Beginnings.

There's no other way to start but to start.  I am learning to sew and this is my beginning.  

What's in a name?  Zoila was my grandmother.  Starting in her early teens she worked as a seamstress in Cuba, and she worked hard.  When my family moved to the U.S. she stopped sewing for a living and only sewed for loved ones.  Once, in grade school, a teacher asked if she could pay my grandmother to make a copy of the matching grandma-made dresses that my sister and I were sporting; I was so excited and proud to ask my grandmother.  She refused; she only sews for family, she said.  When I was fourteen I begged her to teach me to knit and sew; I quickly got bored, it was just too hard, and gave it up later that day.  I regretted that always.  I am naming this blog after my abuela because since I started sewing I haven't stopped thinking about her.  It's as if she's still here, helping me learn, all of these years later.  

I want to blog about this pilgrimage because I want to hold myself accountable, and not quit this.  Honestly, I'm the world's biggest quitter.  But that's gonna change, this is too important to me...  I want to be more like my sister, who is fearless; my mother, who is hard working, wise, and passionate (and gorgeous did I say gorgeous?); and my best friend Sara; who is brilliant and will probably rule the world some day.

And, also, a little like all of you.  The many inspirational and lovely sewing bloggers out there; teaching me about the beauty of hand made things. Thank you all so much.  You don't know me but I am in awe of your passion, grace, beauty, and SKILL.   I hope that I do you all justice.  I'm not gonna name everyone in this post because, frankly, I haven't discovered all the wonderful blogs out there yet, but don't be surprised if I mention a few of you from time to time.  Thank you all.

So, that's it.  Please be patient while learn to get good at this.  All advice is welcomed.   Sorry about the current layout, I promise to try and get crazy with the Cheez Whiz as learn.  Also, I'm known as "The Typo Queen" but I promise to do my best.

Oh!  I almost forgot...  I'm also in love with letterpress.  I might feel the need to blog about that too.  A lot.  I hope that's alright.

Abuela Zoila - some time in the forties.