Thirteen Stitches

Call Directions Website Contact the business

Thirteen Stitches I am a professional seamstress who offers sewing services and handmade items.

10/08/2026

Exciting project started today for Jodi of Joy and Smiles Gifts! I took measurements for a new costume to add to her collection. Scouring my fabric sources to procure the proper materials is the first of many steps in making a custom costume.

Stay tuned in the weeks to follow!

Life is sew good!

09/28/2026

I have a new trainee! She has proven a quick study and someone I look forward to having in the shop. Hopefully the hectic schedule will ease a bit. I'm still two months out with current work orders and alterations, although rush orders are still being squeezed in.

This week and next I'll be trying to get caught up come Hell or high water!

Life is sew good!

This is the cost of a veil at a bridal shop in Lancaster, PA. I have just altered the cathedral veil to be shorter and t...
09/23/2026

This is the cost of a veil at a bridal shop in Lancaster, PA. I have just altered the cathedral veil to be shorter and to give the bride a blusher. This veil is made of tulle and embellished with embroidery around the outer edge.

With that said, to make the same exact veil from scratch at my shop, I estimate the cost of materials and time/labor would be approximately $100. These shops are preying on the ignorance of women. I understand making a profit is important, but those very shops buy the bridal garments at wholesale prices. Most are made in sweatshops, so they are typically dirt cheap. To make a 100%-300% profit is disgusting!

If you are making a costly decision, take a few moments to call a seamstress for guidance before you buy. It may save you a lot of money in the end.

09/18/2026

I had the honor of being a guest at the wedding of two of my customers today! I did the alterations to the bride's gown, the groom's suit, and a groomsman's trousers. I also refashioned the mother of the bride's gown to accommodate her foot which may have been in a post surgical boot. Thankfully the boot was off and the gown looked amazing!
Again, I was honored to have been part of their glorious day. They both looked spectacular!

Congratulations Nikki and Darren!

Life is sew good!

08/27/2026

I'll have no availability for fittings until September 24th unless it is a sewing emergency. I know a lot of you understand the time involved with alterations, but others may not.

A simple hem to you means measurements, marking, double checking measurements and markings, cutting, sewing, ironing, and checking final hem length again for me.

I believe I've only had to redo my work 3 times in all the years I've been sewing. I have amassed 30 new customers in the last two months. I have approximately two months worth of work that I've been getting through as we speak. Keep in mind that I do the alterations for Ciao Bella Boutique in Selinsgrove and I make hanging cocoon chairs for a company in New York.

Yes, I do need a helper, but I cannot seem to find the right person to fill the position. It is a dying skill and also very unappreciated.

Sew... On that stitch, thank you for being patient and understanding.

08/20/2026

Another bride-to-be brought her gown to be fixed after a failed alteration attempt by another seamstress. As she patiently waited as I picked the threads, fingers crossed, to reveal whether the fabric was cut or not. It was not!!! A dart was placed where it never should have gone when a shortened shoulder strap was the only alteration needed. Phew! That was a close call. The relief showed on her face.

I tell all of my customers who are in a panic to, "Just breathe. I got you.". And I truly do.

Life is sew good!

A customer brought a shirt she loved that she bought at the Woolrich store forever ago. She asked me to make her new shi...
08/14/2026

A customer brought a shirt she loved that she bought at the Woolrich store forever ago. She asked me to make her new shirts in the same style. After she brought fabric and buttons I did exactly that. She was quite pleased with her new shirts!

08/09/2026

Adjusted the schedule to fit in last minute wedding party alterations today. That was after sewing a cocoon chair and hemming a pair of pants.

On a non-work-related note... I'm grilling corn on the cob and cooking rice for the hubby before I meet my awesome group of lady friends at Marzoni's. With that said, I encourage all workaholics to find time to relax and have fun. It is very important for your mental health.

Life is sew good!

08/07/2026

I've been sew busy that I haven't had time to post. Samuel, Asher, and I were busy laying fabric and cutting cocoon chair bodies. 100 yards of fabric equals 50 sets of bodies which makes 25 cocoon chairs! I, only minutes ago, folded the last of the precuts. Took three hours to cut and fold 30 bodies, bottoms, and pillow half rounds.

One day I'll do a time lapse video of the entire process of making a cocoon chair. That is, if I ever catch a break in the work load. šŸ¤£

Well, I've another hour of shop work to go. Tomorrow starts with a customer drop off for repairs to a jacket. He's driving all the way from Mill Hall! Then, a fitting pre-noon. Another fitting Sunday and time to rest afterwards.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Life is sew good!

07/22/2026

It's back to business as usual! Six fittings scheduled for the next two weeks so far. I had a customer drop off a zipper repair job and have another pending drop off as well.

Sometimes zippers don't need replacement. Often it is merely a new part or an adjustment or two. I have supplies to repair most zippers. It is a much nicer job and less costly for the customer. To replace a zipper takes a lot of time to remove, the cost of a new zipper, and careful alignment which adds more time. The sewing is the easy part. Jean zippers are even more tedious believe it or not. At a few areas there are at least ten layers of denim to sew through.

Take that into consideration when you ask about a new zipper. It may be less costly than replacing the article in question.

Life is sew good!

Address

120 North Union
Beavertown, PA
17813

Telephone

(570)4928514

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Thirteen Stitches posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Thirteen Stitches:

Shortcuts

Share

Category