LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Tourism predicts Kentucky Derby 150 will create a $405 million economic impact. Every year, the historic race provides a boost to businesses all over the area

What You Need To Know

  • Doris Bartee has owned A Tailoring Nook in Middletown for 19 years

  • She does a lot of alterations for Kentucky Derby fashion

  • With Derby, prom and wedding orders coming in all at once, spring is a busy time for her business
  • Bartee says she's seen a lot of great Derby outfits over the years, and loves playing a first-hand role in bringing them to life

Doris Bartee, the owner of A Tailoring Nook in Middletown, said that is certainly the case for her business. Bartee said there aren’t many alterations needed in the winter.

“After Christmas and New Year’s, things get really slow,” said Bartee.

However, once spring hits, it’s a race to the finish. Orders for the Kentucky Derby, proms and weddings tend to start coming in all at once. Because of all of that, she said spring is a vital time for her business.

You can often find her staying a few hours after she closes her store just to keep up, but she loves what she does.

“I like creating and just being able to manipulate the fabric,” said Bartee.

Bartee was first introduced to sewing the way so many were. “I took home economics in middle school at Fern Creek,” said Bartee.

She’s been pursuing the passion ever since. “I’ve been sewing since I was 12-years-old. I’ll be 58 this year. I’ve had the Tailoring Nook for 19 years,” said Bartee.

Bartee said she helps people feel their best when they head to the track. She does anything from hemming pants to full-blown alterations. 

Fashion is such a key element of the Kentucky Derby, and Bartee gets to play a first-hand role in making some iconic looks come to life at the track.

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