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Hernando Today

Sew Enlightened

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LINNEA BROWN

Published: January 5, 2008

Hernando Beach resident Abby Wright, 26, vividly remembers the "Eureka!" moment three years ago when the sewing bug bit.

Driving home after a long, unsatisfying day of clothes shopping, Wright's mother turned to her and suggested she try making some of the garments she was searching for.

"It was like a light bulb went off," Wright said. "She took me to JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts and I picked out my first pattern and fabric. She gave me her old sewing machine, and I began making my first purse."

Hard to believe that only three short years later, one of Wright's handmade dresses would be chosen first for a national American Sewing Guild fashion show in California, then for a feature in the December 2007/January 2008 issue of Threads magazine.

But that's exactly what happened — and Wright attributes her sewing success to the techniques she's learned through ongoing adult education classes at Nature Coast Technical High School.

An Orlando native, Wright followed her family to Hernando County after graduating with a business management degree from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. She now works as a copywriter and product specialist at Safety Marketing Services in Brooksville.

She first learned about the $45-per-semester community classes two years ago after attending a tedious semester of sewing classes at the prominent International Academy of Design and Technology in Tampa, then dropping out.

"I just didn't feel it was necessary to get another college degree," Wright said. "I felt the less-formal educational route was the way to go, and that I could get (the skills needed) through experience."

That week, she learned about the community classes at Nature Coast — and has been there ever since.

"The first night I walked in, I learned that the instructor, Jean Lubrano, also teaches at the International Academy," Wright said. "I realized I could have the experience and learn everything I needed without having to commit myself to school again, and everything just worked itself out. I've signed up for every class they've had since."

The beginner-level course takes place once a week in eight-week sessions, typically on a weeknight from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Participants bring sewing machines, fabric and designs to class, and the instructor teaches relevant techniques to accomplish their goals.

"I love it," Wright said. "It's awesome, because you can just come in and she'll teach you the basics, no matter what your skill level is. It's a great opportunity to set aside time to do what you love."

Around the same time, she also joined the New Port Richey chapter of the American Sewing Guild, a neighborhood group, of which she is now neighborhood group leader.

It was through her involvement with ASG that she submitted a dress pattern and description for the organization's national conference, and was subsequently invited to model her masterpiece at the conference's fashion show in California in July.

There, Threads magazine chose eight of the show's 60 fashions for a feature — including Wright's colorful flared dress, made from the pattern Butterick Retro 52.

Fitted at the bust, the handmade, bold plaid dress consists of a mid-knee circle skirt, with a back zipper and ties. A photograph of Wright, grinning, with a description of the dress and how she made it can be found on page 73 of the current issue.

Wright said she was thrilled to have her work featured in the prestigious publication.

"If you're in the sewing industry, you know Threads," she said. "It's the Time magazine of sewing."

And she doesn't think she'll ever "graduate" from the ongoing classes at Nature Coast.

"There are still techniques that I'm learning how to do, and the classes help me overcome hurdles and obstacles that I would (otherwise) have," Wright said. "Between that and the ASG, I've learned a lot in the past three years."

The next round of community education classes at Nature Coast, including sewing, begins in March. For more information or a complete list of classes, go to http://www.hcsb.k12.fl.us/nct/.

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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