This
is Virginia Grace. I started sewing back in 1980 getting
my first taste creating garments from my mother-n law (Norma
Phillips). This is fun, but I wanted to learn some specific
skills, so I took classes from Zolee on t-shirt construction,
necklines, lingerie, advanced lingerie, swim suit construction
and many more. I joined the American Sewing Guild to surround
myself with other crafts people. Then I wanted to learn
how to fit a pattern, so I started studying text books from
design schools. One of my favorites is "Designing apparel
through the flat pattern" and "Fitting and Pattern
Alteration". I continued studying and taking classes,
and workshops from Nancy Zieman, Sandra Betzina and men's
tailoring under Ron Collins.
I
put all of these techniques that I have been learning to use
by crafting costumes. I was sewing for churches, schools,
theater and of course my favorite, our children. I was also
creating corsets, wings, suits with built in muscles, then
exotic dancer costumes. In the mid 1990's I went back to school
and became a nurse. I would combine my knowledge of nursing
and sewing. I began to design clothes and physical aids for
the physically challenged and people with ailments such as
stroke, scoliosis, mastectomy, incontinence, visual impairment,
kidney dialysis, and many more.
In 1998 was invited by a Harley Davidson shop to take my talent
and machine to the Kansas State Hog Rally and stitch on patches
and make garment repairs. I was busy, and having a great time.
I thought I could take my sewing skills to another level by
sewing with leather, specializing in motorcyclist garments.
There were new skills to learn, but my training and experience
made the transition possible. Soon I was fitting and lining
chaps, rebuilding old biker and flight jackets, making pouches,
purses and bags from scratch, custom vests and chaps. I like
to be challenged and my riding customers never disappoint
me with unusual requests that keep me searching for a better
way to construct, embellish, customize, alter improve and
repair leather garments.
I
travel to motorcycle stores and set-up on their site to sew
several times each year. Check my calendar for on-site gig
dates. I can arrange to meet with you by appointment at my
shop. I work with your schedule and will make myself available
when convenient for you. I have 30 years experience creating
garments, 10 of those years almost exclusively with leather.
Experience has taught me to review each project with the customer
prior to quoting a price and delivery for you. What is this
going to cost? When can you have it done? Well, it just depends.
Out of town customers mail their garments to me with photos
of the desired results, or of the problem to be solved. Some
of the time I can work on your garment while you wait. Many
folks drop off their work, go out for dinner, and pick up
the finished work before they go back home.
Most
of my customers know that I am a nurse. Some of them would
tell stories and ask medical questions regarding motorcycling
while waiting for their work. Again requests from bikers changed
my life even more. They wanted to learn more about what to
do when a buddy they were riding with crashed. I decided that
there was a need for people to take the crash course for motorcyclist
in the Kansas City metro area. What do you do, and what don't
you do when a fellow biker goes down?
In
of 2007, I went to Wisconsin to be trained as a lead instructor
for Accident Scene Management. They have been refining their
program for several years. I had heard the program had gained
some accreditation so I was willing to bring this to our city.
I provide several of these programs each year.
Whether
you are looking for top quality custom leather work, or wanting
to learn about crisis management and emergency responses unique
to motorcycling injuries, I am willing to help you meet your
goals. I enjoy the smiles and thanks from customers who let
me help them solve their problems. Thank you for the opportunities.
~ Virginia
Grace
