My relationship with sewing started way back in Christmas 2005, when I opened a present that would quietly shape my entire creative life: my very first sewing machine. At the time, I was mostly fueled by curiosity and the thrill of making something from nothing. Luckily for me, my mom knew exactly what she was doing and patiently taught me how to read patterns, thread a machine, and not completely lose my mind over broken needles. Truly heroic behavior.
By my sophomore year of high school, I took a sewing class and learned even more about patterns and garment construction. I made a skirt, a dress, and (because every sewing journey requires it) a few pairs of pajama pants. Sewing was fun, creative, and oddly empowering… but like many things we love, it got put on pause while I went off to do “real life.”
Fast forward to 2020 (my 26th birthday), when my now-husband gave me the sewing machine I still use today: my Brother SE625. He is hands down one of my biggest supporters (second only to my mom), and a huge reason sewing made its way back into my life. I dabbled a bit after that, but nothing too serious… yet.
Then 2024 happened.
In November, I was laid off from my corporate banking job, and suddenly I had time, feelings, and a strong need to create something that wasn’t an Excel spreadsheet. So I went back to sewing. And then I really went back. Since then, I’ve fallen headfirst into sewing, Cricut crafts, embroidery, and anything else that lets me make a mess and turn it into something cool.
Somewhere along the way, sewing stopped being “just a hobby” and became a part of who I am. I’ve learned so much, grown so much confidence, and found so much joy in creating with my hands. It’s honestly one of my favorite things about myself. Sewing calms me, challenges me, excites me, and occasionally humbles me (looking at you, crooked seams).
At the end of the day, this is more than fabric and thread. It’s creativity, comfort, and coming back to yourself, again and again. And for me, sewing has always been there, waiting patiently until I was ready to come home to it.