of masks to altering formalwear for charities to making huge quilts with the children in a congenital heart defect camp. My passion is sewing things that cannot be purchased ready to wear. Making people feel confident and comfortable in their clothing. Preserving textile related memories and teaching others the arts of textiles and sewing.

What else should we know about you or your business?

I want to find grants to help me work with those with special needs for modified apparel. 

Facebook ~ Melissa Klaassen, Seamstress, Designer and Teacher

YouTube ~ Melissa Klaassen

Julie Burnsides Diaz

Formal Member

Julie Burnsides Diaz is a costumer and seamstress residing in Columbus Ohio. She graduated with her degree in Archaeology and went on to earn her Master's in Fashion History and Textile Conservation at FIT in New York. After several years in the museum field and in practice as a textile conservator, she founded her own business in 2015. She creates bridal wear, cosplay and historical costumes for clients on a commission basis and is always open to creative and technical challenges.

What professional title do you use?

Seamstress or Costumer but I'm not picky

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Grading and sloper drafting, especially plus sizes

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Design and sourcing

What goals do you have for your business (or yourself professionally) in the next 5 years?

Get back to full time work after having a child, launch a pattern line

Website ~ Snapdragon Designs www.snapdragondesign.net

Karen Hardie

Student Member

Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women (WXN 2016), Karen's corporate executive career reached a pivot point during the pandemic crisis of 2020. Overwhelming stress and burnout led her back to her creative roots, to her third-generation-sewist heritage. In the mindful practice of design and construction she forged a new path, one that led to Fashion Design school and a vision for the future supporting sustainability through circular design. Karen looks forward to launching her new business following graduation this Summer.

What professional title do you use?

I like there term "designer" or "re-designer". I also call myself a third generation sewist. My grandmother was called a "tailoress", my mother, a "seamstress". I would be flattered to be referred to by any of these names.

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Minimizing waste through design

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Coming up with new ideas - on either the business, or the sewing side.

What goals do you have for your business (or yourself professionally) in the next 5 years?

I will graduate from Fashion Design school in June. My goal is to start my own independent design business incorporating the principles of circularity #makefashioncircular

What else should we know about you or your business?

I am very focused on the challenge of redirecting consumer desire to garments/objects that support circular design for fashion (as defined by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation) - moving away from take-make-waste to intentional design supporting 3 principles of eliminating waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature.

Instagram ~ @fashion.re.designed

Lorrie Rogers

Formal Member

My mother was a home economics teacher and she taught me to sew approximately 50 years ago. I have loved it and have been sewing that long. Any other skills I have acquired since leaving home, have been self taught. I have been sewing as a business for about 7 years. I love my customers and I love sending them off happy.

What professional title do you use?

I prefer seamstress

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Pattern making and fitting patterns a little better.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Delivering finished wedding gowns and seeing the bride smile - or sometimes cry.

What goals do you have for your business (or yourself professionally) in the next 5 years?

I think I would like to work a little faster - even though I work fairly fast. I would also like to develop some garment illustration and design.

What else should we know about you or your business?

My business is small, but I am extremely busy. I still offer sewing services for almost anything but the weddings are my main income. I enjoy sewing bags and have offered them in the past but I have shelved those for now.

Website ~ Lorriesalterations.weebly.com

Instagram ~ @lorraine.k.rogers

Andrew Carroll

Emerging Member

Welcome to new Emerging member Andrew! 

Where can people find you?

Word of mouth (I'm just starting and only serve two families)

What professional title do you use?

Tailor / Seamster

How long have you been sewing professionally?

Less than 5 years

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Wedding dress alterations.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Sewing difficult items to repair.

What goals do you have for your business (or yourself professionally) in the next 5 years?

Obtain an Associate Degree in Apparel / Fashion Design.

What else should we know about you or your business?

I'm trying to have less of a carbon footprint; most of the time I'm using an electric scooter when visiting my customers. I'm also designing a backpack / garment bag so that I can transport clothes more effectively on the scooter.

