A day in the life of a seamstress

For my birthday this year I told my parents I wanted two things.

1. A sewing class
2. Dishes

The first one I thought would make a great blog post — hence this one — and could also save me some money on clothes in these "tough economic times." And the other was an after thought since I soon will be moving into my own apartment and might have to eat off napkins and/or paper plates because my dining collection is next to nil.

So I hit up The Needle Shop, a local sewing/fabric store in Bucktown, on Tuesday night and learned the lost art of sewing. But this wasn't my first time. No, that was back in sixth grade at Fegely Middle School in Portage, Indiana. We had two options of taking shop class or home economics (sewing and cooking.) Of course, I took them both.

After that semester I could operate a hacksaw better than a sewing machine. But after 15 years, I thought I would take another stab at it. And I am pleasantly surprised how the final product, a pillow, turned out. It is perfect.

The class normally only has four students, but this night two students bailed, so my classmate Bree (a graphic designer at Chicago Magazine) and I pretty much had a private lesson. It was awesome. Our instructor was patient and relaxed. We learned how to turn on our machine, thread the needle and our bobbin, sew in a zipper and make a pillow. The three of us also discussed other important issues like what the heck this season of Lost is all about and our thoughts on Match.com.

And I decided with this post to get even more high-tech. I posted the photos of my sewing class on Flickr. Check out how serious I can be in my Sewing101 photo essay.

And because the end result turned out so well, I have decided to take the next step in my new-found hobby and invest in a sewing machine. Also I realized that I will never have to buy another pillow from a store again! Nor will anyone in my family. And I hate to spoil it, but everyone next Christmas is getting a pillow. Like it or not.

- Nimms

On the sidelines at Fashion Week.

What were you doing the second week of February when you were a teenager?

Wherever you were, I will venture to guess it wasn't sitting in between the likes of Heidi Klum, Anna Wintour, Rachel Zoe or the Olsen twins. But this week in Bryant Park, several young faces will sit in the crowd and report back to us "old gals" what will be haute next fall.

So I am just going to come out and say it — I'm jealous. When I was a teenager the Internet was dial-up and my time online was spent faux fighting with complete strangers in chat rooms. We didn't have Rock Band, we had Sega. Blogging wasn't invented yet. And no one really cared about aspiring young designers, bickering housewives, lonely bachelors searching for love or weekend fights at the Jersey shore. I guess you could say my life as a teenager was pretty normal.

Now things are different. And as if I don't put enough pressure on myself to be in the 40 Under 40, here come a handful of bloggers who are celebrating success right around their sweet sixteen birthday.

But in all fairness, well done ladies, er girls. I can't imagine what it would be like to have my presence requested at Fashion Week at the age of 27, let alone 12. So I'd like to feature a few of these young fashionistas who have perked my interest and, I must admit, have me perusing their blogs several times a week. And you can bet I will be checking in this week to learn their thoughts about what went on in the tents this year.

Tavi Gevinson, 13
Style Rookie
Probably hands down one of the youngest and most talented fashion bloggers to grace the World Wide Web. Sure her taste is a bit extreme for me — and frankly a style I think only a 12-year-old can pull off — but I admire her passion and creative eye.














Jane Aldridge, 17
Sea of Shoes
Pair this 16-year-old's eye for style with her mother's amazing ability with a camera and you have quite a knockout fashion duo. While Jane's true love is shoes, she's not so bad at putting some great outfits together that I find suitable for women of all ages.















Camille R., 17
Childhood Flames
I just recently stumbled upon Childhood Flames, so I don't know too much about this 17-year-old blogger. But from what I have seen her style is vintage and involves tons of black, so she's got my attention.

















Karla Deras, 21
Karla's Closet
While this jem of a blogger won't be at Fashion Week this year due to school and other obligations — good for you Karla — she is still a girl with a great eye for fashion that I think you should give some attention too. Her style is fun, flirty and feminine. What's not to love?!? And on a side note, Karla rocks a wicked short styled cut, and any girl that can pull that off has definitely got my attention.












Stefanie, 18
Factory Girl
OK so I am pretty sure Stefanie won't be attending any events at Fashion Week, but she is definitely someone to keep your eye on for the future. I see potential in this girl's photography, Internet fashion research skills are above average and most importantly she's got passion. If Stefanie keeps up the hard work, I think she's a gal we'll be seeing a lot more of in the future.

As for me? Who knows! I got a plan that leads me to attending Fashion Week in the future, but for right now baby steps. However, while I hate to admit it, many of these girls have already made their mark (or at least are on their way) so it would be wise to follow closely and learn as much as I can from them. Hopefully, one day I can join the ranks... or at least retire before they do.

Holler back if you've got any young fashionistas on your radar. I would love to add to my collection to make me feel even more of an underachiever. No just kidding. But really, pass along any jems I missed.

- Nimms