The early years.
I started sewing in elementary school. I always had access to my mom’s Kenmore machine, which is now yellowed with age. She had a few very specific rules. Don’t use my nice (blue) sewing scissors on paper. (I sure didn’t listen to that one, but now realize it was truth. They are so dull.) And don’t put paper in the sewing machine. (I know do this all the time now, little rebel.)
I used her machine to make bags and quilts and things. I made a few “prom dresses” that I am a little embarrassed to see photos of. There are strings hanging off of them and they don’t quite fit right. But it was where I started. I usually didn’t use patterns, because I always had a vision of what I wanted. More times than not it ended in disaster. But I kept going. I’m a little hard-headed.
I was inspired by Vogue magazine, especially a spread of Alice in Wonderland in 2003(?). The dresses were gorgeous and the photo shoots were amazing. I think this is where my love affair with dressmaking began. I would say most of my dresses are inspired, at least a little, by that spread.
I taught myself what I could, tried to follow patterns sometimes, followed a few early craft blogs (including wee wonderfuls and amy karol) and was inspired where ever I could be. I always had a thing for design and loved seeing ideas come together. I didn’t do anything right, but I did it and I loved it.
Education
When I got to college I had a declared major but was unsure of it. When describing what I wanted to do I always said “I just want to sew all day.” It was always my dream to have a small creative business on the side and be able to raise a family.
One of my favorite roommates encouraged me to look into the Home Ec. department, there was a clothing program! So I did. Even though the major was not considered a real course of study to everyone, I knew it was perfect. It was what I loved. I thought about it for months and knew it was for me. So one day in early April I walked into the department office and declared my new major. The sun was shining. It was a happy day. I felt so right with the world. And that was that. The next year I enrolled in sewing and textile courses. I never looked back. (I also minored in Spanish, so I can sew in two languages! Kinda.)
I was so lucky to be able to learn the right way to sew. Stitch lengths, how much to trim, how to clip corners. So many little things I try to share bit by bit each week with my sewing 101 posts. The little things make the big things.
The best class I ever took was flat patternmaking. I have mentioned here and there that I love patternmaking. This class made me giddy about life. All of the sudden I could knock-off any dress. I could design! I didn’t have to follow a pattern any more. It was my equivalent to freedom.Seriously top 5 classes I ever took. And I took a lot of classes.
experience
Another great experience I had was interning for a dress company during my last semester of college. I worked sewing and designing little girls dresses. I learned so much and it made my dreams tangible. So many new possibilities!
post college
Since college I started an etsy shop which keeps me sewing. I really have no vision for the shop, I just sew what I love and hope someone else loves it too. I know that is not a great business plan, but it works for me right now!
Blogging has motivated me to sew better and more. You can read my blogging story that I recently posted. It is fun to be able to blog and connect with other seamstresses and watch our sewing stories collide.
I think it is cool that you actually figured out what you wanted to do while you were in college! Oh if I could go back….well, I still might not have it figured out.
this is so inspiring Kate! I would absolutely LOVE to know how to just whip up a dress! sounds really hard for me right now but eventually I’m sure I’ll get there :)
P.S. Is that your sewing room pictured? GORGEOUS!
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s so interesting to see that for you, the Etsy shop is enough for now. Good for you!
I also mentioned you on my blog today because I made my first zippered pouch yesterday, thanks to your brilliant tutorial! It was a birthday gift for a friend, who loved it!
i loved reading this! i remember that vogue spread, the one where they asked a bunch of different incredible designers to design a dress for alice and play a different character in the shoot? i remember victor and rolf being my favorite, with that crazy dress all of men’s shirt collars. hahah, memory lane!
You are a phenomenal seamstress. I love all of your photos too.
Thanks for sharing your story. I have “taken some time off” from school(decided that I would rather get married and move across five states than stay in school pinning away) , and have found that like you, my dream degree is home ec/family and consumer science. My problem is that there are currently less than 200 school that still offer the degree, none with-in three hours of my husband’s grad school. :(
Thanks for the reminder than I can always keep sewing though, and that there are very many different ways to learn. Please keep the tips coming!
Our stories are so much alike yet so different lol if that makes sense. I grew up with a mom as a sewer, sewing with her sewing machine, and yes always using her good scissors in the wrong way :) I went to school for Fashion Merchandising and took sewing classes throughout college (I wish I had taken a patternmaking class, so jealous!!) But I let it get away from me after graduating and here I am 7 years later and trying to reteach myself everything I used to do. Thank you for all of the inspiration in all of your posts and thanks for your sewing story!
I love this post! :) It is so fun to read about your sewing journey. If I had your talent … well I’d be a lot better at sewing. haha. I miss you Kate!!!!
I loved reading your sewing story, especially learning from the wedding gown process. Smart move!!
Hiya – I just love your blog. I am part of a group of crafters from all across the globe taking part in Craftfest – a virtual craft fair – through the forum Creative Connections. We have been asked to find and share fabulous craft blogs that inspire us, and I’ve found you – I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve awarded you a Craftfest ‘I LOVE Your Blog’ Award and shared you in my latest blog post. http://theoldbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/loving-blogs-craftfest-i-love-your-blog.html
I look forward to reading more of your blogs. Sharon