Gia Chahal

Student Member

Welcome to new student member Gia Chahal who calls themselves an "Enthusiast Creator".

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Couture methods, start my own brand line.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Creating new garments, colors, brainstorming ideas

What goals do you have for your business (or yourself professionally) in the next 5 years?

Start my own brand line, gain satisfactory knowledge/experience for this.

What else should we know about you or your business?

I would love to know about sourcing materials.

Zelda Tuazama

Emerging Member

Zelda Tuazama is owner and operator of Dezigning Ideaz, a design and fabrication studio established in 2021 in Raleigh NC. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Clothing Textiles and Fashion Merchandising from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in Greensboro NC. The vision is to use skills, and abilities to bring joy and beauty into the lives of others through exquisite design, and sharing my passion for beauty through textiles.

Do you work alone?

Yes

What professional title do you use?

Sewing Professional

How long have you been sewing professionally?

Less than 5 years

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

I want to earn the title of Master Sewing & Design Professional

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

I enjoy sewing soft furnishing items and formal/wedding dresses.

What goals do you have for your business (or yourself professionally) in the next 5 years?

I want to earn the recognition as a Master Sewing & Design Professional.

What else should we know about you or your business?

I have been sewing for family and friends for decades, but as I approach retirement from a 28 year career in higher education, I have decided to officially establish a business for this next phase in life.

Instagram @Dezigning Ideaz

Facebook @Dezigning Ideaz

Twitter  Dezigning Ideaz

Shawne Jacobs

Formal Member

Shawne Jacobs serves as Creative Director of Anne Barge and President of its parent company, S. Jacobs, Inc. Her duties include leading the design, marketing, and business development of the bridal lines Anne Barge, Blue Willow Bride by Anne Barge, and Curve Couture as well as its evening wear line, Anne Barge Black Label.

Shawne began her career at Anne Barge in 2002, learning every aspect of the bridal business and honing her design skills under the tutelage of the company’s namesake, Anne Barge. Since assuming her role as Creative Director in 2014, Shawne continues to evolve the Anne Barge aesthetic of “modern classical” with new fabrics, details, and silhouettes. “Anne Barge designs are timeless and memorable,” noted Shawne. “Each gown is created to make a woman feel confident and beautiful.”

Originally from Kentucky, Shawne currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, Steven Jacobs, and their three sons. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time outdoors with her family, exploring Atlanta’s vibrant restaurant and art scenes, and going to yoga. Shawne also supports charities dedicated to improving the environment, fighting hunger, empowering women, and helping children. Two organizations particularly close to her heart are CARE and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).

Do you work alone?

No, I have employees, contractors or coworkers

How long have you been sewing professionally?

10-15 years

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

CAD

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Sketch and work with brides

What goals do you have for your business (or yourself professionally) in the next 5 years?

I would like to bring back some of our production to the US.

What else should we know about you or your business?

My business was founded in 1999 and I purchased the company in 2014. Our brand is recognized worldwide amongst the bridal community.

Website  www.annebarge.com

Instagram  @annebarge

YouTube  Anne Barge

Xiao-Yin Byrom

Formal Member

Welcome Xiao-Yin from Tang's Alterations!

How long have you been sewing professionally?

20+ years

Do you work alone?

No, I have employees.

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Always interested in Sewing Techniques

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

interfacing with customers/love being creative

What goals do you have for your business (or yourself professionally) in the next 5 years?

To develop more trained staff to allow me more free time.

What else should we know about you or your business?

We are continuing to expand our Bridal Sales business as well as our roots in full-service alterations.

We have a great staff and great customers here in Manassas, Va. When not working I love to give back to the community through Rotary. Favorite hobby is hiking and travel and try to combine them when possible.

Websites ~ www.tangsalterations.com    www.tangsbridal.com

Instagram ~ @Tangs_Alterations   @TangsBridal

Facebook ~ Tang's Alterations Bridal and Bespoke

Pinterest ~ @TangsBridal