Sewing Indie Month - Interview with Amity from Lolita Patterns...

Hello Everyone,

Today I'm excited to share an interview I did with Amity over at Lolita Patterns as a part of Sewing Indie Month (SIM). Amity is also a new mum, so I can completely empathise with some of things she talks about, including learning to be patient :)

The Sugarplum Dress

Do you have a go-to pattern you've made over and over again? What is it and why?

I do love my T-shirt block that I have adapted out of a combination of Sewaholic’s Renfew (for the neckline) and Butterick 5215 for the base. I make tons of them!

And it’s easy to mix it up because of the neckline variations and sleeve length differences and whether I use a band at the hem or not.

What got you started sewing initially?

I always wanted to make fun stuff with great colour combinations and fabrics that I could not find in the store. See the PB&Jam leggings tutorial I did to convert them to yoga pants at Fehr Trade and the Minoru jacket I made. You can’t find that stuff in stores and I love them so much!

Do you do any other crafty/creative things?

I have an embroidery machine and use it a lot to make things for my daughter, my house, and friends. I often incorporate embroidery into my sewing as well when I do handbags or home décor.

Are there any crafty things you've always wanted to learn?

I always think those Silhouette machines look so cool! But I don’t have the time to add something else into my life. Whenever I do something, I like to learn all the insides and outs 1000%, so it takes a great time commitment to decide to do something new.

The Gunmetal Dress & Top

How do you come up with your pattern ideas?

I always take inspiration from my closet! I also peruse Japanese Lolita fashion sites. Generally I mix up different features or various garments that I love the style of. It’s too bad I don’t work in a professional environment anymore…my Lolita Patterns garments don’t get worn nearly as often anymore!

The Olive Blouse

The Spearmint Jacket

What is your favourite type of fabric and why?

My favourite fabric is crepe of any type! I love the feel and it is so easy to work with.

The Sugarplum Dress

Are you a dog person or a cat person? Or neither?

Definitely a dog person! We have three dogs right now. One giant Bloodhound named Pumpkin and two English Bulldogs named Buffy and Wednesday.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to your younger self? 

Be patient! I was always in such a rush for everything that I really burned out. And you know what? Everything worked out in the end when the timing was perfectly right and I was ready. All that impatience just caused unnecessary stress.

Finish this sentence - When I grow up...

I hope my life is exactly as it is now! We just moved to a beautiful house in a gorgeous part of Colorado and I have everything I could possibly want! A home business, my baby girl (eventually more), a home, a husband, and wonderful family and friends.

What are you working on at the moment?

Since I now have a real winter to worry about with snow and everything, I have been making warm tops. The one I am working on right now is the Jasper Sweater by Paprika Patterns.

Thanks so much Amity!

xx
J

Pattern Parcel #6 and some House Keeping...

So, if you've been living under a rock (which I totally don't blame you for, I really need to get one of those...) you may not have been aware that Pattern Parcel #6 (all about the ladies!) is currently out in the world and I was completely honoured to have contributed The Bronte Top to the parcel pack.

Not sure what the Perfect Pattern Parcel is? Basically, you get to decide how much you want to pay for a bunch of awesome patterns while supporting independent designers AND contributing to some wonderful charities all at the same time. Selfish sewing just got a whole new meaning.

In their own words...

Support Indie Designers:

Independent designers create patterns that are innovative, imaginative and in line with current style trends. Their patterns encompass a broad range of sizes and fabulous “out of the envelope” fit because they're thoroughly tested by real people. Indie designers are approachable, providing support, suggestions, publishing additions to your favourite designs, and hosting interactive sewing events. When we are patrons of indie designers, we are supporting small businesses. We are developing the community around us. We are helping make dreams come true.

Support PPP:

We ask you to dedicate part of your purchase to support the mission of Perfect Pattern Parcel. Our mission is to support indie designers, give to charity, and expand awareness to further those two primary goals. PPP funds cover the cost of all hosting and payment processing fees so the designers and charities don't have to. With any dollar we spend as a PPP expense, our goal is to earn that dollar back and then some. Every dollar that isn't used to cover expenses is reallocated to charity.

