Sewing has become such an important part of your creative identity, but how did it all begin?
When I was young my mom taught me how to sew! Both of my grandmas sewed as well so it ran in the family. I sewed sock monkeys, rag quilts, bags, etc. I started getting into garment making around 2020 when I was in college and designing game day clothes.
What do sewing and designing mean to you today?
I would say all these things at once! My business has always revolved around sewing garments or teaching others how to sew. It's also my passion and I'm so grateful to be able to do it every day!
Looking back, what was the first piece you created that truly felt like "you"?
When I started making corsets I felt like that was really my calling! I love making structured pieces and working with stiff materials. They're also so feminine!
You've recently entered a beautiful new chapter with your marriage, and your husband is a designer as well. Has sharing your life with another creative person influenced the way you approach your own work?
I'm so lucky that my husband shares the same passion that I do! Whenever each of us has a design problem we can work it out together. We both sew but we specialize in different things so it's good to be able to pick his brain!
Your work always feels incredibly thoughtful and personal. What inspires your designs these days?
Designing my wedding dress has opened my eyes into bridal & formalwear, and I love the attention to detail that couture requires. I definitely want to dabble in it some more! I love being able to spend lots of time on a piece so I love how intentional bridal & formalwear is.
We'd love a glimpse into your creative world. What does your workspace look like today, and how has it evolved since you first started sewing?
I have a small in-home studio, but it's my happy place! I have a small cutting table and two industrial machines, as well as a small ironing station. I store my other machines in my closet & I've found that's what works best for me. I honestly love sewing in my house and I don't think I'd ever want a studio anywhere else. It's definitely an improvement from sewing on my bedroom floor! That's how I started.
When you're creating a garment, what matters most to you: the fit, the design, the smallest details, or the way the piece makes someone feel when they wear it?
The small details mean the most to me! I love the little details like topstitching, that's what always catches my eye when looking at garments.
Before discovering Royal Dress forms, what was your experience with dress forms like?
I only had used an adjustable dress form that didn't have much cushioning at all. It wasn't very pinnable which made draping & pattern making extremely difficult!
Do you remember your first impression when you started working with your
Monica?
Absolutely!
It is SO soft and pinnable that I can actually use it to help me with fit & design.
I love that it's not as stiff as most dress forms
either; it mimics the human body so much better!
Have you discovered any unexpected ways of using your soft dress form or
any little tips and tricks that you'd love to share with other makers?
Because I have a small studio, In addition to using it for draping I also use it to help hold up my fabric when I'm ironing.
It's a little random but super handy and keeps my fabric off the floor!
Thank you Paige Sechrist