Meet Karen Dosier, Threads of Troy . . . . 5


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By Karen DosierKaren

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 andChristmas Table Mat (640x480) 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.

Rebecca Primrose Lane (480x640)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 e-Lucy Front (450x600)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. Clematis (480x640)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.

 

 

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5 thoughts on “Meet Karen Dosier, Threads of Troy . . . .

  • Nell Rae

    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.

  • Rebecca

    I love “Threads of Troy”! Her outfits are beautiful! That was fun “getting to know” Karen better. Thanks for such a great newsletter.

  • N Colleen Sexton

    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

  • cyria green

    Wonderful write up on Karen. It is so nice to hear about these talented seamstresses and how they ended up where they are now.