I love that sound—the rattling of sewing machines.
It reminds me of the good times I had during my apprenticeship as a clothing designer. I didn’t like needlework lessons at school; arithmetic was my favorite subject. Math came easily to me, and I enjoyed it. Now, I’m grateful to have this skill because there’s so much to calculate in the development, design, and manufacturing of textile products.
Back then, needlework lessons offered too little room for creativity.
Still, I later had the chance to work in a couture atelier, where sewing ultimately became my passion and shaped my career.
I was always very precise; I loved accuracy. I learned to sew with a precision of 0.5 millimeters on the machine during my apprenticeship and felt satisfied and proud to soon meet that requirement. Even now, I can look at my sewing progress and think,
“Wow, what a beautiful curve!”
In the couture atelier, much of the sewing was also done by hand, especially for the elaborate wedding dresses that required meticulous craftsmanship. Thanks to my diligence, I was soon able to contribute, which felt like an honor. The delicate white fabric required careful handling, and the sewing machines had to be de-oiled first to avoid any residue.
When I pricked my finger, I learned to remove the blood with my own saliva, since it’s said to dissolve only one’s own blood!
Hand-sewing was a joy as well, and it’s a shame this skill is being lost. Slow, precise, almost perfectionist—these are qualities that define me and align perfectly with hand-sewing. On the other hand, I can also sew rapidly, “stepping on the gas” when the project calls for it.
There’s a time to sew fast and even race with the sewing machine!
The wedding dresses were beautiful work, but they were far removed from my own reality. I didn’t—and still don’t—think about getting married. All over the world, seamstresses make dresses they would never wear and often couldn’t afford.
Sewing is a universal craft that connects us, regardless of location.
There are different techniques and traditions, and it’s enriching to learn about them. Yet some aspects of sewing are universal, like the act of “sewing up”—a technique used worldwide.
Sewing requires few words; you can simply watch others sew, without needing to speak the same language. You can even sense a seamstress’s mood through her sewing, whether she’s happy, sad, or something else entirely. Sewing is a fantastic craft.
It also empowers me to be self-sufficient.
If I change—whether it’s my life, my style, or my shape—I can adapt my clothes to fit. This self-reliance feels rewarding and liberating. Working with your hands and seeing what you've created brings a profound sense of achievement.
This sense of accomplishment is something many people crave, but few have the time or patience to pursue. Few are willing to learn the craft, practice rigorously, and endure the frustration of failing repeatedly, only to start over again. It’s a shame because the satisfaction of success does come, and it’s immensely gratifying.
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