Sewing is definitely the first love in my life!

By Cheryl Ripley

When I was nine years old, I found some pretty blue fabric with tiny flowers on it and made a dress all by myself.  I remember that dress like it was yesterday! I did not have a clue what the grainline of fabric meant so when it was washed, my beautiful dress didn’t do so well. My mom would often catch me sewing in the middle of the night with only the sewing machine light on. It never occurred to me that she could hear the machine running. I’ve sewn almost every day since then and have made many things since “my” first beautiful blue dress!

Sewing is my passion, my joy, my happy dance, my therapy and has always managed to calm me whenever I am anxious, sad or even mad! Sewing feeds my soul in absolutely every way! As a young girl walking by the Tailor Shop in my neighborhood, I noticed workers with measuring tapes hanging around their necks. From then on, I knew what I was meant to be when I grew up!!! I now operate a home sewing business and teach sewing to anyone willing to learn.

I volunteer with “Days for Girls” sewing sustainable feminine hygiene products for girls in developing countries. By supplying these products to these girls, we have helped to reduce the school dropout rate from 38% to as low as 3%. I also make dresses that are embellished with laces, ribbons and embroidery for girls in these same countries. I am doing what I love to do!!! I hope to make 150 dresses by March 2018. I am absolutely sure I will do it!

I will sew until the day I die and I plan to live ‘till I am 104!!!!!