Trudell and Irvin are pursuing their joint passion by opening a top-of-the-line designer fashion fabric store in their hometown.

The Whole Nine Yards will hold its grand opening today and Saturday. Throughout the week-end, special drawings will be held for store merchandise and gift certificates. The fashion fabric store and workroom, located at 295-C Pinehurst Ave. in Southern Pines, will specialize in custom clothing, alterations and custom home decoration. The Whole Nine Yards' hours will be 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

"We are so proud to offer our customers an array of the finest fabrics, including sophisticated woolens and silks, luxurious eveningwear fabrics and exceptional laces and velvets,' Trudell says. "The Whole Nine Yards also will carry designer fabrics, including pieces by Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan."

Trudell recently returned to Southern Pines after a long career of couture sewing in Italy and Chicago. In Italy, she studied with Emilio Pucci and Valentino. When she returned to the States, Trudell worked as a couture dressmaker for affluent clients and top retailers.

Irvin continued to sew for pleasure while she enjoyed a 20-year career in social work and risk management. Eventually her passion for sewing took hold. She went on to study at Cheryl Strick-land, a custom home-furnishing trade school, specializing in drapery and construction and design in Asheville.