Boy, that is a long time for this old brain to remember, but I was in the middle of being a full time dressmaker, making garments for hard to fit folks. I had more customers than I ever thought I would have, and all came from word of mouth advertising. I found that work extremely satisfying then, but now I am mostly a quilter and the maker of teddy bears. Quite s step down, but at least I am still sewing!! Of course, I am also 25 years older, which puts me very near 70, so slowing down a bit is o.k.! I do still sew every day, just not so many clothes. I would be totally lost without my needles and thread. I drag along stitching everywhere I go!

I have the entire basement for my sewing pleasure, as I am a quilter and need space for machine quilting, as well as hand quilting. My biggest need is better organization, more lighting, and way more time!! At least 2 of those can be obtained, and they are the biggest faults my space has. I would also love to have a sewing cabinet that would work with all my machines, and would be movable, as I like to change my areas often. I do love my space, as I get to be there all alone, whenever I need to be there. I would love to have a computer station down there, too. Right now I have to come upstairs to use the computer.

I have sewn since I was about 10 years old, so that makes over 55 years of stitching. I am so thankful that my mother helped me make garments without patterns, that I could wear to school. When I learned how to use patterns at school, I still tended to tweak them to suit myself, but never would have admitted to being a designer. I sewed many thousands of garments over the years, and supported myself for a large number of years by dressmaking. One little trick I used was to ALWAYS read the pattern guides, if there was a feature I did not know how to do, and I did not attempt to even start the actual construction until I had it down in my brain. By the time I started sewing, I had zero concerns about making an error and ruining any of a customers fabric. Another tip I always encouraged my young students, was to not be afraid to undo seams if they were not right. Taking out stitches is just as important to learn as putting them in. There is no shame in "unsewing". I can honestly say that the greatest thrill I got while running my dressmaking business, was when a client came to try on new items, and walk out with those garments on for the day!! Don't forget to do the mundane things concerning learning and practicing, and your rewards will be many.