This is a blog really about what it's been like to live as a seamstress. The ups and downs and the lessons I have learned. It's a place to share my love of sewing.
On my 7th birthday I remember being given a Mary Poppins sewing kit. I suppose you could say that sewing has always been a part of my life. Both my Grandma's sewed. Grandma White made an entire wardrobe for my dolls. And Grandma Francisco had a sewing machine in the kitchen. I can see it in my mind's eye, a black singer with the gold motif on it. The first thing I worked on was learning to knit a scarf, and it turned out terrible, but having made it myself, I felt ever so proud. At 13 my step mother showed me how to cut out a paper pattern, and the importance of lining up the grain line. I made some small projects over the next couple of years, but one day my sister was working on a dress. She couldn't put the sleeves in, so she handed it to me. I put them in perfectly the first try. That was when the passion clicked, and I was hooked. From there, through many trials and errors, I have created a wide variety of projects.
I went to the Apparel Design program at Seattle Central Community College in September 1993 and finished the course in June of 1996. Any one thinking about a career in fashion should definitely look into this program or a similar one. Of course knowing how to sew is a great advantage. Many of the programs require the student to design and create clothing. Once a person understands construction of a garment it is easier to see quality, or lack there of, in ready to wear clothing.
Recently I altered a Coco Chanel suit. This was the first time I had been able to open one up and look inside. Every seam was finished with a serged edge. And of course all of the thread was silk. Every detail had been given the utmost attention. And the chain on the hemline of the jacket was 14 karat gold. The lining had the entwined C's woven into the design of the fabric and was a medium weight silk. The shell fabric was a mid weight wool. It was a pleasure to work on it.
Of course I would not be here with out my many many customers. I have altered approximately 3,000 wedding gowns. Most of them from my 13 years with The Bridal Garden in Kirkland. Many a day I went to work feeling a little tired, but after the first couple of fittings with brides, I always seemed to perk up. There is a joy in fine tuning the fit of such an important gown. And the store has a special place in my heart and the time there, though often stressful and hectic, I fondly remember.
I hope to use this forum to talk about Bridal gowns, Bridal shops, sewing tips, fashion, from reenactment attire to steampunk and every day wear. I hope to give advice and ask advice about projects. I hope it's a place for lonely seamstresses to find company. I'm not sure where this will go, or how many people will read it, if nothing else it allows me to vent, share and maybe even inspire any one wanting to sew or design.
Thank you for reading.
Material Magician
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