I often think my personal passion for fabric and sewing is in distinct contrast to my work as a landscape architect. Sewing allows me to create a garment or an accessory for an individual. My sewing is an enjoyable lone creative problem solving process as I figure out and create patterns, measure, pin, measure again, cut, decorate, and then construct the pieces from my sewing table and machine inherited from my mother – another avid designer and seamstress.

Holding fabric and pushing and pulling needles through it, or using the machine to attach pieces together or to create decoration, is a very close-up, detailed, visual, and tactile experience that I really enjoy. Results are immediate and tangible.

And, if done well, the result is beautiful, meaningful, and useful. Sounds like the goal of our landscape architecture projects too.