Joanne Segear of Somerset is a very accomplished -- and very busy woman. In addition to being a wife and mother of two children, she's also a fashion designer, entrepreneur and part-time employee at Fabricland

Interiors of North Plainfield where she helps customers with all types of sewing projects.

In addition to her time at Fabricland, she spends a portion of her week in Englewood, New Jersey where she works as a designer for a sleepwear company -- a multi-million dollar operation that manufactures loungewear for thousands of stores throughout the world. There, Joanne oversees every facet of the operation from design, fabric selection and pattern making, to handling oversees manufacturing operations and marketing.

Sewing since the age of six, Segear is a graduate of New York's Fashion Institute of Technology and has worked as a sportswear and lingerie designer for Willi Smith, Maidenform and Jennifer Dale. In addition, she has designed for private label companies that manufacture clothing for J. Crew and Victoria's Secret.

Since she began working at Fabricland one year ago, Segear has been tapped to present special sewing programs for customers -- on creative sewing techniques and fashion ideas for children. A schedule of her upcoming demonstrations can be found in the monthly calendars at Fabricland. "We're thrilled to have Joanne as part of our team," cites Bruce Heyman, owner of the North Plainfield store. "The in-depth knowledge and expertise in sewing and design she brings to our customers is invaluable."

On March 13, Joanne will combine her "mother" role along with her sewing skills when she conducts a sewing class for her daughter, Mary Rose, and other members of her Junior Girl Scout Troop #1854. As part of Fabricland's free "Kids Can Sew" program for Girl Scout and Brownie troops, Joanne will help the girls earn their sewing badges as they learn how to thread a machine and bobbin, sew straight and circular stitches, sew a seam and create a fashion accessory. Local troop leaders can call Fabricland at 908-755-4700 ext. 107 to reserve dates for their group.

"I love fashion and design, " said Ms. Segear, "and working in this field has been a very gratifying one for me. I certainly hope to pass my creative talents onto Mary Rose -- who already has the makings of a very good sewer!"