Meet Our Staff

Bonita Wiegand - Owner

She has been in the sewing industry for over 49 years collecting the best tips, tricks and quick fixes and is eager to share her knowledge with her customers. Garment sewing is her expertise! Wedding dresses, Men’s suits, Jackets, Skirts, Children’s clothes, and anything else you might wear is her passion.

If you have a sewing question she has the answer!

Bonnie grew up sewing on her mother’s old treadle sewing machine. Born to a poor family in Wheeling West Virginia and unable to afford patterns, she would copy a garments construction from sight or by memory!

In 1961 she was hired by the Singer Company in Toledo, OH and after 16 years of sewing took her first formal lessons.

In 1974 she moved with her family to Bay City, Michigan and began work at the Singer Company Store in downtown Bay City. She worked there for 7 years and even became the acting manager of the store, before Singer finally closed down all of their company stores in 1981.

Bonnie’s Sewing Center was founded in 1984 with the idea that sewing should be a fun, relaxing activity that allows you to show off your maximum creativity!

Kathy Jacobs
Chief Instructor/Sales

Kathy has worked with Bonnie since 1973. They stayed together at the Singer Company store until it they were finally closed down.

After a few years out of the sewing industry she joined Bonnie’s Sewing Center in 1994 and has been an integral part of the team ever since!

Kathy creates and teaches a majority of our sewing and embroidery classes. She enjoys working closely with the customers and is inspired by the creative things they come up with! While she is our head teacher she takes pride in learning everything she can from our customers as well! It’s never too late to learn an easier way!

Robert Wiegand - Son/Sales

After begging for many months Robert was finally brought on to the staff in late 2001 and quickly began absorbing sewing machine information like a sponge!

While specializing in embroidery and embroidery software he is an expert in every line that we carry and then some! From top to bottom inside and out if you have a question about a current sewing machine he has the answer.

If you are interested in purchasing a new sewing, quilting, embroidery, or serging machine Robert is the one to see! He is completely qualified on every piece of merchandise we carry and specializes in taking the time to properly match the sewist to the sewing machine. He also knows how to make the best deals in Michigan!

Mary Kochany - Instructor

Mary started making embroidered quilt blocks by hand when she was only 5 years old and has been making clothing, quilts, accessories, curtains and everything else by machine since the age of 10!

Formerly an English Professor at Delta College Mary has been with Bonnie’s Sewing Center for 6 years.

She heads up our Beginners Sewing Division as well as many of our creative sewing classes.

Jennifer Beyett
Chief of Alterations

Jenni has been with Bonnie’s Sewing Center for 5 years!

She does all of our alterations. She specializes in hems, curtains, mending, letting garments out, taking garments in, wedding apparel, suits, jackets, formal wear, swimsuits and basically anything that needs to be fixed!

Mel Jenkins – Service Technician

If it’s broke he can fix it! With over 40 years fixing sewing machines you can feel confident in bringing your machine to Bonnie’s Sewing Center for service!

Mel repairs all makes and models of domestic sewing machines and sergers as well as most models of commercial sewing machines. He is fully certified to service all makes of Singer, Janome, Husqvarna Viking, Brother, and Baby lock and attends factory service sessions whenever possible.