Local Seamstress Works Hard to Give Back to the Community

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When Susan Ingram found out her husband, Sol, had cancer, she decided become a business woman.

"I didn't know what to do to provide for us. The only thing I really knew how to do was sew. That was my gift," said Susan Ingram, owner of Sewsie's Diva Palace, formerly Sewsie's Bridal, located at 470 N. Market Blvd. in Chehalis.

"I had to make a living," she said. "And I think in every woman's mind it's a dream to own her own business. I'm a great example for women that you can. I started with nothing."

Ingram has now owned her own shop for 16 years. She started in consignment and worked her way into doing alterations and sewing formal wear. Today, she does both sewing and sales.

"You can do everything here. It's a one-stop shop," said customer Christy Howard, who is planning a July wedding.

"They're so sweet here. They've been totally working with me," said Howard.

Howard wanted bridesmaids dresses in a discontinued style.

"She spent hours finding them," said Howard. "You wouldn't find that anywhere else."

Ingram once drove to Morton an hour before a wedding to help a bride get into a dress.

"There is nothing I won't do for a bride," Ingram said.

In addition to bridal dresses, Ingram provides accessories and attire for proms, quienceañeras and special occasions. She also does tuxedo rentals and children's formal wear.

"She's really a world-class seamstress," said Sol Ingram, Susan's husband of 30 years. "She should be making dresses for Princess Kate."



Ingram says her business sometimes requires a lot of patience.

"I get the bridezillas in Chehalis," she said. "The girls that are the most difficult to deal with are my favorite customers because when they leave with a smile, I know I've done my job."

In addition to customer service, Ingram believes in giving back to her community. She participates in Women Dressing For Success, a program that helps unemployed women find professional clothing to wear to job interviews or provides employed women business attire free of charge.

"Shes been just a godsend to us," said Donna Karvia, who heads the project. "When the economy is bad, the way you look can really be a factor in getting a job."

Ingram donated the back room of her shop to the project. The public can drop off clothing to donate at Sewsie's at anytime during business hours. Women in need of clothes can come in on the second Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"It's a tremendous donation. It's such a generous thing she is doing," said Karvia.

Ingram recently finished the fundraiser I-5 Toyota fashion show. She will donate a gown for Miss Lewis County to wear to the state competition. Ingram is also having a drawing for a $500 prom dress that girls can enter by liking Sewsie's on facebook.

Ingram says she appreciates giving back to her community.

"The point I am making to young women is if they have a dream, they can accomplish it," said Ingram. "But there's one thing they have to do. Work."

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Amy Nile: (360) 807-8235