The winter season is the calm before the storm for Carol Barlow, owner and operator of Custom Fashions in St. Clairsville.
That is because prom season is right around the corner. Located at 100 West Main St. in downtown St. Clairsville, Barlow is approaching her four-year anniversary of having a brick-and-mortar location.
But Barlow has been working with her hands, needles, and a sewing machine for considerably longer—40-plus years longer.
While Barlow spent the majority of her adult life working in the healthcare industry, she learned at a young age from her grandmother the importance of being able to alter and create your own clothing.
“I learned because my grandmother did alterations for people, and we’re talking probably 50 years ago,” Barlow said. “I’d watch her and also learned some in home economics classes in high school.”
Barlow recalled the first time she realized the importance of these skills when she was unable to find a properly fitting maxi dress for prom. She was a bit too tall for the ones on the rack. So, she created her own.
Throughout her life, she had three children and two stepchildren. Sewing remained an essential skill, especially as her daughters grew to match and exceed their mom in height. They ran into some of the same issues and Mom’s wizardry with needles and fabric came in handy.
Today, those skills are able to serve the residents of the Ohio Valley. Barlow can perform clothing alterations on everything from prom, bridal, and homecoming dresses to special occasions and business wear. Men, need to have your pants or suit altered? Barlow is your go-to.
But she also does machine embroidery, custom apparel, business logos, and custom gifts for special occasions. Barlow also offers top-quality costume jewelry at her shop from Touchstone Crystal jewelry. If she doesn’t carry the exact desired piece in the shop, then it can be ordered through Touchstone’s catalog.
Open for Business
Barlow didn’t start out wanting to open an alteration shop. It was more of a hobby, helping friends and family in need whilst also working in her career and taking care of her family.
Running a business wasn’t her background. That was her husband’s department. But as the physical stress from her day job took its toll, and alteration demand also kept increasing, Barlow’s husband made a suggestion.
“This evolved from me doing favors for people, sometimes not even charging them,” Barlow said. “Finally, it got to be too much business. When I opened, I tried walk-ins for the first couple of months, but it didn’t quite work out.”
Barlow shifted to “by appointment” at her shop, to make sure she could spend the proper amount of time with each customer. She has an assistant, but she’s the only employee doing fittings and, when walk-ins were taken, chaos sometimes ensued.
“February through November is crazy busy, and then after mid-November, it drops off a bit,” Barlow said. “I told people if they want custom clothing, a custom gown or jacket, now is the time to do it. Don’t wait until the last minute.”
Barlow also said she’s on the hunt for a third person, someone that can help during the busy times. But finding someone with the alteration background is growing increasingly difficult as it’s not a skill many people learn.
In the perfect world, a current or former employee from a place like David’s bridal, that’s looking to supplement their income or earn a little extra money would be ideal.
“February through November, I’m here 5-6 days a week, sometimes seven,” Barlow said. “April and May, then again in September and October, it’s 6-7 days a week. Sometimes I have to turn people away, and I feel bad, but I only do so because of the amount of work.”
For more information, visit Custom Fashion online at the above-linked Facebook page or call Barlow at (304) 224-9682 to make an appointment
