Linda's Sewing History

Lindsay T asked for Sewing Back Stories:

I actually started sewing when I was 4 years old. My mom has a picture of me making doll clothes on her machine. My mom took me to a sewing store in the mall when I was about 8 for my first sewing class. It might have been a Hancocks. I made a pair of white corduroy pants which fit well and I remember wearing. (For the love of God, who makes corduroy pants for their first official sewing project?)

I made occasional outfits using my mom's machine until I was 12. I got attracted to miniatures and dollhouses and wanted a dollhouse for Christmas. My parents got me a sewing machine - my Singer Stylist. I was very disappointed!!! What an ungrateful snot. It turned out to be my best gift ever. I used that machine to make countless outfits including my wedding dress and 4 bridesmaids dresses until I got my Bernina 1630 in 1996.

My sophomore year at college I saw an ad for a seamstress for the school costume shop. I brought a couple of outfits I had made and was hired on the spot. (This turned out to not be much of feat. Not too many college kids can sew and if you could sew a straight line you got hired).

I learned to draft patterns and hone my sewing skills in the costume shop. I loved it. I sewed for all the shows (including ballets). I designed and sewed a couple of shows (Dracula and On the Verge).

I minored in costume design and majored in business.

I worked as a budget analyst when I got out of school and decided a wanted to go back to school to get my MFA in costume design. I learned draping, fabric dyeing, jewelry and shoe making and continued to work on pattern drafting, design and sewing skills. I hated it! Let's say I loved the sewing, designing and creating. I didn't like the people and decided the low pay just wasn't worth putting up with all the "artistic" personalities.

I went back to working in the "real world" with sewing as a hobby.

Some of my sewing projects include:

My wedding

Priest and Deacon vestments

Baptismal Gowns for Gus and Carl (and for 2 of my friends babies)

Very fancy costumes for the kids including Bonnie's Flamenco dress

I am very passionate about sewing but my time is very limited with 3 kids and a full time job. I just finished my masters in May and finally have at least a little bit of time.