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Mom turns hobby into thriving job
By Jo Rafferty, Staff Writer
Thursday, November 08, 2007 | No comments posted.
Liz Ehlin thought it would be fun to work outside the home doing what she’s always loved to do — sew.
The 45-year-old mother of three, who’s lived in Coos Bay for 22 years, has been sewing for the last three decades.
“I’ve been home the last 10 years raising my boys,” Ehlin said of her sons, ages 24, 9 and 6. “I decided this summer to work out of my home. I decided it would be better to work outside of the house.”
Ehlin opened Elizabeth’s Alterations in Pony Village Mall, upstairs in suite 211, on Sept. 4.
Ehlin does alterations on all types of clothing — dresses, skirts, jackets, pants and wedding attire. She works on leather, sews patches and buttons on uniforms and other clothing, hems drapes and curtains, does repair work on jeans and puts in new zippers.
She keeps really busy with her alteration work, but occasionally will sew clothing from patterns or make curtains.
Her base price for alterations is $25 an hour, with the average range from $35 to $50, unless it’s more extensive work. Hemming pants runs $12 for one pair, or $10 each for more than one pair. This can cost more if there are cuffs or a lining.
There is an additional charge for work that needs to be done right away.
“I have to allow myself the extra time,” Ehlin said. “I normally work on a specific project in the order that I receive it.”
Ehlin recently lost 30 pounds, and said that she has seen a lot of other people who have lost weight lately.
“I’ve been taking in a lot of suits,” she said.
Ehlin likes to be creative and makes gift baskets. She designs purses from old jeans and tote bags in a separate business she owns, “I’m the Bag Lady.” These are available in her shop.
From the time Ehlin first thought of starting her business, everything fell into place. Her husband, Tom Ehlin, encouraged her. Two acquaintances — Tom Allsop and Jenny Sorensen — gave her the sewing machines to get started. Allsop was a customer who gave her a Bernina sewing machine and serger, and Jenny Sorensen, who died on Oct. 18, gave her an industrial sewing machine. Ehlin still tears up when she thinks about their generosity.
“She did alterations for The Hub and The Bon,” Ehlin said of Sorensen’s earlier years.
Upon Sorensen’s request, she named the industrial sewing machine, Jenny.
Ehlin said she thinks she was meant to do this type of work.
“I thought, ‘There’s going to be a light bulb that goes off when I know where I want to be,’” Ehlin said. “I felt like this is my love, my passion; why not turn it into a business?
“I’ve always sewed. I’ve had no formal training. My mother sewed, my grandmother sewed, and here I am.”
Elizabeth’s Alterations is open 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, or after hours by appointment. For more information, those interested can call 290-0623.
The 45-year-old mother of three, who’s lived in Coos Bay for 22 years, has been sewing for the last three decades.
“I’ve been home the last 10 years raising my boys,” Ehlin said of her sons, ages 24, 9 and 6. “I decided this summer to work out of my home. I decided it would be better to work outside of the house.”
Ehlin opened Elizabeth’s Alterations in Pony Village Mall, upstairs in suite 211, on Sept. 4.
Ehlin does alterations on all types of clothing — dresses, skirts, jackets, pants and wedding attire. She works on leather, sews patches and buttons on uniforms and other clothing, hems drapes and curtains, does repair work on jeans and puts in new zippers.
She keeps really busy with her alteration work, but occasionally will sew clothing from patterns or make curtains.
Her base price for alterations is $25 an hour, with the average range from $35 to $50, unless it’s more extensive work. Hemming pants runs $12 for one pair, or $10 each for more than one pair. This can cost more if there are cuffs or a lining.
There is an additional charge for work that needs to be done right away.
“I have to allow myself the extra time,” Ehlin said. “I normally work on a specific project in the order that I receive it.”
Ehlin recently lost 30 pounds, and said that she has seen a lot of other people who have lost weight lately.
“I’ve been taking in a lot of suits,” she said.
Ehlin likes to be creative and makes gift baskets. She designs purses from old jeans and tote bags in a separate business she owns, “I’m the Bag Lady.” These are available in her shop.
From the time Ehlin first thought of starting her business, everything fell into place. Her husband, Tom Ehlin, encouraged her. Two acquaintances — Tom Allsop and Jenny Sorensen — gave her the sewing machines to get started. Allsop was a customer who gave her a Bernina sewing machine and serger, and Jenny Sorensen, who died on Oct. 18, gave her an industrial sewing machine. Ehlin still tears up when she thinks about their generosity.
“She did alterations for The Hub and The Bon,” Ehlin said of Sorensen’s earlier years.
Upon Sorensen’s request, she named the industrial sewing machine, Jenny.
Ehlin said she thinks she was meant to do this type of work.
“I thought, ‘There’s going to be a light bulb that goes off when I know where I want to be,’” Ehlin said. “I felt like this is my love, my passion; why not turn it into a business?
“I’ve always sewed. I’ve had no formal training. My mother sewed, my grandmother sewed, and here I am.”
Elizabeth’s Alterations is open 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, or after hours by appointment. For more information, those interested can call 290-0623.
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