About Tracy McElfresh

Tracy McElfresh is an alterations and fit specialist, Kettering Arts Council member, and Kettering resident. Tracy has a skillset built from multigenerational roots in the sewing and garment industries. Operating out of a studio located inside Rosewood Art Centre she provides alterations, garment design (including a strong passion for swimwear), formal and casual dressmaking, and sewing classes. Tracy founded a meetup group in 2014 called the Dayton Garment Designers Meet Up that is open to all newcomers at any skill level. In her free time, she is an avid writer and blogger and was a recognized award winner in 2018 as having one of the Best Dressmaker Blogs on the Planet from Blogspot. You can follow her work on Facebook and Instagram at TracySews.

Big Sewing Projects Little Time

By |2026-10-12T10:09:11-04:00October 12th, 2026|Vlog|

I’m slowing down and making @truebias #Riley classing overalls for the next three weeks. I’m lining mine with Buffalo plaid for the bottoms.
I like to break down my projects. Week one, proofread pattern, cut out pieces, week two, assemble basics, week three finishing techniques, button holes, buttons, hemming.

Unique Memory Gift

By |2026-10-09T10:13:23-04:00October 9th, 2026|Vlog|

I’ve been making all kinds of heartfelt memory gifts for the public. This one was really special. My client asked if I would make a mini hoodie to fit this bear out of her late husband’s favorite hoodie. I even added the tag back in.

New Cowgirl Hat!

By |2026-10-05T10:00:06-04:00October 5th, 2026|Vlog|

Have you ever wanted something so much that you’ve thought about for years? Perhaps it was something frivolous. I find it hard to buy myself anything that’s not seeing related. All the work I’ve done this year, some big accomplishments, I finally pulled the trigger and took myself to Brim hat store on Fifth and […]

Zipper Love!

By |2026-09-28T10:00:05-04:00September 28th, 2026|Vlog|

I’m still going through two sewing studios, organizing, decluttering and knowing what I have. Zippers are another thing on my list I don’t want to buy. I save all the zippers people gift me. Sometimes my zippers are not a perfect match and that is okay. I’m keeping stuff out of the landfills. Buttons are […]

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