Become “Sew” Confident with New Russell Business Thumb n’ Thimble

Become “Sew” Confident

with New Russell Business Thumb n’ Thimble

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

As prom season is upon us, the summer is heating up, and the flowers are starting to bloom, a new business has “sewn” itself right into the heart of Russell, Ky.

Owned and operated by Samantha Young, Thumb n’ Thimble is all about confidence—whether that’s in what you’re wearing or in your sewing skills. With a background in operatic singing and music education, Young has always had an interest in the theatrical and the beautiful, eventually finding her passion in sewing and costume design.

Young is a native of Columbus, Ohio, but spent plenty of time with her grandparents at their home in the Tri-State Area. Her grandmother was a sewer who shared many of her skills with Young, but it wasn’t until after college that Young truly embraced her passion.

“I did not really find a passion for it until after college, when I really got into theater,” explained Young. “When I came back into the area after college, I realized, you there's a really big need for people who know how to do this. So, I brushed up my skills back to where they were and just grew from there.”

After spending many years in the background helping other businesses grow their brands, Young knew it was time to step out on her own.

“I really wanted to take my skills to the next level, and from there, I just kind of had this vision of making my own schedule and doing what I love to do, which is sewing and designing,” expressed Young. “It's what I do as a full-time profession, and it doesn't feel like a job. It feels like what I was meant to do.”

Thumb n’ Thimble’s opening is just the start of this, as Young has since embedded herself within the community. Meeting others and working with people is one of Young’s favorite parts of the job, and through this passion, she has since worked with the Paramount Arts Center, the Aspire Arts Conservatory, and even done uniform hemming and alterations for Ashland-area first responders.

Auretta Hensley, Theatre Director at Aspire Conservatory, has worked with Young for many years—both personally and professionally, as Young actually got engaged at Hensley’s home. Young’s work with transformative and creative costume design is what brought the two together, and she has since become a fixture of design and costuming for Aspire Conservatory.

“If it’s something unique, I always refer them to Sam, just because I know she knows theater, she knows costuming and I know she'll do an awesome job for the parents,” detailed Hensley.

“She’s very good at matching your concept. If you take her a fresh idea, she is going to really make sure that she creates what you envision. That’s why I really appreciate her work in stage costuming, for that very reason, because even the details come across to the audience.”

It is this community work that allows Young to branch out in so many directions, teach herself new skills, and now—with the help of her new storefront—share these skills with others through a variety of different classes.

“My classes are designed to give you little bits of information and give you a week to actually work on those skills. That way, when you come in for your next class, you've already practiced what you learned previously. You can [then] apply all of that through each class, and then by the end of the course, you are ready to go straight into the next set of classes,” expressed Young.

From sewing basics to advanced alterations, Young’s classes, alterations, and energy are sure to provide you not only with the stylish outfits you need, but also the skills to make your own.

“I think that's what I love most about what I do, is that there's always something new to learn and really hone your skill to be better than what you already have. I think that that's why I love what I do so much, because it's just changing all the time,” commented Young. “I do it on a professional quality level, but really the environment that I provide to everybody is very fun and exciting and energetic, and I never want anybody to leave feeling less than that.”

To visit Thumb n’ Thimble, you can find them at 306 Ferry Street, Russell, Ky., or on their website at www.thumbnthimble.com.