CATASAQUA, Pa. – For 77-year-old Marie Coleman, every day is a labor of love.
“At 12, I started sewing little things,” said Coleman.
By the time she was 18, Coleman had to choose a career.
“They said I would be good as a PPL’s lineman… or seamstress,” said Coleman.
A fear of heights made the choice easy.
Working on her latest commission at her home business Threads in Catasaqua, Coleman told us stories of being a seamstress at Hess’s Department store.
“We had a lot of fun at Hess’s, each day was a new adventure,” said Coleman.
An adventure that involved tailoring everything from pants to couture, which wasn’t always easy.
Coleman remembers one task in particular when she was asked to alter French gowns without cutting them.
“I said how am I going to do this? He said very carefully,” said Coleman.
Coleman figured it out, and before long, her skills attracted a loyal fan base.
“This one gentleman his wife insisted he drive forty miles in snowstorm.
Coleman says the shop was always a flurry of activity.
“We met a lot of celebrities at the store,” said Coleman.
That included Hollywood designer Bob Mackie.
“He was very nice to all of us who were there that particular day,” said Coleman.
Coleman says she often thinks back on her 26 years at Hess’s.
She remembers spending each birthday at the Patio.
“Their apple pie was delicious,” said Coleman.
She also remembers the people she fitted, but most of all the people she worked with.
“There was a certain magic there,” said Coleman.
For Coleman, Hess’s was the start of a nearly 60 year storied career that she continues to share today with each new client she meets and every piece she sews.
“Just love what you do and go for it,” said Coleman.