What do you do when your place of employment of twenty years closes down? You no longer have a job, what do you do?

This is what happened to Dawn Murray of Italy, Texas. She worked for Bandmans (sewing factory) since 1985 in the cutting department. The factory closed it’s doors in 2005 and she no longer had a job. “I couldn’t find a job anywhere. They basically told me I wasn’t qualified for anything,” explained Dawn.

In February of 2006, Murray’s old boss, Ed Bates from Bandmans called inquiring if she knew anyone that could make flags. Dawn told him, “I can do it.” So, remembering everything she learned about sewing in Home Economics class at Italy High School along with a sample flag she started making flags. She set up shop in her spare room with two sewing machines and began her business, “The Sewing Shop.” Murray now makes band uniforms, drill team uniforms and cheerleading uniforms. She now has moved into her new 12,000 square foot building. Which is quite a jump from her small spare room in her home! Dawn explained, “I love looking at the final product. Knowing that I made that gives me a sense of accomplishment – it’s better than flipping a burger!”

“The Sewing Shop” is not her only business. Back in July of 2007 Murray’s daughter was getting married and she decided to make some chair covers for the wedding. When everyone saw the chair covers they thought they were gorgeous. From there sprung her second business, “Gotcha Covered.”

She rents table cloths, table covers, chair covers with ties, archways and candelabras. Her table cloths come in white, ivory, black and brown. Her table covers come in red, black, pink, orange, blue and green. “I now have an inventory of over one thousand chair covers and over 200 table cloths.” Dawn went on to say, “We did over twenty five weddings last year. I enjoy the look on the mother of the bride’s face when she sees the completed room.”

When asked how she liked owning her own business Dawn replied, “I love what I do. It is my world but I couldn’t do it without the support of my family. It is a lot of hard work.”

Dawn rents her chair covers with colored ties for $3.50 each and her table cloths for $7.00 each. Call 972-768-9282 for your wedding needs.