The assignment was to make a padded hanger. Valerie demonstrated the concept with ease, wrapping and sewing and stuffing with a finesse that made conservation look like child’s play. “Sew the stockinette closed using a blind stitch.” She lackadaisically showed me an example of the sewing technique, but she did not stick around to see if I understood it. I, being a non-sewer, struggled with the padded hanger. My stitches were sloppy, my technique was non-existent. I didn’t even know if I was doing right to begin with. A classmate tried to help me, but she eventually gave up. I was pitiable. And I had no one to turn to. Sewing isn’t like some science you can research in a book - its a learned art, you have to be shown the proper handling in order to be successful. Or have time to practice. I had no time to practice. I had no money for supplies. “It’s not very tight,” she criticized me later. “And your padding is uneven.”
