by Student & Guest Blogger - Diane E. Tschirgi

My mom once told me sewing was a good way to have more clothes.

Her advice likely came from an economic standpoint, but I think she had more in mind. Last summer I decided to explore what she said and set out to recreate my favorite wool shirt. Merino wool is renowned for its softness and ability to deflect odors and maintain a comfortable temperature whether hot or cold. Its price, however, reflects those super-powers.

I went to The Sewing Room Alameda with my shirt template in hand. Christine Knobel, one of their very accomplished sewing experts, pulled out a large roll of pattern paper and several shaped rulers, pencils, and a spiky roller thingie (tracing wheel) and the “Make My Dream Shirt” engineering project commenced. I watched in awe as she adeptly drew lines, marked notches, and “trued” the pattern. She explained each step and I nodded along and held the pencil or ruler in the spot indicated, as if I were helping. Being a seasoned educator, she wasn’t fooled by my nods of “understanding” and cracked open a reference book (Patternmaking for Fashion Design) and took me through the process again. Before long, I was tracing, truing, and adding in seam allowance all on my own!

My first “toile,” or practice piece, done on a remnant, was a mess,

which was immediately apparent when I couldn’t pull it over my head. Instead of being discouraged, I began to analyze it using what I had learned so far and found what went wrong. Namely, that I cut the neckband along the wrong grain, and it was too tight. A new feeling began to emerge, a sense of gratification, as I realized I was beginning to understand the how behind the what of something I’ve always taken for granted.

The next week, I went back and showed off my handiwork. Christine took a quick look and just as expertly as before, adjusted the pattern, showed me how to find the direction of greatest stretch (DOGS), and sent me off with a new term – DOGS, and a new remnant. I’ll bet you can guess what song was going through my head as I walked home. (Who did let the dogs out, anyway?)

Well, it took several toiles before I got the shirt to my liking, but, oh the learning I gained!

Today, I am wearing my shirt for the fourth time since it last needed washing. I feel cool and comfortable and accomplished. If my mom is looking down, I’ll bet she’s glad I finally took her advice. I saved a few dollars (half the cost of store bought) and resources (less washing needed). More importantly, I gained confidence along with the ability to understand how a thing is made, and the skill to make it myself. Thanks mom! And thanks crew at The Sewing Room Alameda!

Diane is a writer, and attempting to be a sewist. Like many creatives, she can get mixed and might do things in an odd order, like earn her Associate's Degree in English after a Master's Degree. Focusing solely on literature and creative writing was definitely more fun than History or International Relations Theory! Also like some creatives, she finds it difficult to pin down a specialty. So, she works best in argumentative essays, research on historical and contemporary issues, and drafting up short stories. If you could use the help of a writer, please contact Diane at greentreeink@gmail.com.