7/27/10

Home Ec Interview

A little background info in the sewing department.

Q: How did you learn to sew?

A: I have one specific memory of hand stitching some barbie clothing that I had made to my barbie's body when I was a little girl. Another memory is from sometime during elementary or junior high when I raided my Meemaw's vintage fabric stash to make a simple patchwork doll quilt. I can't remember at what point in between those two memories I first started sewing on a machine but the crafty influence from my mom is undeniably the reason I started. She used to make my dresses for church, Halloween costumes, Christmas presents, and fancy pillows for our home.

My Meemaw gave me a Sears Kenmoore sewing machine as a wedding gift eight years ago and I've since sewn for myself and designed and sold product for Red Velvet Art's shop and online craft classes.

Q: Why do you love to sew?

A: I love being resourceful and using my creativity to personalize my own home. Sewing has been a way for me to make things that I love when I can't find anything in stores (or in my budget) as well as a way to pass on keepsakes in the form of quilts, clothing to my children. It's also provided me with the means to contribute to our family finances while staying at home with our young children. I love the way it ties me to so many generations of women and satisfies that strong creative urge to make things.

Q: What is your favorite thing you've ever made?

A: Easily my first large patchwork quilt. I was inspired by the colors of a vintage crazy quilt my SIL owned and gathered vintage and new fabrics for weeks before spending a good chunk of my Fall break cutting and sewing blocks together. It was the same weekend that we found out I was pregnant with our first child (Sebastian) so I like to attribute my desire to take on such a big project to hormonal changes! I still love the colors in my first big quilt and the uneven rows are charming. (Ruby shown on quilt below.)


Q: What is your favorite technique?

A: I'm really bad with following patterns and technical directions and I'm all over the short cuts when they present themselves! Is that a technique? Taking short cuts? I think it must be. ;)


Q: What part of Home Ec are you most excited about?

A: I think I'm most excited to read the comments from students who have taken their machines out of the closet for the first time in awhile, have overcome their frustration/intimidation/insecurities with making it work for them, and have suddenly realized their reason to live. Or at least realized they can do it, too! Positive feedback from students that have enjoyed previous online classes is always a thrill but I love feeling like I've/we've introduced someone to their new favorite thing.

If you've always wanted to learn how to use that sewing machine you found at a garage sale or could use a few tips on how to get your button holes to turn out like they should, you should join us for Home Ec, an online class designed to teach you how to enter the land of back stitching and squaring up with confidence. You'll get the skills you've always wanted and resources to become quite the innovative crafter/homemaker/business person/best Christmas present maker ever.

Photobucket
Class starts on August 10th. Don't be late!!!

xoxo,
Rachel

p.s. If you'd like to hear more about the other lovely teachers you can read Leigh-Ann's interview here and Courtney's here. They are super duper!

33 comments:

Justine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Wow, you're amazing at sewing! I remember when I was in elementary school I used to sew hand bags for my friends lol.

http://velvetbirds.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I'm signed up and ready to go (and signed my sister up too who has been wanting to learn to sew for a while). Will you be going over fabric types in the class? That always trips me up :)

Anonymous said...

I call my grandma Memaw too! I was debating about taking the class, because I kinda already know how to sew... but I was thinking I might learn some new techniques. Do you think it would still be a good class for someone who isn't really a beginner (i'm no expert either)?

Jessie Fincham said...

lovely interview, such beautiful images - great stuff! :)

emily b said...

I'm signed up and I CANNOT wait! August 10 can't come soon enough. My creative juices will be boiling over by then! -e

RachelDenbow said...

Andrea,

Yes, I think we'll cover it. If not in a specific post, in some of the projects that require certain fabrics.

Jenn,
Yes, there are more advanced projects as the class moves on so I'm sure you'll be challenged by some of the elements of those. Courtney will be working on drafting patterns and resizing things and those are always the things I even have a hard time with and am looking forward to learning about. It should be fun!

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

I just love looking at your blog!

Steph

Amber said...

Rachel... I seriously can NOT wait for this class to start. I think it is going to be the best one I have taken yet!!!
XOXO
Amber

RachelDenbow said...

Thanks, Steph! That means a lot!

Anonymous said...

Hey Rachel,
not sure if you remember me but we were in the art journal book together.
I'm thinking about taking the class and was wondering if you will be posting a materials list.
Looking forward to it.

Unknown said...

absolutely adore that little orange dress you made! i am sooo excited to finally learn how to sew!!

Vivs said...

I am super excited for the class. I have "learn to sew" on my to-do-list for over two years.

Gingiber said...

when is the deadline for signing up?

RachelDenbow said...

Tammy,

Yes, it should be up on the private blog. Some projects depend on what you are specifically needing according to your measurements (curtains, etc.) but most of the specifics are available.

Thanks and I hope you join us!

RachelDenbow said...

Gingiber,

August 9th.

Nichole Contente said...

I'm so excited! I get paid friday, and I'm signing up :)

She Can't Decide said...

that tiny little orange dress with the buttons and doily is amazing! I want one in my size!

Anonymous said...

I love the blog! Especially the name. So cute!

Come check out my blog! :o)

Hannah

Holly Knitlightly said...

I loved this! Thanks so much Rachel. I can't wait for the class to start. I've never sewn ANYTHING before and I'm excited for it to be one of my new favourite hobbies.

Stylist A said...

You are so amazing. I really can't wait to start Home Ec!!!

It's my pleasure to give you the Versatile Blogger Award today--you have such a wonderful, beautiful, and creative blog. You can see the announcement at

http://alysha-gray.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-received-versatile-blogger-award.html

Thanks for being you!

Michelle Clement said...

Oh, love your sewing story, Rachel! :) And looking at your projects all in one post has me smiling & wanting to run home to my machine!! he he. :) So lovely!

Nicole said...

Yay! I'm so excited for class to start

molly said...

will you offer the class again? I am hoping to get a machine for christmas.

RachelDenbow said...

Molly,

We aren't planning on offering it again at this time.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
diane said...

i just signed up! We are an a pretty tight budget with Jeremy in school, but we both believe this will be an excellent investment. We will be moving right after class is in session, so I am glad the info will be available for a whole year and I can take it at my own pace. This will give me something to do while Jeremy is up late studying. Our Christmas presents are going to rock this year!

Cari said...

i'm always very inspired by your projects and can't wait to get started on the course!:)

Sara said...

Can't wait for class to start!

kelly* said...

just got my new issue of BUST and was so stoked to see the feature done on you!! how exciting that must be for you!!! congrats!

♥kelly

stacey said...

I love love love your blog, and was thrilled to see this new class!! I borrowed my MIL's sewing machine to make curtains, and still have a lot to learn.

When I looked at the projects, I thought, "no way, there's NO way I can do that!" but then I thought... why not?! ha!

Sweet Escape said...

oh my gosh!,,oh my gosh!!,,I just signed up for Home Ec!!,,im so stoked right now!!! :-)))

Everyday Ordinary, Everyday Me. said...

This has nothing to do with sewing, even though your projects and set up are SUPER cute and FUN, I was wondering if you would share where you got your super adorable frame that says Home Sweet Home. I have been looking at an oval one very similar but just love yours also!!!

Thanks!!! :)