The journey began once my friend had graciously accepted and gave me the go ahead with the hoodie project.

I knew I wanted to make prototypes not only for sizing but to make sure to get the “kinks” out before embarking on the actual hoodies for my friend. I enjoyed the process of thinking through the style of hoodie, procuring material, the desired detailing etc. Then there was the equipment that I also was dealing with like an almost 30 year old serger that when picked up a piece of plastic would crack or break off. This I knew needed replacing. 

Once getting through all of the above, I was ready to start on my first hoodie, and it was comical how many things went sideways for me. There were definitely “kinks” to work through and work out. It still turned out just fine, but my artist daughter who knows how meticulous I am was laughing when I ran down the list of things that went awry with my prototype. She said, “Who are you? This is not the person I know.” Big smile. It was not one of my greatest crafting experiences, but there was a lot of learning and the learning continued as I kept making the different sample sizes. I shared some of my “learning experiences” with my friend, and I half wondered if I was causing her to break out in hives from stress. She never shared, and I never asked. 

What brings meaning to the hoodie is the emotional (and stressful) piece of laying out the original article of clothing and taking a photo before I begin the long process of deconstructing the piece. It is time consuming to seam rip, but I want to have every inch of fabric available to use. It is important because some patterns/designs of the material of the shirt have better placement for cutting the lining for the hood and for the drawstrings. (Again something learned with the prototypes.) The pieces of fabric from the shirt that I do not use get saved and returned with the newly created hoodie. 

I like to take photos as I slowly make my way through the process of reconstructing and bringing life to not only a piece of cut fabric but to a piece of clothing brought together in a different form. It is a way to remember where we started and where we ended. 

There is something very meaningful and magical about the process and the end result for me. Even though I am one person, I feel I get to touch many in a way that gives back to me as much as I hope it gives to the recipient.