UM Class Inspires A Student To Make Her Own Clothes

by: Elizabeth Rhinehart

A student at the University of Montevallo took advantage of what she learned in an introductory sewing class and became a sewing expert in a matter of months.

Anna Zahumensky is a sophomore Retail Merchandising major who is striving to own a clothing boutique one day. In Spring 2015, Anna took a sewing class for the first time and fell in love.

Anna punching in letters on her sewing machine

"I told my mom for my birthday I really want a sewing machine. I really enjoyed it and so she got me one over the summer and I started whipping out clothes so fast because I really enjoyed it."

Since the summertime, Anna has made ten articles of clothing including dresses, pantsuits, shirts and skirts. She says anything but pants because pants are hard.

As with learning any new hobby, Anna had her fair share of struggles. Out of those ten original pieces, she only wears five of them.

"Sometimes they turn out really bad and you just want to throw them in the garbage...which I did."

 Anna's talent has grown rapidly in a few short months and one of her sorority sisters noticed. When Sarah Beaird needed help ironing letters on to a shirt for her future little sister in Chi Omega, she knew Anna was the perfect person.

"Anna is really experienced because she makes so many dresses and shirts and everything and everything that she makes that's her own is always so cool."

Some clothing items Anna has made

While Anna doesn't mind assisting her friends when they come to her for help, she currently is   not creating clothes for anybody other than herself or as a gift to a friend.

If you're interested in learning how to sew...you can find tips for beginners here.