{"id":77,"date":"2009-05-03T22:35:00","date_gmt":"2009-05-04T02:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/blog\/2009\/05\/boutique-sewer-profile-rachel-baker\/"},"modified":"2018-11-28T10:50:44","modified_gmt":"2018-11-28T15:50:44","slug":"boutique-sewer-profile-rachel-baker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2009\/05\/boutique-sewer-profile-rachel-baker.html","title":{"rendered":"boutique sewer profile: rachel baker"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today we\u2019re introducing a new blog feature. We will regularly be highlighting one of the participants in our Boutique Sewer Program<\/a>. These talented individuals are creating unique, handcrafted garments from Oliver + S patterns and are selling them through a variety of channels. We\u2019re always interested in talking with our program participants and seeing the interesting things they are making. We thought our blog readers would be interested in meeting some of them too.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re kicking the series off by sharing a recent email exchange we had with one of our boutique sewers\u2014Rachel Baker from Brisbane, Australia. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Rachel, can you tell us a little about yourself and your background? How did you learn to sew?<\/span>
I had always been fairly convinced that I had not a single ounce of creativity in me. Seriously. I used to tell my mum how awful it was that my sisters were the creative ones and I was all logical and cerebral.<\/p>\n

But then, after having my second child (a daughter), something clicked. I became obsessed with the idea of learning to make skirts. I couldn’t afford a new sewing machine at the time so my Grandmother, who was a dressmaker and now makes the most elaborate quilts ever, bought me my very first sewing machine. I started sewing the day after it arrived, and I have barely taken a day off in the last two years.<\/p>\n

How did you first discover Oliver + S patterns and the Boutique Sewer Program?<\/span>
I had joined a group of sewers online who have now disbanded, and they were talking about these beautiful Oliver + S patterns. Once I saw them I totally fell in love, and after receiving so many compliments for garments I made from them I decided to look into selling my work. That\u2019s when I found out about the program.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Your garments always have a consistent delicate and sweet feel to them. Do you have a specific style or aesthetic you\u2019re trying to realize?<\/span>
I\u2019m coming to realize that I’m girlier than I thought I was. I love classic styling (which is one of the reasons the Oliver + S patterns appeal to me) with a slight twist of funky awesomeness. Even if it’s just the coolest little trim or an unexpected flash of color in the hem facing. I think Oliver + S gives you a chance to do that with their patterns.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

How do you determine which fabrics to match with a pattern?<\/span>
That’s a good question. I generally start with what I have in the house, and then move onto how I think the fabric pattern will look done up in either pleats or gathers. I don’t like my fabric to overwhelm the garment style. I want people to notice the shape of the garment before the fabric. I also love mixing up colors so they are the tiniest bit offbeat but not enough to make them obviously so. Sometimes it takes ages to work out exactly what fabrics to use.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve sewn from many different Oliver + S patterns. Do you have any favorites? <\/span>
I completely adore the Bubble Dress<\/a> first and foremost. It’s extremely simple to sew and the style is so flattering on little girls\u2019 bodies. It washes brilliantly and is very easy to iron.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Where do you sell your garments?<\/span>
I have an Etsy store<\/a> where I sell many of my garments. I sell all my dresses as one-of-a-kinds. Or, as has happened in the past, a purchaser can message me and I will make a dress to the buyer\u2019s specifications. I really love making special orders. It’s extremely satisfying when they are received and loved.<\/p>\n

How do you determine how to price each garment you sew?<\/span>
To be honest, I don’t make a huge profit. I add up all materials used for each garment and then add an hourly rate for my time.<\/p>\n

What have you done to market your business that has been successful for you?<\/span>
A couple of things. Blogging<\/a> and slowly finding my place in the market has been a huge lesson for me. I’ve learned so much by watching others at their various stages of business owning. Twitter<\/a> gives me a fair amount of business. And you should never discount word of mouth.<\/p>\n

Sew something amazing, package it beautifully, and the buyer will tell others of their wonderful shopping experiences with PinkLizzy Sews and Oliver + S patterns. I think also being true to myself and the styles and fabrics I like has helped me.<\/p>\n

I also think that the support I’ve had from Oliver + S has been wonderful. I get lots of views to my shop<\/a> and blog<\/a> coming from the Garments page<\/a> of the Oliver + S website. Some of those lead to sales, and that has been very excellent.<\/p>\n

Do you have any plans for the future?<\/span>
So many plans! Over the next few months I’m adding women’s sized Arty Skirts to my range to satisfy the hundreds of women who’ve requested them. I also am about to embark on some serious physiotherapy to help alleviate some of my intense sciatic pain. I hope to start university in the next few years to study sociology. I will be adding my daughter to my homeschooling day next year! We’ve got a million family holidays planned to New Zealand, Paris, Sydney and our old home, Ballarat in Victoria Australia. We might have another baby if cluckiness completely overwhelms us (it’s looking likely actually). All while I sew, and sew, and then sew some more for good measure. It’s going to be fantastic and I can’t wait!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today we\u2019re introducing a new blog feature. We will regularly be highlighting one of the participants in our Boutique Sewer Program. These talented individuals are creating unique, handcrafted garments from Oliver + S patterns and are selling them through a …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6304,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20687],"tags":[5],"class_list":["post-77","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-boutique-sewer-profiles"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/2009-05-04-27192-761324.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5jZS5-1f","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":145,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2008\/06\/boutique-sewer-program-launches-at-last.html","url_meta":{"origin":77,"position":0},"title":"the boutique sewer program launches at last!","author":"Liesl Gibson","date":"June 5, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"During the three years that I've written a blog, I've really come to love the crafting community. There are so many wonderfully creative people out there with so many ideas and skills, and they all seem to be the nicest, most friendly and warm people I've ever met. I've made\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/lable-3-770574.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":133,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2008\/09\/oliver-s-garments.html","url_meta":{"origin":77,"position":1},"title":"oliver + s garments","author":"Liesl Gibson","date":"September 25, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"A few months ago when we first launched the Boutique Sewer Program, we promised we would be working to support the participants of the program. We want to build a community, linking seamstresses with customers who want to purchase handmade garments.To that end, I'm pleased to announce a new page\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/GarmentsPage-766569.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":66,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2009\/07\/boutique-sewer-profile-tiffany-james.html","url_meta":{"origin":77,"position":2},"title":"boutique sewer profile: Tiffany James","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"July 1, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Today we continue our series of posts highlighting participants in our Boutique Sewer Program by sharing a short discussion with Tiffany James from Seattle, WA. 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Meg sells her work through her boutique sewing business, Nora's Room, which is named after her four-year-old daughter, Nora Kate. Meg also has a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Meg-798435.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2010\/02\/boutique-sewer-profile-jeanie-taylor.html","url_meta":{"origin":77,"position":4},"title":"boutique sewer profile: Jeanie Taylor","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"February 3, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"We're continuing our series of posts highlighting participants in the Boutique Sewer Program by introducing Jeanie Taylor from Cape Cod, MA. Jeanie sells her work through her boutique sewing business, The Pea Green Boat. Jeanie, why don't you tell us a little about yourself and your background. When and how\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/JeanieTaylor-727563.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":288,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2010\/03\/boutique-sewer-profile-gail-keyes.html","url_meta":{"origin":77,"position":5},"title":"boutique sewer profile: Gail Keyes","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"March 2, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"We\u2019re continuing our series of posts highlighting participants in the Boutique Sewer Program by introducing Gail Keyes from Louisville, KY. Gail sells her work through her boutique sewing business, Guurrrl Designs. Why don't you start by telling us a bit about yourself. 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