Gelhausen hems, patches, embroiders, tackles 'just about anything'

By: Michelle Turcotte, Herald Times Reporter Correspondent

Name of business: The Seamstress
Ownership: Barb Gelhausen
Origins of the business: Gelhausen opened The Seamstress in May 1997 after the shop she worked at closed. She hadn't thought about opening her own shop before that, but says she knew there was demand for her services and she loved to sew.
"It started with just me and three sewing machines," Gelhausen said. "Now I have four employees and 10 sewing machines."
Location: 929 S. Eighth St., Manitowoc
Phone number: (920) 686-9259
Hours and days of operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and Saturday by appointment

Services provided/products sold: The Seamstress does a variety of alteration and repair work — their most popular service is hemming pants. They also patch jeans, replace zippers, alter dresses (including bridal wear), hem curtains, repair hunting gear, and any number of similar requests.

"One of the girls made a dog coat last week," said Gelhausen. She followed the pattern of the pup's previous ensemble — Gelhausen said they made a decision at the shop not to make any garments from scratch, mostly due to time constraints.

They also measure for bridesmaid dresses for out-of-town weddings.

"We do embroidery as well, especially around the holidays we'll sew names on stockings or ornaments."

The Seamstress also offers gift certificates.

How has business changed since opening: "There's much more volume than when we first started," Gelhausen said. "I think I do more complex work now, too. In the beginning I wouldn't do wedding dresses, and now it's no problem at all. I can tackle just about anything."

Who are the customers and from where: Most customers are from Manitowoc County, but they also see customers from Sheboygan and Green Bay, and have some regular customers in members of the live-in yacht crews occasionally docked in town for boat maintenance.

"It can be any age at all," said Gelhausen, who doesn't notice an age trend for her customers.

Who or what is the competition: The main competition in the area is dry cleaning establishments that offer repairs.

How is marketing done: The Seamstress jointly advertises with the Manitowoc City Center Association (MCCA), an organization of downtown businesses who put out a visitors' guide, and also does occasional newspaper advertising.

"Otherwise it's mostly word-of-mouth," said Gelhausen. "I also donate a lot of gift certificates to the charitable events around town, like the Roncalli (high school) auction or for Lakeshore CAP. I like to do it and that's good advertising, too." Gelhausen donated a chair and gift certificate for the upcoming Chairs for Charity auction at the Rahr-West Art Museum.

What are the keys to future success: "Just keep doing the quality work we do," Gelhausen said. "Customers depend on the quality and we want to keep it that way.

"The girls probably think I'm a bit over the top," she jokes, "but it's got to be perfect."

Factors under control or not under control of ownership: The fluctuations in customer traffic are out of the shop's control. Gelhausen said business is very busy in the spring and fall, and wanes a bit in winter and summer. Under her control is the type of work she takes in at the shop.

"For example, I don't repair purses or shoes because I don't have an industrial machine and I don't choose to get one," she said.

What is the role of creativity: Gelhausen said since they don't make items from scratch creativity is limited, though she will sometimes work on a project that allows for creative input, such as embroidery work.

"I get to be creative in my window displays and advertising," said Gelhausen, who currently has a pretty display of fall foliage in her front windows.

What is challenging or frustrating: A frustration for a seamstress can be clothing quality.

"Some clothing is just made poorly and there is only so much you can do with poor quality and workmanship," Gelhausen said. "The main challenge is trying to get things to look right on any body shape. But it's a good challenge. I love to be called 'a miracle worker,'" she said, laughing.

"Which happens often," chimes in Lisa Hunt from behind her sewing machine.

An example of a challenging task is making women's formal wear bigger, which Gelhausen has refined by removing the zipper and adding lacing in its place, also an aesthetic detail.

What is enjoyable: "It's enjoyable because I love sewing, we all do," said Gelhausen. "I love my customers, they're appreciative of what we do."

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