When I moved out and went to college, I was looking for rules and structure in all things, including sewing. So, I took courses and learned proper sewing technique. I worked in the costume shop at the college next to ladies that had no formal training, but mad skills. I got to work in a real shop with all the cool machines and cutting tables. I learned the proper procedures and picked up some really good habits.

Sam and I made or grew almost everything we consumed in those days, so I went to work making linens, clothing, and bags. I made some really crazy stuff, including some really wild dresses that I never took pictures of and no longer have in my closet. I taught a lot of people to sew and gave away a lot of finished objects. I supported my habit by working at the cutting table at JoAnn fabrics. I was the only employee under the age of 55. I made minimum wage (I worked a second job to make real money), but walked through my shift talking to everyone around me about sewing. I was learning a skill, like bricklaying, or cooking, necessary to society, but not necessarily art. I can still cut a straight line through 44 inches without marking it out.

I never thought to photograph any of it until I started hanging out in the art department with people that made “portfolios” of their creations. I was working through a senior seminar course in women’s studies and a thesis in humanities and was beginning to understand the craft vs. art rivalry. One day, I had an epiphany and hauled many handmade things from our house into the driveway for a photo shoot. I continued creating things for many years and did not photograph any of it!