The Sewing Sisterhood, better known as senior and junior sisters Sammie and Anna Mackey, have passionately rocketed through LHS’s clothing construction classes as well as various regional and state sewing competitions throughout their high school journey.
Free People, Brandy Melville, BCBG… Mackey. Whether it is stuffed animals, blouses, pajama pants, or even homecoming dresses, the Mackey sisters have made it their passion to do it all. Collecting supplies from Jo-Ann’s Fabric, these innovative sisters have cranked out various one-of-a-kind items that look as if they could be found on department store shelves or worn on the red carpet.
“People always ask if we make the fabric, and I find it hilarious. Jo-Ann’s is where it’s at!” stated Sammie Mackey.
Anna jokingly added, “It’s not like we sit at a loom all day!”
With thread and fabric in hand, Sammie and Anna use their sewing machine skills to carry out designs that are unequivocal fashion ideas that encompass cutting-edge style. Yet, the question still looms, how did these two sisters become so creative?
The answer is simple: “Patterns are bought at Jo-Ann’s Fabric that give us an idea of what we are creating. We tweak each pattern based on what we like, but we don’t design them, we simply create,” Anna cheerfully stated.
This creating takes place as much as possible throughout the sisters’ everyday lives at LHS.
“Class time as well as lunch periods are always utilized and spent inside the sewing room,” stated Mrs. Monica Patterson, the clothing construction teacher.
Projects do not simply cease at the end of the school day for the Mackeys. Their basement has been transformed into a work area where these two bright and budding stars continue their work on the many projects they have started. Sewing, for the sisters, is not a new hobby. It began far before their high school years.
Sammie recalls making dresses out of Sunset shopping bags when she was young and having Anna model her paper bag designs, but it was in third grade when Sammie’s interest grew and was transformed into formal sewing classes. Anna, on the other hand, was influenced by Sammie’s creations, which inspired her to follow in her footsteps.
“I wanted to be able to make the stuffed animals and cute things Sammie was doing,” stated Anna.
Both girls remember sewing items such as Capri Sun bags and various themed projects in their sewing classes at Highland Middle School, but it was not until they met Mrs. Patterson that their abilities blossomed through her caring and knowledgeable guidance.
“Under Mrs. Patterson, I was the first freshman ever at LHS to do the regional sewing competition. I came in at a high second place honor but was able to advance to state. There I received a first place for individuality. I had made a peacoat,” Sammie recalls.
It was later, in her sophomore year, that Sammie took both first place awards for most outstanding design at regionals. Sammie credits the instruction of Mrs. Patterson for her achievements.
“Mrs. Patterson and I have had every day together at LHS. We are even going to graduate together due to her retirement this year. She is an unbelievable teacher,” Sammie exclaimed.
Anna too has experienced the fame that regionals can bring.
“I didn’t start taking sewing courses at LHS until sophomore year due to my schedule of classes, but I remember my competition at regionals. I created a dress that was maroon on the bottom with lace-like sleeves. I just remember being so excited about going there and walking around in front of all the graders when I was asked to stop so they could take a picture because the dress looked like it could have been in Titanic. I just remember how that made my day just thinking they wanted a picture of something I made. It’s just really cool,” Anna stated.
Both sisters have achieved outstanding awards and first-place finishes at the regional and state level last year. These competitions boast more than 150 competitors with only 10 outstanding awards given, three of which went to LHS. Awards not only included ribbons, but plaques, which the girls have been awarded on numerous occasions. Both girls are excitedly looking forward to this year’s competitions.
In addition to competing at the regional and state levels, the sisters are also heavily involved with theater. As the co-heads of the costume crew for this year’s LHS play, “Spamalot,” the girls are busy creating numerous intricate costumes. The play will require more than 40 costumes incorporating big skirts with hoops, broqued material and basically Elizabethan clothing worthy of a knight. Even for these two sewing experts, this task is a big undertaking. The costumes will be not only be challenging, but time-consuming.
“The costumes cannot be whipped out in an hour. It takes a while,” Anna explained.
Adding to this, Sammie included, “Every day after school for at least three hours [we are] designing and sewing and six hours on Saturdays. It’s intense, but seeing your costumes on stage is so cool. You can say, ‘I made that!’”
An interesting fact about theater costume design is that these two ambitious students are also responsible for the many quick costume changes that occur during a performance.
“You have to stay calm because the actors are already freaking out,” Sammie said while laughing.
Anna remembered a time when she was rolled onto stage in a closet during the play “Legally Blonde” to help a fellow castmate change.
“I would be in a closet dressed in black. They would pretend to go into the closet and I would help them change. It was so fun and nerve wracking at the same time.”
To date, Sammie has done the clothing design for every LHS play since seventh grade.
The Mackey creations can be found in the LHS sewing room, behind the display case located by the drop-in lab and in the Fine Arts Production of “Spamalot”.
