About Us
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Elizabeth learned to sew from her mother at the age of 11 and quickly became an independent sewer. She sewed her first suit
for a special trip to San Francisco in eighth grade, and in high school she sewed outfits for her mother as well as herself.
Sewing was always a happy diversion from the main obligations of life, from high school (1974, National Merit Scholar), through
studies in International Relations at Willamette University in Salem, OR (BA 1978, Magna Cum Laude) and including a series of
jobs in Portland, Salem, and Corvallis as her husband finished his degree. There were always plenty of ways to help people with sewing!
Gradually, Elizabeth began to see sewing for others as more than a joy-producing hobby, and the clients came her way. She joined
the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers in 1991. PACC (now The Association of Sewing and Design Professionals) membership
helped her round out her skills, thanks to a great professional network, with its emphasis on education and peer evaluation.
Elizabeth teamed up with a fellow PACC member, Karlene Hart, and in 2000 they began teaching kids' summer sewing camps at the Mill
End Stores in Portland, OR. These camps have continued every summer since then at the Beaverton store, although Karlene has since
retired. Elizabeth also taught adult sewing classes at the Beaverton Mill End store for several years.
In early 2003, Elizabeth began to teach basic sewing to adults at Josephine's Dry Goods in the evenings as well. Over time, she and
sewing expert Marla Kazell have developed a full schedule of classes, which help students progress from turning the sewing machine
on to sewing with knits and fine fabrics, making pants, and tailoring.
Elizabeth still sews for select clients and takes on occasional special projects, such as the alterations for Portland's Rose Festival
Court, which she has done for the past 5 years.
With 40 years of sewing experience, 22 years of sewing for clients, and over 10 years of teaching experience, Elizabeth offers her
students a wealth of practical and technical information with an upbeat attitude. She wants to help you make things that are useful,
pleasurable and durable. Her aim is to pass on to you...
"...the Joy of Sewing for the Joy of Life."
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