I’m generally asked:
What kind of camera do you use?
I use a Nikon D7000 SLR and started out this blog with a Nikon D40 SLR. They are both great quality cameras and I truly do love and enjoy taking photos and learning more about good photography. I use a tripod and a remote control clicker to take the photos of myself – I really am a one woman operation here. Having never really been much of a photographer, I jumped right into buying an SLR thinking that it would magically make every photo taking problem away. I hate to say it, but this is not so. Still I’m glad I made the jump as it gets me out of the house and interested in another hobby. I’m still not an expert on taking photos, but have learned a few tricks along the way.
Do you edit your photos?
Yes. I use Photoshop CS3. And I’m fairly self taught. I was able to take a community course on the basics of navigating and using CS3, and have learned a good deal from books and online tutorials. Still learning too.
Who designs your blog?
I do. Everything you see here, really is, the work of my own two hands, unless I state otherwise. This blog is a 3rd party hosted (through Blue Host) WordPress site and I use the ProPhoto theme (I highly highly recommend! So worth the investment!). I know next to nothing about developing a website and have gotten my feet wet doing a few things here on the ole blog – but I am not a designer, by any stretch!
Where do you get/find your fabrics?
First, let’s say that I’m a fabric horder lover. I adore fabrics. Running them through my fingers at the fabric store just makes my hair stand up. So if you too are a fabric-aholic – you’ll find fabric nearly anywhere. I find fabrics in a lot of places. I live in Salt Lake City, Utah and do a good part of my fabric hunting here locally. I also work at a local fabric shop where I have access to oodles of gorgeous apparel fabrics – Yellow Bird Fabrics! To get a handle on the apparel fabric scene in SLC, have a look at this post. I also shop online. Some of my favorites haunts include:
Fashion Fabrics Club – great prices and a very wide selection
Gorgeous Fabrics – beautiful, beautiful fabrics
Mood Fabrics – whenever I’m in need of a certain solid color of silk (any weave) I usually purchase here
Super Buzzy – sweet and adorable japanese cottons
Fabric Mart – great deals on amazing designer fabric leftovers
Thai Silks – amazing silk prints!
Trim Fabric – beautiful wools
B & J Fabrics – looking for Chanel style boucle – start here!
Fabric Tales – really luscious japanese fabrics, straight from Japan
Hart’s Fabric – I LOVE the knit selection here
Lowpricefabrics.com – great knits and amazing prices on Liberty of London cotton lawn
Where did you learn to sew?
I first learned in middle school home ec class. We were all required to take home ec (even the boys) and we all had to learn how to sew a pillow case. I went on to take sewing classes in high school. From high school I went into a rigorous performance arts degree from the University of Utah. Once I finished, I picked up the needle and thread again, found a very supportive and wonderful online community of sewers and also found that I’m an avid reader of anything sewing related, including very boring textbooks. It’s a passion and one that I am still trying to cultivate.
Do you teach sewing? Will you teach me?
Well….. yes I do and I would love to teach you! I teach at a local fabric shop – Yellow Bird Fabrics – and I teach several different classes for several different levels of sewing. I love it, I love my students and I have so much fun teaching others to sew and create. Hop on over to my class schedule that is updated monthly.
If I’m new to sewing, what should my first sewing project be?
It depends what type of sewing you want to do. My true passion lies in garment construction because quite frankly, the types of clothes I want to have can only be had if I sew them. And I love clothes. So, if you are wanting to get into making your own clothes too, start with an A-line skirt or a t-shirt. A-line skirts are easy to fit, easy to sew and hem and will challenge you just a little with a zipper insertion. Want a little bit of help and guidance? Follow along with the Ginger Skirt sewalong which is geared towards beginning sewers. T-shirts are also very fun and easy to make, they don’t require a closure and working with knits is very very forgiving on fit. Looking for a good pattern? Try out the Renfrew!
Is that your real hair color?
Yes. I have the fair skin and freckled knees and elbows to prove it too.
How did you start your shop? What program do you use for your shop website?
The story of my shop is a long one. I’ve always had dreams of having my own little business and being a “proprietress.” I started selling on Etsy in 2008 and at that point I was selling aprons and crafty items. After a year or so, I found that sewing aprons was not my true calling and so I closed my Etsy shop for awhile. One night, just before I fell asleep, I had the idea that I should open a shop dedicated to hard to find sewing tools and supplies. I started by selling my very own handmade tailor’s hams and seams rolls – and they were a sensation! Having found my true passion – selling items that dealt with garment construction – everything clicked and here I am. I moved from Etsy to my own store site in May/June-ish of 2011 and currently, I host my own shop through Big Cartel – an amazing e-commerce platform dedicated to smaller online shops. Currently, I’m not stocking my own tailor’s hams and seam rolls, but there are so many other supplies that every sewer can use. Hop on over and take a look!
Have more questions? Drop me a line at sunni@afashionablestitch.com