What's your story? How'd you get started? What's a typical day like? Working on a novel, general info wanted! :)

Hey there -
I'm working on a novel which features a seamstress as one of my main characters. I'd love to hear some stories from you guys. Basically I'm trying to find out, in essence, what it's like to be a seamstress.
I'd really like to gain a feel for is what a typical day is like. (Get ready for an army of question marks!) For example, do you work from home? (What's that like?) Run a shop? How many clients do you see a day? What sort of work do you do?
I'm also interested in how you got started. Were you always interested in sewing? Did your family sew? Did you go to school for it, or have some sort of an apprenticeship? Start out in a shop and eventually start your own business? How old were you?
Lastly (sorry!) I'd like to know a little more about wedding dresses specifically. Is that sort of work considered to be, more or less, the top of the field? Does it take a certain level of experience? If so, how long did it take you (if you work with wedding dresses) to earn that experience? What are some specific concerns when working with wedding dresses? (and brides-to-be?)
I'm really most interested in the human element of sewing. Technicalities are interesting, but I can learn those from books. I'd really just like to know what it's like, on a day-to-day basis, being a seamstress.
Any interesting tid-bits, stories... I'd love to hear them! Please post your thoughts.
Thank you!

-Sarah

Also, if anyone would be willing, I'd love to talk with you more in-depth over email.
<Edited by Host: contact info removed>

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I worked in the space program for 30 Yrs. as a Space Shuttle / Station Soft Goods Technician. I am now retired. I have been a seamstress for 40 years. if you need any info just let me know.

<Edited by Host: contact info removed>

Sarah in Vancouver, Washington said: Hey there -
I'm working on a novel which features a seamstress as one of my main characters. I'd love to hear some stories from you guys. Basically I'm trying to find out, in essence, what it's like to be a seamstress.
I'd really like to gain a feel for is what a typical day is like. (Get ready for an army of question marks!) For example, do you work from home? (What's that like?) Run a shop? How many clients do you see a day? What sort of work do you do?
I'm also interested in how you got started. Were you always interested in sewing? Did your family sew? Did you go to school for it, or have some sort of an apprenticeship? Start out in a shop and eventually start your own business? How old were you?
Lastly (sorry!) I'd like to know a little more about wedding dresses specifically. Is that sort of work considered to be, more or less, the top of the field? Does it take a certain level of experience? If so, how long did it take you (if you work with wedding dresses) to earn that experience? What are some specific concerns when working with wedding dresses? (and brides-to-be?)
I'm really most interested in the human element of sewing. Technicalities are interesting, but I can learn those from books. I'd really just like to know what it's like, on a day-to-day basis, being a seamstress.
Any interesting tid-bits, stories... I'd love to hear them! Please post your thoughts.
Thank you!

-Sarah

Also, if anyone would be willing, I'd love to talk with you more in-depth over email.
<Edited by Host: contact info removed>

Hi! there could be no more exciting challenging job than a seamstress.one could just whew upon listening to a construction process being done, for seamstress could never get on his food till everydetail done.Thanks! its about time somebody listens to us.

Sarah in Vancouver, Washington said: Hey there -
I'm working on a novel which features a seamstress as one of my main characters. I'd love to hear some stories from you guys. Basically I'm trying to find out, in essence, what it's like to be a seamstress.
I'd really like to gain a feel for is what a typical day is like. (Get ready for an army of question marks!) For example, do you work from home? (What's that like?) Run a shop? How many clients do you see a day? What sort of work do you do?
I'm also interested in how you got started. Were you always interested in sewing? Did your family sew? Did you go to school for it, or have some sort of an apprenticeship? Start out in a shop and eventually start your own business? How old were you?
Lastly (sorry!) I'd like to know a little more about wedding dresses specifically. Is that sort of work considered to be, more or less, the top of the field? Does it take a certain level of experience? If so, how long did it take you (if you work with wedding dresses) to earn that experience? What are some specific concerns when working with wedding dresses? (and brides-to-be?)
I'm really most interested in the human element of sewing. Technicalities are interesting, but I can learn those from books. I'd really just like to know what it's like, on a day-to-day basis, being a seamstress.
Any interesting tid-bits, stories... I'd love to hear them! Please post your thoughts.
Thank you!

-Sarah

Also, if anyone would be willing, I'd love to talk with you more in-depth over email.
<Edited by Host: contact info removed>

Hello Sarah,

I consider myself a very well rounded seamstress and sewer. I've done everything from bridal to boat covers and everything in between. Takes so long to type all answers to your questions but would be happy to do a phone interview you could record if that's an option. I will be on the road Friday later morning which would be a terrific time to call. Email responce please.

Sewfemm in Spring Hill, Florida said:

Thanks for the reply - I'd love to do a phone interview. Friday morning would be great - can I get your email address so I can email you my number?

Sewfemm@aol.com--I look forward to it.

Nancy
Rainbow Sewing

Hi Sarah,
After graduating from MSU, with a BS, I somehow decided I wanted to sew for a living. Can't explain it really, it was always just something at the back of my head, too bad I didn't do the fashion design program there. I just wanted to do something creative. I bought a new machine at the "mother's day sale at sears" with my first check in my new studio apartment, and made a queen size quilt for my bed. I had some experience sewing, but hadn't finished many garments until I started getting paid for them. I guess I am natural seamstress. I learned to say "sure I can do that" and then had to spend hours looking in books to find out exactly how I was supposed to do something. I have gained the ability by now, about 14 yrs later, to go along with the confidence I was projecting. I work at home, because I like the freedom. I've spent many a long sewing session finishing something to get done by a deadline. I work mostly for art fair and entreprenuer fashion designers, they mostly send the goods cut and I sew and send back, they final press. I love what I do, I love the gratification of a job well done.
I've done alterations on formal wear, but I've avoided Wedding dresses like the plague (except for my own), mostly because of what my friends and aquaintances were like about wedding preparations. I have a fear of the unsatisfied bride. Sooo many people I know wanted the smaller size ordered because they were GOING to lose weight and then had to have the dress taken out somewhere! So much easier to sew at home!
Does that help?
Diane