Jacquelyne Robinson

Emerging Member

Please join me in welcoming Jacquelyne Robinson to ASDP!

Jacquelyne is a Sewing Instructor who is building her new LLC. Sewing with JClarke, LLC offers a better understanding of design & sewing that helps elevate different groups of people than what we usually see in the fashion industry.

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

How to open my own sewing school.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Teach kids that are financially challenged.

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

My own sewing school with about 3 sewing instructors and a revolving door of students.

What else should we know about you or your business?

I offer basic sewing skills, pattern reading, fashion illustration (CAD), draping, and pattern construction.

Check out Jacquelyne on social media! Like, comment, and share to help her expand her business reach.

Instagram @sewingwithjclarkellc

Facebook @jaccquelyne.clarke

LinkedIn @jacquelyne-clarke

Twitter @__jclarke__

Theresa Alexander

Formal Member

Let's welcome Theresa Alexander! 

Theresa, tell us about yourself. (And why does your name sound familiar?)

I have two roles in the fashion industry. First, I am an associate professor in the Fashion Management program at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. There, I specialize in teaching patternmaking (hand and digital, stretch and woven), pattern grading, illustration (hand and digital), technical drawing, and design.

My second role is as an embroidery instructor and professional embroiderer for Elephant Embellishments, the company I co-own with my sister. We specialize in teaching both tambour and traditional hand embroidery. I took lessons at Ecole Lesage in Paris and am still taking lessons at the Japanese Embroidery Center in Atlanta, GA to further my professional skills.

What professional title do you use?

Associate professor or professional embroiderer (depending on role). I'm fine w/ my titles as I earned them.

How long have you been sewing professionally?

20+ years

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

How to get better at machine repair and how to drive stick.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

teach

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

get more students

Website ~ University - Fashion Management 

Website ~ elephantembellishments.com

Audrey Clark

Formal Member

Welcome Audrey! Will you share about your sewing business?

I began sewing in elementary school and haven't stopped since. After completing an apprenticeship focusing on formal wear alterations I hit the ground running and opened Rose Fine Alterations. I come from a long line of seamstress' including my great great grandmother Rose. Her name and legacy inspired my business and I love following in her footsteps.

What professional title do you use?

Seamstress but I am not attached to any particular title.

How long have you been sewing professionally?

Less than 5 years

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

How to price well.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Working with lace. I absolutely love it. Lace hems are my favorite!

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

Move from taking all types of alterations to just brides, maids, and prom.

What else should we know about you or your business?

Hopefully next bridal season (spring 2022) I will be carrying custom-made accessories!

Website rosefinealterations.square.site

Facebook Rose Fine Alterations

Instagram @rosefinealterations

Terry Braddy

Formal Member

How long have you been sewing professionally?

20+ years

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Color forecasting, not wardrobe or image consulting

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Creativity, fashion sustainability

Do you work alone? How can people find you?

I have a home studio, but am not seeking customers. Re: social media- I am a conscientious objector, use it for outgoing business only

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

Stay retired

Mackinley Motzer ~ Oregon Chapter

Formal Member

Welcome Mackinley! Tell us about your sewing business.

Specializing in custom sewing, alterations, and lessons, my mission as the Fibrarian is to take my clients’ dreams and make them “sew”. It is my intent to be the magician behind the machine; to take every detail into consideration and bring the idea to fruition.

In the world of sewing, my primary niche lies in the realm of interior design/home decor.

My other preferred sewing avenues include cosplay, product creation, alterations (both client and contractual work), and wholesale orders for local businesses.

What professional title do you use?

I refer to myself as the Fibrarian in an effort to encompass all aspects of my practice. I am a fiber artist, seamstress, teacher, and alterations specialist. The only title I do not enjoy would be "crafter".

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

As it's been said many times before, "we don't know what we don't know". I am always excited at the opportunity to learn from those in my sewing community.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

I love to take my clients' dreams and make them "sew". It is my pleasure to bring their dream to physical fruition and share the creative journey with them.

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

It is my goal to move my home studio into a brick-and-mortar location in order to expand my offerings, especially in the realm of teaching.

What else should we know about you or your business?

I recently celebrated one year as an LLC in June! While I've been sewing for 15 years and a few of those years professionally, this last year was my first as a full-time Fibrarian.

Website woobiesewing.com

Instagram @Woobie_the_Fibrarian

Facebook Mackenzie Motzer

Bianca Raimo

Student Member

Bianca Raimo is a student at FIT in NYC working on opening a shop within the next year.

Where can people find you?

I have not set up my shop or social media yet, it is in the works.

How long have you been sewing professionally?

