The next VDTA/SDTA Convention & Show will be in
New Orleans, LA
February 27 - 29, 2012
at the Ernest Morial Convention Center

Patricia Wallace celebrates 60 Years in Sewing Industry!

On August 2, 1948, Patricia Wallace walked into the Singer Sewing Machine store in Flint, MI. Unknown to her, she would be walking into stores selling sewing machines every work day for the next 60 years. Yes, Pat is celebrating 60 years in the sewing industry this year. In 2001, VDTA/SDTA honored Pat for her industry contributions by inducting her into the VDTA/SDTA Hall of Fame.

Over the years she worked in the “services” department, making buttonholes, covering belts, and buckles, and hemstitching. Finally, she worked her way up to the sales department.

Pat said, “I would have worked for free there. I loved it!”

After 22 years, a new mall was built, and Pat went there to head the inside sales force. The new store had fabrics, home entertainment, telephones, classes, and outside salespeople. Pat learned all of these areas, but always came back to selling sewing machines. It’s what she loves to do!

In the mid 1970’s, Pat was named one of the first female managers for Singer in the U.S. Her performance in that job was terrific. She has many plaques and incentive trip memories to attest to that.

In 1982 Singer was in a transition period and closed all of its company-owned stores. Many were taken over by Jo-Ann Fabrics. So, Pat remained as a department manager for a Jo-Ann store, having responsibility for a large volume sewing department. Again, she continued to excel, winning more awards and prizes.

Pat started thinking about retirement in 1989, but then she was approached by a new Singer dealer coming into the area. They asked Pat to be the store manager. Having worked with the new owners in the past, she took the challenge and started her “new” job. Little did she know that her new job, would entail learning new product lines, from other vendors. This was a challenge for a “Singer” girl, but she did it and continues to do it.

She dove right into her new job and did it wonderfully. Again, being a leader and trend setter set her apart from other managers. The focus every day of her career has been and continues to be “Greet, Seat, and Sell!”

As Pat said, “There is no better way to help a customer than to sit them down, be interested in their sewing challenges, and demo a new product. I love the repair table. It’s the best place to qualify my customer and then show a new product.”

In August, Pat celebrated 60 years in this industry. What a great example she has set for all of us!

Reprinted from SQE Professional, September 2008