Sewing a career path with passion
How do you build a business based on your passion? It can seem like an impossible dream, especially when you are not sure of what excites you. Every day, educators at The Possible Zone (TPZ) lead high school students through learning modules that help them discover their interests and build skills that inspire them to take the next step in their educational and career journeys.
Cass Cacoq, Garment & Textile Education Technician at TPZ, is one of those educators. She specializes in fiber arts and textiles. Boosting proficiency in sewing, embroidery, applique, and fabric dying, she inspires students to learn design thinking and prototyping. These skills tap into their creativity and can help them find their passions.
Cass made time to talk to us about textile art, how she became interested in it, and her views on how developing fiber arts skills can lead to self-discovery.
TPZ: What got you interested in textile arts?
CC: I have to say that I did not find this passion. It found me. I studied chemistry in college and then worked in the pharmaceutical industry. During that time, I was drawn to pursue my creative side and began taking sewing classes at the Eliot School of Fine Arts located in Boston, while still working. I realized that fashion design really lit a spark in me, and I decided to make a shift.
TPZ: Did you sew as a kid?
CC: I learned to sew as a young adult. As a kid, I loved to crochet and knit. One of the few things I was allowed to do was check books out from the library, and there was plenty of instruction there. After I learned to use the knitting needles and crochet hook, I branched out from there. When I turned 16, my mother gave me a sewing machine. I struggled with using it at first and got so frustrated, I tucked it away in my closet for several years. Then I realized there were more resources available on YouTube, and after studying them, I learned what I was doing wrong. Tackling that problem got me doing more sewing, and I felt very excited by it. I built some of the same competencies our students build here at TPZ – growth mindset, problem solving, creativity, continuous learning, and persistence.
TPZ: After you realized your heart was really in fashion design, what did you do to make it part of your life?
CC: I did some research and learned that there was a two-year certificate program in Fashion Design at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. I wanted to learn foundational sewing skills, not earn another degree. So, this was perfect. Finding this opportunity gave me the motivation to switch away from working in the pharma industry and enroll. I am so glad I did because I took some incredible courses. In addition to the foundational sewing, pattern construction, and tailoring classes, I was inspired by my millinery, couture, and fashion history classes. They led me to work toward becoming an entrepreneur.
TPZ: How did you translate your newly developed skills into a business?
CC: I created a line of hats and opened a brick-and-mortar store in Somerville. When the pandemic hit, it was difficult to keep it going. I had to make yet another move and used my sewing skills at the Boston Ballet’s costume department to keep things afloat. Having skills that could be used in different industries allows one to be adaptable – adaptability is another competency TPZ students develop, too.
TPZ: Now that you are working as an instructor at TPZ, how do you see sewing fitting into an overall entrepreneurship program for high school students?
CC: Students are interested in fashion. They want to express themselves through their clothing. And if they want to make clothing that is an extension of who they are, they need to learn to hand sew or use a machine. Some kids have been exposed to it, and some have not. Regardless of their level at the onset, they bring their interests and passion to learn the skills because they know these offer the potential to actualize their creative visions. Here at TPZ, we offer a number of avenues for students to explore their interests in creative, cross-curricular experiences including sewing and textiles. For example, our Passion Track Programming that happens in the summer. Designed with educators’ passions in mind, these programs allow teachers to share their enthusiasm with students, inspiring them to explore new avenues of learning together. Additionally, for students who are enrolled in our core programming, we offer Open Studio which is unstructured, creative play time where students get to design and create using a variety of skills and tools.
TPZ: Is there anything about sewing that provides a platform for students to learn some of the other skills needed for entrepreneurship?
CC: Some of the units we teach help students to tap into their creativity. For example, in one class, we have students create a “mood board” where they gain inspiration from photos of fashions that they like. In another exercise, students work in teams to create a wardrobe for a client who is taking a trip, and they need to consider climate, culture, length of stay, and activities planned. We also focus on building basic skills. How do you thread a needle or a machine? How do you create a pattern that allows you to go from 2D shapes into a 3D model? How can we use digital technology to enhance these processes? Our classes are designed to expose students to design concepts and tools that will spark curiosity and inspire them to explore more.
TPZ: You have been very successful in forging a career that aligns with your passion. What advice would you give to young people who want to discover what really lights them up and figure out a direction for getting there?
CC: Keep learning and keep doing what interests you. I went from the pharmaceutical industry to a career in the arts that focuses on teaching and creating fiber-based products. Don’t let challenges discourage you. Use them as a way to discover and explore more.
Esther Seguin is a freelance writer, focusing on technology and the arts.