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May Bilar-Goen, a professional seamstress, opened May's Stich in Thompson Falls in 2017. While she mainly does alterations for her clients, Bilar-Goen has the talent to repair almost anything that is brought to her. Bilar-Goen has been living in the United States for 22 years but has called Thompson Falls her home for the last three. Her journey started in her home country of the Philippines.

At the age of 16, she went to school to become a dress maker. After she graduated, Bilar-Goen went to work for a prestigious sewing company in the Philippines. Working her way up the ranks quickly, at the age of 18 she was promoted to a line leader. Because of her hard work and attention to detail, Bilar-Goen was given the task of teaching and managing nearly 400 people. There, she would teach her workers how to make and sew together each individual piece of a dress. Managing such a large number of people soon become a little overwhelming for Bilar-Goen. She decided to leave the dress making world behind and went back to school to become a nurse.

"I'm the kind of person who wants to learn more and experience everything," Bilar-Goen stated. Which is why she decided to combine her love of travel with her passion for learning and became a travelling Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). "As a travelling CNA, you can go anywhere," she declared, and she has been working as a CNA in Superior for the last three years.

Her plans to start her own business came to her after she started altering her own scrubs, as well as her co-worker's scrubs. Everyone wanted to know where, why and how her scrubs fit her so perfectly. "I alter them all myself," she said. It was not long after that when she seriously started contemplating the idea of opening her own business. The push to open her own sewing and alterations shop came down to one deciding factor. "I told myself if I made my own wedding gown, I would start a business." Which is exactly what happened.

Among altering clothing for any occasion you may have, whether it be a wedding or a prom, zipper replacements are a common problem, and an easy fix. Bilar-Goen makes custom pieces as well. She has created custom vests for weddings, curtains, table runners, chair covers, placemats, embroidery and she has even done a few rugs.

Another creative avenue Bilar-Goen has gone down has been designing and creating her own handbags and aprons, even though her heart always leads her back to dresses. "I'm very particular about my quality. The thought when altering is that you can only go smaller," she said. "No, you can go anywhere. Even when you order a wedding dress, it never comes in the right size," she said. Bilar-Goen recommends anyone who is ordering a wedding dress to order two sizes up.

While it is just her working at the shop, Bilar-Goen's four children play a significant role in her business. Her eldest daughter Shaira, age 22, runs the website for the business. Jolene, 15, helps run the website during the summer and also helps manage quality control. Terrance, 20, a firefighter in Paradise, helped sew all the bridesmaid dresses for her wedding; and last but not least, Francisca, 5, helps model everything, but does charge her mother $1 for every picture taken. "All my children are involved, and I'm so proud of that," Bilar-Goen said.

Miriah Kardelis

DREAM COME TRUE - May Bilar-Goen and her daughter Francisca stand with two custom made dresses, including Bilar-Goen's wedding gown.

"It's my hobby, and it turned into a business," she continued. "Every now and then when I need a break, I will go to Superior to work. I owe so much to the hospital there, they have taught me to be independent. No matter what, I will always go back to help."

Not only is Bilar-Goen proud of the strong family dynamic she carries in her business, she also takes immense pride in every single piece that leaves her door. "I want people to come back no matter what. If you're not happy with the job, come back, and I will fix it for free. I always make sure everyone leaves happy," Bilar-Goen exclaimed. She has many dreams and plans for her business, and the custom handbags and aprons are just the beginning.

May's Stitch is located at 108 S. Madison St. in Thompson Falls, next to her husband Tim's law office. She does allow walk-ins, but you can also call the shop at (406) 242-0709 to make an appointment. More information and pictures of Bilar-Goen's custom pieces are available on the May's Stitch Facebook page or at http://www.maysstitch.com.