For my STEP Signature Project, I had the opportunity to take three sewing and design courses through the New York Sewing Center over the past year. I also was able to obtain the materials necessary to complete these courses, as well as, create pieces on my own from what I learned in class. I took a Sewing 101 course and Pattern Making for Beginners course in the summer of 2021. The classes helped me develop the basic knowledge needed for working a sewing machine, using and creating a sewing pattern, and the tools I needed to get started. Then, I took a Fashion Sketching course in March of 2022. This class really helped me focus on the elements of designing clothing and the importance of conveying the details. One of my goals for this project was to create a more sustainable wardrobe using secondhand fabric or upcycling thrifted clothing. This project made this goal of mine possible as I was able to learn how to turn something old, into something new. For the duration of this project, I have been practicing and strengthening my sewing skills by creating pieces on my own including a couple of tops, a pair of pants, a bucket hat, a puff dress, and a sweater vest upcycled from a sweater. I have also created a skirt and blouse pattern.
Before beginning this project, I had little knowledge about sewing and designing clothes. It was always something that I had longed to learn, but never had the resources to do. I also had little motivation to try to sew or create my own clothes because I had no idea where to start or how to afford it. This project gave me the opportunity to learn this skill and fulfill a personal goal of mine to design and construct clothing. During this project, I was able to learn from experts in the New York Sewing Center, ask questions, and personalize the experience to me and my own learning habits.
I feel this project has been a transformational experience for me because I now feel more confident in my knowledge of fashion design and creation. Through this experience, I have gained confidence in my creative abilities and feel more likely to start a project that I want. I have even developed a new skill in crocheting, which combines my skills in design and sewing into a new art form. Overall, my creative abilities have transformed, and I feel confident I can use these skills in my future career.
Over the past year, I failed many times on my sewing projects. I did not always get things right on the first try. For example, I created a bucket hat for the first sewing project I did on my own. However, the first one that I made was so small that it would fit a small toddler, not me. It was frustrating, but I felt motivated to keep going and try again. After a second try, I was able to successfully create a bucket hat custom fit for me. There were instances of this in every step of this project, but as time went on and I continued practicing, perfecting my skills, and growing from this process.
From this project, I found a community of people who also enjoy creating and designing. I have made friends and connected with people closest to me from learning this new skill and I know this circle will only grow larger with time. I have inspired others to take an interest in fashion creation and I have been able to create things for the people around me.
My future goals have somewhat changed over the past year. Currently, I plan to start my career in retail and fashion merchandising. I think I will really enjoy the buying, sourcing, and planning aspect of fashion and I cannot wait to get started. The skills I have learned within my STEP project will be extremely useful for my career in merchandising. Merchandising encompasses more than just buying and presenting goods, it also means finding the right fabrics, designers, and producers. I will be able to use my understanding of the construction of fashion garments in my career when I am making these decisions.
I have also developed a goal to open my own small business selling small crochet and hand sewn garments and accessories. This goal of mine would not have been possible had I not had the opportunity and resources from the STEP Signature Project. I feel with my newfound skills in sewing and design, along with the business skills I am earning with my degree, I can create a successful small business doing something I am passionate about.
Below are a few of the projects I did outside of class. The sketch of the puff dress was created using Procreate.