Support Children's Education:

Donors Choose is an organisation that matches up the needs of teachers and their students for specific projects with willing donors. The funds raised from each Pattern Parcel sale will go to help K-12 students in minimising educational inequality and encourage a community where children have the tools and experiences necessary for an excellent education. From pencils for poetry to microscopes for mitochondria, your support will help address educational inequality and grow generations to come. To date, you've helped us raise over $13,000! 

As of posting this there are currently just over 4 days left to purchase your very own Pattern Parcel #6 before it's gone forever. If you're still sitting on the fence, then let me tell you, the amazing-ness of the patterns contained within has meant that this parcel has been the biggest one yet! So, what are you waiting for? 

In other news, did you see the new Sewing Pattern Directory is now live? Jane has done such an amazing job. And, oh, there's a wee interview from yours truly featured on the front page, you know, just in case you're interested. The Sewing Pattern Directory is pretty much where it's at if you like using patterns produced by independent designers. They feature the ones you already know and you'll be able to discover new ones.

Phew, what a month it's been, and November looks set to be another busy one, but in a whole different way...

xx

J

Knitting for Victory - An Interview with Tasha from By Gum By Golly

Tasha from By Gum By Golly has some of the most amazing hand-knits I've seen. Her blog is a smorgasbord of knitting (and sewing!) inspiration, and as a novice knitter, I can only hope to get as good as her some day.

Tasha has been running the Knit for Victory challenge for the past three months, and as we near the finish line (victorious, I hope!), today I have a special little treat for you, an interview with Tasha herself.

If you've ever wanted to knit vintage patterns but have been a little put off by those pesky vintage instructions, Tasha goes into some pretty amazing detail about knitting with vintage patterns and how to modify the instructions into the modern day equivalent. But enough waffling from me, over to Tasha -

How long have you been knitting for and what got you started?

I’ve been knitting for 7 or 8 years now, I think. On a vacation about a year before I learned, I
taught myself to crochet from a booklet. During this time, my mom, who hadn’t knit since I was
little, was re-teaching herself to knit. In spite of my protests that I’d never be able to get the hang
of it, she was able to wear me down and teach me. It just goes to show you - don’t think you
can’t get the hang of it, too!

Stranded Cardigan

Tell us about how you came up with the Knit for Victory challenge?

Back late last winter, while Rochelle from Lucky Lucille was running her 1940s-inspired Sew for Victory challenge, she and I began talking about a similar challenge but for knitting. So the idea started nearly 9 months before the knit-along began!

Campus Classics Cable Pullover

You knit mostly from vintage patterns - any tips for those of us thinking of tackling one of 

these?

Well that’s not entirely true - I do knit a good amount from modern patterns, too! But if it’s a
cardigan or pullover, I give it a vintage twist, if it doesn’t have one already. I love supporting
modern knitwear designers as much as I love knitting from original vintage patterns, too. It’s
something I’m passionate about.

That being said, I think if you consider yourself a confident beginner or intermediate knitter, dive
in with a vintage pattern! Vintage patterns tend to have less hand holding than many modern
patterns, but the glory of the Internet is that you can look up almost any term with which you’re
unfamiliar. I’d also highly recommend getting on Ravelry if you’re not already. It’s an amazingly helpful online community for knitters and crocheters. I’ve gotten lots of help on Ravelry over the years!

*Note from Jen - If you do join Ravelry, let's be friends! My page is here and Tasha's is here.

Many vintage patterns tell you to use a specific brand of wool or needle that may not exist 

these days. Any tips for converting vintage instructions into the modern day equivalent?

I usually go by gauge and weight of yarn used to make my own determination on what needle
size I think I’ll need or yarn I may want to use. For example, I tend to knit loose, so by default I
know I’m probably going to use a smaller needle size than the pattern calls for. Of course, this
doesn’t work if the pattern is obviously a very open, lacy sweater knit with large gauge needles,
but it’s my modus operandi for most patterns.

