Still sewing after all this time
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 14 years, 7 months AGO
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | May 17, 2011 9:00 PM
DALTON GARDENS - The name, fittingly enough, seemed perfect.
Turns out, 25 years ago, it was. And still is.
"We were just having lunch, trying to think of a name we liked when we came up with it," said Judy Carlson-Karlgaard, owner of "The Perfect Fit."
Of course, such a name can make work a little challenging at times.
"People, they hold us to it," Carlson-Karlgaard said with a laugh.
Not that she minds.
The Hayden woman has been sewing as a job for a quarter of a century. She plans to celebrate at 7791 Aqua Circle with an open house 8:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, with coffee, cookies and door prizes. She wants to show off the increased and remodeled work space, but is really hoping to let people know what they can do at The Perfect Fit and how well they do it. There are some gift items, too.
"We can take care of whatever people's needs are," she said.
Carlson-Karlgaard and four others, daughter Rita Serwat, JoAnne Fortier, Julie Darlas and Diane McGwier, have 130-plus years of experience at alternations and any other sewing changes and creations.
"We do all kinds of alterations," she said.
They work on wedding dresses, leather, home interior items and more.
"We actually do about everything," she said. "We can take care of whatever people's needs are."
Carlson-Karlgaard, born and raised in Dalton Gardens, began sewing when she was a youngster and in 4-H. She stayed with it and sewed at home while raising a family. She later decided to open her own shop.
"I finally decided to take it out of my house," Carlson-Karlgaard said.
She has continued to enjoy the work and people who come to her for sewing support. Need a dress hemmed? A zipper replaced? Jeans shortened? Carlson-Karlgaard and friends are the right folks for the task.
As owner, she's strict about service and maintaining office hours.
"I won't put a sign on the door with a sign saying 'Will be gone 10 minutes,'" she said.
Even after 25 years, Carlson-Karlgaard has no plans to retire.
"We'll just keep working as long as the business keeps coming our way," she said.
Information: 772-4812
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