My name is Loretta Davis and I will turn 69 this November.

When I was 11 years old, my best friend’s sister taught us how to make full skirts on her treadle sewing machine. I used to draw fancy dresses for my paper dolls at a very young age. The books never came with fancy dresses. Well, I got hooked on sewing. I would dream about being a seamstress and making fancy gowns and wedding dresses when I grew up. In the 1940s we had all the seamstress factories, and St. Louis was a fashion city.

I then got married at an early age, had children, and I began sewing for myself and my children. I still kept my dream. As the years went by I began sewing for my grandchildren. I made the granddaughters pretty dresses and clothes for school. Play clothes for the younger ones and oodles of baby clothes as the grandchildren kept coming. I truly loved sewing. I had long since worn out my treadle machine and went on to electric models. What a treat, I could sew even faster and better.

I worked out of the home my entire life, and wished I could sew at home all day. Right before I retired, my granddaughter said she “needed” doll clothes for her little doll. I told her I would have to think about it. She sent me a letter with pictures of little dolls dressed up in fancy gowns. I thought, oh no, this is way too small for me. I have arthritis in my hands and all over, I can’t do this. Then I looked at some patterns and gave it a shot. I took my little dresses to work to show the girls and they all loved them and wanted to buy them.

Now my spouse and I had a craft business we did on weekends, and I made some sewing items to sell too. My spouse cut out wood items and tole painted them, but the wood became too much to carry and we had to give it up due to his health. Now here I was, making doll clothes. How funny life is. I began sewing for real then, and when I retired I had my own business making and selling doll clothes. I found my true love and passion in creating and designing my own patterns and thinking up different things to make. Even my grown children gave me tips on what to make. My spouse was in computers then and he made me a website, and a year or so later, I got my first website order in 2002. It was very late at night, but I called everyone I could think of and said, “I got an order over the Internet”! I was thrilled.

During the years people have given me loads of materials and lace and the items I needed to do my work, for which I thank them so very much. I love doing what God gave me the gift to do. I love going to craft shows and see the kids eyes light up when they see my dolls all set up in their fancy dresses and wedding gowns. This is who I sew for, God’s children, and I get to make them happy. This makes me happy.

I must mention that the Moms and Grandmothers love my items too. I have my own sewing room in my daughter’s home, and when people come into it they cannot believe their eyes. It is so pretty and pink with lots of decorations.

My dream has come true. I am able to stay at home and sew all day now. Yes, I have many infirmities and I take many prescriptions, however when I am designing or thinking up a new item I am in the world God has given to me and I say, Thank You Jesus, Thank You Universe, I will sew for the children now, and for the Angels later.

Sincerely, Loretta Davis