Less than 5 years

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Fashion illustration

Rachel Myers ~ Concord, California

Formal Member

President of the Home Décor Learning Center (HDLC), opened her business in June of 2012. For more than thirty years, Rachel has been doing custom dressmaking, alterations, and many unusual projects including costumes and other specialty items as well as home décor.

Rachel learned upholstery under the instruction of Master Journeyman and Teacher, Siegfried Wroebel through the Mt. Diablo Adult Education program. In 2007 she was asked to teach the upholstery class at Mt. Diablo Adult Education and Acalanes Adult Education. When these programs were discontinued, the concept of the HDLC was developed in response to the community's need for upholstery classes. There is no other business quite like the HDLC, making it a unique place for students to learn upholstery, home décor sewing and have space to work on their projects.

Rachel is a long-time member of the American Sewing Guild (ASG), having served as Chapter President, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, and Fundraising Chair over the years. She is also a previous member of ASDP.

Rachel, through HDLC, aspires to teach people to become self-sufficient in creating interior design projects to decorate their homes, customize autos, boats, and RV’s and prepare those students who wish to pursue a career in the industry. She enjoys teaching and watching the accomplishments and satisfaction of students realizing they have produced a quality project.

With the advent of COVID, HDLC was forced to close its doors in 2020. Rachel is now in a period of redefining what she wants to do going forward.

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Pricing, Better Marketing, improve social media skills, tambour beading (just for fun), any new techniques in sewing and fitting, approaches to writing.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Sewing, seeing students "get it", seeing an idea actually materialize.

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

Gain more brand recognition, be more profitable, define which I like to do best, find/train someone to replace me, write a book on Upholstery.

What else should we know about you or your business?

I started teaching upholstery in 2008, and I am now sewing home decor in addition to garments.

Website homedecorlc.com

Email rachelm@homedecorlc.com  ramyers@ix.netcom.com

Jennifer Wiese ~ Brooklyn, New York

Formal Member

Jennifer Wiese is founder of Workroom Social, a Brooklyn, NY-based sewing studio. At Workroom Social, we teach adults how to sew clothes that fit their unique styles and individual body shapes + sizes. Through sewing we build communities, stimulate creativity, & help improve women’s self-esteem & confidence by empowering them to sew the clothes they want to wear. Together we learn from each #sewingfail & celebrate every #sewingwin, no matter how small. We use our shared passion for sewing to connect with those we might not meet otherwise, & we create opportunities for our students to develop relationships that go far beyond sewing itself.

Jennifer believes that every woman can lead a joyful, creative, & confident life. She knows that sewing your own clothes (& wearing these you-made clothes) is a surefire way to cultivate these things every day.

Do you work alone?

I work alone most of the time, but I do hire contractors sometimes for events and other needs.

What professional title do you use?

I never know what title to use. Founder, owner, CEO, educator...I wear all the hats, but never quite know how to refer to my job position.

How long have you been sewing professionally?

10-15 years

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

I love learning new things always! And I actively work to learn new things constantly. Not sure if there's something specific that I can point to at this time.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Running my large-scale retreats. I love logistics!

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

In 5 years time I hope to have a library of digital sewing patterns for sale, a popular YouTube channel, and 4 large-scale retreats running annually (currently I have 1 retreat that runs annually).

What else should we know about you or your business?

Right now I am focused on building my company's YouTube channel.

Website workroomsocial.com

Youtube @workroomsocial

Instagram @workroomsocial

Twitter @workroomsocial

LinkedIn Jennifer Wiese

Amy Henson ~ Ligonier, Pennsylvania

Formal Member

I have been sewing professionally for over 20 years. I specialize in alterations - especially bridal and formalwear and love the challenge of making a garment fit perfectly.

Do you work alone?

No, I have employees, contractors or coworkers

What professional title do you use?

Seamstress, Alterations Specialist

How long have you been sewing professionally?

20+ years

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Networking, marketing

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Work with brides

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

Hire and teach to expand our business and have it continue after I retire.

What else should we know about you or your business?

We specialize in bridal alterations.

Website fittingroomligonier.com

Instagram @TheFittingRoomLigonier

Facebook @TheFittingRoomLigonier

LinkedIn Amy Henson

Heather Zager ~ Renton, WA

Formal Member

MADE is a Seattle based apparel design and development company created to help designers bring their sewn product ideas into production.

Do you work alone?

No, I have employees, contractors or coworkers

What professional title do you use?

Owner

How long have you been sewing professionally?

5-10 years

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Become proficient at pattern grading and alterations.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Oh, all of it!

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

To move to a retail location.

What else should we know about you or your business?

Nothing at this time, still in the early stages of growth.

Website MADEApparelServices.com

Instagram @MADEApparelServices

Facebook @MADEApparelServices

LinkedIn @MADEApparelServices