Dock Scott

I’m already building something and want to take it further

Honesty, I had to sit with this question, it made me reflect on the last few months and years. I have built design systems, apps, websites, etc. but the thing I am most proud to have made is…a shirt. Let me explain. I am a UX designer by trade, and most of my work exists digitally. Lately, I have desired a more tactile experience to creating and I took a moment to observe things that inspire me. The thing at the forefront of this exploration was fashion. I have always loved clothes, especially the feeling of wearing something crafted with care. I thought to myself “I want to learn how to use my hands to create something.” Months later I found myself with a sewing machine, some fabric, and an audacious amount of confidence. At the time I had never sewn anything at all, much less a shirt, but I was obsessed with the idea of learning something new. I did not start small. I decided to jump head first into making an item of clothing I wear often; a button up shirt from the first stitch to the very last detail. I was inspired by the level of dedication and craft that tailors put into their work and the level of dedication that goes into making a bespoke garment. I cut each piece by hand, meticulously sewed, ripped, and resewed over and over until I was satisfied. I was able to dive deep into a state of focus while working on the shirt, forcing myself to slow down. Speed was not the goal, instead it was craftsmanship. The process became extremely intimate, rewarding, and most of all, humbling. After many broken stitches, a few pin pricked fingers, and a lot of self doubt, I finished the shirt. I even went as far as to hand finish details such as buttons and hems. I poured so much of myself into this garment. In the end, was the button up shirt good? No. But it was perfect because I made it. I bet on myself to do something I have never done before, and I did it. So in the end, even with wobbly lines and imperfect details, I am still proud of my humble shirt.