Threads of Troy
I was born on Halloween in Verdun, France, where my father was serving in the US Army as a finance officer. My mother said the ride to the hospital in an unheated ambulance was freezing, and thank goodness I delayed my appearance until the arrival at the hospital. I was their second daughter, and my brother, another sister, and another brother followed, making our family of five children complete.
Unlike many of my sewing friends, I didn’t start sewing until junior high school Home Economics class. My mother had been making my sisters and me clothes for many years, but I had never shown much interest in sewing. Mom let me use her Singer® knee-pedal sewing machine with all of its wonderful attachments. She also helped answer my questions when I couldn’t quite figure out the instructions from the “big book” patterns. I made most of my high school wardrobe and used my babysitting money to buy new fabrics and patterns. There was a wonderful fabric store in our town, Minnesota Fabrics. How I loved that store! My high school graduation present from my parents was my very own Singer® sewing machine! I continued sewing for myself after high school when I was employed as a secretary, first at the Library of Congress and then at the Pentagon.
I became a stay-at-home mother when my daughter was born, and she grew up having a wonderful mommy-made wardrobe. Her dolls were also well dressed, although she never owned an American Girl® doll. I sewed for my son as well, but sewing for boys was not as much fun as sewing for girls!
Fast forward many years when I no longer sewed for my children or myself. I discovered quilting and the amazing new computer sewing and embroidery machines. My passion was making table runners – a faster gratification than making a large quilt. I was asked to participate in a local craft show, and trying to decide on what items to sell, I thought about adding American Girl® doll clothes in addition to my quilted and embroidered items. I practically sold out that first year! I soon added a serger to my sewing equipment for a more professional finishing to my seams.
I decided to open an Etsy shop in 2010 to gain a broader audience and offer doll fashions year-round instead of just at one craft show. I especially love sewing for the historical dolls, and I am in awe of the wonderful designers producing patterns for them. I already had a large stash of quilting fabrics, and that stash has been ever-growing with fabrics appropriate for doll clothes. I’m trying now to sew with what I have because there’s simply no more storage space for my fabrics.
I have often been asked why I chose Threads of Troy for the name of my shop. The simple answer is that I live in a small postal community in Troy, VA. I just thought the name was unique and would cover multiple avenues of my sewing, including smocking and embroidery.
I am now semi-retired working from home as a part-time consultant for a non-profit organization. This allows time for sewing, as well as gardening. I’m usually busy outside in the Spring planting my gardens and containers with beautiful flowers.
How talented you are to make doll clothes, sew for you children, and Quilt also-Thank You for your article, it enlightened me, the many talents you have. I also quilt some, or should I say I try, I enjoy it a lot, and it gives me peace of mind when I can find time to do it-Thank You Fellow Sewer.
I love “Threads of Troy”! Her outfits are beautiful! That was fun “getting to know” Karen better. Thanks for such a great newsletter.
Dear Karen,
You are amazing! So talented and so kind. I truly appreciate that you take the time to recognize the people who buy your beautiful patterns and turn them into their own creations. Best wishes on your continued success! Colleen
Wonderful write up on Karen. It is so nice to hear about these talented seamstresses and how they ended up where they are now.
I love your patterns are you still selling th m