Meet Our Seamstresses
Diana O’Neal – Horizon Ridge Seamstress
Although I have worked in other alteration shops and in upscale department stores like Marshall Field’s and Neiman Marcus, my years at Village East Cleaners & Alteration Centers have been my favorite. I have been here since 1998.
When asked, “How did you get started sewing?” I always answer, “My grandma taught me!” I am proud that my grandma sat me on her lap when I was very young and we would embroider a small doily together for someone’s birthday present. If we weren’t embroidering then we were knitting or crocheting.
In one of my favorite memories, I was always asking my grandma to sew my doll some clothes but one day, when I was about seven years old, I went to her house and asked, “Grandma, can you make my Shirley doll a dress?” and she said, “NO.” I was devastated until she added, “But you can!” Grandma had the sewing machine all set up in the kitchen and already had a pattern of a doll dress cut out and ready to sew. I was elated! That was the beginning of my life of sewing.
Over 50 years later, I still have the love of putting together fabrics of all kinds, from the finest silks to the heaviest leathers. Making them fit a person’s body is the greatest feeling in the world. I have said for years and nothing has changed, “I LOVE MY JOB.”
Darlene Banks – Eastern Avenue/Anthem Seamstress
I have worked at Village East Cleaners & Alteration Centers’ Anthem store since 2003 as their supervisor in the alterations department. I was taught the basics of sewing and alterations by my grandmother who was an excellent seamstress. Then I spent three years learning more about sewing from an Italian tailor. He taught me that the most important thing is the fitting, as then, anyone can alter with ease.
When I moved to Las Vegas, I went to work for the show “Legends in Concert” part-time and I worked full-time for “American Shooters” hemming their uniforms. Then I went to work at “Legends” full-time and put in 18 years! I was head of the department and oversaw four seamstresses but most of the time I was with the designer and responsible for keeping approximately 10,000 costumes in perfect condition for the five shows that toured the U.S.A. and cruise ships.
I have worked in this profession for a very long time and have enjoyed every minute.
Visit Us
Come visit Diana or Darlene if you want a great fit on your beautiful clothes.