With vintage patterns, needle sizes can be compared to a chart that shows current and old needle
sizes, such as this one. Note that it shows old US and UK sizes, but I’ve also found non-UK patterns using the UK sizes, for reference. (For example, I have Patons & Baldwin booklets from both Canada and Australia and they use the UK needle sizes.)

So here’s how I’d work something out: I’m looking at a pullover pattern from the 40s, calling
for Beehive Caressa yarn and No. 4 and No. 3 size needles. I can tell from the picture it uses a
pretty thick yarn (not a thin and dainty knit), so that gives me an idea already. Looking at the
chart linked above, in the far right column, I see No. 4 and 3 are equivalent to 6mm and 6.5mm,
or US 10 and 10 ½ sizes. Those are pretty big needles - perfect for a bulky weight yarn. And the
pattern tension/gauge is 3 ½ stitches per inch and 5 rows per inch, which also jives with bulky
weight. Of course you’d want to swatch and make sure you like the stitch definition and feel of
your knitted fabric, but with a few knitting detective tricks, you’re well on your way!

Dragonflies Jumper

Vintage knitting patterns and some modern patterns have mistakes in them. Are there any 

steps you use for eliminating these errors before you begin?

Fortunately I’ve rarely encountered mistakes in vintage patterns though perhaps I’m just lucky.
Of course, there’s no foolproof way to know ahead of time if a pattern has mistakes. However,
as a general rule it’s a good idea to really get to know the pattern you’re knitting before you
start. I talk about this in my Fitting a 1940s Pullover series where I discussed in depth how I broke down a vintage pattern and changed the gauge and yarn weight. It involved really getting to know the pattern.

I’d suggest swatching the pattern stitch and reading through the pattern to get an idea of what’s
going on. Make some notes. I’m personally a big proponent of not relying on the pattern’s stated
measurements alone, so I always double-check measurements, on modern and vintage patterns
alike. For example, I’ll see what the number of stitches are at the full bust, and compare it with
what the pattern says the garment will measure at the bust (or what size the pattern says it’s for,
because it doesn’t always tell you the finished measurement, and you can only guess at the ease
unless it’s explicitly stated). Even 2” of difference can make a big difference on your body. You
may have to dig a bit in the pattern to find this information, but it’ll be well worth your effort to
make sure the finished garment will end up the size you think it will. I never leave this to chance.

Anyway, these are all things that will help you better understand a pattern and feel more
confident with knitting in general!

The Flag Jumper

You've just released your very first knitting pattern, the Victory Beret. What was the 

inspiration behind the pattern and how long did it take to write a pattern like this?

The inspiration to design Victory was based on the Knit for Victory knit-along! As I said, the
knit-along was planned months before, so I decided I wanted to release a pattern concurrent with
it. I knew I wanted it to be fair isle, and I wanted fans of 1940s styles to like it, but I wanted it to
have a broader appeal, too. So Victory was born!

There’s so many phases to the design process so I can’t really say how long it took to write it,
although actually writing up the pattern was probably the shortest part of the entire process,
honestly! I definitely spent more time learning how to layout a pattern for self-publishing than
writing it, ha ha. I started work on the actual design in early September during a relaxing trip and
the pattern was released at the beginning of November.

You can purchase the pattern to download on Ravelry here.

The Victory Beret

What favourite knitting vintage knitting patterns would you point beginner knitters like 

me to?

I recommend starting small if you’re more of a beginner and would like to test the waters with
vintage patterns, especially because there’s likely to be less unfamiliar terms in a pattern for an
accessory than, say, a cardigan. The very first vintage pattern I knit up when I was pretty much
a beginner was a bow knot scarf. There’s a couple of modern versions, like this one, but I’ve seen it in vintage booklets, too, and the instructions are pretty much exactly the same - very cute and chic, and easy. I’m actually working on another one right now!

