'Chelle Lanz ~ Columbia City, Oregon

Formal Member

Green Door Creations is a boutique custom sewing shop and my strongest talents are taking a client's idea from pictures and ideas to creating a unique piece to wear or to use for home decor.

I have been sewing professionally for over 40 years and have created wedding gowns, dance outfits, party dresses, formal vests and custom dress shirts for men and women. I started with making doll clothes and doing repairs on my friends clothes when I was in middle school. Since then I have expanded to making costumes for live theatre, ComiCon, and Halloween. I make props and set dressings for theatre as well as memory pillows, flags and curtains for interior decorating in the home and also giant puppets, banners and altar dressings for churches. I can repair some camping gear and am able to clean, oil, repair and set the timing on sewing machines.

Safety and comfort is my number one concern. I am a BLM and LGBTQI+ ally and my pronouns are she/her. Until Covid-19 is completely behind us, I will always wear a mask, practice social distancing as much as possible and use hand sanitizer all during the fitting. My process is to first meet with you at a public location and talk with you about all the aspects of your project. Once we have a plan for moving ahead with your project, I will work with you out of the comfort of your own home (or where ever you choose).

I look forward to projects of constructing a special occasion piece from scratch, altering a piece of clothing or home decor to give it new life or putting the finishing touches on a piece that has already been started. I am also happy to work through a pile of mending that you might have sitting around (for longer than you care to admit?) or to repurpose a piece that you just can't bear to part with yet.

What professional title do you use?

Custom Sewer

How long have you been sewing professionally?

20+ years

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Couture pattern drafting and tailoring

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Taking a client's idea into a wearable garment.

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

To make enough money to bring in half of my family income.

What else should we know about you or your business?

I am now a certified sewing repairperson

Website greendoorsewing.squarespace.com

Facebook @greendoorcreationsLLC

Instagram @chelle.lanz

Twitter @sew_green_door