How Sewing Transformed Macy Kerwin’s Life and Style

Macy Kerwin, an economics and Chinese major from Notre Dame, has jumped into the world of sewing with both feet. After a rough academic stretch, Macy found herself drawn back to sewing—a skill she first picked up from her grandmother but had to relearn on her own.

She went from a total beginner to a skilled seamstress. Her journey, covered in this article, really highlights how important it is to find a creative outlet, especially when life feels overwhelming.

The Beginnings of a Passion

Like a lot of students, Macy faced intense academic pressure. But unlike most, she decided to buy a sewing machine after a particularly brutal computer-programming assignment and started teaching herself to sew again.

Rekindling an Old Skill

Macy’s grandmother taught her to sew as a kid, but honestly, she’d forgotten most of it. She turned to YouTube tutorials and called her grandmother for advice when she got stuck.

Her determination quickly turned sewing into a late-night obsession. Macy stayed up until 3 a.m. finishing her first project—a gingham maxi skirt.

From Hobby to Lifestyle

Since then, Macy has barely bought any new clothes. She prefers to recreate her favorite looks herself, from scrunchies and beach bags to Christmas stockings and personalized shirts.

Every piece gets a “Made by Macy” label, which gives her work a signature touch.

Sewing for Special Occasions

One of Macy’s proudest moments was making her own graduation dress. Wearing something she made herself on such a big day just felt right to her.

She wanted a dress that was unique and meaningful, something she’d poured time and effort into.

Creating the Perfect Dress

By April, Macy had finished a classic white dress, which is kind of a tradition for graduating women at Notre Dame. She browsed online for inspiration, picked out features like a boat neck and princess seams, and dug into her fabric stash.

She actually sewed the whole dress the day after getting her wisdom teeth out. That’s dedication, or maybe just a little bit of stubbornness.

A Dress for the Future

For the actual commencement, Macy made a colorful dress with fabric she’d ordered from a British shop. She wanted something she could wear again, not just a one-time thing, which made the project feel both practical and special.

The Broader Implications of Sewing

As she got deeper into sewing, Macy started thinking more about what it means to make your own clothes. She realized how much time and money goes into it, and how that connects to bigger questions about sustainability.

Understanding the Supply Chain

With her economics background, Macy couldn’t help but wonder about the journey of a store-bought dress. She started to see the real value in handmade clothes and became more aware of how fast fashion affects the environment.

Building a Community

Sewing also brought Macy into a whole new community. She runs an Instagram account for her sewing projects and connects with other makers online.

This network gives her inspiration and support, making the hobby even more rewarding.

The Future of Macy’s Sewing Journey

Macy’s next step is graduate school in the UK, where she’ll study international management and economics. She’s planning to keep sewing when she can, even though there’s still a lot to learn—like pattern-making and figuring out fabric types.

The apparel industry’s supply chain is another area she wants to understand better.

Dreams and Aspirations

Macy sometimes dreams about sewing her own wedding dress or maybe dresses for her bridesmaids. For now, she’s mostly wondering if she can fit her sewing machine in her luggage for the move across the ocean.

No matter where she ends up, sewing’s going to stay a big part of her life. That much, she’s sure of.

Final Thoughts

Macy Kerwin’s story really shows how much creative outlets can matter in our lives. She started out as a stressed student and, step by step, became a skilled seamstress.

There’s something kind of therapeutic about picking up a hobby, right? Macy’s passion for sewing and her drive to keep learning stand out, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel inspired by her.

If you’re curious to see more about Macy Kerwin’s journey, check out the full article on Stitched with Purpose.