Susan MartinekAllow me to tell you about myself. Growing up, my Mother sewed items for us children. This included matching dresses for our sister singing quartet. I began sewing when I was 10 while I was in 4-H. My mother allowed my older siblings and me to use he sewing machine. I made an orange pair of shorts for my first sewing project. I bought my first sewing machine while in high school. That portable machine served me well for many years. I enjoyed picking out the fabric, and pattern for garments as I planned items to be sewn. Being a relatively short person, 5'3", it was good to be able to adjust the length of a garment as I sewed it. One item I constructed as a teenager was a dress with a navy background and bright colored flowers on it. Flower power! It was a great printed fabric. I continued sewing as an adult. After having children, I continued to sew. I would make some things for them. One of my favorite clothing items I made was matching sailor items, a dress, and a sailor onesie for my young son. When sergers came out I was curious and eventually was able to buy one for myself. I had a sewing area set up in my basement so I was able to go down and sew when I wanted without setting it up and putting it away each time. One of my first paid sewing jobs was to make outfits for a window Christmas display in a local department store. One thing led to another and I was told of an alteration position at another local department store. I got the job and my "on-the-job" training on how to alter ready-to-wear clothing began. I also took a private tailoring class from a local tailor. Read More Read Less