Why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself.
I am in my mid-thirties, currently residing in Louisville, KY. But I consider the mountains of Asheville, NC home. I work full time as an office manager for a manufacturing company, although I dream of someday being able to work from home, have a family, and move back to the beautiful mountains of Asheville.
When I was growing up my Dad and Step-Dad were in the Air Force. This gave me the opportunity to travel around the country and even abroad for three years in Italy. I have a box of greeting cards and letters that I carried with me from move to move. Even now, as an adult, when I move I will unpack every single thing and put it in its place except for that box. It’s always ready for the next move.
I love the scents of fresh-cut grass, cakes baking, babies’ heads, and driving past a cow pasture. The last one must have something to do with me missing home.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background. When and how did you learn to sew?
I started out sewing puppets when I was in elementary school. Later on my Granny and Aunt taught me how to sew Barbie clothes. Then, in my senior year of high school, I decided that I didn’t want a dress off-the-rack even though I had never made anything larger than a Barbie outfit. My prom date’s mother said that she would teach me to sew it. It was a great experience–from picking out the fabric, to learning to piece three separate patterns together to create a dress that I truly loved. From that point I was hooked.
In my early twenties, I worked on beading several gowns for pageants and made many stage costumes. However, it was when I started making clothing for my niece and other children that I discovered my true passion was sewing children’s clothing.
I had been completing my college degree at night from 2007 through September of 2009. When I graduated, I decided to start a 365-day challenge to create something new every day for the next year. Several of my friends joined me in the challenge. Prior to that, I had a 10 year hiatus from sewing. After I posted a few of my challenge entries, I was encouraged by a friend of mine, Renee of Candy Stick Lane, to open up an online boutique.
How did you first discover Oliver + S patterns?
I first discovered Oliver+S patterns while browsing photos of children’s clothing on Flickr. I came across the Tea Party Playsuit and then visited the Oliver+S Flickr group. I was instantly in love with the classical designs.
How did you come to participate in the boutique sewer program?
I actually decided to participate when I ordered my first Oliver+S pattern–the Sailboat Skirt/Pants and Top in the winter of 2009. I thought that it would be a really great Christmas outfit for my nephew. I opened a boutique on Etsy in September 2009 and had been dying to try the Oliver+S patterns. I figured, why put the boutique program on hold? I ordered a couple of licenses with my first pattern order. I ended up making the Sailboat skirt for my shop, before I completed my nephew’s Christmas outfit. The program has given my shop a lot of exposure.
I love the detail included in the Oliver + S patterns, and I look forward to the day when I have each pattern in my collection.
How do you choose fabrics for the garments that you make?
It depends on the item. If it is a custom item, based on a customer’s specific request, I will fulfill that. However when I am making something as an expression of my creative design, a color (or even the texture of the fabric) will instantly stand out for me. I will then pair other fabrics with the first. I would say that most of the items I sew are made from cotton. I also have an addiction to Japanese prints. I especially love many of their linens and tiny prints.
What other crafts do you pursue?
Other than sewing children’s clothing, I also have an interest in digital photography. I received a digital SLR camera last year, and I am still learning the ins and outs of it.
While opening my shop, I was trying to come up with gifts and small tokens of appreciation to include with my packages. While walking through the craft store, the polymer clay caught my eye. I was instantly hooked. I am drawn to making miniature food jewelry and buttons from polymer clay.
Beading has also been a passion of mine since I was in high school. However, after a few years of making beaded gowns and costumes, I only like to bead small projects now.
What have you done to market your business that has been successful for you?
I am rather new to the business and am still learning on a daily basis. I think what has worked for me so far is using networking to my advantage. I am visible on several social networking sites, and the exposure that I have gotten from the Oliver+S website had definitely increased the visibility of my shop. I launched my blog around the same time that I opened up my Etsy shop. It has allowed to me to share my creativity and keeps me continually inspired by others. I also use my blog to let customers know about specials and giveaways. I also had professional business cards printed that I share with everyone.
What plans do you have for the future?
I try to only look a few months at a time down the road. There are so many things that I want to do, including being able to make more outfits at a time. I plan on adding a line of T-shirts to my shop that display my artwork. They will fit children and adults. I would also love, love, love to take a knitting class. I envision cardigans, leg warmers, and hats to coordinate with the outfits in my shop.