Here’s My Story: 30 Years of Craftsmanship!

Where It All Started?

I grew up watching my mom, who was a tailor and seamstress!  She had two Singer sewing machines. One basic and one motorized. Her sewing lessons led me to this beautiful career!  

She used to teach me how to hand-sew caps, bags, pillow covers, etc. She also taught me common patterns for dresses, blouses, shirts, and more!

Memories From Childhood:

With my studies, mom also introduced me to the A-Zs of sewing! I was able to stitch dresses, frocks, curtains, etc., at the age of 10. My journey started sewing clothes for myself and my sister, Asha.  After school hours, I used to help my mom in her sewing business. I used to mark measurements, draw patterns, and cut fabric to help her. 

After completing high school in 1993, I attended a professional sewing program during vacations. It helped me improve my stitching skills and gain more knowledge. Till then, sewing had become more than just a hobby for me! It was a passion I never wanted to let go! 

One Where My Skills Refined:

I chose to go with my passion. For my degree, I enrolled in the International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD) to study fashion design. 

I explored all the trends in the costume industry at that time. In meantime, I also got the chance to work with the 90s models at various fashion events. I stitched garments for their runway walks. These opportunities gave me guidance from many mentors.  It was like opening a Pandora’s box for me!!

The Major Changes:

At 25, I married Harish. He was working as a Software Engineer in Tampa. I moved to the US with him after our wedding. Moving all the way from India was a really big change for me.

In a new country with a new life, I brought my childhood buddy with me! And that was my Merry sewing machine! My mom gifted me this machine on my 13th birthday. This machine holds endless memories of my childhood, Indian roots, and my undying passion for sewing.  

Days passed, and motherhood came! I had Ryan when I was 27 years old and Riya at 30! At that time, I decided to invest more time in children. Till 2010, I was managing the house and family. In those 10 years, I never stopped sewing! Whenever I had free time, I used to stitch clothes. It was like ‘me-time’ for me. 

From stitching pregnancy gowns to soft newborn clothes for my little ones, I did it all. I even sewed spooky Halloween costumes like clown dresses, pirate caps, etc. Every year, friends in our neighborhood were eager to see new custom costumes that I stitched for the kids.

Tiny Steps:

Being an Indian, I was used to wearing sarees on festivals. But my two pregnancies brought some changes in my weight.

It was really daunting to sew a new blouse every time due to my changing body measurements. I wanted something that I could wear on festive days without any discomfort.

One day, I was changing Ryan’s disposable diaper.  That’s when an Idea struck me. I was thinking- ‘Just like babies have stretchable diapers, what if I make a stretchable blouse for myself?’

As a new mom, I was always sweating. I wanted to use lightweight cotton fabric instead of synthetic fabric for this blouse.

Soon, I started working on this idea. I added elastic on the sleeves and the sides of the busts (below the underarms), gathered fabric pleats, and sewed them with running stitches. This was my prototype for a stretchable saree blouse. However, it was a little loose and uneven. 

New moms know how hard it is to get ready when you have little kids. So, to save time, I decided to make this blouse ‘Ready-to-wear’. I only kept one hook in the bust area. You have to put it on like a T-shirt or top. It was suitable to pair with a saree or ethnic palazzos.

I tried again and again. On the 12th attempt, I finally got a perfect pattern for my stretchable blouse. I wore that blouse on my pure cotton saree at that year’s Diwali party. Everyone was so amazed to see such an unique idea. 

Many of my friends (especially those who were pregnant or new moms) asked me to stitch the same type of blouse for them, too! Many of them were facing the same issue with changing body weight. 

Somewhere, I started a passive business while stitching at home! This idea blew up like crazy. I had to hire another tailor to complete these orders. 

The One Where My Sewing Journey Bloomed:

Harish has always supported me throughout these years. Years went by, and kids grew up! At 35, I decided to rekindle my passion for sewing. With little savings in the last 10 years, I opened my first shop, ‘The Thread Corner.’ I was on cloud nine! My dream had finally come true!

I started with two machines and 2 women assistants. The story repeated! My kids also liked to help me with my sewing orders. They were also learning from me, as I did from my mom!

We had so many retaining customers that we shifted from manual machines to automatic machinery. Many women like me came across during this period. Some wanted to pursue their dream of becoming a professional tailor; others wanted to start their sewing career.

Now, I have around 40 machines and 70 women working under me! I guess that was my ‘dream come true’ moment: A happy family and work community that felt like home!

Why Me?

I have been successfully running a sewing business for 15 years. Many of my customers showed an interest in developing their sewing skills. And, you know what? They were not only females. Many men, young boys, and girls were excited to learn.

I had a thought! 

Why don’t I start a club for the local community? 

A club where people who want to learn this skill can ask questions without any hesitation.  Soon, I started a weekly sewing club named ‘You Can Sew’ for those who want to learn this skill. 

Visitors were growing day by day. Seeing this, Harish suggested that I share this knowledge online too. In this way, I was able to help more students who really need guidance. 

So, I decided to start this blog, ‘Bobbin Diary’, to share in-depth sewing knowledge and tips from my 30 years of experience. 

Rooted in Care, Grown with Purpose!

Do you know what inspired me the most to grow in sewing?

First, the heavenly happiness on my customers’ faces after they see custom-sewn clothes! 

And, second, the joy my employees feel while working.

I’ve worked with hundreds of sewing practitioners to help them master:

✅Secret sewing Tips

✅Guidance on sewing tools 

✅Accurate measurements and trendy patterns 

✅Using the right machines and techniques

And, it’s time to share this knowledge and experience! 

Remember, no one is here to judge you. We all went through the same situations while learning this skill! 

I like being unbiased. You are just like me. Learning and growing each day to master this skill! 

Learning to sew is an art. The more you discover, the more you enjoy its beauty! 

So, if you are a learner or sewing enthusiast, see you in the blogs!

If you need any guidance in sewing, send me an email. I am always here to help.