Seamstress repairs Bonners Ferry's 30- by 50-foot American flag

Callie Gahr possesses the tools to maintain Bonners Ferry's 30- by 50-foot signature American flag - experience and an industrial sewing machine.

“You can't do this on a home sewing machine,” said Gahr, who every six months or so is given the flag to repair.

The owner of Callie's Niche quilt shop is currently repairing the downtown flag damaged during the July 10 windstorm that ripped through the Boundary County.

The city purchased the flag for $1,100 for Memorial Day. It was taken down after the storm and replaced with an older flag that had been in storage, said city clerk Kris Larson.

In addition to selling quilting supplies, Gahr does mending and alterations at her downtown Bonners Ferry store. Gahr did industrial sewing in the past.

“It's a small town. You have to do a lot of things to make it,” she said.

Gahr had worked for a stage and lighting company, sewing drapes that were up to 25 feet high.

“(So) size isn't a problem to work with,” Gahr said.

The flag traditionally needs repaired on its edges.

“It just tears from the wind blowing it,” Gahr said. “The damage is usually on the end. I just keep cutting it off, but you can only do it so many times.”

She uses an industrial machine, which is much bigger, has more torque, is faster and requires a needle twice as large as a home machine.

The flag damaged on July 10 will require more than hemming.

“I have to find the tears,” she said.