Seamstress fulfills life-long dream
Kimberly Feather

Staff Writer

Dreams are something most people have throughout their life, and sometimes many of those dreams don t come true.

Florence Linder waited 20 years for her dream of opening her own shop to come true. Sew Heavenly Designs offers medical scrubs designed, produced and retailed from its location. The business offers holiday and birthday prints. Sizes range from extra small to 4x large. Also, jackets, pants, scrunchies and stethoscope covers are available.

In 1999, Linder was in a car accident. She was struck by a drunk driver, and the money from the settlement allowed Linder to open her shop.

She formerly worked as a secretary for the Project Stay and Upward Bound programs at Missouri Southern. She left her job at Southern to pursue her business venture.

When she was 9 years old, Linder taught herself how to sew.

Linder said her family has taken a major part in helping her get started - especially her sister, who also helps with the sewing. Linder suffers from a ruptured disc after her car accident and is only allowed to sew 30 minutes at a time because of the pain.

Linder and her sister designed the shop s building, and her brother-in-law constructed the building.

 It is so cute,  Linder said.  You have to come see it. 

Her 16-year-old son helps with deliveries one day a week.

Embroidering and applique are also done at the shop. Gifts and gift wrapping are available.

Karen Bradshaw, instructor/consultant in the school of business and administration at Southern, said Linder s business is unique. Bradshaw has visited the shop several times, and Linder has used many of Bradshaw s ideas.

On Sept. 28, the business held an open house, which was catered by Taste of Heaven. The open house presented a fashion show of all the scrubs.

 We guarantee every purchase, and for those who live in Joplin and have any stitches come out, they can pick up the purchase, and we will repair it and return it free,  Linder said.

Sew Heavenly Designs is located west of Joplin on 19th Street and Central City Road.

Andy Tevis/The Chart

Florence Linder followed her dream and opened Sew Heavenly Designs. She makes clothing for the medical profession.