Snips to Stitches

As my father recalls, I firmly declared “I would die without crafts,” and while dramatic, in hindsight, I see an unavoidable predestined future. An enthusiastic wide-eyed child, too young to be running with scissors, but there I was, a scavenger to any crafting material I could get my hands on. In my obsession with textile arts, and to my parent’s disapproval, clothes in their closets had become free and accessible materials to tap into the creative adventurer screaming to be released into the world of design.

As I matured, so did my crafting endeavours. At eight years old I was enrolled in my local 4-H club where I was introduced to the magic of sewing and fashion design. The garments I manufactured during my 10 years in the 4-H sewing club were more than just projects to complete an assignment, they were landmarks in my life. I consider my first sewn piece, a flannel, hot pink, leopard print pajama bottom, as one of my first major accomplishments. I can recall rallying myself back to work after multiple sewing-related setbacks and frustrations, always enduring through to finally finish my task to be able to present it with pride and confidence to friends and family. I constructed multiple milestone pieces: my pink floral sixth grade graduation dress, lace and satin prom dresses for myself and my twin sister, and a purple vintage-style dress for my high school graduation. I had developed more than skills. I had developed memories.

I pursued professional education at Drexel University in Philadelphia where I met people from varied backgrounds who all shared my love and passion for fashion design. The Project Runway-like nights of rushing to finish projects before the next day’s critique were the perfect coterie for encouragement, honest criticisms, and authenticity. These, what seemed like, endless all-nighters incubated life-long friendships and a flourishing support system with my classmates.

The first time I attended a real fashion show, I remember the feeling of chills rippling down my spine as I watched the models grace the runway. I became enchanted with the seamlessly timed steps to the cadence of the music and the potential of the runway. The university fashion shows were only intended for juniors and seniors, but by my second year I had rewritten the rules as the admin had found some of my designs worthy enough to take part in the show! With continued validation and recognition, I advanced my own voice as a designer. By my senior year, I had gathered elements of my style to create a senior thesis that was undeniably mine! I had arrived!

Welcome to the real world. As I dove into a professional network as a technical designer, fashion designer, sample maker, and patternmaker, I realized I found more fulfillment from helping start-ups turn their imagination into reality. Coordinating with entrepreneurs excited to start their own brands, I found myself thoroughly and emotionally involved in the growth of what I knew would be a thriving undertaking for these individuals.

While I thought I had reached a point of self-actualization, my story was just beginning as I was offered the opportunity to teach! I am able to support an expanding body of new designers of all ages and qualifications through the journey I had already ventured. One of the most significant moments as a teacher had been working with a 35 year-old woman who had put her personal dreams on hold to prioritize her family. During a fitting of her first project, a ponte knit pencil skirt, she cried and confessed that she had been wanting to be a fashion designer years in advance. The impact of my classes extends far beyond teaching individuals to sew and express themselves in a safe, inclusive environment, it is an opportunity for them to live out their dreams, and I get to be a part of it!

Pivoting around the pandemic, I have had the space to see how valuable these classes have been. Welcoming all ages, I have witnessed creative connection in a virtual capacity and also in small and intimate environments. As I observe a flexible community overcoming challenges, inspiring one another, and extending beyond learning how to use a sewing machine, I am overwhelmed by the support in the cooperative atmosphere I established.

Like designing a new garment, I have seen the conceptualization of my life stitch itself together into a fulfilling existence through a deliberate investment in my passion. Guiding others on a path I pursued, I get to amplify my personal growth and development with the new creative perspectives of budding designers. After dedicating a majority of my life to fashion design, I am exhilarated to see how the gown of my life will alter and resolve, walking down a runway as I relentlessly continue crafting my happiness.