My Journey with Skill Development: Pride in My Passion

Every person has a skill that they are particularly proud of, and for me, that skill is undoubtedly designing and creating my own dresses. The journey from a simple interest in stitching to designing and creating sophisticated garments that I wear with pride, has been a fascinating one. Starting early, in my 8th year, my mother's love for stitching sparked my interest. I learned from her and began making dresses for myself in my 9th grade. My father, recognizing my passion, gifted me an electric sewing machine, and the rest as they say, is history. Over the years, I've created numerous dresses, each a reflection of my imagination and skills.

Designing Dresses: A Personal Odyssey

My first major creation was a Patiala suit in 2021, which I made for my cousin's sister's wedding. This dress holds a special place in my heart and has become a favorite of mine. Additionally, I've designed and created a lehenga in 2023, a A-line slit skirt in 2022, a long umbrella suit in 2022, and a knee-length slit skirt in 2022. Each dress represents not just my imagination but also my dedication to this craft. My current project, a mirror embellished red top, is scheduled for 2024 and will be another milestone in my journey.

Self-Taught Talent: My Japanese Language Journey

While designing dresses and my sewing skills have been my primary passions, another fascinating journey I embarked on is learning the Japanese language. This journey began about 25 years ago, and although I am somewhat familiar with around 400 to 500 Japanese words, the struggle continues. To regularly converse fluently, I need to understand different word suffixes used in public and at home. For instance, at home, nouns often end with '-ru', '-u', or '-ku', which remain different in public settings. This journey has been both challenging and rewarding, as my spouse can understand me, but very few others in public can do the same.

Another Talent: Answering Questions Easily

Interestingly, my ability to answer questions with ease has garnered a significant amount of attention. I've accumulated over 21 million views, which is achieved without any monetary compensation. The talent lies in my ability to provide comprehensive and coherent answers swiftly, a skill that has proven beneficial in various online forums and discussions.

Embroidering and Beyond: A Practical and Personal Skill

Embroidery and sewing have been more than just hobbies for me. These are practical skills that I continue to hone. I started learning to sew in 7th grade over 60 years ago and have consistently taken classes to improve my skills and learn about new equipment like the serger. With these skills, I can patch, repair, or alter almost anything, create new items from scratch, and even grade patterns. My sewing skills allow me to craft clothing and home decor items that perfectly match my personal preferences. While ready-made items might be cheaper, they often lack the perfect fit and construction quality that I can achieve through my own efforts. Recently, I've made some baby blankets, and the satisfaction in creating useful items is sheer joy. Similarly, my husband derives the same pride and satisfaction from his woodworking skills in crafting wooden bowls and cups. Almost everyone I know benefits from having some type of skill, and most of them are incredibly useful.

Conclusion

The three skills I've discussed - designing and creating dresses, learning the Japanese language, and sewing - are not only a testament to my hard work and dedication but also bring immense personal and practical benefits. These skills have evolved over time, but one thing remains consistent: the joy and pride I derive from achieving excellence in what I do.