When you order a custom flag or banner from FAB, chances are one of these lovely ladies handmade it.
Sewing in the ’70s
Growing up, my mom sewed all our clothes. We didn’t particularly like it. For Christmas, she would stay up late, after we went to bed, and make them. To try and fool us into thinking they were store bought, she would sew in store labels cut from old clothing. By the time I was in junior high (now called middle school) I was sewing my own clothing because mom never made my skirts quite short enough for my liking.
‘60s & ‘70s Fads
I guess learning to sew young sparked my love of fashion, and my love of hairstyles just followed suit. In the ‘60s, short, Twiggy wigs and short dresses were all the rage. With less than a yard of fabric, I could whip up a tiny little A-line skirt every night. With 2 yards of fabric, I could make a shift dress.
I remember well when all that changed. When my mom, to save money, went from sewing our clothes to letting us buy our clothes from the newly opened Walmart store in Levy. From there, you could buy it as cheap or cheaper than you could make it.
If, right now, you’re asking yourself, “why didn’t this woman just wear blue jeans,” it is because (and hard to believe) it wasn’t until I was in high school that blue jeans became acceptable attire for school.
Sewing Skills – a Lost Art
With the advent of cheap imports and the omission of home economics from school, nobody has the need, desire, or access to sewing, so the skill is being lost to Americans. That brings me to the ladies of our Miami store.
These first-generation immigrants, like me, grew up sewing. Today, they are a gear in America’s economy. They never miss work, complain, or act unhappy. Even though they are from all over and all speak different languages, we all communicate just fine. I love being around them and they love their job.
Get to know the eight different countries of these 11 seamstresses:
- Puerto Rico
- Cuba
- Haiti (2 people)
- Trinidad
- Nicaragua (3 people)
- Dominican Republic
- France
- And the only guy in the pic, Jason from the USA, has Argentine parents (I had to add the parents because he felt left out!
Get Kerry’s latest blog post every week by entering your information under Join Our Mail List in the side bar, checking the appropriate box, and clicking Subscribe. xoxoxo
