Store offers sewing services

Water Street District business has machine repairs, lessons and more

SPECIAL TO VIEWThe Downtown Sewing Machine Co. at 155 Water St., Suite 130, opened in August. Store owner Ivar McDonald said the store is the only Pfaff sewing machine dealer in the area. Advertisement

The excitement couldn't be contained at the Downtown Sewing Machine Co. on Sept. 12.

The Pfaff Creative Vision sewing machine was delivered, and manager Carrie Mecherle and her daughter Miriah couldn't wait to get it out of the box.

"Everybody has been waiting for this to come out," store owner Ivar McDonald said.

The Creative Vision machine is being called the most advanced sewing and embroidery machine in the consumer marketplace. And the store at 155 Water St., Suite 130, is the only place to find it in Southern Nevada, McDonald said.

The Downtown Sewing Machine Co., which opened on Aug. 1, is the only Pfaff dealer in the area.

McDonald said the next closest store is in St. George, Utah.

Carrie Mecherle has been sewing since she was in kindergarten. She said her mother sewed a little and she'd steal the scraps and make clothes for her teddy bears. She worked as a professional seamstress for more than 20 years and has been on the retail end of the business for almost as long.

In addition to managing the store, Mecherle is the store's technician. She said she can repair all machines.

"I understand how they should work, and I always had a father who said, 'If at first you don't succeed, you read the directions,' " she said.

The store sells machine software and accessories, as well as sewing machines that range from $200 to $8,000.

Mecherle said customers can come in and try the machines out before they buy them.

"You've got to test drive it. It's just like a car," she said.

After a sewer buys a machine from the shop, they will receive a full training session.

Mecherle said that although the computerized machines are easier to use, there can be a lot of options and it's nice to have some instruction before taking it home.

McDonald said he opened the store on Water Street because of all the redevelopment in the area.

"They wanted an elegant store down here, and we're the first retail store to provide this in the area. We're a good example for the stores that come," McDonald said.

The store offers classes and clubs for all sewing levels and age groups. There are senior groups, kids groups and everything in between. For times and prices of classes, call the store at 457-9600.

The Downtown Sewing Machine Co. is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.