When did you first start sewing and how did you learn?
I started garment sewing when I was 12 years old, and was self taught. I did a lot of improvising and making it up as I went. It wasn't until much later, after college, that I started devouring books and going to classes to learn how to do things properly.
Can you remember the first thing you made?
Yes! It was a costume for a skit. My character was a head of lettuce, and I cut out 2 pieces that looked roughly like dresses, stitched them together with the machine, and then hand sewed lots of "leaves" onto the dress. Soon after I got addicted to making pajama pants and just kept going from there!
Do you have any favourite pattern designers or celebrity sewers?
Gretchen Hirsch of Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing is my favorite pattern designer, mostly for her lovely vintage-style designs and the techniques that accompany them. She has patterns through Butterick as well as ones in her book.
What's your sewing room like and how do you organize your stash?
Oh, it's my favorite room in the house! I turned my study into a sewing room, and it's been so wonderful having a dedicated space. It's colorful and full of little knick knacks I adore. Take a peek at it.
What music/podcasts/TV shows do you love to stitch along to?
I love to listen to 1940s music, so I often have big band tunes playing in the background. I also listen to audio books, mostly murder mysteries, and watch television shows from time-to-time. I tend to prefer things I'm familiar with for TV shows as I find it hard to focus in on a show while sewing. I've watched "Pushing Daisies" over and over while working on a new dress!
Do you do any other crafts and what are your hobbies?
I love to embroider and do cross stitch, and have also recently taking up knitting garments. I'm an avid reader, too, when I can squeeze it in!
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