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

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