If She Can Sew -- Then Sew Can You

In a pivotal moment in "Eyes Wide Shut," Nicole Kidman chides, "You ... wouldn't ... believe ...." Well, believe it or not, in the June 2001 issue of InStyle, Ms. Kidman revealed ten surprising and remarkable things. Among them? She can sew. And sew well.

Ms. Kidman was lured into sewing out of a growing dissatisfaction with the selection of appropriate clothing for children. Succinctly stated, "When my daughter was 3 or 4, I didn't think there were any good clothes out there, so I made some." A simple statement with powerful impact and a clear edict: You can do it. Just try.

What a boost to those who dream of creating their own designer wardrobe!

So, is Nicole Kidman the only amazingly busy celebrity who sews? Not by a long shot. InStyle magazine also revealed Elizabeth Hurley's sewing abilities in more than one article last year. From sewing her own "Marilyn Monroe-style dress" to punk rock fashions, she has no doubt honed her skills over the years. Ms. Hurley boasts of her ability to sew quite well.

"I made my sister's wedding dress."

Now that's a confident woman.

Speaking of confidence, Venus Williams is one young woman who exudes it both on and off the court. And she's skilled at the sport of sewing as well, according to her sister, fellow tennis ace, Serena Williams.

"When she was younger, she would make clothes for her dolls out of her old clothing. But now she has started to design outfits to show off her model-like figure."

"I have a great imagination," Venus added in the sisters' interview with Tennis Magazine, "and I always like to do different things."

Inspiring, is it not?

Runway model Elizabeth Jagger, daughter of rocker Mick Jagger and model Jerry Hall, is as comfortable in the limelight on the catwalk as behind the scenes. According to the August 2001 issue of Vogue, the teen sews her own fashions and has even "altered" some vintage items from her dad's heyday.

"I used to wear them all the time," Jagger has admitted.

Just imagine what you could do with a needle and thread and a notion in your head!

For more information on how you can learn to sew, visit the association's Web site at www.sewing.org.

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