03/05/2026
This is me at age 16, wearing a pair of pants I made and a top I dyed myself.
I learned to sew in Handwork classes at school. I spent most lunchtimes in the handwork room. I learned proper, technical, following a pattern, pressing all seams. My teacher was strict! I loved it! The process an dthe logic of construction.
But at home I sewed like a cowboy.
These are pants with men’s ties down the sides seams. I loved the purple shot blue fabric and the retro ties so I combined them. I do not listen to any of the learned construction I’d been taught. I don’t even think I used a paper pattern.
And that’s a mentality I’ve embraced now. There’s the craft that I’ve learned properly and can do exactly, slowly, patiently. And then there’s the moment you go completely rogue fully surrendering to the creative impulse that’s alive and pulsing. Experimenting. Making something totally you own. Full self expression.
Is that what self expression actually is? Not freedom from rules but freedoms through knowing them well enough to play.
I love to pass this on to others and am blessed I am able to do so through teaching.
