It all started with Sewing Lessons

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When I was nine years old my Nana bought me my first sewing machine so my mother could put me in sewing lessons. Every Tuesday evening for three years I would attend sewing lessons at Marie's house. Marie was an older woman who started a business teaching kids to sew. I remember showing up to the side door, taking my boots off and heading down to the basement where Marie had up to 8 sewing machines all set up along the wall of the "classroom" and a serger/overlock in the closet. We would get assigned a bin under the cutting table to store any ongoing projects. Warnings of taking great care around the iron were heeded. Everyone had to start with the same few beginner projects; first a basket made from a 3L ice cream bucket that I covered with a beautiful purple and paisley viscose fabric, second a tote bag I remember vividly sewn together using red fabric adorned with images of troll dolls (circa 1994), thirdly you could choose from the beginner pile of patterns and I chose to make overalls or was a baby doll top and leggings. . . At the end of each school year the women in charge of "Kids Can Sew" would host a cumulative fashion show and tea party that would allow all the students to invite their families to come together so we could demonstrate all the garments we'd created throughout the year. My time spent in that basement was memorable and I think back on it often and fondly, and I carry those lessons with me to this day. I am ever grateful to my Nana, my mother and Marie!