Back in 1985 I packed up all of my worldly possessions in my Pontiac Sunbird (they don’t make those anymore) and drove across country from Wisconsin to Los Angeles. I came looking for a west coast fashion design job and my share of love and adventure.
Well, I found it all! I had a great career with several clothing manufacturers in Southern California, married a great guy, and had two wonderful children.
But dreams often change. After my second child was born prematurely, I decided to take a break from the 24/7 world of fashion and spend more time with my kids. Once the kids were in school, I became a substitute teacher to make some extra cash and I was hooked. I was meant to be a teacher!
I went back to school and for the last 25 years have been an elementary school teacher. Currently I teach 4th grade and “Fashion the Future,” but I have never forgotten my fashion roots.
Now I get my “Fashion kicks” from the thrift shops. What do you expect on a teacher’s salary? I have been having such fun! Every time I walk into a thrift shop it is like a treasure hunt. Sometimes I find great things that work, but then I also find things that need a little refashion assistance. Let me show you how it can be done. You can look great and you don’t have to spend a ton of money!
I hope you will follow my thrifty adventures and allow me to teach and inspire you. Let’s have some fun together!
I love your story (my husband is from wisconsin, too!), love your website, your posts, your approach to creating! I am an aspiring seamstress and find myself making projects very similar to yours. I’m curious – what kind of sewing machine do you currently use? Did you start out with a different machine?
Thank you so much Tram! Stay tuned for more refashion fun!
Hello Tram!
Thank you so much for your interest in my site. Please re-subscribe to continue getting emails as my site has undergone some changes.
Thanks
Mary aka: Thrifty Chic
Great site! Thanks for sharing! I am a little bit into it too! And I used to a teacher as well 😉
Thank you Inga. So glad you are enjoying it.
Inga, Thank you so much for your interest in my site. Please re-subscribe to continue getting emails as my site has undergone some changes.
Thanks
Mary aka: Thrifty Chic
Please add me to your e-mail list.
Hello Cynthia, I know it has taken way too long to get back to you I apologize! If you still would like to be added to my list would you let me know? My site has gone through a lot of changes and now I see your request!
Mary
hello Mary,
I’m so inspired looking your perfect things. Thank you so much. I like to do the same work with my cloths. It’s very joyfull.
Lucy from Moscow.
Lucy! How wonderful to hear from you! Yes it is yoyfull isn’t it? Also, it is very relaxing. When I sew my husband says I am “In the zone,” and he is right. This work takes my troubles away and makes me happy. I am so happy to hear that I inspire you. I am a teacher at heart and that is why I do it! . Make sure you sign your email to receive notifications of new posts so you don’t miss a thing. Have a wonderful day!!!
I haven’t looked at everything on your site yet but so far it’s great. You are so clever with all the alterations you do and I imagine you have lots of fun creating new things out of the old one. Well done.
Sheila! Thank you so much for you comments. It is always good to know that people enjoy my work. I really enjoy sharing it too! Have fun looking through my projects and feel free to ask me more questions. Make sure to sign up with your email to automatically receive new posts!