A sewing machine is very important in my family. My great grandmother Flora is eighty-five years old. She started sewing in 1942, when she was only ten years old and she opened up her own business in Dominican Republic when she was only 18. She made uniforms for the kids in the neighborhood, she fixed everyone’s clothes, and she made some pieces just for fun. Flora taught my grandmother Carmen how to sew too. Carmen started sewing when she was sixteen and eventually took over her mother’s business. Flora eventually came to the United States and Carmen arrived shortly after. They left the business in the Dominican Republic and now they only work from home. They always say that they miss working over there because people there are more appreciative of things that are homemade. My grandmothers have taught all of the women in the family how to sew, but I am the last one. I have been too lazy to learn but I know that I should at least try since it is so important to them. Sewing is a tradition that I would hope stays alive in my family. I hope that everyone teaches their children, and the pattern continues on forever. 

– Leilani

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more