i am virginia Grace.

I started sewing back in 1980 getting my first taste creating garments from my mother-n law (Norma Phillips). This is fun, but I wanted to learn some specific skills, so I took classes from Zolee on t-shirt construction, necklines, lingerie, advanced lingerie, swim suit construction and many more.

I joined the American Sewing Guild to surround myself with other crafts people. Then I wanted to learn how to fit a pattern, so I started studying text books from design schools. One of my favorites is "Designing apparel through the flat pattern" and "Fitting and Pattern Alteration".

I continued studying and taking classes, and workshops from Nancy Zieman, Sandra Betzina and men's tailoring under Ron Collins.

I put all of these techniques that I have been learning to use by crafting costumes. I was sewing for churches, schools, theater and of course my favorite, our children. I was also creating corsets, wings, suits with built in muscles, then exotic dancer costumes. In the mid 1990's I went back to school and became a nurse. I would combine my knowledge of nursing and sewing. I began to design clothes and physical aids for the physically challenged and people with ailments such as stroke, scoliosis, mastectomy, incontinence, visual impairment, kidney dialysis, and many more.

In 1998 was invited by a Harley Davidson shop to take my talent and machine to the Kansas State Hog Rally and stitch on patches and make garment repairs. I was busy, and having a great time. I thought I could take my sewing skills to another level by sewing with leather, specializing in motorcyclist garments. There were new skills to learn, but my training and experience made the transition possible. Soon I was fitting and lining chaps, rebuilding old biker and flight jackets, making pouches, purses and bags from scratch, custom vests and chaps. I like to be challenged and my riding customers never disappoint me with unusual requests that keep me searching for a better way to construct, embellish, customize, alter improve and repair leather garments.

I travel to motorcycle stores and set-up on their site to sew several times each year. Check my calendarfor on-site gig dates. I can arrange to meet with you by appointment at my shop. I work with your schedule and will make myself available when convenient for you. I have 30 years experience creating garments, 10 of those years almost exclusively with leather. Experience has taught me to review each project with the customer prior to quoting a price and delivery for you. What is this going to cost? When can you have it done? Well, it just depends. Out of town customers mail their garments to me with photos of the desired results, or of the problem to be solved. Some of the time I can work on your garment while you wait. Many folks drop off their work, go out for dinner, and pick up the finished work before they go back home.

Most of my customers know that I am a nurse. Some of them would tell stories and ask medical questions regarding motorcycling while waiting for their work. Again requests from bikers changed my life even more. They wanted to learn more about what to do when a buddy they were riding with crashed. I decided that there was a need for people to take the crash course for motorcyclist in the Kansas City metro area. What do you do, and what don't you do when a fellow biker goes down?

In of 2007, I went to Wisconsin to be trained as a lead instructor for Accident Scene Management. They have been refining their program for several years. I had heard the program had gained some accreditation so I was willing to bring this to our city. I provide several of these programs each year.

Whether you are looking for top quality custom leather work, or wanting to learn about crisis management and emergency responses unique to motorcycling injuries, I am willing to help you meet your goals. I enjoy the smiles and thanks from customers who let me help them solve their problems. Thank you for the opportunities.

          - Virginia Grace