Formal Member

Tracy Kreiling is a seamstress and a teacher and has been sewing professionally for over twenty years.  Her favorite part of the business is the sewing side; she hates the business side.  She loves teaching people how to use their sewing machines.  Tracy has been selling sewing machines for over 25 years and has worked with most brands and ages of machines.

Tracy has always loved sewing and working with all crafty things.  She started sewing professionally so she could stay home with her children.  She is the workroom for a couple of interior designers, and she sews for her own clients.  Trace sews all things home dec, does custom quilt making and quilting, and embroidery. 

One thing she has always wanted to learn is how to do a blog.  Her goal is to have a blog and the website all doing everything they are supposed to do

Tracy can be found at her home studio, Website, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.  She can be reached at Www.tracyksewing.Com, Tracyksewing@gmail.Com, and TracyKSewing.

Emerging Member

Vivian Ilkenhans Owen is a Seamstress who enjoys designing new creations and seeing the finished projects.  She loves sewing, creating things, and encouraging those younger than her to learn about sewing and teaching them all the little tips and tricks she has learned.

Her business, By Vivienne Alterations, is a new business venture in the wonderful bridal sewing world. Vivian has been sewing for about 10 years in clothing and costume making, and the past 3 years she has been working in the bridal sewing industry, having worked in a couple different bridal shops.  Now is her first time starting out on her own. She wants to start simple design online through her website until she can bring in more business.  She is currently working on a veil and draped tulle dress with pearls.  She has just moved to a new area, so she is still learning the area and small-town culture.  She is still trying to cultivate what she can offer to better serve herself and her community’s needs.

Patron Member

Claire Dennis-Marinelli is a seamstress, alterations specialist, and designer.  She has sewn clothing since she was a little girl. After getting an Associate's degree in designing and merchandising, she began sewing for family and friends; she has sewn professionally for 15-20 years.  Her business provides detailed alterations and custom clothing; her expert sewing and tailoring skills enable her to craft any piece of clothing to fit the client perfectly.  Claire’s favorite task to do in business is alterations; she’s always wanted to learn different sewing techniques. 

Claire’s mission is to create a studio to provide expert tailoring and design services to those who want a more personal experience from a certified fashion designer. Whether you want to simply repair a much-needed item in your wardrobe or give it a new look all together, she is there to help. If your desire is to create something original, Claire is confident that her more than 20 years of experience will result in something beyond your imagination.

While Claire specializes in alterations, she also creates clothing and provides services for curtains and other types of fabrics.  If the client has a special occasion or an idea for a garment, she can create the perfect look. Rather than following fashion trends, she will help to create them; her work caters to fashion conscious individuals in the area.  Claire’s Alterations Studio offer discounts to all Proms Dresses.

Claire’s business, Claire’s Alterations Studio, is in Oakdale, New York, and she can be found at her home studio, Website, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Her goal is to own her own shop in a strip or mall.

Patron Member

Julie Brown is a Co-owner/Fabric Buyer for Fabric Mart Fabrics, which is an online fabric retailer selling deadstock fashion fabric.  Julie enjoys buying fabric, and she is excited to be able to offer deadstock fabric to the sewing community. It's sort of a trend to buy deadstock these days, but she’s been doing it for over 45 years!  

Her business also hosts live virtual sewing classes.  Julie enjoys creating videos to share info about fabric or sewing.  In the last two years her group began hosting virtual sewing classes and it has been a lot of fun hosting those as well as getting to know her customers on a different level.  Her goal is to expand their video media.

Julie has been sewing professionally for less than five years.  She wants to continue to learn sewing techniques that will create more professional looking garments, and to continue learning fit.

