May’s Books & Beyond cover photo features a library user you may recognize. Breanna Covington wrestles for WWE NXT as dancing diva Layla Diggs (find her on Instagram at @layladiggswwe). Breanna talked with OCLS about how using the Sewing Studio and taking sewing classes at the library has helped her build confidence, develop her character’s stage presence and save thousands of dollars.
What made you get interested in learning how to sew?
I have a hard time finding clothes that truly fit the way I want them to fit. Especially with gear, I would pay gear makers a lot of money – like hundreds of dollars – for things not to fit. Like one time, I bought some gear for $300 and the bottoms didn’t fit. I took those to be altered and it was another $150, then they messed it up and I could never wear it. So it got frustrating to always have to send things back. I just finally got sick of it and decided I was going to learn to do it myself, put the effort in and sit down and see what I could do.
How did you get started taking classes at the library?
I bought a sewing machine when I first moved to Florida and I was really excited to learn how to sew. But I couldn’t figure out how to thread the machine. I called my mom, I was crying, I looked up YouTube videos, it was a hot mess. And so I put the machine back in the box for an entire year. And then a year later, I’m like ok, I buy clothes and I try to get gear and nothing ever fits right; it would be so much easier if I did it myself. So I decided to take it seriously and learn. I tried to make some stuff and it came out terrible. I started to call people ask them to teach me but I realized that was going to be expensive. I had seen some social media videos about classes at the library and knew the library is free so figured why not just go to the library and learn there and perfect my skills.
What has the experience been like?
When I started going to the library, it gave me something to look forward to and now sewing is the highlight of my day. I was able to find a new passion and a new love and the library has helped me to cultivate it.
Sewing is really difficult and I’ve given up a lot of times on it and so it just helps to come in here and if I have a question, I can ask [OCLS sewing instructor] Michael. Or I can get clarity, or I can learn a new skill. When I was by myself and I couldn’t figure it out, I just gave up but having that help, and having that help makes such a big difference. You get out of what you put into it, and I’ve gotten a lot out of it.
How has the library changed your life?
Making gear has grown my confidence. Since I started wearing my robe, I started finding myself. I found myself in sewing, I found who I am as a person. It’s all kind of entangled in that. When you know who you are, you walk different, you show up different. And I’m starting to show up different in wrestling and in life. With the robe, I have better presentation, I look like a star, I come out and captivate that audience and own that moment and space. I would have never bought a robe so if I wouldn’t have made it, I never would have had it. It adds to the character and persona and I’m able to come out more confident. I come out with my robe and my glasses and I feel larger than life, which is what they want from us. Sewing has helped me be able to pull back a new layer of who I am and show a new confidence.
What would you say to someone who isn’t using the library yet?
USE THE LIBRARY! There’s a lot here, and it’s free and you’re with people who are experts in that area and can teach you. I picked up an entire new hobby and skill, and something I’m passionate about.
The value of the library is incredible. For me personally, it has saved me thousands and thousands of dollars. Like I said, gear is expensive. The robes like I’ve made can go for thousands of dollars. I’ve saved so much money but the library has also given me a new passion and a new love – and it’s free.
You can catch Breanna in the May 2026 issue of Books & Beyond. You can also learn more about other library users that take advantage of OCLS resources to support their small business endeavors on the OCLS Blog.
