By Shawna-Kaye Lester, Contributor
At right: Sujani shows off the crocheted dress that stole the evening at her graduation ball. - Carlington Wilmot /Freelance Photographer
WHEN PART-TIME seamstress Nerissa Swaby began sewing at what she calls an early age, her main customers were her dolls. Now she describes her teenaged daughter Sujani as her 'live mannequin'.
While her clientele is limited, her talent is quite limitless. What started out as a hobby, soon became a career. She remembers sewing her first piece at age 12. "I would see a blouse I liked around the house and I would trace it out," she tells Flair.
Her handiwork is cutting edge and unique, yet she did not attend formal sewing classes. "I don't know how to sew from a pattern. I think there is some technicality involved, but I just sew," she says.
Her daughter on the other hand has a knack for designing and so the duo combine their talents and efforts to create some hot numbers. The name of their line is a combination of their names, RISUJI.
Recently Nerissa completed a crocheted ball dress after five weeks of sewing "on and off", and 24 balls of crochet thread.
"It was my first dress, I had crocheted bathing suits for friends, and recently a blouse for my daughter Sujani's friend's birthday but never a dress."
Of course the dress, looked nothing like a first attempt, and when placed on her 'live mannequin' drew everyone's attention at her high school ball at Immaculate Conception.
But if you really want to try out Nerissa's talent give her a call at 424-6326. She can sew or crochet anything from tops to dresses to pants.