Her brick-and-mortar store is in Sinking Spring, PA.  The business can be found on the web at www.fabricmartfabrics.com and at blog.fabricmartfabrics.com.  She’s also on Facebook: @fabricmartfabrics, Instagram: @fabricmart, and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCB31JTEjIXOqo62ONSDfZw

Formal Member

Therese Pitzulo is a Seamstress with over 20 years of professional sewing.  Alterations is her specialty--bridal and special occasion--for over 35 years. Brides ask for added detailing and custom bustles. Creating keepsake pieces from vintage bridal gowns is super fun for Therese--to get a box of old gloves and hankies, etc. and be asked to put them together into something cool for the bride with no direction--just total trust--happens all the time. Years of costuming has increased her confidence with unusual fabrics, sewing techniques, coloring, and otherwise manipulating clothing for all body shapes.  She worked over 20 years in drapery and window covering fabrication.

Therese’s favorite task to do in her business is “sewing, definitely!”  Her goal is to provide a local/regional seamstress shop where people love to come.  Additional goals include maintaining a loyal customer base, making her own hours and being in demand in a beautiful new shoppe.  In terms of growth, she is always interested to see what others are charging for custom work, because it is always challenging to price work.

Therese has a wide assortment of machines, including embroidery.  She can be found at her brick-and-mortar location, at her home studio, and on her Website at modistecoutureyo.com.

Patron Member

Towanda Denise Foster calls herself a Part-time Alterations Specialist or Sewist.  She considers herself to be a home sewist learning each day about new sewing techniques.  She sees herself doing “just a little stitching 'n sewing”; she enjoys sewing, machine embroidery, crocheting, and most things crafty.

Formal Member

Tammy Moreland is a Custom Fit Designer and has been sewing professionally for over twenty years.  Her company name is Tambrian Designer, and she works from her home studio.  She enjoys custom fit and design of evening wear and handbags, and plans to sew and design full time after retiring from her “secular” job.  

Tammy gets most of her business from referrals by word of mouth.  She reports that she will be “including teacher sewing class this fall; also an online website of custom items.”  A new skill for her is designing custom handbags and custom umbrellas, and she’s always wanted to learn to quilt. 

Tammy also enjoys spending time with her family especially her three grandchildren.

Emily Magli

Formal Member

I am a sewing instructor who specializes in teaching couture techniques at Textile Fabrics in Nashville, TN. I host a weekly Sit and Sew class and help students, with fitting, pattern making, cutting, sewing, and finishing a garment. I also teach specialty classes once a month that are either related to pattern drafting or couture techniques and finishing. 

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

I would love to be able to study vintage couture clothing up close, such as a Vionnet, Dior or Balenciaga.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Pattern drafting and historical fashion research

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

I would like to travel and teach in more places. I would also like to continue meeting and learning from other professionals. Maybe even write a book on my favorite topics - bias and silk.

What else should we know about you or your business?

I have gained a lot of confidence in my ability to fit others. It's rewarding to me when my clients/students are so happy to have a dress that fits them well. 

Website ~ www.emilymagli.com

Facebook ~ EmilyMagliClothing

Instagram ~ @emilymagli 

Linda Colwell

Emerging Member

ASDP welcomes Sewing Professional and Educator Linda!

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Marketing

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Create and make interesting Jackets

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

To corporate my background and love of art into my creations

What else should we know about you or your business?

I am also a popular sewing educator at a local sewing machine dealer. I am a skilled embroidery digitizer. I sometimes incorporate embroidery into my work.

LinkedIn ~ Linda Colwell

Instagram ~ @Stitches62

Cynthia Matthews

Formal Member

Welcome to Cynthia! 

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

My favorite jobs are custom apparel requests, and any sentimental projects where clients ask to rework an old wedding dress or repurpose a loved one's special garments.

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

I am seeking to build my couture techniques, and I would also like to improve my time-management as both an artist and business owner/manger as I balance admin tasks along with the creative and hands-on work.

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

My business's goal is to become recognized as the go-to standard for NJ's custom and alterations with an emphasis on bridal and special occasion. Personally, it is my goal to become recognized as a respected fashion professional known for my sewing skills and fashion expertise.

What else should we know about you or your business?

During the month of April, I will be offering walk-ins for prom alterations every Saturday during the hours of 10AM-3PM.

LinkedIn ~ Cynthia's Atelier LLC

Instagram ~ @cynthias_atelier