When did you first start sewing and how did you learn?
For my youngest daughter's second birthday I decided to make her a dress. My mom used to make all of my clothes and helped me learn to use my grandmother's ancient Singer sewing machine. The dress turned out beautifully and I began trying to learn as many different techniques as possible to make more clothes for my kids. Over the next year I took classes and discovered the world of PDF sewing patterns. I was hooked!
Can you remember the first thing you made?
The first I tried to make on my own was a pair of bloomers for my daughter when she was a baby. I still have them and like to pull them out for a laugh every once in a while. I somehow constructed them completely wrong and they would never fit any baby ever! I've come a long way!
The second big project I attempted was a dress shirt and suit for my husband. I was a bit overly ambitious (to say the least) and after weeks of work I finished the project and was pretty proud of myself for getting through. He has never worn them, though so I don't think it was much of a success. Someday perhaps I'll try again with a suit.
Do you have any favourite pattern designers or celebrity sewers?
I am inspired by SO many different designers and sewists out there. Jess from The Sewing Rabbit has been a big encouragement to me and inspiration as I've gotten into the world of sewing blogs and as I designed my first patterns. I have found that the sewing community is so supportive of each other and I love it! Of course, I'm also partial to the designers in Willow & Co, a pattern collaboration I'm in. I have learned so much from each of the women involved in that group from when we started to now: Hayley from Welcome to the Mouse House, Olga from Kid Approved, Vanessa from LBG Studio, Rebecca from Rock the Stitch, Celina from Petit a Petit and Company, Laura from Titchy Threads, and Mie from Sewing Like Mad. They are all amazing!
What's your sewing room like and how do you organize your stash?
My sewing space is my dining room table. My husband is in the process of building me an office and sewing space in our basement but for now, I sit in the middle of the house at the dining room table and have to constantly move my machines around when we need to actually eat at the table. :) In this picture you can see my dining table behind me.
What music/podcasts/TV shows do you love to stitch along to?
I usually have my iPad next to me as I sew and either watch catch up on shows like The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon or I listen to whatever is on my playlist at the time.
Do you do any other crafts and what are your hobbies?
I wish I did other crafts! I really admire people who can knit and crochet well. I'm not very good at it but would love to learn.
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