Ever since I started sewing my own clothes in 2021, I’ve turned everything in my closet inside out to figure out how it’s made. I find myself saying dorky things like “Oh, that’s a flat felled seam,” or, “A welt pocket would’ve looked better.” My dog stares at me and my husband nods his head, like, sure, whatever you say, boss.
Sewing, as both a creative outlet and a practical skill, connects me deeply to my clothing—a mindset shift in our consumerist world of mass produced, on-demand goods. I don’t go a week without wearing something I made myself, whether it’s a button-up shirt or a patchwork tote bag or elastic linen pants. Naturally, I’ve tackled more advanced projects as my skills have progressed. I’ve gotten faster, smarter, and more precise with the sewing machine.