Susan Sugarman wants to offer her husband a throw pillow with a personal message. One weekday evening she walks through the door of V-Tex Fabrics and Eclipse Alterations and Custom Embroidery to consult with owner Thuy McElravy.
Armed with a fabric remnant, she tackles the issue of design with McElravy who produces a complimentary fabric from her stock of silks, brocades and other elegant fabrics within minutes and suggests alternative designs.
“I bring these things to her (Thuy) because I’m not so good at figuring these things out myself,” said Sugarman whose psychotherapy office is also on Piedmont Avenue.
“It’s so much more personal than going into a large fabric store. It’s easy, fun and not stressful, plus Thuy’s prices are very reasonable.
“Because of her skill set, Thuy can offer her work for cheaper,” explained her cousin Trinity Nguyen, who houses her bridal consulting business, Bridal Savy at the same location and gives McElravy with her business.
McElravy was trained in the art of embroidery in her native Viet Nam. Also adept at alterations McElvravy sought a business that would showcase her skills, said Nguyen.
McElravy sells fabrics, specializing in luxury fabrics through her company V-Tex Fabrics. She sells embroidered scarves, pillows and other housewares, with what she describes as an Asian flare. She also carries a line of Asian inspired clothing from Hong Kong that compliments her unique collection created under her own label Eclipse.
McElravy has even reupholstered furniture.
“I’ve never heard her say no,” said Nguyen. “Her customers keep coming back. She has their best interests at heart. She is always ready to help.”
“I like to make people happy. It’s my number one goal,” said McElravy.
Betty Hendrix, a Sequoia resident, has come to pick up a dress – she had altered – for her 50th wedding anniversary. “She does outstanding work,” said Hendrix, pointing out that the beading on the dress made alterations very challenging.
“McElravy does more than alterations, she restyles and reshapes clothing so that it will look it’s best on your body. That’s the difference. It takes a keen eye to make clothes look there best they can on the individual,” said Nguyen.
McElvary came to the U.S. seven and a half years ago to marry her husband, a family friend that she met in Viet Nam.
Prior to opening her own business she worked as a seamstress making alterations on men’s suits at the Men’s Warehouse.
In 1999 she opened her own business.
“I’ve know her (Thuy) from day one said Betty Blanton, the owner of Betty’s Dress Boutique also located on Piedmont Avenue. “I’ve watched her from her early days of embroidering towels and lingerie to owning her own shop. I refer clients to her all the time.”
“Wherever she moves, I’ll move with her, that’s my point, said Anh Nguyen, a Lincoln Heights resident. “She saves so many peoples lives. It’s a great place.”

© 2005 Mimi Rohr

Oakland, CA.