ALBANY - Somewhat off the beaten path in Albany township, just off County EE on Conservation Road, you'll find The Leather Lady.
Sue Crase does heavy-duty sewing, such as leather clothing repair and alterations. She can repair the canvas on your pop-up trailer, your tepee or other primitive lodging and even inflatable vinyl bounce houses.
"I pride myself in my workmanship and creativity," said Crase, who has a degree in business administration and worked in customer service for more than 20 years. "I really enjoy repairing any project and making the item even better than what it was."
At age 7, Crase learned how to sew from her mother out of necessity - being one of eight children, buying new clothes was not an option.
Crase still uses the sewing machine she learned on, a 1961 Singer. She also uses a Dressmaker for heavier fabrics and leather, her grandmother's 1940 Elna, which she uses for lighter weight fabrics and a Mandel Treadle Machine "used when the electricity goes out."
Crase started working with leather in the mid-1980s when a friend discovered her talents and told her, "If you make it, I can sell it."
She made several women's leather halters and vests, which he sold out of immediately at a bike show and swap at Belvidere, Ill.
In 2000, she started the business - The Leather Lady.
"I named the business The Leather Lady because when I'm a wrinkled old lady, I hope to still be sewing," Crase said.
Later this summer, Crase is working with the owners of the Kutter Harley-Davidson shops in Monroe and Janesville. She twice took her machine and sewed event patches on at Kutter Harley-Davidson in Monroe.
On Sept. 6, Crase will be sewing on patches at Kutter Harley-Davidson in Monroe in a benefit for the new fire station. She also will be available on Sept. 19-21 at a Sugar River Trike Rally at Camp Minnihaha near Albany.
In 2006, Crase served as the scribe or secretary for the Midwest National Rendezvous. In 2010, she will serve as the gatekeeper when the rendezvous is held in Ontonagon, Mich.
Crase made all of her family's rendezvous costumes and decorated a friend's cane with leather and beadwork.
"At rendezvous, I am called Ma Boone," Crase said. "When anyone needs something fixed, they bring it to Ma."
Crase said she would like to one day be in her own building and have set hours, "now it's by appointment only."
"I'd love to have the business in downtown Albany to help it grow," Crase said. "Right now, the downtown area is dwindling and needs to be revitalized."
Sue Crase can be reached at The Leather Lady by calling 862-5724.
Sue Crase does heavy-duty sewing, such as leather clothing repair and alterations. She can repair the canvas on your pop-up trailer, your tepee or other primitive lodging and even inflatable vinyl bounce houses.
"I pride myself in my workmanship and creativity," said Crase, who has a degree in business administration and worked in customer service for more than 20 years. "I really enjoy repairing any project and making the item even better than what it was."
At age 7, Crase learned how to sew from her mother out of necessity - being one of eight children, buying new clothes was not an option.
Crase still uses the sewing machine she learned on, a 1961 Singer. She also uses a Dressmaker for heavier fabrics and leather, her grandmother's 1940 Elna, which she uses for lighter weight fabrics and a Mandel Treadle Machine "used when the electricity goes out."
Crase started working with leather in the mid-1980s when a friend discovered her talents and told her, "If you make it, I can sell it."
She made several women's leather halters and vests, which he sold out of immediately at a bike show and swap at Belvidere, Ill.
In 2000, she started the business - The Leather Lady.
"I named the business The Leather Lady because when I'm a wrinkled old lady, I hope to still be sewing," Crase said.
Later this summer, Crase is working with the owners of the Kutter Harley-Davidson shops in Monroe and Janesville. She twice took her machine and sewed event patches on at Kutter Harley-Davidson in Monroe.
On Sept. 6, Crase will be sewing on patches at Kutter Harley-Davidson in Monroe in a benefit for the new fire station. She also will be available on Sept. 19-21 at a Sugar River Trike Rally at Camp Minnihaha near Albany.
In 2006, Crase served as the scribe or secretary for the Midwest National Rendezvous. In 2010, she will serve as the gatekeeper when the rendezvous is held in Ontonagon, Mich.
Crase made all of her family's rendezvous costumes and decorated a friend's cane with leather and beadwork.
"At rendezvous, I am called Ma Boone," Crase said. "When anyone needs something fixed, they bring it to Ma."
Crase said she would like to one day be in her own building and have set hours, "now it's by appointment only."
"I'd love to have the business in downtown Albany to help it grow," Crase said. "Right now, the downtown area is dwindling and needs to be revitalized."
Sue Crase can be reached at The Leather Lady by calling 862-5724.