A great resource for vintage patterns online is the Vintage Pattern Files. Wendy has done an extraordinary job collecting links to free vintage patterns. Across the top you can search by decade, and down the right sidebar you can search by time. Accessories are a great place to start! And soon you’ll be clamouring to branch out into sweaters, and by that point vintage patterns will hopefully feel a little less daunting!

The Red Queen Fair Isle Pullover

Any encouraging words for those of us who haven't quite finished our Knit for Victory 

makes yet?

I know I personally have had some challenges thrown at me during our 3 months of Knit for
Victory! I just finished up my little bolero (which I had almost finished but frogged it because
I wasn’t completely happy with it), and only have to weave in ends and block it. I expected to
complete a whole lot more than I was able to accomplish, but that’s okay! I’ve been having a
blast seeing all of the creative projects that participants have been working on.

As far as I’m concerned, everyone who has participated in Knit for Victory is a winner!

So Neat and Sweet Jumper

Thanks so much Tasha for answering all my questions! Having pretty much finished my first ever actual knitted thing (it's currently blocking, then I'll sew on the grosgrain ribbon and buttons and then it's DONE!!!), talking to Tasha via email and having the Knit for Victory deadline has been a huge help for encouraging me to get it finished. 

I hope everyone has gotten the little boost they needed to finish their Knit for Victory make by the end of the week. I can't wait to see everyone's amazing creations.

xx
Jen

Introducing...Rosie Wednesday

I love a good vintage outfit, especially when it's been made from scratch using a vintage pattern. So today, I'd like to introduce you to a lady who does all that and more, Lauren from Rosie Wednesday.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your blog

I'm Lauren and I blog at Rosie Wednesday: Adventures in Vintage-Style Sewing.  Rosie and Wednesday are the names of my sewing machines, for perfectly silly reasons. I blog finished looks, vintage inspiration, and am venturing more and more into tutorials. I am particularly passionate about fit. I think it's a really challenging topic to understand, especially if you are a self-taught sewer like I am, and can make such a difference in your garment sewing if you do.

Leafy Emery Dress

Why did you start sewing?

When I was about 11 years old, I participated in a creative competition where you made up a skit, among other things. I started sewing to make costumes for our team. My first costume was for a character called "Lacy Lettuce" that I played. I just traced an outline of a dress, cut out 2 pieces from that outline, and stitched it together. Then I hand stitched a bunch of "leaves" cut out of fabric. The skit also featured a pink sewing machine that came to life to help my character!  After making costumes, I was determined to make a pair of pyjama pants and follow a pattern. I was hooked after that!

So to begin, it was really about creative expression. Over the years though, it's become my way to relax and unravel my mind and a way for me to create the wardrobe of my imagination!

The Hallettsville Dress

Do you get up to any other crafty adventures?

I love to embroider and do cross stitch. I've dabbled a bit in knitting, am just getting started on knitting my first sweater. After a lot of starts and stops, I am officially addicted! It's all I did over the holidays, other than eating.

Embroidery

What has been your greatest sewing achievement so far?

I took a pattern making class in 2013, and starting drafting my own patterns. It was tremendously exciting, and I learned a ton! I've also found those skills to be very helpful in better understanding fit and altering a pattern for you. I love the 2 dresses I made from that class, and can't wait to do more.

The Marfa Dress

And have there been any crafty-related disappointments?

Oh gollies, don't we all have them? I remember in college, I sewed a dress to wear to an event, and the fit was atrocious. It was way too big and kept falling down at the bust. It was a party out on a boat, and I kept a life vest on the entire evening because it was so embarrassing!

Invisible zip, lapped zip or centre zip?

Lapped zip. I struggled a lot with nice-looking lapped zippers on the machine, but I just learned a new technique that fixed all my troubles. I'll have a video tutorial on it soon as part of the Shift Dress Sew Along I'm currently hosting.

Shapely Shift Dress

What’s currently on your sewing table?

