Monday, November 8, 2010

Ever Wonder Where I Started?

Oh, crafting, how I love thee! Let me count the ways!


I'm a life-long crafter. It all began with my first coloring pages, and box of scissors, glue, pom poms and stickers. I'd have to say from very early on I've been obsessed with the line of things. In most of my own art, line is everything. It's the shape of things I'm most struck by. I draw, I paint, I color, I sew, and that's how SewArtsy came about.

My mom sewed almost all of my clothes growing up. There were dresses for every special occasion, adorable summer clothes, bathing suits and cover-ups, homecoming dresses, prom dresses, and yes, even my wedding gown. I learned to pin and cut patterns at an early age. But somewhere along the way while I was being formed in the womb, I was not handed the garment-sewing gene! I tried early on to learn how to sew my own clothes, much to my own, and my mother's, frustration. It didn't take long until I just labeled myself a pinner and cutter, and left all of the garment sewing to her - and I still do! I'm not ashamed of it. I'm just more of a straight seam kind of girl - I want to make shapes. I became a fabulous sewer of pillows and little stuffed critters, and I found a love of buttons and embellishments! Eventually I learned a little about quilting, and found that I really enjoyed that. I could use fabulous fabrics, in a variety of cut shapes, and could embellish my finished works to my hearts content. One day I wanted to turn my pieced fabrics into a tote, and once I finished it I was hooked on handbags. Eventually I started making modifications to a basic tote pattern - resizing, reshaping, adding zippers, adding pockets, changing handles. Now I love designing accessories to go with my bags, and I'm much more confident and at ease with my sewing supplies. And of course with my embellishments! Buttons, crystals and appliques are my favorites, can't you tell?


For the record I still can't sew a garment to save my life, and I'm still not ashamed!

Happy Monday! Amy

See how my other CREST teammates started in their crafts:
Sandi Volpe Handcrafted Jewelry
Birchtreejewelry
CT2Designs
SapphireChild
RaineStudios
The Twisted Cow
JenniferLynnProductions
Fripperie
Turqouise Angels
PurpleCloverArt

2 comments:

Julia said...

That's interesting! I always assume any sewer makes basic garments at some point.

My "where I started" is up too, check it out and tell me what you think! :)

Turquoise Angels said...

My mother made most of our clothes when we were growing up as well. I am nowhere near the seamtress she was. Your creative outlet of bags is great. your work is lovely