I made my first garment when I was in the 4th grade--a button-up blouse of forest green print, with two patch pockets and a collar. the only sewing I did not do was the buttonholes, and Mom did those. I was so proud of my accomplishment, that when I wore the blouse to school and told my classmates that I sewed it myself, except for the buttonholes, and nobody believed me, I cried. From then, sewing was a proving point for me. I do it well, and came to specialize in fitting a garment to unusual figures--figures that my customers found other seamstresses could not fit. For the last few years, my full-time job becomes more demanding and the number of grandchildren I have has increased to 9 1/2 (one due in a few months) I do not find much time to sew like I would wish, and I miss it. The upstairs loft of our old house is not heated, so winter-time is rough up there, even in the South. In the summer, the small room air unit barely makes a dent in the heat and humidity, but I brave it for my special times of solace and challenge as I retreat to my room. Each of my children, especially my son, as well as my oldest grandson, have all experienced operating a sewing machine, and some do that quite well, considering the opportunities come rarely. Most of the visits from my out-of-town relatives to my house involve an alteration of a pair of pants, or some other garment before they leave to go home.

craft interests: fashion, knitting, sewing

Member Since: 02/05/2010