My Sewing Story

I don't really have a sewing background. It’s the first thing people ask me. Did your mom teach you how to sew? 

I’m not even sure when the ah-ha moment happened when I decided that THIS is what I want to do. 

My mom did sew for us a little when we were growing up, a dress here and there, and cheerleader skirts when I was in the seventh grade, but not much more than that. By the time I started having an interest in sewing, I was the one threading my moms’s machines, and using them.

I soon fell in love with sewing. Clean lines, beautiful garments, and all the colours and textures to choose from. But It took me a very long time to get to where I am now. Although I have my BcSc Degree majoring in in Food and Clothing, not much attention was given to the design and sewing aspect. It was more about the industry. What I learned in my three years of studying was invaluable, but, what I know about sewing and designing, I taught myself, with lots, lots, and lots of trial and error. 

I still remember, going into a fabric store, and not being able to envision a garment made from the fabric I was looking at. Back then, I would ask “What will work for this pattern?” These things take years to learn. 

Now, one glance, one touch and I immediately know yes it will, or no, it won't work. 

I love learning about fabrics and their different qualities. Does it crease? Will it shrink? Does it move when you cut? How does it hang, drape, and stretch?

Now, I see something I like on Pinterest and immediately I know what fabric I can choose, and when I enter the local fabric store, I way too often get carried away. Ideas start flowing…

I am now, finally at a place where I can talk about fabrics and their qualities with confidence. 

So often, my clients came to me to make evening wear with fabric that they bought, and midway through the design, I realized that this just wouldn't work. So I had to adjust my process. Now, I send a list of suitable fabrics or meet them at the local fabric store. 

I have learned many many lessons in my years of being a dressmaker and I am excited to share them all with you. 

The biggest lesson I have learned when it comes to sewing is that there is never only one way to do things. You can figure things out for yourself, and start a whole new process. Besides, no one looks inside the garment! Unless they too sew, in which case… they can do it themselves.

I am now at the point, where I will see something I like, and I can not stop thinking about it until I’ve made it for myself. 

Where I am in my life right now, I have never appreciated this skill and passion more than I do now. I can make things for my toddler, my friends’ kids, myself and my friends and things for my home. 

There have been times when I have said I’m done, I'm never sewing again. But I think what I really meant was, I will not sew evening and bridal wear again. More on this later.

 I love sewing and creating! But on my terms, what I want to do and how I want to do it. And so, I have decided that instead of sewing for an income, my focus will be teaching others how to sew for an income, and developing patterns.