Red Thread: Welcome to Nacogdoches

Ilona Toth came into the Nacogdoches County Chamber office, asking for a little help. "All I need is a sewing machine, some material, maybe a mirror and an ironing board," she said. Ilona had evacuated from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and was now living in East Texas. Several strangers came to her aid. Bove Sewing Center donated a sewing machine and a family in western Nacogdoches County opened their home to the shy, determined evacuee.
This past Saturday the Red Thread opened at 800 North Street.
This was not the first time Ilona has had to start over. "I had to move from Hungary to Texas 20 years ago and started with nothing," she said. After a several years in Corpus Christi, Ilona moved to New Orleans in 1990, where she built a popular business making gowns, Mardi Gras costumes, making alterations and generally sewing her way to success. Along the way, she started a sewing school, teaching other women an important and useful trade.
Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in September, flooding her beautiful store on Magazine Street, and sending Ilona and her friend Sandor Szabo in search of refuge. They drove to Nacogdoches, almost 400 miles northeast of the Big Easy.
After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita passed, Ilona made her way back to New Orleans to survey the damage. She managed to salvage some of her tools and materials, but had no intention of staying. As reported by the Associated Press, "Ilona Toth wept as she began packing up to leave 15 years after opening her business. 'It's just too hard,' said Toth, a Hungarian immigrant. 'Every year a hurricane is always coming. We always have to evacuate, then clean up. It's too much trouble.'"
Unfortunately, Ilona fell during the cleanup, breaking a couple ribs. She was only slowed a little, however, as she had secured her new location on North Street in Nacogdoches, and was anxious to get back and start again.
Sandor built shelves, painted steps and constructed a front counter, using parts from a kitchen table he'd found. Ilona installed mirrors in the fitting room and placed her fancy pillows above the work areas.
She greeted guests during a grand opening October 15, proudly giving tours of her fitting room, work room and show room.
In the shop front, a brilliant scarlet gown greets guests. "Whenever I am in a fashion show, I always bring out the red dress at the end," she said. "It is my signature."
And now a little part of the Big Easy - with a Hungarian accent - is woven into the fabric of East Texas, and it begins with a new Red Thread.
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The Red Thread is open for business 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 800 North Street, Nacogdoches, TX 75961. Contact Ilona at 936-564-9409.
-- BP