In order for one to truly master a skill, they need to maintain discipline, patience and of course be willing to start from the bottom.
There are numerous activities that put those attributes to the ultimate test but only one comes into mind, sewing.
Sisters Sewing for Themselves, a Wendywood community-based sewing project ran by Premi Roopanand, helps to ensure that both women and men develop the fundamental skills of sewing.
Roopanand invited Sandton Chronicle to one of her classes on February 8 to share the art of sewing.
Four students with sewing kits occupied her sewing station and were fired up to start working on their individual projects. One student, in particular, Diatile Mosivoa, shared her process of making a dress through the guidance of Roopanand.
The requirements that one would need in the beginning phase of their project is a pencil, an eraser, large sheets of brown paper, measuring tape, a pair of scissors and a notebook. These items are all essential for the drafting process.
Roopanand explained, “Drafting is when you apply the body measurements of your subject on the brown paper. The body measurement is the size of an individual’s garment. The drafting process is very important as it determines whether the subject will be able to fit in his or her garment once they receive the final product. If the measurement isn’t right you have to start from scratch.
“The fabric used for the garment will then be laid under the brown paper that was used for the body measurement. The seamstress will cut the fabric in the exact measurements that were shown on the brown paper using a pair of scissors. After cutting the fabric, the next phase is stitching the whole garment by using the sewing machine. The final phase is when the seamstress irons the garment.”
Mosivoa concluded, “I enjoy everything that I do because I always come across something that is new. Drafting takes about an hour and to complete the entire project usually takes about two weeks.”
Classes are scheduled from Tuesday to Thursday and on weekends. For more information, contact Premi Roopanand on 072 750 0375.
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