June 1996

The school arranged a swimming trip (my first time going to a pool). I wonder why they took us swimming since none of us could really swim. But hey..a pool is not something we saw everyday..so I guess it was a ‘priviledged’ free trip.

Anyway, I couldn’t dare ask my mum for money to buy a swim suit, we were too poor for that mess,  so I did what any creative person would do. I SEWED ONE - by hand..using a needle, black thread and scissors.  No, not a two piece..I sewed a onesie and it looked like a cross between tattered rags and velvet. Yes, I used a polka dotted velvety material to sew a onesie..and gotdamit since it took me about 3 days to even make something remotely wearable…I wore it to the school trip. Yes I did, I wore it into the pool. Sigh. It was almost coming into pieces by the time I came out of the pool. Good times.

-Love,

Maria Bentley

And I feel like I’m naked in front of the crowd

And I know that you’ll use them, however you want to  - Anna Nalick