Blog post number 2!
Last post, I was still gathering materials. Well since then, I’d say I’ve gotten quite a bit done. I met with Mai last Sunday and we had our first lesson where they taught me how to thread my machine and sew. That does remind me, the Sunday before that Sunday, I had gone to Mai’s place to pick up the sewing machine and a large bag of cotton scraps for me to use for sewing. Getting back to sewing with Mai, after threading the machine multiple times as we had way too many technical difficulties, I learned to sew lines and squares. And that ended our first lesson! After that, Mai gave me some homework, shapes to try and sew and instructions on how to iron my scraps of cotton flat. I practiced a few patterns (with both success and failure), and stress ironed some fabric. Ironing fabric relieves stress trust me. I’ll leave some images down below.
I didn’t want to pester Mai with questions since they’re really busy right now, but I did talk to they about sewing back when we worked together in a film. Mai told me a few years ago that they went to a university where they took classes on sewing costumes if I remember correctly. Additionally, they sewed cosplays for fun and works in closet and costume in film so you can say that they are quite well versed in the art. They noted that it was a very fun and interesting experience for them, and often wore their costumes to conventions, and even did a few performances and photoshoots I believe. In the film industry, it’s stressful and busy but the final results and the people you tend to see over and over again are worth it.
So far in our lessons, other than how to make stitches, Mai’s taught me some fundamentals. Ways to cheat around doing certain things, use your common sense if you don’t want to get hurt, work in a well-lit place, even if it means video quality is going to be bad. They’ve also taught me how important it is to prepare for lessons. Have all the materials ready, assign practice homework so you aren’t stuck in the same place forever, etc. etc.
So far, I’ve really been having a lot of fun making my wonky shapes on the sewing machine. I can’t wait for my next lesson!
Until then,
Athena
P.S. Why do I sign off like this is a letter? Might as well start it like a letter too next time.
