Sew what?

So this morning at around 9:45 a.m yours truly was inhaling all the wonderful vapors that the BQE under construction could muster. It was a gorgeous morning, but I was getting a little anxious sitting in the infamous NYC traffic because a sista had somewhere to be by 10. I have attracted much criticism from family and friends for what seems to them to be my latest entry on the ever growing "weird ass things only Khadijah would do" list. But, not one to be dissuaded by the lack of practicality of a venture, there I was, sewing machine in tow, whipping, dodging and weaving - trying my best to make it to http://www.harrietsalteregoonline.com/ on time.

Alas, the traffic opened up and I was breezing down Atlantic, whipped a right on Flatbush and four blocks later, after busting a highly illegal U-wee, found my self easing in to a parking space reserved especially for me in front of Harriett's. I must tell you that my uber cool girlfriend KG first introduced me to Harriett's about 5 years ago. KG was actually my first official Brooklyn tour guide....she is the one who is responsible for my love affair with this wonderful place.

Yep, I like New York, but I love Brooklyn in particular. Why? I love the sights, the sounds, the diversity, the abundance of creative people making all kind of really cool and interesting things come to life on the canvas, in the streets, on the buildings, in the buildings, on their bodies, with their hair, with their clothes, in their food, in their music, in their books, on their cards etc. Brooklyn is one of the places where I always feel like, at least on the surface, there are so many people with whom I can relate, people who inspire me through their artistic expression in myriad forms. I know that my love affair is primarily sustained by the fact that I don't live there. I have been told that life in the BK can get old after a while, which I am sure is true for just about any seemingly enchanted place.

Suffice it to say, I don't live there, and therefore, the love affair continues. I fancy myself a little brown Alice reincarnate, styling my way through Biggie's former stomping ground, my urban wonderland of the Brook-nam !

So, for the next five Saturdays, I along with 5 other women (all of whom live in Brooklyn it seems) will sit and take direction from our really funky and fabulous instructors on the very basics of sewing (threading the machine, making gathers and pleats, installing zippers etc, etc). Now, I must tell you that this is not my first sewing class. I even have a pretty nifty tunic that I created about 7 years ago as proof. However, as I was too busy taking my college prep courses in high school- i missed out on the home ec. and really never have gotten totally comfortable with the sewing machine. I was able to make the tunic, but a month later, could barely thread the machine properly.....needed more practice. I have always wanted to sew, although I did not realize that was what I wanted to do.

As a rule, I prefer simply constructed garments. I like good fabrics with an occassional pop of color or unexpected flourish or detail..but nothing too gaudy. Although I tend to be a bit eclectic with accessories, I like a basic palate in terms of my clothing. I so often go into stores, look at things I like and say "they want how much for that" with an added "I could make that myself" for dramatic effect. So it is, after a lifetime of going from store to store hoping to, yet again, come across that little "find" (my bargain hunting prowess is legendary around these parts) I have come to a point where I realize that there are some things that I want to wear that have yet to be created. Alas, i'm sewing.

The very interesting thing about this class is that it is populated by a culturally diverse yet, highly educated group of women. One woman is working on her Ph.D in education and another a Columbia Law graduate and another a freelance writer for several magazines. The running commentary in class last week revolved around our common desire to return to something that was once so much a basic part of the lives of women. The creation of garments to protect their families from the elements.

Almost everyone of us recalled a mother or grandmother or auntie who at some point had attempted to teach us how to sew, all but the basics of which most of us had long forgotten. In fact, my mother used to sew really, really well. I remember her sewing cushions for our couch made out of African fabric (it was the seventies ya'll) which everyone loved. She sewed dashiki's and all types of stuff. How ironic that after all the varied successes, the advanced degrees, and the upward mobility that has allowed us the convenience of purchasing our clothing already assembled, thereby allowing time for us to occupy our "free" time with other seemingly "more advanced pursuits" that we would actively pursue such a basic activity as taking needle to thread.

I remember a friend of mine who used to make her own clothing in college, not that she had to, but because she wanted to. It was not until after we graduated that she shared her secret. She has gone on to establish her own clothing line and has landed several fabulous jobs in the industry which allow her to travel the world. I recall her telling me one day that she kept her sewing skills a secret to us so as not to be frowned upon by those of us who were too busy giving all our money away to Limited, Limited Express and Benetton (I know I am dating myself here). I always admired KR's style and it was then that I knew why. She did not look like everyone else, her style was all her own because she had a direct hand in it's creation.

Really and truly, you all should have seen me in class last week when I created my first set of pleats and gathers. It was a remarkable moment. And I was not alone in my admiration and fascination with my accomplishment. All the women were holding their materials up to the light, admiring their work like proud mothers on graduation day "ooohing" and "aaahing" talking about how much we were going to practice and refine our new skills in the days to come.

It is pretty basic I guess, this love affair I have with pursuing my bliss no matter where it leads me - but experience has taught me that in reality I am a pretty basic girl. I like good food, good books and good company, love my family and- and my friends like they are family- and I am willing to go far out of my way in terms of expense, travel and convenience to pursue and or support all of the above. Ergo, my needing to travel to Brooklyn to take a sewing class.

By the end of this class we should be creating a satchel and a decorative pillow case. I hope to post some flicks so you all can see my work.......in the meantime, anybody know how I might try out for Project Runway? I don' t think they are ready for what Mrs. K will be coming with by the end of this sewing class. LOL!