A wintery plaid Hawthorn from Colette patterns.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Thankfully, I found my professional passions early in my career! I work in user experience for a living which basically means it's my job to make sure our website is easy to use. It's a mix of a lot of wonderful disciplines - library science, publishing, and psychology to name a few. I am fortunate enough to really love my job, although I doubt anyone would be surprised to learn I'd rather spend all my days sewing!

The Tulip Dress

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about learning to sew?

Have fun!! You'll hate sewing if you hold yourself to some impossible standard, and besides, that's what seam rippers are for! Plus, there is a wonderful sewing community online that is so generous with their time and talents. You can rely on them (including me!) to help you get started.

Head on over to Lauren's blog and check out some of her amazing sewing tutorials. I think I need to give her neckline darts a go, aren't they such a gorgeous and unique detail?

xx
Jen

* Are you a sewing/knitting/crocheting/baking/vintage/ cat-loving/creative/crafty/awesome owner of a blog? Do you want to be featured in an interview and introduced to some of your other bloggy pals? Well then, flick me an email to jenniferlauren.is@gmail.com with a link to your blog and any other tidbits you feel like sharing and we'll arrange an imaginary internet tea and cake date and get to know each other a little better!

Introducing...Shona Stitches

Welcome to the next instalment of my Introducing... series, today I'd like you to meet Shona from Shona Stitches. Shona lives in Florida with her husband, kitty and dachshund pup and is an amazing sewer. I especially love her Colette Patterns Hawthorn and her navy blue Beignet skirt. Oh, and she knits and embroiders too. Is there nothing she can't do?

Tell us a bit about yourself and your blog

My name is Shona and I am completely obsessed with sewing clothing! I blog over at Shona Stitches, where I post about the trials, successes and little things I learn as I attempt to sew my own wardrobe. I live in muggy Gainesville, Florida with my husband, a nosy cat and an elderly miniature dachshund who is my constant sewing room companion.

After experiencing a layoff earlier this year, I decided to pursue my passion and now work at a local sewing store. I spend my work days playing with fancy machines, making samples, giving sewing advice, and teaching beginners how to make their first stitch. It hasn't been an easy career change, but I love what I do!

Why did you start sewing?

When I was about 19 or 20 I discovered Craftser and spent a lot of time lurking around the boards drooling over all the cool, crafty things people were making. I'd always had an interest in making things, but that site really opened up a whole new world of possibilities to me. I tried a few crafts with varying levels of success, but I was really intrigued by the sewing board. I showed my mom some of the things I wanted to do and bought me a sewing machine for Christmas that year. Once I learned how to thread the thing (that took about a week and a lot of consulting the internet), I immediately started cutting up old t-shirts and reconstructing them. Then I traced an old hoodie and made it into a dinosaur hoodie with green fleece and white spikes in the back. I wore it around work for Halloween and called myself Queen Koopa.

Then I moved on to working with patterns, but sewing was still something I only dabbled in occasionally. Years later, I discovered some great sewing bogs and got inspired again. I was amazed at how professional handmade clothing could look! That's when I started really researching proper techniques and learning how to make things that I could be proud of. I started my blog last January as a challenge to get myself sewing more. It worked! I haven't stopped since.

Do you get up to any other crafty adventures?

Yes, as many as I can! I also knit, crochet and hand embroider. I always have a knitting project going that I can work on while watching tv or take to my knitting group. I haven't hand embroidered for a while and really miss it! It's very relaxing and I just love the way it looks. I have to finish this cardigan I'm knitting first though...it's really being a pain!

What has been your greatest sewing achievement so far?

It's hard to pick, I have a few garments that I'm really happy with. But I guess it would have to be the modified version of Colette's Hawthorn dress that I made recently. I finished it in a major rush, so there are a couple of things I'm not happy with (I did at least go back and fix the tight armholes). But I spent a TON of time working out the fit and redrafting the pattern to make the style modifications I wanted.

Winning the contest was extremely exciting! I wanted to post about it afterwards but I was so flabbergasted that I could barely form words! And when the fabrics I won from Colette came in the mail with a little card signed by Sarai, I couldn't stop squealing. You'd think I'd won the lottery or something. Nope, just totally geeked out about sewing!

