How T.A.G. Helped My Daughter Learn to Sew

by Susan Clot de Broissia

When my daughter was nine years old, she announced she wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine to make clothes and accessories. We had been crafting together for several years, but I was unable to teach her, never having used a sewing machine before.

I eventually discovered that the American Sewing Guild’s Plano Chapter offers affordable kids’ sewing classes through their “Teaching Another Generation” (TAG) program. That year, the chapter was offering a seven-session kids’ summer sewing camp where the students would learn machine basics and how to buy fabric for a pattern, and then complete four projects: a drawstring bag, a skirt from a tee shirt, a skirt from a pattern and a pillowcase.

With instruction from several experienced and welcoming ASG chapter volunteers, my daughter and other campers were able to complete the four projects on their own.  My daughter loved it. As a result, we both joined the Plano ASG chapter after the TAG summer camp. We were encouraged to attend other chapter programs outside of TAG. My daughter and I went to several neighborhood group meetings when she was not in school, including Community Sew, where she made various items for local charities.  We attended ASG luncheons and participated in chapter sewing challenges.

Over the years, my daughter’s love of sewing has continued to grow. Some highlights include:

• She custom designed a medication bag that she entered in a national ASG sewing competition, which she used for several years!
  • Several neighbors hired her to sew or fix items (e.g. repairing outdoor seat cushions, hemming curtains, making newborn baby clothes) when they learned she knew how to sew.
• When COVID hit, she joined the Plano ASG chapter’s efforts to sew masks to donate to local hospitals. She made more than 200 masks.
  • She makes her own patterns that she has used to make bucket hats and rompers.
• She sewed 80 pouches for a PhD student’s research project at her college last June and will be acknowledged in a scientific publication and PhD dissertation manuscript.
•  She repairs clothing including replacing zippers as needed instead of getting rid of it when damaged.
• She creatively upcycles thrift store finds.
• She makes artistic representations of places she will be visiting and wears those creations in her photos (e.g. Panda Research Base in Chengdu, China; Great Wall of China, Paragliders at Torrey Pines Gliderport). 
• She has “paid it forward” by teaching friends how to sew – both on a machine and by hand.

When she first wanted to learn to sew, I did not consider all the benefits. Learning to sew as a child may have contributed to her ability to do well in engineering school, but most definitely helped her develop life-long skills.

Some skills that have been attributed to learning to sew as a child and beyond:

 I would like to thank the TAG volunteers who worked with my daughter when she was learning as well as all the other students who have participated in TAG. You have made a lasting impression on my daughter and others by sharing your sewing skills, passion and encouragement.