Hemmingbird

I was taught at a young age that you learn to do by doing. My life has been built by a series of coincidental experiences; events that are all connected to the same theme. Sewing is what I do to make a living and it seems to be all that I know. The first thing I ever made was a floor length skirt in silver satin at age 12 . They say you never forget your first project! I followed my childhood passion into my mid Thirties. Now I’m stuck in a career rut wondering what I want to be when I grow up. What should I do now? I enjoy what I do. Sewing is something that I’ve become good at with practice. I am comfortable...Why would I ever want to change? Money... that’s right. More money is what my life requires for me to stay out of poverty and feed my children. Does money make us happy? I don’t make a lot of money. However, what I do for a living brings me great Joy.

When I was two I lost my father and I grew up not knowing his side of the family. It wasn’t until my mid twenties that I was introduced to my aunts and cousins. At that time, I had learned that my grandmother and I shared the same passion. My talents are in my blood and this passion has been in my family for generations. I assume my grandmother and I would have gotten along really well. 2008 was the year she passed away and I was gifted her scissors along with most of her other equipment. I love digital technology but they don’t make domestic sewing machines like they used to. What I treasure the most are her tiny hand made patterns for Barbie clothes and the detailed instructions she left behind with them.

In High School, I took advantage of every opportunity I could that was related to my passion . I remember sitting in math class thinking why do I need to know this? When will I ever use PI again? Instead, I took all of the classes related to what I loved. Even my co-op placement and extra curricular activities were akin. When there were no more classes for me to take, I started to peer help the younger grades. My final project was my graduation dress. They displayed it in the glass case out side of the main office, I was so proud.

I landed my first real job in a fabric store cutting fabric. Who knew that I would have learned so much about measurements and mathematics while working there. Eventually I had applied to a college in another city for Fashion Design and the requirements were grade 12 math . I buckled down and completed two credits of math in one summer just so I could get into the program . College for me was quite the experience. I lived in an off campus dorm with 70 other females. We shared six bathrooms , three living rooms and one kitchen. It was a bizarre feeling being dropped off in a new city and having to rely on maps to reveal my surroundings.

After the first year I was no longer financially able to finish the program. I moved back home and I was devastated. Where I’m from doesn’t have any training past High School for what I do. Fortunately, a few years later I found a sewing and dressmaking program that I was able to complete from home. I liked that I was able to do it after work at my own pace . I earned my certificate with honours! I felt I needed Something to show that I knew what I was doing . I’m pretty sure it was the result of someone telling me that I was too young to know anything about sewing .

Currently, I work in a fine Tailoring shop Our scissors collection consists of all different shapes and sizes. There’s a vintage set of shears that are massive! They come straight from Italy. If scissors had a personality they would be the head of the mob. Each station is equipped with an inexpensive pair from the bargain store. I use them mostly because they feel “safe” to use. There’s one good quality pair that cost around $300. For years I refused to use them. I was so fearful of nicking pins or dropping them on the floor. I felt that I had so much to learn still that I hadn’t “earned my scissors yet.” They are a major part of my life and I am surprised that I haven’t given them names.

I’ve worked in a few other Tailoring shops much different from the one I am in now. They were fast paced and the work was sloppy while having to meet daily quotas. These days I have the freedom to take my time with the work and do it properly. To be successful, you have to appreciate the people who bring you the work. When you rush through your work, you aren’t being grateful. Sewing requires a lot of patience. When a sewing machine is uncooperative , it usually just needs to be re-threaded. I owe so much credit to the people who have taught me the tricks of the trade.

As an introvert, my job is perfect for me and I am very lucky. I’m grateful for all of the stepping stones along the way. I’m thankful for all of the necessary curveballs that I have been thrown to still be here. I’ve conquered through some heavy inner struggles. Looking back, I’m so glad that I didn’t stop when things got hard or when I got so discouraged by the mistakes I made. The anxiety that once kept me up at night has now turned into confidence and a little thicker skin. I always expected the unexpected. I was led to believe that everything terrible happens for a good reason. If you look hard enough, there is a silver lining in every situation. I count my blessings everyday and it helps keep me out of that downward spiral of depression that anyone can get sucked into.

When my daughter turned two, a volunteer opportunity at a local children’s theatre was presented to me. It was a way for me to be able to use my skills in the community outside of work. Live theatre was something for my daughter and I to do together. It was truly a magical time in our lives and for ten years the theatre wardrobe had become my favourite place in the world. It was our second home and the people there had become family. I was a part of something much larger than myself and I felt appreciated.

Blood sweat and tears literally have gone into every project I have taken on. I once spent a weekend using scissors so much that my hands were covered in blisters. It took the following week for me to recover from the numbness in my hands. I am so grateful for my hands. You can’t use scissors without your hands. My favourite project was the dragon in Shrek the Musical. It was a team effort.

A few summers ago, I came across a yard sale. A lady had passed on and the family was selling all of her sewing supplies. I purchased fabric for a quilt that she had started to cut out. I felt compelled to finish it for her. It was a quilt for breast cancer awareness. When it was done, it was donated and auctioned it off in a raffle for the same cause. The recipient of the quilt was a breast cancer survivor who had started a project called “The Butterfly Story“. She paints body art on those who have also survived breast cancer. Her work is truly amazing. This was the first quilt I’ve made and I was thrilled that it went to a good home.

Not a day goes by without using a pair of scissors at least once. They help me to help people and that’s what makes me happy. I love to reminisce about the projects I have accomplished. Each one has a story in itself. I look forward to the many projects to come and when there will be time for me to teach. The opportunities in life are quite endless. I just need to purchase a new pair of scissors.