STEAM Chat - Episode 8 - Creativity for Fashion - Meet Rachel Washington

Our Art podcast host Sasha Green welcomes local seamstress Rachel Washington to the studio for a chat about fashion creativity in the theatre.

Learn more about Rachel at: https://www.desertducktailoring.com/

I pause to call myself an artist because what I really love about sewing is math and problem solving.

I learned how to sew in summer of 2003 while my elementary school was offering day care classes that taught painting, cooking, and among other crafts, sewing. Since learning how to thread a needle, I immediately started embroidering smiley faces and hearts onto my jeans and taking on projects from scratch. In high school, my electives were centered on sewing as my school offered one of the few high schools level fashion design programs in the state of California. I studied clothing construction and painting simultaneously through high school and college as I enjoyed fulfilling my passion for art and creativity.

 

Since leaving my hometown, my passion has continued as I have either worked for or volunteered for various theater groups, costume companies or have been employed independently as a tailor or seamstress by myself. During the time that I lived in Utah I was also enrolled at Salt Lake City Community College for Fashion Design, which better equipped me with patterning skills and fit troubleshooting knowledge. These jobs together with the study that I have in tailoring has introduced me to many different sewing practices that make me more comfortable and confident in my craft today.

After moving to the Mesquite area, Scenic AZ to be exact, I’ve been inspired by what a welcoming and encouraging place this is to live! My most memorable experience to date has been the amazing time that I had volunteering with Virgin Valley Youth Players at the Mesquite Community Theater in summer of 2022 for two incredible junior productions they produced. Helping their team with their costuming was an absolute joy and I am excited to continue to build a relationship with our local Virgin Valley community!

I believe that tailoring is not a service common to the modern-day wardrobe because as mass manufacturing has crept into our closets, the balance between the cost of the garment and the cost of the alterations has been affected. In addition, overhead prices of other tailors recently has further driven many away from custom alterations. I strive to offer competitive pricing as I work from home with my border collie as my supervisor, surpassing many typical business overhead costs! My goal is to provide the residents of Mesquite and its surrounding areas with the confidence of feeling like their favorite garments were made just for them whether it's making clothing bigger, smaller, repair or customization. I can’t wait to find out what fiber anomaly will grow my skills next and Desert Duck Tailoring is the perfect platform. Thank you for giving this a read.