Wendy Grossman

Wendy

I am the Chief Instigator of the ASG Neighborhood Group known as Sew Chicago.  I organized the group for the very selfish reason that I wanted sewing buddies.  That was in the fall of 2008.  What I have now are new friends, lots of energizing inspiration, new knowledge about sewing and a fabric collection (much nicer word than stash) that just might outlive me.

I started sewing the summer after 8th grade, when I talked my parents into sending me to a six-week sewing class at the Singer store.  Nobody in my family sewed.  My mother hyperventilated whenever she had to do so much as sew on a button.  I happily sewed pants, jackets, skirts, pretty much anything.  My sweet sixteen birthday present was a Singer Touch & Sew.  In high school, I used it to sew costumes for plays.  In college, I used the embroidery function to embellish bed sheets I turned into togas for a sorority rush party.  The machine sat in the closet while I attended law school, but came out again when I started working.  I actually sewed a couple of suits I wore to work, but all I did was follow the directions in the patterns and I really knew nothing about tailoring.

I stopped sewing when I could buy well-made ready-to-wear and realized how my sewing really didn’t measure up to those standards.  Besides, I had many other demands on my time.  I picked up sewing again several years later, but got frustrated with a lapped zipper application.  About five years ago, I ventured back into sewing.  I subscribed to Threads Magazine.  I discovered sewing videos that could help me improve my skills.  And the Internet introduced me to a whole world of sewing books I never knew existed.  I was hooked.

Today, I struggle with fit and get frustrated that the garments I have in my head don’t look like the finished product.  The curse of perfectionism.  Still, my skills are improving and I find the joy of creating outweighs the frustration.  And so, I continue to sew.

Favorite color: Blues and greens

All-time favorite sewing accomplishment: Instigating the Curvy Girl Prom Dress Challenge and making that blue dress for it.

My sewing project list: I’m sure you don’t want to read a list that long! Right now I’m busy getting ready for the ASG Chicago Fashion Show. And I can’t wait to get started on my next Curvy Girl Prom Dress–I might even make two this year.

Favorite sewing tool: The one I spend the most time with is my seam ripper.  I do love my serger.  I had avoided knits for the longest time until I discovered what a breeze they are on a serger.