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A STITCH IN TIME

The Sew Doctor, Seamstress Sharon Hanson

by lynn leissler
provided by sharon hanson

ou reach for your favorite sweater and notice a hole; you’re when COVID shut her down for a while.
ready to leave and discover your best jacket has a broken
zipper; your still-serviceable jeans sport an unintended rip. One of her favorite projects is dealing with bridal and formal wear
YWhat to do? Enter Sharon Hanson, The Sew Doctor. because she can help women achieve their wish to feel like Cinderella
on their big day. If a dress is too snug, she adds a lace-up corset back.
Sharon has been sewing “forever,” a relative term in her young life, Clients often tell her she made their unwearable dress look better than
though she’s packed a lot of creativity and learning into those years. it did originally.
Her mom first taught her, and when she was around seven, she sewed
jackets for her guinea pig. She received her own sewing machine while As president of Mac’s Prom Experience (check them out on Facebook),
in middle school. she’s part of helping girls who can’t afford one to have a prom dress.
Whether it’s a customer coming to Sew Doctor or a young woman
High school offered opportunity that would determine the course of coming to Mac’s Prom Experience, whether it’s a prom or a wedding,
Sharon’s life. Her home-ec teacher, having a degree in fashion design, Sharon likes being part of their special event.
created her own fashion design program that encompassed advanced
sewing, pattern design, draping, and fashion photography. For fun, Sharon engages in cosplay (an activity and performance art
in which participants wearing costumes and accessories represent a
Sharon never stopped learning, and several years ago made her passion specific character). She’s been Pele the Dragon for the past six years,
her profession. Recently, she moved her business to a site on Court going to Renaissance faires, attending comic cons (comics-related con-
Street (yellow building next to Bill’s Glass). The dream team she’s ventions), LARPing (live action role-playing games). She won a local
building will help carry out her ever-growing vision. She currently has Halloween costume contest and one at Seven Feathers. Pele was also
one assistant, and is happy that her new space will allow adding others featured in ads for the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire.
in time.
Motivated by her creative spirit and ever-expanding skills, Sharon
She tackles projects with high energy and unending enthusiasm, and Hanson loves what she does. She also loves investing in people and
loves variety, a challenge, and being able to help people. Learning con- making a difference. “Being able to touch people’s lives is amazing.”
tinues to be a high priority. When asked what she does, her hesitation Someone recently told her she was the rock star of seamstresses.
intimates, “What haven’t I done.” The list includes repairs/alterations Smiling, she says, “I like that.”
for pet clothing, torn jeans, coats and jackets, cashmere sweaters, zip-
per mending/replacement, leather repairs/alterations. Stuffed animals
often suffer “injuries,” and a child’s “post-surgery” joy is its own reward.

“There’s not much at this point I can’t do,” she says matter-of-factly.
“My limitations are machines, which I’m learning. I’m also getting into
shoe repair.” While proud of her skills and accomplishments, there’s no Sharon Hanson
arrogance. When needed, she consults her mentors to perfect her skills Tailoring and
or learn new ones. Okay, a point of pride—she altered a dress worn on Alterations
the red carpet at a movie premier. 1228 Court St, Medford
541-414-8683
Sharon produced over 2,000 masks this last year, many destined for the sharonhseamstress12345@gmail.com
homeless population. However, she also sold many to help pay the bills Follow on Facebook and Instagram

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