My Sewing Story
From Where I Was to Where I am
Growing up, sewing was never a part of my childhood. There was no creativity or interest in design within my family. I don’t even think there was a sewing needle in the house. However, we did have paper and colors, and in retrospect, I believe this is where my interest in fashion design began.
As a kid, I used to create paper dolls for my sister and I to play with, about ten or more. For each one, I would draw a unique outfit tailored to whatever the occasion or adventure we imagined for them. Each of them had at least five different outfits. Without knowing it, I was designing clothes long before I even understood what fashion design was.
As I grew into my teens, I became captivated by fashion shows and magazines, mesmerized by the creativity behind them and the process of bringing such ideas to life. At the time it never crossed my mind that I could learn to create such things myself. In the world I grew up in, the path seemed clear: women grow up to become wives and mothers, not artists or fashion designers.
Years later, I began working in fashion retail and as I gained more knowledge about the clothing industry, my passion for design was reignited. This sparked a long desire to learn to sew, so I enrolled in a sewing class at my local fabric store, picked up the basics, and bought my first sewing machine. At first, I mainly focused on refashioning, making alterations and adding finishes to garments.
I was far from being able to create anything from scratch, but I was eager to learn. Despite not knowing how to read a dress pattern, I decided to purchase one and attempted to make a dress.
Considering it was my first time making a dress and my sewing skills were still at a beginner level, the dress turned out surprisingly well. I realized I needed more practice and time to improve, so I continued working on similar projects to improve my skills. Everything changed one Halloween when my boyfriend and I decided just days before the holiday to dress up as Sherlock Holmes and John Watson.
I wanted to be Sherlock. To create my costume, I went to a thrift store, bought a dress and a jacket, then deconstructed them and transformed the pieces into a vest, skirt and cape, trying to keep the classic Sherlock Holmes style. Everyone loved the costume, and we even won the costume contest that night. But what truly changed everything was what my friend said as we sat over drinks. After I shared how I made my costume, she looked at me and said,
“You should go to school for this.”
I was stunned. The realization hit me like a wave – why hadn’t I thought of that before? I couldn’t believe it hadn’t occurred to me sooner! Suddenly all those images from fashion magazines and runway shows flooded my mind, and a sense of determination washed over me. I said to myself, “I could do that.” A few months later, I enrolled in college to pursue a degree in fashion design.
That’s where my true education began. I learned how to create patterns from scratch, sketch fashion figures, and craft mood boards. I took drawing and painting classes, mastered tools like adobe illustrator and photoshop. I explored various fabrics and textiles, even learning to design digital textiles. But the most exciting part was learning to sew like a professional.
For the first time in my life, I was immersed in something that truly nourished my soul. Fashion design became my passion – I lived and breathed it. I designed collections and brought them to life. I delved into the history of fashion and art and though I was still far from being an expert, I gained enough knowledge to understand how it all fits into the broader world of design.
To be completely honest, it was the toughest challenge I’ve ever faced. While pursuing my education, I was also working full-time to cover the costs and to pay for my supplies. There were countless stressful nights and many sleepless hours, but in the end, it was all worth it.
After graduating I had planned to move to Vancouver and pursue a career in sustainable fashion. However, when COVID hit, I had to shift my direction. Without the financial means or resources to launch my own brand, I continued working in fashion retail.
That’s when Six Flags reached out and I found myself back in my element. I was hired to work in the costume shop, where I was responsible for creating, repairing, and maintaining costumes for their mainstage, street performers and the Looney Tune characters. Although it was a departure from fashion design, it was an incredibly fun and dynamic experience. The fast-paced environment and the excitement of opening days each season meant there was never a dull moment.
I gained invaluable knowledge about costume making and the entertainment industry, learning the tricks of quick changes, repairing costumes minutes before showtime, and handling last-minute costume adjustments.
I had the opportunity to meet a wide range of artists and learned the ins and outs of putting together a production, season after season.
In late 2023, I took a few months off from costuming due to burnout and a much-needed break from the sewing machine. The following year, I returned to the craft, working in the costume shop at SeaWorld with the Sesame Street costume characters and parade dancers. However this experience was brief, as just five months later, I landed my first professional theatre job in New York for the summer in the costume shop.
This experience exceeded all my expectations. It was truly professional, pushing me to elevate both my skills and my work. I was ready for the challenge and relished every moment. The opportunity to create costumes and collaborate on artistic projects with such talented artists was incredibly rewarding.
Which brings me to where I am today. This summer, I’m working as a cutter/ draper in another theatre in New York. At the same time, I’m gradually making my way back into fashion design creating garments for myself – pieces I truly love, pieces I’ve always wanted to design and wear. Most importantly, I’m focusing on clothing that fits me.
I’ve been fortunate to receive some amazing opportunities across different areas in costume work, each one contributing to my growth and development in my craft. Fashion and costuming share many similarities, and the skills I developed in fashion design have undoubtedly made me a stronger costumer.
And while my path may have taken unexpected turns, I’ve never once doubted that this is exactly where I’m meant to be.
Looking back, I feel an immense sense of pride in the work I’ve accomplished and the decisions that I’ve made. Through this, I believe that inner little girl has finally been heard and is coloring away freely and happily at her many paper dolls. And while she may not have become a wife or a mother, she did, in fact, become that fashion designer.