We recently connected with Sharmin Tahir and have shared our conversation below.
Sharmin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
At the age of seven years old creativity was my favorite form of expression. Being a very shy and reserved child, I found making things with my hands was the easiest form of communication. The freedom to let me imagination run wild without rules or wrongs. I would spend hours in the backyard pretending to be in my euphoric utopia as a wildlife archeologist. Digging holes, finding bugs, making fun chocolate mud pies with dandelion candles to having runway fashion shows for my Barbies. That creative spark never left my heart. I knew I had to find something that would allow me to expand my creativity and provide the freedom to use my hands to create or nothing would fulfill the desire I feel I was made for. During High school I participated in fashion shows and continued to do so after my college career. Upon graduating I knew I wanted to pass on the torch. I began to teach at art studios and high schools. That grew another passion in me to teach others how to hone in on their own creativity. That is where I drew inspiration to develop Sew Happy Sewing Studio.
Sharmin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hi there! I am Ms. Sharmin and I am so happy you are here.
I’m a fashion designer and a creative teacher. I have been sewing for 20 years of my life and I have taught for ten of those years. Being creative and sharing my passion has been my ultimate goal. Crafting and sewing were coping mechanisms to help my shyness. Creative expression is one of my favorite forms of learning.
I have always wanted to create a creative space with one-on-one experience in art and sewing crafts. The one-on-one learning structure has been extremely helpful throughout my schooling, and I understand how it feels not to be seen or heard due to the fear of being misunderstood or because of the lack of English words you know or maybe being laughed at harshly because you understood in another way.
Creative getaways provide a safe space to people of all walks of life to be their true authentic self. Teaching others and fashion design are my passions. I wanted to combine those two passions in the comfort of your home. This is a great space to learn the fundamentals of sewing and work your way up into advanced techniques. Sew Happy was created because sewing makes me so happy. Hence the fun pun, “Sew Happy”. I can sew for hours. I wanted to share my joy with others in a place where you feel safe. Your home.
Sew Happy Sewing Studio provides a vast variety of classes. All materials and tools are provided during each scheduled class. The classes that are provided are as follows: Sewing 101, Surface design classes, textile classes, dyeing classes, stuffie classes, Kurdish clothes, pattern making, fashion illustration, painting classes, quilt making classes, embroidery, knitting and so many more. I offer private and group classes for all ages and abilities. If you are looking for personal work and or custom handmade goods consultations are available.
During my career experience I noticed how much running around clients did finding a parking spot and some juggling multiple children to get them to the right location. The mobile aspect of Sew Happy Sewing Studio is to solve all the run around for the parents and creatives. I am a one-spot mobile school shop to give you the ultimate one-on-one learning experience at the comfort of your home for you and your friends.
Many people mistake sewing for a hobby that is done by older folks, what most fail to understand is the abundance of knowledge one gains and develops of their personal growth. Sewing tests, your ability to follow directions, be creative, be patient, and stimulate your mind. There is no better feeling than how satisfied one becomes after completing a project. The most rewarding experience in all of this is the “a ha!” moments with my clients. When they figure out that they are creative, they are more than able to learn any skill they set their mind to and the beautiful work they come up with just by having proper support and guidance. It gives me happy goosebumps every time!
Here at Sew Happy Sewing Studio, it is my mission to spread happiness through my passion. You are guaranteed to grow. Sewing is a great creative skillset for all ages and genders. It is fun and an asset skill to know. Please join me on my journey to spread sewing knowledge and happiness. Register for fun and creative classes!
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
In fourth grade I attended homework club every day, not because I couldn’t complete my homework, it was because of the value (you) my teacher gave me. the attention, lack of judgement, patience, and warm homemade banana bread. To this day I still have that aroma stuck with me. This feeling of peace and belonging. Even with my lack of English she was so gentle and kind with my reading ability. It made me want to do more, be more and give more. Those moments have helped me be who I am today with others. This may be a heavy topic, but the deeper root of my goal is to provide an outlet for those that feel unseen or unheard in this moment of time. The truth is none of us will make it out alive. Yes, very deep stuff, but there is so much more to creating. We are emotional beings, and it’s okay. The underlying goal for Sew Happy Sewing Studio is to provide a main physical location for all forms of creatives to mingle and be creative. To connect and unite their passions and create a more loving environment welcomed to all. Many times, we bash the world for being the way it is, but we were the ones that showed up. Planet Earth was already here, way before our time. If we want it better, we have to be better and I choose to make it my life mission to give the voiceless a voice, the unseen to be seen, and the unloved to be loved. Imagine how much more someone can give of themselves if they were seen and heard in the proper way. Our differences make us unique and should bring us together not divide us due to misunderstandings. Even if it means one person, because if that has a ripple effect in goodness.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
My Middle Eastern, Kurdish, and Muslim background representation was nowhere to be found. I don’t fit. I had this misconception that I had to fit in. The puzzle of the fashion world is filled with many shapes and sizes, but for some reason my piece was not the right one. Being one of the “mean girls” is not the shade I wanted to wear, and nor do I want to. I was told you have to act and be the “B” word to get what you want. “Fake it until you make it deal.” I never understood that statement. Manipulate until you elevate to me sounded really wrong because at the end of the day it’s just you and the mirror. I looked around and noticed I’m not them and they are not me and that is okay. I felt really alone because there was no female representation. That being said, I started to post small snips of my daily work and creative projects. I grounded my feet and stayed true to myself. Reminded myself good things take time, and my journey is MY journey no one else to compare to. If you slip and fall into comparison, force yourself to snap out of it and stay on track because you need to do it for you. You owe it to yourself to be the best version of yourself. Because of your courage and dedication, you are able to open doors for others just like you. Pave your way to greatness. My favorite quote is, “Start by starting.” Today is your day and just keep going. The right people will navigate towards your mission and the wrong one’s wont. So, what! Do it NOW! You have nothing to lose, but a whole lot to gain!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sewhappysewingstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sewhappysewingstudio/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sewhappysewingstudio