VersatilitybyEmily

Hi, my name is Emily and welcome to my shop, Versa!

I started my shop back in 2020... the year of quarantine and way too much at home on our hands. I learned to sew when I was younger, but hadn't touched a machine in years. Over quarantine, I helped clean out the storage room in my parent's basement and came across my mom's old sewing machine.

I decided to give life back to the old thing and teach myself to sew. I taught myself all of the basics, and used each stitch on the basic machine. I started out making facemasks to donate to members of my community during the pandemic, then moved to cropping old tops and upcycling the strips into scrunchies. Now I'm making garments from scratch using materials from all over - deadstock fabrics, donated fabrics, and textiles found in thrift stores such as old denim or pillow cases.

I have had the opportunity to advance my skills through clubs on my school campus where I was able to design and model in a fashion show from head to toe. That opportunity opened doors for me in terms of how much I really could do with my sewing machine.

Unfortunately, my mom's old sewing machine didn't make it long before breaking on me, but this gave me the opportunity to upgrade to a new one and advance my skills and techniques. I have become extremely passionate about finding ways to limit textile waste, and every product in my shop represents that.

Outside of the shop, I work a full-time job in accounting - needless to say I am almost always busy doing something between working, sewing, and being the typical 25 year old. This shop might be a hobby, but it is a passion outside of my everyday and, quite honestly, keeps me sane.

The whole reason I decided to start my shop in 2020 after learning to sew was because of a dream I have had since I was a little girl - a dream to open my own brick & mortar clothing boutique filled floor to ceiling with my designs. Not sure why I never thought about studying fashion in college, but I am truly able to live the best of both worlds and have found ways to use my passion for fashion in my passion for the accounting industry.

I owe the passion and beginning of my shop to my mom, who passed away in the summer of 2021 of ovarian cancer. My mom was the hardest working woman - if you look up super woman in the dictionary, her name would show up. She truly did it all, and followed her passions. Not only did she allow me to experiment on her sewing machine, but she supported my every move with this business, helped me with ideas, and inspired me with her strength each and everyday.

I hope to show her I made it one day by opening that boutique. This is only the beginning. Thank you for being here, and helping me pursue my dream <3