FAQs

I’m generally asked:

What kind of camera do you use?
I use a Nikon D40 SLR. I also use a tripod and a remote control clicker to take many of my photos. 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. I’m still not an expert on taking photos, but have learned a few tricks along the way. And what’s weird – I do wish I had a point and clicker sometimes too.

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.

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. 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
Gorgeous Fabrics
Mood Fabrics
Super Buzzy
Fabric Mart
Thai Silks
Trim Fabric
B & J Fabrics
Fabric Tales

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?
I would love to teach a sewing class someday! How exciting to meet other sewers and learn how to fit and construct all manner of garments. What a lovely thought! At this point in time, I don’t teach a sewing class and unfortunately, due to my very busy personal and business life I don’t teach sewing privately either. But don’t let that stop you! Check out your local fabric stores and if they aren’t offering classes, pick up a good sewing book and start learning.

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. 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.

Is that your real hair color?
Yes. I have the fair skin and freckled knees and elbows to prove it too.

What blogging program do you use?
A Fashionable Stitch blog is run on WordPress, the kind that requires a host. I also bought a WordPress theme while I was at it and run this blog on Thesis. Over the years, I’ve used Blogger and Typepad too. There are several elements of all them that I love, but for now I’ll be sticking to WordPress.

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.

Have more questions? Drop me a line at sunni@afashionablestitch.com