My grandmother taught me to sew, but truth be told, I really cannot sew without her. She departed this world and left behind a young woman with desire and determination, but with no real skills. The day I realized that running in a skirt would increase my self-confidence and give me strength, I purchased an array of tennis skirts and started modifying them with simple, rudimentary alterations that required nothing more than some cutting, hemming and anchor stitches. When I got really crazy, I started sketching. I bought far too much fabric and several different patterns, and then pulled out my grandmother’s 1940s Singer (the sewing machine that was given to me after her death probably because the memories I had were worth far more than its value). Then, I froze. I was in over my head. I needed an expert. That’s where Sabrina Anthony Winckler comes in.
“Sabrina, I’ve got the Mardi Gras Half Marathon coming up and I need you to help me design something really outrageous and festive and, and purple!” This was a call I made just a few months ago, but my first call to Sabrina was over six years ago. Her name was on a business card at one of the local fabric stores. According to her card, Sabrina was a contract seamstress – specializing in costume design and wedding dresses. But, she came highly recommended. And, she was available. That was a start.
When I first met with Sabrina, I had the typical inventor/entrepreneur mindset, thinking everyone was out to steal my ‘great’ ideas. So I asked her to sign an NDA. I look back and realize it was ridiculous. I trusted Sabrina from the beginning, but all the business books insisted that contractors sign the document to guard against intellectual property theft. Sabrina didn’t hesitate and signed it without question. This was definitely the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
She worked with me on my first dozen samples – she was patient, and creative, and thorough. Without Sabrina, there would be no RunningPretty because she is the one who weaves the quality into the brand. The quality and the fabric – those are the two things that I believe set RunningPretty apart. In fact, the very first sample she made – the light blue top and skirt – I have worn, washed, and dried over 400 times. This was the RunningPretty I wore during the 2011 Boston Marathon when I heard someone at mile 24 in Brookline yell, “C’mon Little Blue, you’ve worked for this!” Yes, Mr. Harley-Riding-Boston-Spectator, I did work for this and thank you for reminding me. And, thank you for being here.
But doing something and believing in something are two different things. I think Sabrina truly believes in RunningPretty. That’s grassroots brand loyalty. I lost Sabrina for a while during a time when her life took a turn one way and my life took a turn another. I call those the dark years. But, thanks to Facebook, we found each other again. When we connected, I’ll never forget what she said, “I love what you have and I want to be part of making it happen.” Or that’s what I heard when she enthusiastically took the fabric and the patterns from me, smiled, and got right back to working her magic. I am thankful for Sabrina and for her talents – but most of all, I am thankful for her devotion to what we are creating. It is her devotion that feeds my motivation. We are RunningPretty.
You made me cry! I feel so honored to be the focus of one of your blogs, thank you!!!
Sabrina, how could you not be the focus?! I meant every word. I cannot wait to see where we take this – even if we just grow stronger as people and athletes, it will all be worth it in the end. You have become such a close friend and you really understand my vision. That’s so rare. Thank you again.