Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yaya Jackson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Yaya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I think the most meaningful work I’ve been a part of this year has been teaching sewing classes at the Compton Girls Club. I majored in Liberal Studies while in college, which is the typical undergrad for elementary school teachers. I really saw myself working with kids for the longest time. After working at a school prior and through the pandemic, I realized traditional educational institutions weren’t necessarily my vibe. I started teaching mobile, pop up-esque classes earlier this year and my homie Jas had the idea of me doing a workshop for the Girl’s Club. I really love the work they do. They’re a non-profit and offer community classes and workshops for girls in Compton, free of cost. I remember my parents had to hustle real hard for my siblings and I to take extracurricular classes.

When I took sewing classes in my youth, I didn’t realize this at the time, but my mom was really pushing our family budget. She knew how much I loved it and wanted to make sure I could be great at what brings me joy. I think its really important to create third spaces for kids to exercise and find their creative voice without it causing financial strain or anxiety. I’m really happy to be a part of it in that way. The girls are also so talented, it’s kind of insane! They have no fear of the machine and really go for it with their pieces and ask questions after. I feel like that is the best way to learn anything, truly.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve been sewing for a long time. Both my parents are mad creative, but my mom really has a knack for all things fiber arts. She made my sister and I poodle skirts for halloween, curtains for our apartment, reupholstered our furniture, randomly would just bust out these insane crochet projects. I’ve always loved to sew and she made sure I knew how to do it properly. I had my own machine growing up and it would get dusty in my closet and then whenever I felt stressed it would come out and I would just go for it with the upcycling and making myself all the bandeau-short two piece sets of my dreams!

During the pandemic, I made cow print masks which found success on Depop and from their I started making other vibes that were met with so much kindness and more reflective of my individual style! I really like to sew clothes for myself, but to share with others I primarily focus of accessories. I became a stockist at a few spots in LA, like, you can grab a scrunch from Crush & Touch in Highland Park or Customland on Melrose. Community response and uplift has been wild.

I started teaching community sewing workshops at Heavy Manners in Echo Park, just kind of on a whim. I asked the owner, Matt, if that would be cool and he was so supportive of the idea. We sold out the first one and it kind of hit me that people genuinely want to make their own things. Since then, I’ve continued doing classes at Heavy Manners, and have started collaborating with other community spaces like Nova Arts and Level Ground Collective. Next month, I’ll be doing workshops at the Sunset Shop and North Figueroa Books in Highland Park. I try my hardest to make the classes as accessible as possible while also not undermining myself and I think this far it’s been successful! I feel like tote bags are the most popular workshops, but I’ve also done soft sculpture, scrunchies, and hats. Everyone leaves with a completed project and it’s kind of a fun little craft party. I’ve been lucky because those who sign up are always the chillest, most fun individuals I could imagine. It’s a dream!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Free Craigslist! It can be a trap, because there are so many free crafty gems on their , but the amount of unique fabrics I’ve sourced from there has been amazing.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I want to have my own sewing studio space where I can teach classes; community workshops and one-on-one vibes. Not even just sewing, but to collaborate with my other creative pals who may want to share their skills. I want the workshops and classes to always remain accessible and like little creative parties! A lot of friends have started transitioning into going into business with brick and mortar spaces, despite big tech world trying to tell us that these types of businesses are dying. I think it’s beautiful and inspiring for places to host community. Human connection while creating and learning is really important to me, one could say my ethos.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/yaya.made

Image Credits
@ambernichole09, Compton Girl’s Club