And have there been any crafty-related disappointments?

Oh, lots! That just comes with the territory. I've sewn things inside out, backwards, upside down...you name it. I've broken zippers...and then gone on to break them again! I've broken lots of needles (don't pull on your fabric, folks - use a hump-jumper!). I've sewn things that have turned out unwearable. One of my favorite tops, the chevron Ava that I made last year, shrank in the wash. But there have been lots of successes too! I look at sewing as a continuous learning process. I have this crazy drive to master it. I don't know where that comes from, but I think that's the only thing that keeps me going after I've ripped a seam out multiple times or ruined a dress I spent 2 weeks working on. I'm a quitter and totally not competitive when it comes to anything else, but with sewing I'm all "No, machine! You will not defeat me!!!!".

Invisible zip, lapped zip or centre zip?

Invisible zip. I just like the way it looks the best and I can insert them pretty easily. For an easy zip that needs to be more sturdy, I go with the centered style. I like the way a lapped zipper looks, but I don't feel like I've conquered that one just yet!

What’s currently on your sewing table?

Two Briars that I haven't been able to work on because of all the sewing commissions that I need to finish first! I'm currently making a dress for a wedding guest, a set of curtains, and a couple pairs of jeans that need hemming. I just finished working a 50 hour week while the shop owners were away at convention, so I have a ton of stuff to catch up on!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Happy. That's the most important thing. And I'm happy when I can use my brain to think creatively and use my hands to make beautiful and interesting things. I'm still trying to figure out how to turn my dream into a career, but that is my goal.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about learning to sew?

Take it slow and don't be afraid of the sewing machine! Take a class or buy a good beginner's sewing book that will help you along. I dove right in without having a clue what I was doing, and (while that approach can be fun) I think that's why I got frustrated and put it down for so long. Don't get too upset when you make a mistake, it's part of the process. You will remember that mistake and improve with each new project! A lot of people will tell me that I must be so talented because of the things I sew, but I really don't think sewing takes talent. It just takes a little patience and a desire to make something unique.

Thanks so much for taking part Shona! Make sure you head on over to her blog to take a peek at a few more of her amazing creations!

The next instalment will be up early next year - this lovely lady is has a wardrobe full of stylish retro makes, my favourite :)

Are you a sewing/knitting/crocheting/baking/vintage/cat-loving/creative/awesome owner of a blog? Do you want to be featured in an interview and become one of my (and others) expanding list of new bloggy friends? Well then, step right in and flick me an email to jenniferlauren.is@gmail.com with a link to your blog and any other tidbits you feel like sharing and we'll arrange an imaginary internet tea and cake date and get to know each other a little better!

xx
Jen

Introducing... Melissa from Scavenger Hunt

I've had this idea bubbling away for a little while now and finally have a bit of time to make it a reality. There are so so so many creative bloggy type people popping up on the ol' internets all the time. So many to keep up with and so I've found that I tend to stick with the select few that I've been reading for years.

I have to be honest though, I think I'm sorely missing out on some awesome bloggy goodness because I'm too lazy/time poor to go out and look for more blogs to read. So with that in mind, I'm introducing a new series to my blog interviewing the amazingly talented people behind some of the lesser known (but no less awesome and inspiring) blogs out there to hopefully introduce some new people into your reading repertoire (and I get to make new bloggy friends in the process!).

So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to Melissa from Scavenger Hunt.

Melissa and I really hit it off after we found out we have more than a few things in common besides sewing. She lived in Tonga for a while and has visited many parts of New Zealand (including where I was born) and I lived in California for a year. We both have two cats, love vintage and are trying to figure out the whole knitting thing (I'll have a whole other post on that later...). Melissa is an amazing seamstress and produces beautiful, vintage inspired silhouettes, but don't just take my word for it...

