This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

30 under 30: Stephanie Struckmann Stitches A Career

St. Charles Patch interviews 30 people younger than age 30 who live, work or play in St. Charles.

Stephanie Struckmann, 25, used her degree in fashion design from Lindenwood University to open her own business, The Sewing Corner, when the company Struckmann originally worked for closed its doors two years ago. Struckmann and her friend Melissa Kaatman, 23, decided not to give up on sewing, creating a business out of Struckmann's home in unincorporated St. Charles.

With a room in her home dedicated to sewing, Struckmann pursues sewing full-time, offering classes to anyone interested in learning to sew.

St. Charles Patch: Tell me about The Sewing Corner.

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Stephanie Struckmann: Well, I started teaching classes at Make-It-Sew, but then they closed. I wanted to keep teaching, so Make-It-Sew actually let me email the St. Peters area from their email list, so I got several students through that and then just word of mouth.

I teach ages seven all the way up to adults. I have moms and daughters taking classes together. I have a basic series: basic sewing one and two and three. In [basic sewing] one we make a pillowcase and a reversible apron. In two, we make a tote bag and it has a button on it, so you learn the button hole. We also make a pillow with a zipper on it. And then in basic three, we start with patterns and make PJ pants.

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I have tons of other classes like there's summer shorts, and then there's a backpack bag where we actually get to embroider. Students just kind of work their way up. There's a quilting class for people who are more interested in quilting. I have a class for garments, a makeup bag class, a hair accessories class, stuff like that for everyone.

St. Charles Patch: How long are the classes and how much do they cost?

Stephanie Struckmann: They usually vary, but each class period is anywhere from an hour and a half to three hours. If it's a summer class, it could be an all-day, five hour or six hour class. Basic sewing one is usually a six hour class, but it's broken into three or four class periods.

Basic sewing one is six hours and it costs $55. Basic sewing two is eight hours and it's $70. That's just an idea.

St. Charles Patch: When did you know that you wanted to pursue sewing as your career?

Stephanie Struckmann: I think it was in high school when I was accidentally put into a fashion design class my junior year. It was one of those elective things that they just throw you into. I had no interest in fashion design at all. I made my prom dress that year and I just loved it.

St. Charles Patch: If you had never been put in that fashion design class, what career path do you think you would have gone down?

Stephanie Struckmann: I had originally thought I would graphic design, so that's probably the route I would have taken.

St. Charles Patch: What do you like about sewing?

Stephanie Struckmann: It is my favorite thing to do. I love the different fabrics and the textures. I love garment sewing for myself and for my daughter. A lot of people who sew don't like doing alterations, but I actually don't mind them. I worked in a bridal shop, too, and that's where I picked up alterations.

St. Charles Patch: What do you like about owning your own business?

Stephanie Struckmann: Especially being a home business, the hours are so flexible. If [my daughter] Olivia and I want to go swimming during the day, we just have to arrange it around appointments or classes. So it's so flexible. And I'm my own boss. I love that.

St. Charles Patch: Are there any downfalls?

Stephanie Struckmann: Not knowing what you're going to make monthly is a major downfall, but I can't think of anything else. I love it. I'm really grateful that my husband allows me to have this whole room.

St. Charles Patch: What would you say to a beginner who wants to start sewing but has never done it before?

Stephanie Struckmann: Actually the basic series is really great because we start with threading the machine and learning what a bobbin is and things like that and different terms. We do the pillowcase and the apron, which is really great because they're useful and you get the straight lines and a lot of practice with stuff like that. And the apron is kind of an introduction to curves.

St. Charles Patch: What are your goals for your business?

Stephanie Struckmann: Right now I enjoy staying at home, but I'd like to expand on students. Because after taking the classes, students can just go on and start sewing on their own. So getting more students through word of mouth is a goal.

Eventually, I'd like to have my own shop after my daughter gets older, and I'd like to sell sewing machines and fabric.

St. Charles Patch: What are some of your life goals?

Stephanie Struckmann: I'd like to be a good wife and a good mommy. I'd like to get to know all kinds of people. And travel outside the United States at least once.

St. Charles Patch: What is your favorite part about living in St. Charles?

Stephanie Struckmann: Well, I've invested in a lot of people in the area, so I wouldn't move. And also St. Charles and St. Peters have a lot of parks, so it's nice to have those at my disposal. There are also a lot of events that I like going to.

St. Charles Patch: Outside of sewing, what else do you like to do?

Stephanie Struckmann: Hang out with my family, that's a major one. I love going walking, I like reading. I love doing outdoor things, Frisbee golf, stuff like that.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from St. Charles