art & design homework travel

I learned how to sew and made my mom an apron for Christmas

December 25, 2012

I’m the type of person that enjoys learning how to do new things. And I love making stuff… why not learn how to sew?

This past late Autumn I took a sewing class at the Eliot School in Jamaica Plain (Boston), Massachusetts just a mere few blocks from my house.

Since being built in 1676, one full century before our country was a country, the Eliot School has offered classes in the applied fine arts. From the Eliot School website:

In 1676, a group of local residents donated corn and land to support a school in Jamaica Plain. That year marked the end of King Philip’s War. In 1689, Rev. John Eliot, known as Minister to the Indians, endowed the school with an additional 75 acres, with the provision that it educate Native Americans and Africans as well as colonial children. For the next two centuries, it was a grammar school, adapting to the times.

And now in the 21st century one can still take a class in everything from print making to leather work to furniture making to sewing.

I have to say, it was great learning how to thread a sewing machine if nothing less than to appreciate all of the work that goes into even the simplest of garments.

My introduction to basic sewing class met over the course of six weeks with a small class size of six. Our instructor, Carol, was ridiculously patient with me. I’m happy to say by class five I could thread the machine without bothering anyone.

Having visited my mum just a few weeks prior I was able to procure some interesting textiles from her treasure trove of fabrics. In particular, a beautiful rain-proof camo nylon and a cotton ornithology book plate print. I knew right away to whom I was giving my last and final project… an apron for my mum. For Christmas. Dawww.

This is how it turned out.

Small pocket!

Yes, it’s a green bow. Yes, those are my rain boots.

Camo lining. Just in case.

I am happy to say she loved it. It’s a Christmas miracle…

Dawwww…

Make it work people.

 

You Might Also Like

3 Comments

  • Avatar
    Reply Christine December 26, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    David, this is amazing! I think you found your new calling..and the camo. Brilliant.

  • Avatar
    Reply Larry December 28, 2012 at 1:13 am

    Yes, it is nice, but as a man going through my late-40s thickening, I have to admit I’m a little more impressed with David’s ridiculously flat midsection. Ah, the early 40s.

  • Reply so this happened: vol. 3, week 40 | david the tornado October 8, 2014 at 1:13 am

    […] my sewing is limited to aprons; otherwise maybe I would consider a new career, or at the very least submit a video audition to […]

  • Leave a Reply