Carolyn Williams

July 2000

Communicating as a Professional

Professional Communication

In the Sewing Field

Spending time with someone from the career field that you plan to go in to can be very enlightening and helpful.� Such an opportunity can answer questions that may have come up concerning that field, and it can also give you a glimpse of what is expected of someone day to day.� Such was the case during an interview with Shirley Thomas at the Elizabeth Institute of Sewing.� My purpose was to determine how important good communication skills are and what forms of communication are used in the field of sewing. ��

Shirley Thomas is indeed a professional in sewing.� She displayed professionalism in everything that she did and said.� Even her shop was a reflection of her.� The bookcase in the front office is neatly stacked with books of the trade and her desk is neatly kept.� A cross-stitched picture of a bridal gown on a dressmakers' dummy, hangs over an antique Singer, pedal sewing machine.� The walls in the back room used for teaching and other sewing responsibilities are lined with tables and sewing machines in anticipation of students coming later.

Thomas is the sole owner of the Elizabeth Institute of Sewing in Chesapeake, Virginia, which has been in operation for about five years.�� Her school has 28 enrolled students at various levels of sewing expertise.� There are also many customers that come to the store for a variety of sewing needs.� Many rely on this location for their alterations.���

Without good communication skills, Thomas believes that she would not be as successful with her students nor would her customers take her seriously as a professional.� "You have to be able to tell your students what needs to be done in terms which they can understand."� As each lesson is prepared and completed by the students, they have to know how to complete the task as well as understand why it's completed in a certain manner.� When customers come in for sewing, it should be communicated to them what to expect in terms of how long the job should take, how much it will cost and when they can expect to pick the garment up or come in for a fitting.

When asked if listening was an important part of her business, Thomas stated that listening is a very important form of communicating.� Listening to students is important because sometimes you have to listen "between the lines."� Some students have a problem letting others know they didn't understand a particular point made in class.� That is why it's a good policy to let students have an opinion about what they are doing.� Sometimes a job may not make sense until the student voices it.� Being a willing listener is so important in this type of work.� Though teachers are there to teach, there are times when students can contribute something of importance.

Listening to customers that have sewing projects is vital.� They have their own ideas of what they want, and it is the seamstress's job to deliver that.� What if the customer is not sure of what they want or does not know how to communicate their request?� Then it is necessary to continue to listen until you can obtain enough information to develop a mental picture of their needs.� It can be difficult to understand what they want, because they don't speak the language of sewing.� It is good to incorporate design pictures or pattern books so they can readily see what is available.

Documentation, such as forms and contracts are another important aspect of the sewing business.� Most of the forms and documents that are used by Ms. Thomas are available through a service she found on the Internet.� She modifies what she needs to suit her purpose.� This includes contracts, work orders and attendance forms.� This is where the computer comes into the picture.� All documentation is completed via word processing or in spreadsheet form.� Microsoft Word, Excel and Quick Books are important programs in her work.� "It's easier to revise a letter or bulletin by changing a few words than to rewrite the entire document."� Excel had been used for bookkeeping purposes, but Quick Books has taken over that aspect of the job.� Data, such as addresses, telephone numbers and birthdays, can be entered for customers and can be sorted anyway required.� If Ms. Thomas wants a list of birthdays for the next three months, she can easily access this with a few keystrokes.� That's not all.� She prints all of her invoices using this program, and at tax time, it gives her financial reports stating how much she has earned sewing and teaching separately.� She says that the computer has saved her from staying up many late nights keeping the books.

It is reassuring and inspiring to talk with someone who is successful in the trade I have chosen.� Her insight into the field of sewing has opened my eyes on how I should communicate with customers and students.� Her candidness with her customers and students reveals that she cares about what they want and what they are concerned about.�

Shirley Thomas has invited me to call her anytime I need advice or assistance as I get my business going.� I look forward to working with her in the future.�

Works Cited

Thomas, Shirley. Telephone Interview. 2 July 2000.

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