Meet our MSDP & MAS graduates
Brenda Breitenmoser
Bina Maiya Bridal Alterations and Custom Sewing
Brenda has been a professional in her field for 30 years and continues to provide service to an average of 250 clients per year. Her varied experience includes everything from working on furs and out-door technical gear to wedding gowns. She is a creative thinker and enjoys garments that are a challenge to create for her happy and satisfied clients.
As the first graduate of the Master of Sewing and Design Professional Certification Program (by the Association of Sewing & Design Professionals), she was inspired to expand her community of sewing professionals by founding the local and first international Chapter- ASDP-BC. Brenda continues to improve and hone her skills by attending Master Classes at annual ASDP National Conferences as well as traveling to various workshops abroad. She loves to teach and share her knowledge, and her energy is truly inspiring.
Brenda’s sewing studio Bina Maiya Bridal is located in the beautiful Fraser Valley of British Columbia and accepts appointments for all clients.
Barbie McCormick
Sew Good
Barbie has been sewing professionally for more than 25 years. She does all sorts of sewing, but she specializes in formal, bridal, and couture clothing for both men and women. She loves all aspects of the process- from design, to pattern work, to fitting, construction, and the final details. She is truly a Jack of all Trades in sewing, and also has completed her Master Sewing and Design Professional Certification.
Helen Haughey
Helen Haughey Designs
Linda Stewart
Retired
Linda has been a member of the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals since 1992 and has served on their Board of Directors in various positions. She retired in 2018 from her business, making and designing bridal and formalwear. In 2004 she established her educational series “Alterations for Professionals” to train Alterations Specialists. She has 3 books on CD, Alterations for Professionals, Bridal & Formal Wear for Professionals and Alterations for the Home Sewer.
Linda is an award-winning designer and a 2006 & 2007 Bernina Fashion Designer. Linda helped to launch the ASDP Master Sewing and Design Professionals Certification Program and aided in the creation of the Master Alterations Specialist Certification. She is herself MSDP and MAS Certified.
Judith Baer
Retired
LaVonda Miles
ELLA Designs LLC
ELLA Designs LLC
LaVonda Miles learned to sew from her mother who was a Seamstress. LaVonda’s mother validated her by stating that she was “Good / better than me” in 2002. LaVonda took on sewing as her hobby and turned it into a small business early 2009, at the age of 49. She is passionate about sewing with patterns for Men, and recently learned to sew for Women using the draping technique. She joined the ASDP as a Formal Member 2013, and was certified as a Master Alteration Specialist (MAS) in 2016. Her small business is located in McDonough, GA and now includes Embroidery Services, Garment Embellishing (Bling), Tailoring, and Alterations. ELLA Designs, LLC is registered as a LSBE, WBE, DBE and SAM.gov as a vendor.
Elizabeth Miles
Sew Fabulous
Elizabeth is a founding member of the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals, having joined in 1991, and has served in many capacities on her local chapter’s Board. She finally fulfilled a long term goal when she received the Master of Sewing and Design Certificate in 2018.
She specializes in quality alterations for women who value clothes that fit. Elizabeth considers fitting a form of sculpture: removing excess to reveal the inherent beauty and improve function. In addition, she fits patterns and creates custom garments for clients, all in her home studio.
Elizabeth’s popular Summer Fun Sewing Camps feature projects for four skill levels. She also offers private lessons to people of all ages and skill levels, drawing on her extensive experience teaching in a variety of settings.
Andrea Hoover
Andrea Hoover is the latest MAS graduate and is President of the Baltimore Chapter.
Andrea posited her thoughts on the process of going through the certification program.
For Andrea mentoring was the key. It amounted to accountability on her part to complete modules. It kept her going knowing she could communicate with her mentor about what she was doing, how she was doing, pushing her to ‘get off the stick and get to work’, and everyday encouragement letting her know she had it in her to work the program.
What surprised Andrea was the feedback given by the evaluators. She says the feedback was not intimidating, and she felt assured knowing that the feedback was to make her better at the profession. The comments were well plotted in discussing what was well done and what was not. She appreciated that the evaluators made suggestions on how to improve techniques that were not done well, and their comments were much appreciated.
Andrea says the MAS Certification Program allowed her to discover her self-worth. She says she is more comfortable knowing she has improved her game. In the end she is relieved and grateful because it’s over and she did it.
Andre posted on Facebook about receiving her certification and clients have been peppering her with questions about it. She has received lots of positive responses about her accomplishment
Michelle Loggins
MStudio Dressmaker
High Point, NC
Michelle is the latest graduate of the MSDP Certification Program. Michelle was informed she had completed all the requirements for graduation at the annual Education Conference in Baltimore.
She is now serving as ASDP secretary.
I have been a dressmaker for over 30 years and an embroidery designer for about 18 years. I suppose it all started when I was a little girl. My mom used to sew. However, the only thing I remember about that is me playing in her fabric scraps. One day I hand stitched a pair of shorts out of red, ribbed sweater fabric for my stuffed dog named Snoopy. I remember my mom being so impressed. It made me feel so good that I never forgot it.
I kept teaching myself for the next several years until I discovered craft shows and began making things to sell. In doing so, I realized as people liked what I was creating, it encouraged them to ask me if I could do this or do that, something more customized to what they wanted. I recognized that my direction was turning to custom rather than ready made. By 2007, I learned there were actual schools where you could go to get a degree in sewing and become a real professional doing what you love. I had no idea. I grew up believing it was just a hobby from which you might be able to earn a little side money. I really got excited at the idea of going to school and making this my life’s work that could actually take care of my family and me.
While in school I discovered the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals and their Master Sewing and Design Certification program. In 2016 I was able to join ASDP.
In 2021, I registered for the Threads Challenge with Reese being my main inspiration and actually won best overall. At the annual conference in Baltimore, I was told I had earned my MSDP certification.
It’s never just about earning this award or that certification. It’s not just about doing the work required. There’s life in the mix. I have had to learn to manage both and know how much to give to each every day. My main inspiration has been my son Reece who passed away in June 2020.
These days it’s about serving the public in their sewing needs, helping support Childhood Cancer Awareness, and Reese’s LairWear, my main philanthropy in honor of my son.
Ann Hansen
Brookings, South Dakota
Ann Hansen of Brookings, South Dakota is the latest graduate of the MSDP/MAS Certification Program. Ann completed her certification and graduated in December 2023.
Ann started her membership in the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals in 2016. With encouragement from Gina VanderWal (a founding member of the association), Ann began a journey of clothing alterations for women and men. Earning the MAS certification was a goal from the beginning. It helped validate her skills using standards of quality that are recognized throughout the industry.
The MAS certification process provided new opportunities to learn sewing techniques, grow her business and discover new resources. As part of the program, Ann requested a mentor. Encouragement, accountability, and technical expertise from her mentor were key to completing the certification.
Ann enjoys the business of clothing alterations because of the confidence people feel when their garment fits correctly. There is a need for quality alterations in her community. Ann is excited to continue her business with credibility knowing her customers communicate confidence with their clothing.
You can contact Ann at ahansen@brookings.net
