I started out way back in grade school studying music. My dad was a gifted musician.  Listening to him play the sax was like listening to the stereo of a famous musician. Dad was one heck of a sax player!

Then in high school, I wanted to become a fashion photographer.  I graduated with a degree in graphic arts, then went on to study cosmetology, and studio makeup.

While working full time for a large corporation, I opened a photography studio which I ran nights and weekends.  I was always working, and I still am always working. Being creative, and getting paid for it never seemed like a job, but a passion. Creativity keeps you young at heart!
My style in the photography studio was taking the average person, and turning them into a 40's Hollywood legend. The hair and makeup all came into play.
 
In 1988 I took a transfer to Florida with my corporate job, this is where I had the opportunity to build my first brand new home. The decorating bug bit me. I wanted to learn how to sew for my home. Then, being a huge Star Trek fan, I was going to my first convention, and needed a costume. Now who was going to teach me to sew what I wanted to learn? Where would I find resources? This was long before the internet.

 I discovered Sewing With Nancy on PBS, from that moment, it was instant love with the sewing machine. I ordered every one of her videos available along with other famous people like Kenneth D. King, Shirley Adams, David Page Coffin, Margaret Islander, Martha Pullen, Eleanor Burns, and the list goes on.
 I received my sewing education by watching these videos. My video, and book library in sewing began to take over the cabinets in my little hobby room!

Moving forward, I began my own sense of sewing style, then started to become innovative by using notions, sewing machines, and accessories in different ways than what was being taught and shown in the tradition to home sewers. I experimented with every type of fabric, thread, presser foot, and notion I could find.

It all boils down to education, determination to learn your craft, advanced methods and techniques, and wanting to step out of the box. Would this be a home hobby for me, or was I going to take this further into a possible career?

It all just fell into place, it was meant to be. I created my first website after discovering the internet, took photos of my sewing creations and was truly enjoying sewing for myself and my home while working full time as a professional hair stylist. Then I received an email from a publisher who saw my website asking to publish my work.

 I was then invited to be on television, and internet shows, to now self-publishing my own books, and digital media, (I also travel across the country and teach).  

Yeah, I think I went pro with this thing called sewing. They call me a designer too. I guess I am. Let's not forget my hairstyling career as well. It all ties into "fashion".

You never realize how much your parents influence you as a child. Especially when you have creative parents that encourage the arts. Though I used to watch my mom at the sewing machine, I never dreamed one day this would become part of my career. But mom did plant the seed.

 I owe my sewing education to the women and men who worked so hard to write books, videos, and make TV shows for us sewers and designers to learn from. Today, I work in the salon, write books, travel on the road teaching my methods and techniques, and have created my own line of luxury handbags. "Made In The USA" pride and craftsmanship.

Look for my luxury hand and travel bags online. See my luxury retail page for more information.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting me. Be sure to also visit my CLASS page to see if I will be teaching at a sewing machine retailer near you!

 

If you are in the Tampa area, please call the salon to get your new hair make-over too.

There is nothing like treating yourself to some glamour!

 
Christopher Nejman