Laura DiBlasi – Sewing Success

Having a vision and seeing it through is, at times, easier said than done. Laura DiBlasi, however, identified her path early on and paved a road for herself that has proven to be a successful and satisfying business.

DiBlasi owns and operates Laura DiBlasi Tailoring & Dressmaking out of her home studio at 1248 Salem St. She has designed the separate and distinct space as a full service shop complete with customer counter, raised fitting platform, dressing rooms and equipment.

It was all part of a master plan that DiBlasi envisioned when she moved to North Andover 14 years ago.

DiBlasi was born and raised in a small town in Italy called Bonito, right outside of Naples. She lived on a farm and had no background or family history in the art of sewing. She did however have an innate passion for fashion and clothing that she determined, early on, to be her calling. She pursued an education independently and attended design school in Italy. After completing her program at the age of 18 she soon went on to meet her future husband at a wedding that she attended in the United States.

She would return to Italy and later travel back the United States to become acquainted with life here. She and her husband, Joseph DiBlasi, married in 1997.

Following the excitement of her wedding, DiBlasi lasted but one week before her desire to work resurfaced. Working and making a contribution to her household income is an important part of who DiBlasi is as a woman.

She landed a job with David’s Bridal where she learned much of what she now knows about wedding gowns. Six months later she took her talent to the next level and became the in-house seamstress/tailor at Nature’s Cleaners in the Butcher Boy Plaza. All the while, DiBlasi would be thinking ahead about her future. Devising a plan to ensure that she could eventually incorporate her craft and career into a family life with children was in the forefront of her mind.

DiBlasi knew that she would want to be at home when the time came the she and her husband were ready to have children, so after two and half years with Nature’s Cleaners, she and her husband began the search for the perfect home in which DiBlasi could create an in-home studio. The idea to marry her home life and her career is one that DiBlasi proudly claims as her own.

DiBlasi’s commitment and passion for what she does is evident in her enthusiasm and fine work. “I like sewing,” she said. “It is what I do the best.”

DiBlasi specializes in alterations as well as custom- made pieces. Prom dresses, wedding gowns, baptismal garments and more are all in great hands when worked on by DiBlasi. Your favorite pair of jeans are also handled with the best of care.

Defining her craft and creating a place to hone that craft within her home has been extremely positive for DiBlasi. Her ability to manage her shop hours and family schedule has been priceless to her, especially after having had her two boys, Dario,8, and Alessio, 5.

“I think it is very healthy for my family to be able to be around.” said DiBlasi. “I could not be any happier, I feel like I am truly blessed and I love the people.”

Laura DiBlasi Tailoring & Dressmaking is located at 1248 Salem St., and you can call the shop at 978-794-0777. Shop hours are Tuesdays and Fridays 9 am. to 5 p.m., Thursdays 12 to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.