This is a loooong post, but there's important updates and school stuff for transparency of what I've been working towards.
Let's just call it a few long term goals, and a call out for some help.
I'm not working at this time. That's right, I don't have a job.
This is so I can focus on school, to get the experience I need, to start looking into working for garment repair places, or possibly even having the piece of paper I need from school, to teach mending, sewing and repair.
How anyone can do all the full time courses and manage to find time to hand all their stuff in with a full day of classes, along with all the homework, which takes a lot of work, is beyond me.
I've spent DAYS sewing the same hat to finish it for class, or patterning out something by hand to get the best grades possible.
For the record, I have a straight A grade average across ALL of my classes I've taken so far.
For possible future employers who come across my videos (or this blog), if there's any Toronto (Canada) based businesses that is a sewing shop, repair shop, or crafting studio that is looking for someone who's been home sewing since they were in grade school, that wants someone who can teach sewing basics on their payroll, or someone that is willing to learn tailoring methods through working experience, please send me a message and I will reply!
My email for my Youtube channel is kiera.oona.crafts@gmail.com
I can also be reached via the following platforms:
Instagram: @kieraoona
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kieraoona
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/kieraoona
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kieraoona.bsky.social
I want to do better by the environment, moving towards a job in the Toronto area (preferably closer to home) that has sustainability in mind, or towards slow fashion or more tailored fashion, so people can make their own clothes, or reach for clothes they will wear more often.... but I also need to keep a roof over my head.
With that said...
The current problem, is all my classes that I planned on taking, and wanted to take as a backup were all cancelled (a little frustrating).
I have enough funds to keep a roof over my head and pay for classes **for now** without going into debt. However, most sewing places expect that you have experience in the industry, which I don't.
Everything I have learned is either through personal experience, or through the continuing education courses at George Brown so far.I also have tools and supplies I needed to replace or get repaired. I was able to replace my steam iron with my own money, but I could use some help to recoup the losses....which is where all of you lovely people come in!
The money will funnel back into my Youtube channel for supplies, music subscriptions for music on my videos, as well as taking more classes if they become available through the college in the spring (April is when the next semester for Con-ed is usually available)
For transparency, I'm still looking at taking the following classes that I need to obtain the Fashion Fundamentals Certificate at George Brown College:
Pattern Drafting 2 (I have supplies for this from the last class)
Introduction to Adobe (prerequisite)
(Adobe Creative Cloud subscription needed)
Adobe Illustrator for Fashion
(Adobe Creative Cloud subscription needed)
Fashion Illustration and Design
(will probably need Copic markers for this)
Draping for Fashion Design
(possibly some fabric expenses)
For these classes I still need a laptop to take with me, and that will run Adobe Creative Cloud (another monthly expense)
In the images below, I have the course list, and the classes that I still need or want to take are listed on the image, which is the list provided from the college.
Also my Ko-Fi goal posting on my Ko-Fi page.
As for the other courses for more industry experience, I'm hoping the professors will provide me with more information on the following courses through George Brown Fashion Exchange:
Power Sewing
Apparel Fit Technician
In the meantime, I'm still working on making more videos while waiting for classes to open back up, working on body blocks that are tailor fit to myself for pattern drafting practice, and passing along the knowledge of what I've learned, in video format, for all of you out there.
For anyone who is able to donate, thank you!
My Ko-Fi link is https://ko-fi.com/kieraoona
