Talked to my mom about when I first chose a pattern.  She told me that we did that for the sewing classes I did when I was in high school.  We had to choose the pattern and the fabric at the department store where the classes were held.  After the sessions had ended, she said that there was a fashion show by all the participants.  I really don`t remember it.  She said she remembers that they had a little stage set up on the second floor – where the fabric department was – and that she thinks we also had to walk through the store wearing what we had made.  Funny how we remember some things so vividly and others not at all. 

I do remember a fashion show I did with my best friend at the time, Maggie Mitchell, when we were getting ready to go to the junior prom.  Her mom had an at home fabric business, special order only, and told us she would make any prom dress we wanted as long as we choose fabrics from that line and be in a fashion show.  Wow.  Choosing the fabric we wanted – price no object - AND be in a fashion show.  I suppose that was my real first attempt at designing.  I remember the gown clearly.  I choose a white crepe and over it was chiffony red, white and sheer plaid and a black velvet belt.  It had a scoop neck - it felt quite revealing for the time – and I wore a black velvet ribbon with a cameo around my neck.  I truly felt glamorous.  Fortunately, we were both asked to the prom.  My mom says she  has a picture of that me wearing that gown.  We lost most of our pictures in the Hurricane Agnes flood of `72. 

I can`t say that I have ever had any real modeling ideas in my life.  There was one other time I did some modeling and it was here in Japan.  Actually it wasn`t modeling but a kimono contest.  There are many schools of kimono “wearing” – as they call it here – and this particular school puts on a contest somewhere in Japan every year and also invites people from other countries living in Japan to take classes and take part in the contest.  It was not one of my better ideas but I did it.  I even invited my friend, Deborah, and her family – it`s been years Deborah, please forgive me - who sat with my husband and son in the audience.  The idea was to put the entire kimono on in 4 minutes.  My teacher wanted me to wear the kimono with long sleeves – “furisode” for unmarried women - but I insisted that since I was married and had a child that was not an appropriate choice.  She informed me that I would probably not win, which was okay by me.  I did get a trophy for 4th place along with the rest of the contestants.  Anyway, I had a kimono made for myself complete with the family crest on the back and wore it for a few New Year`s celebrations and for my son`s 5-year-old year ceremony that they do here in Japan.   That kimono is safely put away, probably forever.  I had thought I would wear it to my son`s elementary school graduation, and then I thought I would wear it for the junior high school entrance ceremony but I mostly just thought about it.  A kimono is the most uncomfortable garment I have ever worn, though truly beautiful.  My mother-in-law wears kimono about 5 days a week.  That`s not for me. 

When I attended fashion school here we only had to display our work.  I think I might be through with modeling but definitely not with sewing and what little designing extras I do to my existing patterns.

The picture above is a pillow – a kitty for people who like cats but can`t or won`t have the real thing in the house.  I made this for my friend, Kyoko-san.