Sewn Stories: Martha

Welcome to Sewn Stories, a new series where we interview friends and peers in the sewing community. We’re kicking things off with Martha McIntosh, of GariChild, a longtime Sew Liberated pattern tester and friend.

Tell us a little about yourself. Who are you, where are you based, and what fills your days lately?

Hi I am Martha known on the social webs as GariChild.  I have lived in Maryland for about 20 years but will forever consider myself a Garifuna from Guatemala born in the Bronx.  Besides being a Transportation Engineer by day, I also cosplay as an Uber driver for my 2 teenagers who have decided there is no school activity they shouldn’t participate in.  I like to keep myself nimble so I fill the time with pockets of joy whether it be sewing, traveling or catching up with friends.

How did you first get into sewing and what kept you going?

I was trying to buy a customized dress and the person added an extra fee because of my size.  After doing the math in my head, I decided it was going to be cheaper to buy myself a sewing machine and learn how to make the 50 billion dresses I had on pinterest. When my machine was delivered, I called 3 of my good friends who I knew had sewing machines in their homes and we created our own little sewing group (Sisters in the Sew) to keep us  accountable to our creative outlet.  I have always wanted to sew.  My grandmother wore a lot of traditional handmade clothing every day and I always loved how she dressed so I get to keep her close in my heart by doing the same in my own special way.

What does a typical day look like for you? Are there any small rituals or routines you love?

Most days I am teleworking but when I have to go into the People’s Job, I love to get dressed!  I am always adding amazing me-made pieces into my wardrobe and enjoy sharing my look of the day with my community.  A full length bathroom mirror loves to see me coming.  I find that I am in a much better mood and state of mind when I am wearing clothing I made for myself because I know it looks good and feels great to wear.  It starts my day already on a higher frequency.

What does being Garífuna mean to you, and how does that show up in your creativity or personal style?

Being Garifuna means everything to me.  I am a descendant of a resilient people who survived in spite of.  We were exiled from our native home in St. Vincent almost 300 years ago and here we still are; strong in culture and practising our beautiful traditions nurtured in our communities in Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Nicaragua.  I might be entirely biased but there is never a dull moment when you are among Garifuna people. We can’t help it, we are going to show up and be ourselves wherever we are and I love that for me. That is the foundation that I get to build upon.  

What has your experience been like as a tester? Is there something about pattern testing that people might not realize?

I love being a tester! I get to see the magic behind the curtain. There is a lot of work that happens before a pattern is released and I get to play a part to get it to the finish line. As a tester, I am entrusted to not only sew the garment but share my thoughts in an effort to make it better for my sewing peers.  Every test is a learning opportunity on how to approach fit for my curvy body and I get to add those skills to my sewing toolkit.

Your fabric choices are always so vibrant and joyful. What draws you to color, print, and pattern when you’re choosing fabric?

Give me all the colorful, bold and patterned fabrics of the world!!! It speaks to my spirit and brings me joy.  I especially love to use it when I am testing because I can “see” how a pattern flows around my body and can almost immediately identify what changes I may need to make in a pattern.

What does your sewing space look like? Anything you can’t live without? (photos encouraged) 

According to my husband… a fabric store. I’m pretty certain I have curated a collection that allows me to easily jump into any project. After my Sew (Brother CS6000i) and Serger (Brother 3XD) Duo, I can not live without my gravity iron. Sometimes I can’t move onto the next sew step without pressing my seams.  When did I become this person?!?! 

What has been your favorite Sew Liberated pattern you’ve made so far and why?

So many to choose from but it has to be the Pinyon Jeans. I’ve made them 3 times and I am hacking it for a 4th version that I need in my wardrobe.  I absolutely love the fit on my body and it just works with so many pieces that are already in my wardrobe for a variety of styling.

Has sewing changed the way you relate to your body or the clothes you wear? If so, how?

Absolutely!  I know that I am much kinder to myself and my body.  I have been a plus-size princess all my life.  I really struggled in my younger days because I went from a children’s size 14-16 straight to adults size 14, which instantly aged me among my peers. There was a long period of time where I didn’t enjoy getting dressed.  Learning how to sew and making pieces that I know look and feel good on my ever evolving body continually heals the little girl of my yester years.

What would you say to someone who feels intimidated to start sewing or unsure if it’s “for them”?

I will always encourage everyone to give it a go.  If you want to dip your toe, find a sewing class or session to get your hands familiar. My very first sewing class was a Sip and Sew where the finished make was a tote that I still use today!  It was a 4 hour class and we had a great time among other 1st timers. Left motivated and I couldn’t wait to try again on my machine and it’s been magic ever since.