Tell us a bit about yourself and your blog

My name is Melissa and I blog over at Scavenger Hunt. I share my sewing and crafting projects, vintage finds and any other little adventures I have. I discovered the blogging world about 2 years ago and after about a year of avid reading, I finally got up the courage to start my own. I've loved every minute of it - it's been really fun and inspiring to connect with other people who love the same things I do!

Novel Cover Dress 

I live on the central coast of California with my boyfriend Phillip and our two cats Ruby and Bosley. I work full-time at a day program for adults with disabilities and in my spare time I love to make things and hunt for vintage finds at thrift shops and estate sales. My boyfriend and I have a booth at a local antique mall and I sell vintage patterns and sewing supplies in my Etsy shop. I'm dreaming of starting another shop to sell my handmade creations, but there are only so many hours in the day! I'm hoping to get it up and running by next year.

Why did you start sewing?

The Curtain Dress

My Mom taught me a bit of sewing while I was growing up - she does a lot of quilting. But I really got into it after high school when I took a class at the local community college. I think my main motivation for learning was (and still is) my interest in vintage fashion and my desire to create clothes that reflect my personal style. I've taken a few classes off and on throughout the years, though mostly I've learned through a lot of trial-and-error. Like I said, I discovered the blogging community a couple of years ago and it's opened up a whole new world of knowledge and inspiration.

Do you get up to any other crafty adventures?

Blue and White Laurel

Yes! I'm pretty sure there's no craft I wouldn't try! Over the years I've tried everything from leather working to pottery, to painting. Lately I've been dabbling in jewellery making, re-covering thrift store furniture and I'm trying to learn how to knit and crochet! One of my goals over the next couple of years is to learn how to use software to create my own patterns and fabric designs.

What has been your greatest sewing achievement so far?

I think that would be competing in the Super Online Sewing Match on Sew Mama Sew. I was honoured to be chosen and I actually made it all the way to the final challenge! Though I didn't win the grand prize, I was really proud of myself for getting that far and holding my own with so many amazingly talented sewers. It's really inspired me to push myself to do my best and to take my sewing and blogging to a new level!

And have there been any crafty-related disappointments?

Oh my gosh, too many to count! Especially when I first started sewing. I've ripped holes with my seam ripper, cut things out wrong, made garments that were hopelessly small, large, ill-fitting etc. I tend to mess things up less often now, but I still have disappointments every now and again. But I think you just have to keep trying and take each one as a learning experience. Sometimes I'll just set a particularly frustrating project aside and after taking a break for a while, I'll come back to it with new energy and a willingness to figure it out.

Invisible zip, lapped zip or centre zip?

I tend to think invisible looks the nicest.

What is currently on your sewing table?

I'm just starting to work on my dress for the Fall for Cotton sew-a-long. I'm going to try to do some fun things with stripes!

Kente Cloth Sundress

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I'm still trying to figure that out! I majored in Anthropology in college, was a teacher in the Peace Corps, and now I work with adults with disabilities. But now I think that I would really love to find a way to make a living doing something creative.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about learning to sew?

My advice would be to just go for it! Realise that your first work isn't going to be perfect, but you'll gradually get better and better. The internet is a great resource - it seems like there's advice and tutorials for everything so you can get an idea of what to do beforehand. One thing I wish I had done more when I first began to sewing is to slow down. I would get really impatient to be finished so I would often try to go too fast and cut corners. Now I'm realising that when I really take my time, my projects turn out so much better!

Thanks so much for taking part Melissa! Make sure you head on over to her blog to take a peek at a few more of her amazing creations!

Are you a *sewing/knitting/crocheting/baking/vintage/

cat-loving/creative/crafty/awesome owner of a blog? 

Do you want to be featured in an interview and introduced to some of your other bloggy pals? Well then, flick me an email to jenniferlauren.is@gmail.com with a link to your blog and any other tidbits you feel like sharing and we'll arrange an imaginary internet tea and cake date and get to know each other a little better!

Looking forward to hearing from you :)

xx
Jen

* You can be any or all of these things :)
Due to the volume of requests, it may take me a little while to get back to you :)