Alex Schmeltzer’s interest in sewing essentially started with a Singer sewing machine that was stored in a closet at his home.
When he was 9, Alex got curious eventually taking out the sewing machine from the closet and – through “a lot” of trial and error – taught himself to sew.
“It was my grandmothers,” he said relaying that his grandmother had died before he was born.
But he remembers hand sewn Christmas ornaments that were made by his grandmother for his two older brothers. He does recall that his mom did not like the craft, but did sew if she had to — curtains for his room when he was younger.
For Alex, now a junior at Collingswood High School, he has been able to expand on his interest in the arts with Art teacher Paula Bertran.
Collingswood High School junior Alex Schmeltzer, who taught himself to sew when she was 9, aspires one day to become a fashion designer.
“Alex is very talented and an inspiring young artist,” she said, noting Alex has already taken Art 1 to 3 and AP (advanced placement) Art History. Senior year, he will take Art IV.
At Collingswood High, Alex has been able to dabble in painting, drawing, and print making.
“My favorite has been printmaking,” Alex said. “It’s been great with Ms. Bertran, we do such a variety of things. It has opened my eyes to new forms of art.”
That includes portraits – more recently for Black History Month, Alex drew a portrait of Willi Ninja, an American dancer and choreographer, who paved the way for Black LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance in the 1980s and 1990s – and he also did a portrait on cars.
“Faces in general are challenging,” he said, noting he used a black and white photo of Ninja, which he made into color.
For the cars, it was less challenging, but working on shiny reflections in the car portrait was difficult.
Art for Alex has always been a favorite taking extra electives when he could. Just looking at his elementary “All About Me” posters, it always referred to becoming an artist “when I grow up.”
His first real piece of sewing artwork was a two-dimensional cat. These days he enjoys sewing clothing when he finds time from altering jeans he finds from thrift stores with different types of fabric to making a vest out of his grandparent’s vintage table cloths and napkins he wore for homecoming last year.
“They were pinks, yellows and browns,” Alex said of the tablecloths and napkins.
And knowing how to sew, he notes, he does not have to worry if the clothing will fit or not because he can tailor the clothing to his size.
Many times, Alex will look online for pattern inspirations and resources. Project Runway is a favorite inspirational show, which he has watched with his mom.
And even though he may be the only one in his family interested in art, his family members are his biggest supporters. His mom is the first to see his designs.
And over time, Alex had to eventually upgrade his grandmother’s sewing machine to a Brother brand.
As he looks beyond high school, Alex finds himself with two loves – fashion design and math.
“Ideally, it would be cool to become a commissioned designer … my own designer making clothes … formal wear, wedding dresses … vintage,” Alex said, perhaps in New York City.
Currently Alex is working on two pieces of artwork outside of school including a painting on a pair of eyes and he is commissioned through the high school’s wrestling coach to create a portrait of one of his friends in his Mummer’s costume.
Bertran suggested Alex for the portrait.
“This is my first commissioned piece … it’s exciting and nerve wracking,” he said.
