Happy Friday!! Before we get into some fabric sales and shop news, I just wanted to take a moment to celebrate National Sewing Month! Fat Quarter Shop asked if I’d answer some sewing questions, and I’d also like to point out that they have a beautiful charm-pack friendly free quilt pattern called Color of My Heart, available right here (it closely resembles my button above!).
1. How did you start quilting/sewing?
I first came in contact with sewing in the 3rd grade, when my mother taught my friend and I how to use her sewing machine. We made a drawstring bag and a simple top. After that, I didn’t revisit it until after I had my first child. I needed something to do in the evenings when my little one was waking up every couple of hours, so I found sewing. I started my blog in September 2010 as a way to show my little projects as I was learning to sew again, and learning to quilt for the first time.
2. When was the first time you knew that you were a quilter/sewer?
I’m not sure if there was a definitive moment. It sort of snuck up on me, and one day I woke up and I was designing bag patterns. Or at least that’s how I remember it in my head. But joking aside, I put in a lot of hard work and spent every day learning new things, improving on my sewing, and I think just being a contributing member to a sewing community that is mostly on-line. It’s great sharing in others’ successes and telling them what a wonderful job that they did.
3. Do you have any sewing/quilting horror stories or faux pas?
My first sewing machine was never quite right. The tension was just always off, even from the beginning. For the longest time, I thought the problem was me (I was sewing too fast, etc.). It was so bad that sometimes I would have to hand-crank just to try to get some stitches that were not loose. After going to be repaired for the 2nd time in a month, I finally realized that it was just a bad machine. I look at my early sewing projects and see the loose stitches and feel sort of horrified as in the beginning I made a few bags to give as gifts…those people must have thought I was horrible at sewing!
4. What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out in sewing/quilting?
I would say to start slowly with easy projects, and just sew as much as you can. I am still learning new things every day. And it’s not a contest to see who is the best sewist and designs the prettiest things. I consider myself just average at sewing, but I enjoy myself so much and I’m not afraid to try new types of projects that I haven’t made before. It’s okay to make mistakes. If I make a piece of clothing and it doesn’t quite look or fit how I thought it would, it’s not the end of the world. Tomorrow’s a new day and a new project.
Fat Quarter Shop had asked me to share a project that I was working on, and I am sad to say that I have nothing to show. I’m trying to finish up my book this month, and somehow sew a bunch of items to fill a booth at Quilt Market (a sewing trade show) next month, and pretty much have turned into an anxiety-ridden horror of a person. Just be glad that you don’t have to see me in person right now – it’s not pretty. I can barely manage to comb my hair in the morning, lol.
And now on to the sales!
Pink Castle Fabrics – Available for a limited time is the Kawaii Stash Box! 25 fat eighths of awesome Kawaii fabric with no repeats!
Fat Quarter Shop – Through September 28th, receive 20% off all Robert Kaufman fabrics using coupon code RK2014.
Gotcha Covered Quilting – Receive 20% off your entire order using coupon code SEWSWEETNESS.
Shabby Fabrics – We have over 250 fabrics at 30% off, and 72 colors of Presencia Finca Embroidery Floss on sale at 50% off! We also have a large selection of quilt blocks & kits, patterns & books and trims on sale.
Stash Fabrics – Save 20% on apparel fabric through September 28th. Great selection of rayon, voile, knit, lawn, and flannel included. Plus, always free shipping on orders over $50 in the US!
Gotham Quilts – Free shipping on orders over $75!
LiMa Sews – Cotton + Steel has arrived in the shop!
Pink Chalk Fabrics – 20% off all in-stock inventory. Pink Chalk is changing direction, and you can read more about it here!
Thanks for sharing your quilting journey with us Sara. It always amazes me when I find out that so many young, talented quilters/sewists have only been sewing for a few short years. I have been sewing since high school and now have grandchildren if that tells you anything. I think it is very exciting that the “youngsters” are leading the way to new and innovating ideas for us to follow. Keep Calm and Sew On!
Hi i’m christina! i just started following you about a month ago,when i started back up in my sewing/quilting journey. I My mom taught me to sew/quilt when i was little too. I’m so happy i found your website i love your fun and modern style. Your such an inspiration!
Looking forward to seeing all those fabulous projects for the show- knowing you, they will be proper FABULOUS.x
Hmm, my storage under my spare bed is saying it might be possible to have too many bags. If I make a bunch of cushions for the sofa though, that will remove the cushion forms from the other drawers under the bed and I can make more bags, so I think I’m good ;o)