Cathy Hawley
Greg and I have been married for 26 years and have three girls and one boy, ages 21, 19, 15 and 11. The oldest two are in college. We have been home schooling for 11 years.
My education includes a bachelor of fine arts degree in journalism/public relations from Southern Methodist University. I worked for a not-for-profit organization as staff writer and editor of an employee newsletter until our first child was born. Since then, I have remained a stay-at-home mom and home educator.
I was surrounded by stitchers. Both my grandmothers sewed and did embroidery work. My grandmother, Anna, was a quilter. I remember being fascinated by her foot-powered sewing machine and peering curiously over her wooden quilting frame as she stitched her beautiful quilts. The one she made me is made out of scraps of fabric leftover from my school dresses. My mother also sews and does exceptionally beautiful embroidery work. I remember several garments she made me adorned with lavish embroidery detailing. “Doesn’t everybody know how to sew?” I asked her one day.
I was sewing at age 10. By age 14, I was making almost all of my own clothes. I enjoyed the sewing and designing process and received a lot of encouragement and praise from my three role models. Mom and I took particular delight in looking through fashion magazines for ideas and then creating garments with similar features for less money. Many of my prom dresses were designed in this way.
Over the years, I have introduced many young girls to cross stitch tea towels. Last year, I taught our Little Flower’s group how to quilt. The girls hand-stitched 4-patch blocks for a baby quilt. At next meeting, they hand-tied the quilt and later the finished quilt was donated to a local crisis pregnancy center. What a satisfying project for all of us! I want to thank this year’s Little Flower’s group for testing many of the projects I plan to use in this class.
Last summer, I had the opportunity to help with costumes for Rockwall Community Playhouse’s production of “Guys and Dolls.” My sewing and alternation skills were put to the test and I was given the opportunity to design and sew costumes for two dance numbers. I particularly enjoyed designing the hats for the show girls. I have recently assisted with costumes for “Fiddler On the Roof,” another RCP production. Costuming for the theater, what a new and exciting direction my sewing skills are leading me. I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for sewing with your family.
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