Sewing changes from a hobby to a necessity to a business
I started sewing skating dresses over 20 years ago, when it was difficult to keep 3 skaters (one boy and 2 girls) in skates, lessons and competition wear. It was also difficult to find reasonably priced but well-made competition skate wear at that time, and since I have been sewing since middle school when my mom and aunt taught me, I thought that sewing the costumes might be a way to save a little bit on the cost of skating.
Soon word got around the rink that I sewed skating dresses and JES Ice Designs grew from there. I have shipped dresses as far away as the UK (a Dorothy dress that was absolutely adorable!) and Denmark (a beautiful lyrical dress). I have also had dresses that “competed” in several recent synchronized skating sectionals; the 2011 International Children’s Winter Games; the 2008, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 intercollegiate national championships; the 2014 and 2015 Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships; the 2014 National Solo Ice Dance Championships; and the 2015 and 2016 US Figure Skating National Championships!
Several years ago, another skating mom who was also sewing dresses and myself joined forces to outfit the local synchronized skating team with reasonably priced dresses, since the team was just starting out. We found that our strengths and talents complemented each other nicely. So we continued to collaborate on different projects informally. Soon a burst of orders made us to decide to form a partnership, Sacks N Brand Ice Designs LLC! (Please visit our website at www.sacksnbrand.com and our Facebook page Sacks N Brand Ice Designs.) But all of our dresses are still made by Laurie and myself.
I have a great husband, who has been known to make last minute runs to the local sewing store for me, and 3 awesome now grown children. They are my inspiration! As much as I love piecing colors and patterns together, they are my constant assistants and critics!
