As a little girl I observed my Mom and both grandmothers using fabric, needle, thread and yarn to create loved gifts and garments. I have flashes of memories at home when my Mom patiently taught me how to read a pattern and practice sewing on her Sears & Roebuck sewing machine. The first two outfits she helped me create were from the same pattern and included a little skirt and matching vest. With her help I made a set in blue and a set in brown.

By high school age Mom had accepted a position in full-time Christian ministry at a small school. I remember her admonition to me. Basically, I would be responsible for providing my own new clothes. I know we received hand me downs and she would often pick up thrift store finds that I would scrunch up my nose in disgust at when she would show me.

With babysitting money and other teen jobs I could afford fabric, but not much in the the stores ready-made. With my grandmothers helping I was regularly sewing, doing cross stitch projects and crocheting. Mom created my senior banquet dress from my crude sketches, and I made my graduation dress. When I got married it was Mom who volunteered to make my gown based on a design we found at a local boutique. That was a labor of love as the church ladies had beading parties to help finish my gown within our short engagement.

As a music teacher I made costumes for elementary productions and ensembles. Shortly after my husband and I relocated to the South I was introduced to gifted seamstresses in the fine arts community.

Our girls grew up wearing many items I have sewn, and one of our girls will get out her own sewing machine to make gifts from Mom’s fabric stash. Friends will recall when jeans were torn I created Tuffy Ruffy to cut off the torn knee and add a ruffle to make cute jean shorts or pedal pushers.

During the summer of 2021 I heard through a mutual friend that our friend Alison might need some help with so many events having been rescheduled from the delays of 2020. I took my machine to Alison’s shop and asked if I could be of help. Alison being a wealth of information had MORE tips and tricks to share regarding alterations and formal gowns. It is often said that a good friend makes you a better person. Alison is one of those friends because although I have sewn for over 40 years she still manages to have tidbits to share and make me a better seamstress.

During the months that followed Alison would bring up a dream I recall from when we first met. Her dream has always been to make bridal accessories from her collection of vintage materials and be located closer to a sunny beach. God has been opening doors for her to fulfill her long-lived dream and for me to pick-up and attempt to fill her shoes in the bridal alterations business.

Why the name “Treble Cord Bridal”?

ECCLESIASTES 4:12 ESV “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

The three cord strand ceremony has been used to depict the coming together of a couple in a godly marriage with God as the center of their marriage.

“Treble” = three-fold, triple, soprano, high instrument, upper staff of music, a tall crochet stitch

“Cord” = strand, rope, (poetic license use of misspelled musical “chord”)

We are blessed with 3 daughters. As a teen I recall lessons and sermons about a biblical marriage being depicted with a triangle. God being the peak, and husband and wife each at the base. As the bride and the groom grow closer to God they will grow closer to one another. Simple illustration, but it has had a lasting impact. I want to be the wife and mom who continues to grow closer to my heavenly Father. A perk of growing in my faith is it will draw me closer to Robert.

Pray for me that I can be a blessing to the ladies I serve. I would often tell the band students that they were covered in prayer, because as I sewed their bibbers or packed their garment bags I prayed for each student. I have continued that practice as I work on the gowns or dresses that come across my sewing table.

Many thanks to my parents, my friends and my darling husband as we begin this new venture.