Growing up, Josie Griffin always loved arts and crafts. From painting to drawing, she discovered her passion for using her imagination and thinking creatively.

Besides the standard drawing and painting, the Powell High School student sought a way to express herself and do something she loved. Sewing became this creative outlet for Griffin at a young age and her dedication and perseverance has allowed her to excel at her craft.

Griffin’s sewing journey began when she was 8 years old after she asked her mom to teach her the basics of sewing. Shortly after learning the basics, Griffin began to sew aprons and pillows. But her love for arts and crafts led her to want to do more with her skills. 

Her first more complicated and challenging project was a skirt. Time after time, she struggled with this project which discouraged her, and she decided to close the door on sewing. 

During her freshman year of high school, she fell in love with sewing again when she discovered how she could make prom dresses. She then proceeded to experiment and make five of her very own prom dresses.

However, there was a particular reasoning behind her desire to sew again. Not only did she want to sew fancy, beautiful dresses, she also wanted to make clothes that were specifically made to fit her.

“When I got back into sewing, I wanted to make clothes that were custom fit for me,” Griffin said. “Sewing clothes for myself made it possible to get the perfect fit as well as alter clothes I buy, so they can fit better.”

As a senior in high school, Griffin has established herself as a reputable teenage seamstress in Powell. Her creations include scrunchies, leather wallets and purses, tote bags, makeup bags, casual wear and even formal wear including prom dresses and blazers.

Although she started sewing for the pure excitement and joy it brought to her, she’s developed a deeper appreciation for her work and how it can influence other people’s lives. 

“I love formalwear, and I love being able to see the joy on people’s faces when you can make them something like that,” she said. “That’s like a custom fit for them and exactly what they had imagined.”

In the future, Griffin plans to own a clothing business where she can offer custom sizes which would allow people to purchase clothing that is specifically tailored to their measurements rather than having to go with whatever happens to be found on the clothing rack. 

“We all know the clothes found on the rack [at regular clothing stores] don’t fit everybody the same,” Griffin said.

Griffin’s goal is to promote body positivity through not only her future business because she believes people should not feel limited by the way they look. If they want to wear certain clothes, they should be able to wear them without shame.

“Not everybody has the same body, and I think we need to understand that more and be more accepting of the fact, so that everybody can be comfortable in what they’re wearing and not think that they need to fit the clothes,” she said. “It’s the clothes that need to fit them.”