This member spotlight highlights Pat Bornmann, our current VP of Membership!

What kind of business do you do?

I'm retired from sewing education (when the sewing machine dealer retired and sold the business).

How did you decide what your business niche would be?

I like technology and learning about sewing machines, so I was asked to teach people to use them. And I'd bring samples of my work and people wanted to make such items, so I'd teach groups of people at the sewing machine dealership.

What makes your business unique?

I like to solve complex technical problems and I like to teach others. I'm repeatedly told that I'm very patient. I was known at the dealership as the person who asked the hardest questions about what the machines could do.

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

I'm learning couture sewing.

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

I like designing the things I want to have.

What is something you absolutely hate about what you do? Or What is the worst thing about being in business?

I'm learning to appreciate doing hand sewing. I'm not great at it and avoid anything that requires even stitches. (I have Sashiko machine to do this!)

What is one of your favorite things about your work space?

It is large. I have plenty of space to spread out and to store my supplies.

How did you develop the layout of your workspace?

I used a software package: 3D Home Architect. Measured my room and my tables and put that into the software and moved things until I liked the layout.

What is the first thing clients notice about your space?

I have eight sewing machines in a large, well-lit space.

What is your favorite part about being an ASDP member?

I like learning, even things that don't apply to my personal business.

Have you ever held any positions within ASDP?

I am webmaster for the Colorado Chapter, and I generate the content for our web page, Facebook page, and ASDP newsletter (mostly what our chapter has been doing). I also was filling in for a chapter secretary whose job kept her away from meetings. I was formally elected to be the secretary in late 2021, and in early 2022 I accepted the board's nomination to be the national VP of Membership.

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

To remain retired and develop my personal sewing skills to levels comparable to others in ASDP.

What are your favorite resources and/or authors from whom you have learned the most?

I have a library of sewing books, and I've read them all cover to cover. I recently read Claire Shaeffer's books (some for the second time) and have learned a lot from her books and videos.

What is the craziest request you have ever had from a client?

I made a man's leisure suit in the 1970's and I've sewn organizers for small items in our dishwasher.

What project is your absolute proudest moment?

Usually whatever I've most recently finished.

What else should we know about you or your business?

I bring a strong computer background and enjoy using MS office. I've written code to analyze and display data in MS Excel, and even learned how to decipher the embroidery design files for my sewing machine. I also use software for drawing and editing photos.

Website ~ colosewingpros.org

Facebook ~ @Colorado Sewing and Fashion Design Professionals